The rainstick is a musical instrument played in
the belief that it could bring about rainstorms.
Before starting this activity, be sure to get permission and ask for help.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels or a poster tube
- Aluminum foil (scraps will work if you have enough of them)
- Cardboard scraps (for end caps)
- Popcorn kernels (unpopped)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Markers, paint, stickers or other art supplies to decorate your rainstick.
WHAT YOU DO
- Place the end of your tube on a piece of cardboard and trace around it. Do this twice, so you have two circles. Then, cut out the circles. These will be the end caps of your rainstick.
- Glue one of your end caps on and let it dry. You will use the other one later.
- Using aluminum foil scraps or new foil, roll your aluminum foil into a long “snake.” Your “snake” should be twice as long as your tube and about 1/2” in diameter.
- Push your aluminum foil “snake” into the tube, zig zagging it back and forth so it will fit.
- Pour 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels into the tube. Glue on the other end cap to the open end of
your tube.
- Finish by decorating your cardboard tube using
any kind of materials you want - be creative!
To play your rainstick, tilt it back and forth. The popcorn kernels falling over the foil will sound like rain!