Research studies have shown that kids who are exposed to music at a young age have better learning skills.  Here is a way to incorporate music, craft-making and spending time together all in one!

You will need:

Coffee Can with Cover; Empty toilet paper roll or paper towel roll; Wax paper; Construction Paper; Rubber Band; Crayons, Markers, Colored Pencils; Scissors; Glue Stick or any other kind of glue; dried beans or peas; duct tape or packaging tape

COFFEE CAN TOM TOM DRUM

Wash & dry an empty coffee can & plastic cover.  Measure a piece of construction paper so that it fits around the outside of the coffee can and cut to size.  Color and decorate the construction paper for the outside of your drum.  When finished, glue the construction paper around the outside of the coffee can.  Now glue the cover on to the can by putting glue on the inside lip of the cover.  When glue is dry, your drum is ready for playing any beat you want!  Use your hands or a small wooden spoon.

COFFEE CAN SHAKER

Follow the same steps for the Coffee Can Drum.  Before you glue the construction paper around your can, pour in about 1/4 cup of dried beans or peas.  Glue the cover on to the can AND use either duct tape or strong packaging tape to seal the cover on to the can.  Make sure the cover is sealed tightly!  Now you can glue the decorated construction paper around your can and shake away.  NOTE:  Dried beans or peas are a choking hazard for small children.  This craft is recommended for children 5 years of age and older.

TOILET PAPER OR PAPER TOWEL ROLL KAZOO

Measure and cut a 4" x 4" square of wax paper for each 'kazoo' you will be making.  If you will be using a paper towel roll, cut it in half.  Now take your markers or crayons and decorate the roll how ever you like.  After you have finished decorating, take the 4" x 4" square of wax paper and place it on one end of the roll.  Now take the rubber band and wrap it around the wax paper to hold it on to the roll.  Now sing or hum or just 'la la la' in to the open end of your new kazoo.  Experiment with how to make different sounds by singing louder and softer or by putting your hand over the wax paper end and feeling the vibrations.

You now have your own home-made band!