Coffee cans, plastic containers and iced tea containers work well. Have extras on hand for any student that forgets to come prepared. Students will place some of the gravel, sand, beans or combination thereof into their containers. The containers are then sealed with a glue gun to ensure that nothing falls out while being played. Have students cut a piece of construction paper to the size of their container.
Students then decorate the paper using crayons or markers.
Glue the paper to the container using either a glue stick or glue gun. Decorate the instruments with various trimmings, fringe, shells, beads, colored paper or any other materials they choose to use. If students finish early, they may draw quietly or listen to music at the listening station. When dry, put on a tape or CD and have the students play their instruments to the beat either using their hand or a dowel stick. Varying types of music may be played to introduce students to the rhythms and beats used in different types of music.