Materials
Wrapping or construction paper
Scissors
Coffee cans with a plastic lid on each end
Glue
Markers, crayons, or paint
Decorating materials such as stickers, old buttons, sequins, and beads
String or yarn
Mallets or pencils
Masking tape
Instructions
1. Ahead of time, cut paper in sheets that will fit around the sides of a coffee can. Remove the topand bottom from the cans.
2. Teach the children the Drummers' Song, which is sung to the tune of "One Little, Two Little,Three Little Indians."One little, two little, three little drummers,Four little, five little, six little drummersSeven little, eight little, nine little drummersTen drummers in our band.
3. Help the children cover their can with glue and wrap it in paper. Invite them to decorate theircoffee can with a few of the odds and ends.
4. While the children are working, cut lengths of string or yarn that will loop through the can andaround the back of the child's neck like a strap. Show the children how to pass the stringthrough one end of the can and out the other, then tie the ends together.
5. Finally, have the children place a lid on each end of their coffee can.
6. For playing the drums, provide mallets or pencils with ends that are protected with a wad ofmasking tape; some children will prefer to use their hands.More to doGames: Have the children sit on the floor in a circle with the drums on the floor in front of them.Play music and have the children beat their drum once, taking turns around the circle. When themusic stops, the last drummer moves to the center of the circle and plays along on another handmadeinstrument until there is an entire orchestra.
