A Magical Rainstick

Whether you are looking for a new instrument or soothing sounds to relax with, this magical rainstick is a simple project that has optional modifications for maximum creativity. The instrument concept described below can be customized with respect size, fillings, and exterior to design each rain stick to your auditory, tactile, and visual preferences. This project is kid-friendly and an easy afternoon project. Bonus points if you can use mostly recycled materials!

1.   Cardboard tubes (in brown) for the foundation of your new instrument. The largest cardboard tube I got at Joann’s for free. Ask an associate and they will likely have extra tubes for projects! A paper towel or toilet paper rolls will work as well. The longer the tube, the longer the rainstick song.

2.   Bubble wrap (in yellow) is the stationary filling within the tube to increase surface area for seeds/beans/grains/beads to strike and create the rain sounds.

3.   A padlock (in gray) that clears the diameter of the tube to thread the bubble wrap through the tube. Any weight that you can attach to the bubble wrap can work!

4.   Adhesives Tape and Glue (in blue) to secure and seal your rainstick.

5.   Flaxseeds (in green) for the mobile tube filling. Any dried seed, grain, bean, or bead will work as well!

6.   Iridescent purple vinyl (in pink) to decorate the exterior of the rainstick. Paper, paint, fabric, stickers, poms, or anything you can adhere to the surface of cardboard will work as well!

Note: I used items found around my home (i.e. – scrap fabric, seeds from the kitchen, paper towel rolls), but most of the components can be substituted out for other materials. The possibilities are nearly endless!

After taping the padlock to the pre-cut bubble wrap, insert the padlock into the tube and thread bubble wrap through the tube using gravity.

Note: The approximate bubble wrap size is highlighted in blue.

Fold the excess bubble wrap over the ends and tape it onto the outside of the tube to secure it to the tube surface. This will make filling your instrument easier and prevent the bubblewrap from shifting and future instrument clogs.

Using tape, completely seal one end of the rainstick.

Measure approximately 2 cups of seed/bead/bean/grain. Carefully pour your filling into the unsealed end of your rainstick.

Using tape, seal the open end of the rainstick. And voila! You have your basic rainstick.

This is where the creativity and visual fun start! I secured and wrapped purple vinyl to the surface of the cardboard tube using superglue. Additionally, I added silver poms to the ends for extra sparkle.

Flip over or shake your rainstick and listen as the filling trickles through the interior. Either relax with or make some music with your new instrument! Enjoy!