See what sounds you can create using objects you find at home, and make some music together!
What you’ll need: Clean and non-sharp recycling and craft supplies, such as milk bottles, tins, rubber bands, and bottle tops etc.
What’s it for?
This activity helps you express yourself through making instruments and creating music. You could make some instruments on your own, or you can work together with another person to play together and practice listening to each other.
Check In:
Notice how you’re feeling right now. Close your eyes and notice what’s going on inside your mind and body.
How are you feeling?
What are you thinking?
How does your body feel?
Method:
Make your instruments: Can you fill a container with something to make a shaking sound? Could you stretch rubber bands around a box to make a strumming sound? What happens if you blow over the top of a bottle?
Create your music: How loudly can you play? How quietly can you play? What kind of music would you make if you were feeling angry? What about if you were feeling calm?
Play music together: Can you copy each other? Can you take turns playing? Could you play along to a favourite song? How could you stop and start the music without using any words?
Extra Activity: Musicians use music notes to know which notes to play and share their music with each other. Could you invent your own way of writing down your music? For example, maybe a circle could mean play the shaker, or a triangle could mean hit the drum.
When you’ve finished making your music, ask yourself the following questions:
Which instrument you made is your favourite?
What could you call your new instruments?
What was the most surprising sound you created?
Was it easy or difficult to play with another person?
Did you prefer leading the music or following the other person?
What title could you give the music you created?
How did it feel while you were making your instruments?
What about when you were playing your music?
Conclusion:
Take a moment to notice how you are feeling at the end of this activity. Did you discover anything surprising about yourself? What can you take away to make you feel better about yourself from this activity?
If you would like to, share something about your experience with this activity with someone you live with! Ask the person who looks after you to send us an email if you have any questions or comments about the activity, or would like to send us any pictures (info@catcorner.co.uk). Don't forget to subscribe for more fun CAT activities!
Created by Heather Dingle © March 2020
Creative Art Used: Music and Art
Psychological Area: Relationships, Play, Communication
These activities could be done by children of all ages, but some may need the support of their parent or carer to read the instructions or complete the activity safely.
This website was made by CAT Corner to help you explore your feelings through fun creative arts activities. The people using the website and the people responsible for them need to make sure they stay safe (full disclaimer on About page).
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