Make a Tropical Rainstick

A Fun Rain Stick That Teaches Sensory Skills

Sep 7, 2007

Create a realistic sounding rain stick that is an easy crafts for preschoolers and elementary age children.

This is a very simple craft to make and do but yet provides a lot of area for creativity for toddlers right on up to elementary age children. Not only does it allow the kids to express themselves artistically but it teaches sensory skills to younger ones.

By putting different types of items into your rain stick it will make a variety of sounds. Soft sounds, loud sounds and sliding sounds will help younger kids experience a plethora of sounds and practice listening well.

Tropical rain sticks also tie in with a unit for home schoolers on the rain forest, jungle, African tribes, different cultures, making your own musical instruments or simply a lesson on music. When you make this project for school count it as art and music and even culture or history. Now on to the fun part! Making the tropical rain stick

Make Tropical Rain Stick

1. Decorate your tube. Cover it with construction paper and draw fancy design on it. Glue on sequins ribbons or put on lots of stickers. Cover it with fabric or felt and decorate it with fabric paints. Use your imagination!

2. Seal off one end. Put strips of duct tape across the end crossing over each other in a star pattern until the end is completely covered. Make the strips all the same size.

3. Add your handfuls of your filler material. Seal off the other end just like you did the first.

4. Try different things inside and different size tubes. Remember different items will make different sounds. Turn up and down slowly. Listen to the different sounds you tropical rain stick makes.

This is a simple craft even little ones can do. This is a wonderful sensory craft. Young children love the sound and sensations this makes.

For more crafts that go along with this rain forest or jungle them check out this Bengal tiger page with coloring sheets and worksheets. You can also check out our latest article on crafting with toddlers.

Email me with suggestions. Check back often - you won't want to miss any of our crafts!

The copyright of the article Make a Tropical Rainstick in Kids Crafts is owned by Belinda Mooney. Permission to republish Make a Tropical Rainstick in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.