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🎵 DIY Shaker Instruments
The most joyful noise you'll ever hear - and you made it together
THE GRANDPARENT CONNECTIONTODDLER CRAFTS AND CONNECTION
6/17/20262 min read
There is absolutely nothing like the pride of a toddler who has made their own musical instrument. The shaking, the rattling, the completely unrestrained joy of making as much noise as possible with something they built with their own hands - it is one of life's simple, perfect pleasures. DIY shaker instruments are wonderfully easy to make, use things you almost certainly have at home, and open up a whole world of music-making, dancing and imaginative play. Best of all, the making is just as much fun as the playing - and the decorating in between is a whole activity in itself.
Why This Activity Works for Little Ones
Making instruments engages toddlers in a beautifully multi-layered way - first the tactile pleasure of filling and decorating, then the auditory delight of discovering the sounds different fillings make. It's a wonderful introduction to cause and effect (I put rice in - it makes this sound; I put buttons in - it makes that sound), and the music-making that follows supports language development, rhythm, and self-expression. It's also completely joyful, which matters enormously.
Activity Details
Age Range: 18 months – 4 years
Time: 30–45 minutes making, then ongoing playing!
Mess Level: Mild - a tray helps contain the fillings 🎵
Supervision: Active supervision for filling and sealing
What You'll Need
Small plastic bottles or empty containers with lids (water bottles, spice jars, small Tupperware)
Fillings - dried rice, dried pasta, dried beans, buttons, small pebbles (use different ones for different sounds!)
Strong tape or a hot glue gun (adults only!) to seal lids
Stickers, washi tape and markers to decorate
A funnel for easy filling (or make one from a rolled piece of paper)
How To Do It
Set out your bottles and bowls of different fillings on a tray.
Let toddlers choose their filling - this is a wonderful sensory moment in itself, touching and exploring each material.
Help them funnel their chosen filling into the bottle - not too full, about one third works best for the best shaking sound.
Seal the lid tightly. For extra security, add a ring of strong tape around the top - or use a hot glue gun yourself while little ones watch.
Now the really fun part - decorate! Stickers, washi tape strips, and drawing with markers all work beautifully.
Let dry if needed, then shake, rattle and make the most wonderful noise together!
Kim's Tips 💕
Make two or three shakers with different fillings and listen to the different sounds together - a beautiful little music lesson!
Put on some favourite music and have a proper shaker dance party - toddlers absolutely love this.
Washi tape in pretty patterns makes the most beautiful decorated shakers - they look lovely displayed on a shelf too.
When grandchildren visit, making shakers together and letting them take them home is such a sweet keepsake activity.
Keep the leftover fillings in small jars for next time - they're endlessly useful for sensory play.
What You'll Need
Sticker sets, washi tape, funnel sets and sensory filling kits are all on my Amazon storefront - everything to make the most beautiful little shakers together.
👉 Shop my Toddler Activity picks
More Activities You'll Love
There's a whole world of simple, joyful activities at the Creating Calm Chaos Activity Hub - pop in whenever you need a little inspiration.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only ever share products I genuinely love and use myself. Thank you so much for your support - it means the world! 💕
With love,
Kim xx