How to Create a Bucket Drum

Tired of spending money on toys that don't last? Well the simple solution is to just make your own! When it comes to kid's and toys, their always looking for the next thing that's going to keep their attention. Musical instruments are a good way to expand your child's mind and creativity. In a past tutorial I showed how to make drums with your kids (peep here), explaining the details on making homemade drums out of coffee and oatmeal canisters. In this tutorial I will once again be explain how to make homemade drums, but this time they're bucket drums!

Materials:

• 2 Buckets (5 gallon)
• Spray Paint
• Art Materials (spray paint, construction paper, glitter, glue ect.)
• CD with Children's Songs

1. You have the option of designing both drums for play or just one. Note that one drum will be used for sitting purposes, so it's really up to you if you want to decorate it. Start by placing the bucket upside down on the ground, with the open end facing the ground.
2. Pick up the can of spray paint and begin to spray a simple thin layer all the way over. If using different colors, do it in the pattern that you wish, but start off with thin layers. Once done with the thin layer, let dry for a minute. The reason you're doing layers at a time is because spray paint has a chance of running if done too thick.
3. After the first layer is dry, do another layer but this time do it heavy. Try not to hold the spray can right up against the bucket or it might create spray bubbles. If you really don't care about the appearance of your bucket, just do it abstract combine colors going every which way. Whatever you do, don't keep it bland (plain).
4. After the letting the bucket dry with the spray paint, add the rest of your decorations as you please. When adding construction paper or glitter, don't use thick blobs of glue, use thin strips in the outline for which you are making. Let dry for a full day
5. Once the drum is completely dry, you can now play it. Take the other drum and turn it upside down, open side down, and sit on it. This will be your “chair” so to say while you're playing the other bucket. Instead of using drumsticks for this type of drum, you're going to use your hands. When hitting the drum, don't hit with your palm, hit more so with the bottom of your palm right above your wrist. Learn the drum by hitting on it different places to make different sounds.
6. Now that you've tested it out, it's time for the ultimate test. Let your child try hitting the drum. To make things twice as entertaining, put on a children's CD or musical TV show so they can feel as though their part of the band!