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DIY Drum Craft for Kids – Music Activities

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Have you ever participated in a drum circle? The children’s section at our library hosts drum circles for kids a few times a year. If you haven’t experienced music with your children, I encourage you to. Either way today we are sharing the cutest DIY Drum Craft for kids.

DIY Drum Craft

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

DIY Drum Craft for Kids

Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and learn about other cultures around the world. Learning to play music helps kids develop a strong work ethic as they learn the value of discipline and practice. Music also helps young children develop listening, motor, and creative thinking skills.

Don’t have any drums at home? You can work together with your kids to make your very own DIY drum set for drum circles and concerts at home. Keep reading to find out how.

How to build a homemade drum

Building your own drum at home with kids can be as simple or complicated as you prefer. Either way, it’s a task you’ll both have fun completing together. In the end, the memories will be just as special as your first drum concert together! 

These adorable drums are easily created with ribbon, plastic wrap, and plastic flower pots or beach buckets. Kids can decorate their fun little drums however they like. Here are some ideas:

  • Stars and stripes make a fun patriotic drum for your 4th of July parade.
  • African geometric patterns create a fun tribal drum for musical messages.
  • Native American beads and faux fur makes a drum fit for any Brave.
  • Make a personal statement by letting kids decorate with all their favorite things. After all, who says you can’t have a unicorn drum or a dinosaur drum? 
Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

When your drums are ready to play, the fun is just beginning! There are so many fun things you can do with these homemade instruments. Why not have a drum themed storytime? You can read all about drums in folklore around the world, funny children’s tales with drums in the spotlight, and people everywhere who love music.

It’s a great way to inspire children to develop a love for music too.

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

Drum Books for Kids

DIY Drum Story Time

Another great way to get kids excited about drums is by reading about them. Reading aloud to kids sparks imagination and creativity, so it’s the perfect activity to pair with building your own instrument. Check out these fun drum themed picture books your children are sure to love:

These books are colorful and engaging, but they also contain stories about drums from around the world.

Books are a great way to introduce your kids to the role drums play in different world cultures and begin a talk about what we all have in common: a love of music.

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

Start a drum circle for kids

I’m a big fan of drum circles for children. It’s a really fun experience, but it’s also a great way to teach children important social lessons about equality, tolerance, and working together. In a drum circle, everyone comes together to make music. There is no leader, no person above the other drummers. There is no beginning or end, just everyone sitting together in a circle (a great visual reminder of unity) playing music. Music is a powerful way to bring us together and kids get to experience that first hand in a drum circle. 

Besides, all kids like to make noise, all kids like to bang on their own homemade drums and all kids like music. Ready to get started? Here’s how to start your very own neighborhood drum circle:

  1. First, get the drums. You can use the instructions above to make several DIY drums at home, borrow drums from musical friends, or purchase drums for kids. 
  2. Then, get the word out. You can send out invitations through social media, post signs, or just show up with your drums near a playground and start playing.
  3. Invite children to join you. Most kids will naturally approach a circle of friendly faces playing DIY instruments.
  4. Encourage your own kids to join in the fun and watch the drum circle grow.

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

Drums Around the World

Drum circles originated in America in the 1960s, but drums have been around much longer than that. In fact, many experts believe the first drums originated in China in 5500 bc. Since then, drums have been used in sacred rituals in India, as a form of communication in Africa, and by soldiers for marching.

You can explore drums from around the world with your kids as you create your own homemade drums. Children may be inspired to create their DIY drum in the image of a Congolese drum from Africa or a Native American animal skin drum. 

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

You can add a special patriotic element by creating fun patriotic 4th of July drums. Teach your children Yankee Doodle and have your own drum parade just like revolutionary soldiers to celebrate America’s birthday!

Is your child ready for drum lessons?

After learning about drums together, you might notice that your children are interested in formal music lessons. Music lessons can be an exciting and fulfilling education for kids. Studies show that learning to play an instrument can help kids improve listening skills, memorization, coordination, and even improve communication skills. 

How can you know if your child is really ready for drum lessons? Most teachers prefer children to start learning to play the drums around age 6.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Can he hold drumsticks?
  • Does she have basic rhythm ability?
  • Can he count to 4?
  • Is she motivated to learn?
  • Can he focus for the duration of a lesson?
  • Does she have time to devote to practice?
  • Is he mature enough to really commit?

If you can answer yes to all or most of these questions, your child might be ready for formal drum lessons. If you decide to teach your child to play the drums, remember to focus on the basics, get the right size drum, and encourage your child to wear ear protection while playing.

Whether you’re teaching the next Ringo Starr or you just like having a Saturday morning drum circle in your pajamas, drums are fun for everyone.

DIY Instruments for Kids

What you will need to make your Homemade drum craft is in this picture below. However, I have it displayed in a recipe list form to print out towards the bottom of the page. Have Fun!

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

How to Make Drum Craft for Kids

The Supplies and instructions listed are for each drum to be made.

We used a 6” plastic flower pot, you could use a *new* small plastic wastebasket, small bucket, large plastic bowl… feel open to exploring what you have on hand.

We used this exact 6” pot in “deep sea” blue 

About 6 total feet of ribbons and trim for the neck strap and to decorate with.

Clear packing tape or duct tape

Optional, glitter, sparkly stickers…

Homemade Patriotic Drum for Kids

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

To make the drums I drilled two holes in the top of the flower pot to feed the ribbon through – this is optional based on the container you choose to use. If you are unable to drill holes you can simply hot glue or tape the ribbons in place.

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

Use the tape to cover the top of the container.

Depending on how thick the tape is-and how excited your drummer is-you may want to add a few layers of tape and secure them around the edges. Duct tape will have a stronger hold than packing tape will.

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

We added a few sparkly pieces of ribbon and a gold glitter star to our drum.

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

This was a fun project to put together with the kids and will provide them with a bunch of fun this holiday!

Drum Craft for Preschoolers and Beyond

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

4th of July Craft for Kids

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

I really hope you have fun creating your own beautiful DIY drums together and falling in love with music. 

SAVE THESE 4TH OF JULY DIY INSTRUMENTS FOR LATER

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

4th of July Crafts and Ideas

Once you make this Drum Craft, your kids will love these Patriotic ideas too.

Patriotic Summer Camp Activities

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

Summer Camp at Home

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids

DIY Drum for Kids – Instruments for Kids

Make a 4th of July Drum for Kids, Playing drums with your kids is a great way to introduce them to rhythm, timing, and to learn about other cultures around the world through music. This Drum Craft for Kids is perfect for a patriotic craft idea or 4th of July parade, Homemade instruments for kids
DIY Drum for Kids

DIY 4th of July Drum for Kids – Easy Music Instruments

Ingredients
  • We used a 6” plastic flower pot you could use a *new* small plastic wastebasket, small bucket, large plastic bowl… feel open to exploring what you have on hand.
  • About 6 total feet of ribbons and trim for the neck strap and to decorate with.
  • Clear packing tape or duct tape
  • optional glitter, sparkly stickers
Instructions
  1. To make the drums drill two holes in the top of the flower pot to feed the ribbon through-this is optional based on the container you choose to use. If you are unable to drill holes you can simply hot glue or tape the ribbons in place.
  2. Use the tape to cover the top of the container. Depending on how thick the tape is-and how excited your drummer is-you may want to add a few layers of tape and secure them around the edges.
  3. Duct tape will have a stronger hold than packing tape will.
  4. We added a few sparkly pieces of ribbon and a gold glitter star to our drum.