Theater & Music Basket
String Instruments Basket
A gentle first introduction to plucking and strumming with a homemade box guitar and small string toys.
Ages 3-615 min prep
What you'll need
- A small tissue box or empty cardboard box
- 4-6 wide rubber bands of different thicknesses
- A cardboard tube for a guitar neck (optional)
- A toy ukulele, mini harp, or zither if you have one
- Tape and safety scissors
How to make it
- 1
If the tissue box has a plastic film, remove it so the hole is open.
- 2
Stretch the rubber bands lengthwise around the box, crossing the opening. Thicker bands make lower sounds.
- 3
Tape the cardboard tube to one short end of the box for a guitar neck, if using.
- 4
Show your child how to pluck each band one at a time and listen to the different pitches.
- 5
Line up the box guitar, ukulele, and any other string toys in the basket like an orchestra.
- 6
Play a simple song together — one plucks the beat, one hums the tune.
Tip
Ask your child which band sounds like a bumblebee and which sounds like an elephant. Naming sounds builds musical ears.