Activities for Rain Sticks

Rain Dance

• A rain dance is supposed to encourage rain for the year. In the past when it was very dry out, Native American tribes used to perform a rain dance. Some Native Americans still perform the dance in present day. You can use your rain stick to complement a rain dance. The steps in a traditional rain dance can be quite intricate but you can formulate personalized steps for your own dance. Most commonly, participants stand in a circle and perform steps, spins or gestures rhythmically. Incorporate the rain stick in the dance moves or have other participants play the sticks while you dance.

Music Gatherings

• From South America to Mexico to America and everywhere in between, rain sticks have gathered popularity as musical instruments. Rain sticks are easily portable as they do not weigh much and are hollow. They can be taken to camping outings and played around camp fires or used in get-togethers with friends. They can be used as percussion in a band. As they do not take much skill to play, they can be taken to preschool play activities or used as baby or toddler music or parents and kids' introductory music classes. When shaken, the rain stick can make a noise like maracas.

Meditation

• Because the rain stick makes a soothing rain-like sound, it can be used in meditation and relaxation settings. Rain sticks can be played during yoga or meditation classes either live or recorded to set the mood of the class. They can also be used in a massage setting to soothe a massage recipient during the massage process. Recorded tracks using rain sticks can be used as sleep aids when sleep is hard to reach naturally.