2 DIY Craft Stick Harmonicas

Homemade instruments are always a hit at my house (check out our piano, drums, guitar, flute, and palm pipes for proof).

When I saw two blogs share ways to make a harmonica from jumbo craft sticks, I knew that my son and I had to give it a try. I thought we'd have a harmonica face-off to see which was better. Truth be told, both were amazing. There ARE differences, though.

No. 1

(This idea came from Housing a Forest.)

SUPPLIES:

2 Jumbo Wooden Craft Sticks

2 Skinny Rubber Bands

Paper (cut down to a strip to roughly the same size as a craft stick)

2 Toothpicks (cut each to the width or slightly wider than the craft stick)

ASSEMBLY

1. Make a sandwich out of your paper and craft sticks with the paper in between.
2. Wrap a rubber band around one end of the sandwich until it is secure.
3. Slide a toothpick into the craft stick sandwich beneath the paper, until it is positioned just inside the rubber band.
4. Place the other toothpick on the opposite end of the craft stick sandwich, this time placing it on top of the paper.
5. Wrap the end with the remaining rubber band.

Hold the "harmonica" up to your mouth and blow air out through it to make noise.

No. 2

(This idea came from Montessori Tidbits, courtesy of Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas.)

SUPPLIES:

2 Jumbo Wooden Craft Sticks

1 Wide Rubber Band

2 Skinny Rubber Bands

Paper (cut two strips about 3/4- x 3-inches each)

Clear tape

ASSEMBLY

1. Place one craft stick on top of the other. Wrap a strip of paper snugly around each end of the sticks. Secure with tape. (Make sure the tape does not touch the sticks.)
2. Slide one craft stick out, leaving the paper and other craft stick in place.
3. Stretch the wide rubber band around the length of the craft stick with the paper strips.
4. Place the other craft stick on top of the papered and rubber banded stick. Secure the sticks together at the ends using the skinny rubber bands, placing each just to the outside of the paper.

Hold the "harmonica" up to your mouth and blow air out through it to make noise.

My son was surprised that each made such a unique sound - sort of like a kazoo.

When he was done making some funky music with his new instruments, we read a book about a boy whose uncle (Booker T.) teaches him to play the harmonica. It was the perfect story to pair with this craft!