Rain Sticks

Rain Sticks

Activity for an individual child

Age group: 18-40 months

Duration of activity: 15 minutes

Materials:

• 1 cardboard paper towel tube
• Crayons
• 2 squares of tinfoil, large enough to cover the ends of the tube
• Masking tape
• 1 long pipe cleaner twisted into a loose coil
• 1/4 cup dry rice

Rain sticks have long been popular as musical instruments in other cultures. Now you don't have to go to a fancy import store at the mall to find them—your child can make one out of materials you have around the house. Many children find the sound of a rain stick to be very soothing.

1. Let your child color the tube for decoration.
2. Fasten one tinfoil square on the end of the tube with masking tape. Leave the other end open until the tube is filled.
3. Help your child fit the pipe cleaner into the tube. Assist her in pouring in the rice.
4. Close the other end of the tube with the second square of tinfoil. Show your child how to tilt the stick back and forth to create the rain noise.