Homemade instruments – Music Makers Major Activity

Ready to plan and make

Preview the two-page activity guide

Download 2-page activity guideCheck the preview, printing notes and licence before use.

A substantial Music Makers project

Homemade instruments is a Design-and-test challenge designed to stay available for about 75 minutes. Children investigate creative decision-making, visual or performing arts language, audience awareness and reflection through a concrete shared task rather than completing identical work.

Educational purpose

This invitation gives children opportunities to develop creative decision-making, visual or performing arts language, audience awareness and reflection. Look for the decisions children make, the language they use to explain an idea and the evidence they notice after trying it. A finished model is optional; the planning, testing and discussion are valuable parts of the experience.

Goal

Develop an original homemade instruments piece and make purposeful choices about form, pattern, character, sound or presentation.

Materials

Paper, card, tape, pencils, floor spots, blocks, lightweight loose parts and measuring tools already approved by the service. Add planning thumbnails, texture or rhythm cards and a simple artist-statement prompt.

Set up

• Create a making space for homemade instruments plus a separate place to rehearse, display or discuss work.
• Show two contrasting techniques or arrangements without providing a model to copy.
• Offer individual, partner, backstage, curator and performer roles.

Run the activity

1. Choose an idea or mood for the homemade instruments and identify one technique to explore.
2. Make two quick trials that change colour, shape, texture, sound, movement or viewpoint.
3. Select useful parts from each trial and develop an original piece.
4. Pause for specific peer feedback about what the audience notices first.
5. Revise, rehearse or curate the work and add an optional title or artist explanation.

Educator prompt

What do you want the audience to notice, and which creative choice helps that happen?

Adapt participation

Reduce the material choices, offer a visual sequence and allow arranging, directing or explaining instead of making.

Extend the challenge

Combine two media or techniques, create a connected series or adapt the work for a different audience.

Safety

• Check tools, materials, floor space and supervision against local service procedures.
• Keep walkways clear and use only clean, lightweight construction materials suitable for the children present.
• Participation, observing and an alternative activity remain available choices.

Reflection

Which creative decision changed the work most, and what would you explore next?

Printing notes

The two-page A4 guide follows the same clean format as the printable physical games. Page two includes a cut-off quick-reference card that can be stored with the activity materials or laminated.