Homemade Kids' Drums

Cut the bottom from one or more oatmeal containers. If you wish to have drums of varying heights, use the utility knife to cut the containers, which will produce different kinds of sounds.

Cut open the mailing envelope, which is lined with polyethylene, until it&'s flat.

Stand the oatmeal container on the open mailing envelope and trace around it. Cut out the circle, staying about 2 inches to the outside of the traced line. Repeat this step for other drums.

Encourage your child to decorate the circle you cut,which will form the top of the drum. Repeat this step for any other drum "skins" you have cut.

Cut the duct tape into eight, 2-inch long lengths. Center the circle you cut on top of the oatmeal container and apply one of the pieces of tape, securing it in place. Stretch the circle tightly across the container and tape it on the opposite side. Continue until you secure the circle to the container, all the way around its diameter. Cover the individual pieces of tape with one long piece of duct tape around the outside of the oatmeal container.

Decorate the outside of the container with construction paper, paint, feathers, beads, or other items, or cover it with wrapping paper or a drawing by your child. Repeat these steps for each drum.

Give your child two spoons for drumsticks and let him begin experimenting with rhythm.