Metallic Tambourine

Why

Get ready to shake, dance, and sing! Create a colorful metallic tambourine and perform with your own band. You've got rhythm!


Steps

1. Tambourines are fun to play and easy to make. Maybe that's why they have been part of so many different cultures for hundreds of years. This is one way to make your own rhythm instrument. You'll need two heavy paper bowls or plates.

2. Punch several evenly-spaced holes in the rim of one bowl or plate. Put the other bowl rim-to-rim with the first one. Mark the placement of the holes on the second bowl with a Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils. Punch holes to match the first set.

3. Decorate the outside of your tambourine with Crayola Crayons. You might use musical symbols, dancers, or some other design.

4. To create a space for your jangling metal washers, hold the bowls so their rims face each other. String three or four buttons or a wooden bead between the rims at every other set of holes. Cut heavy string with Crayola Scissors. Pass it into the bottom hole, through the buttons, then the top hole. Knot to hold buttons in place.

5. If you want to make lots of sound, place something that rattles inside the tambourine. Large buttons or plastic milk carton lids work well. Make sure the items are larger than the open edges in your tambourine.

6. Put metal washers in the empty spaces between the buttons. Stick a brass paper fastener into the top hole, then through two or more washers (make sure they have room to rattle against each other), then through the bottom hole. Bend the fastener. Cover the bent ends with tape. You're ready to make music!

Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Small Parts— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

Related Crafts

Crafts

 

Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Metallic FX Crayons
  • Erasable Colored Pencils
  • Blunt-Tip Scissors
household supplies
  • string
  • buttons
  • clear adhesive tape
  • metal washers
  • brass paper fasteners
  • bowls (paper)

Where & When

"Kids use their tambourines to dance and play along with their favorite music. What a hit!"
Jenelle R., after-school craft leader.

"So many cultures have percussion instruments. Children search for rattles in the museum, then make their own."
Ramon Q., museum docent.


Interesting Info

The symbols TOPH are similar to the Hebrew word for tambourine. Tambourines, a type of idiophone or rhythm instrument, have been used since ancient times.