Junk Instruments

Make musical instruments out of things you already have at home: bottles, cardboard tubes, elastic bands, a tin can. Then play together as a family band.

You don't need to know how to play an instrument. Just start with a sound you like.

[ Hero illustration ]

Let's turn junk into music

Sound happens when something vibrates. A rubber band plucked, a bottle blown across, a tin tapped: they all work the same way. Every instrument you've ever heard is built on the same idea.

Make it together

iOi Challenge

Make at least one instrument from things around your home, then play together as a family band.

You will need

Elastic bands or hair bobbles
Cardboard boxes or tubes
Large plastic bottles
Pringles tubes or tubs
Masking or packing tape
Lentils or rice
Ice lolly sticks
An empty tin (cover any sharp edges with tape)
A wooden spoon or old pen for tapping
Scissors

Swap anything you don't have for something similar.

Try these

Five ways to turn everyday objects into instruments. Pick one or try them all.

[ Shaker ]

Shaker. Fill a Pringles tube, plastic bottle or tin with lentils or rice. Seal the top with tape. Shake and listen.

[ Drum ]

Drum. Stretch a piece of baking paper or a plastic bag tightly over a tin or box opening. Tape it down. Tap with a finger or a wooden spoon.

[ Scraper ]

Scraper. Stretch elastic bands of different thicknesses across an open cardboard box. Run a stick across them to scrape, or pluck them one at a time.

[ Rubber band guitar ]

Rubber band guitar. Stretch elastic bands across an open cardboard box. Pluck each one. Thicker bands make lower sounds; thinner bands make higher ones.

[ Bottle whistle ]

Bottle whistle. Blow gently across the top of an empty bottle. Add a little water and blow again. More water means a higher note.

Get started

Before you build anything, go around the house and tap, blow and shake things. Try different shapes, sizes, materials. A wooden spoon makes a good tapper. Listen to what sounds you like.

If you are not sure where to start, fill a Pringles tube with rice and tape it shut. That's already an instrument.

Have a go

Listen. Tap, blow and shake a few things around the house. Find two or three sounds you like.
Build. Choose one of the techniques above and make your instrument. Test the sound as you go and adjust until you like what you hear.
Decorate. Use paint, colourful tape or stickers to make it your own.
Play. Put on some music and play along, or make up a piece together.

Tinker

Once you have one instrument, try:

Making a second one that sounds different. A shaker and a drum together are already a rhythm section.
Recording your band on a phone and playing it back.
Playing with your eyes closed, listening hard to each other.
Putting your hand on your throat and humming. You can feel the vibration.

Share what you make

We love seeing what families make at home. Tag us on Instagram and Facebook (@instituteofimagination) or email hello@ioi.london.

An instrument that makes one good sound is already a musical instrument.

Why not share this activity with others?

Institute of Imagination