Well… I say “how to make a guitar with kids” and a guitar we did make. But this is a musical instrument craft for kids in the most generous sense – it DOES play different notes (we will try and explain the science behind it for you over on Life At The Zoo), but clearly this will not be an instrument you will learn to play music on.
Interestingly, we do have a real kid’s guitar and we now have this toy guitar and Red Ted loves playing with both equally. That, is what I call a result!
To make a this instrument you will need:
- a container (to help make the sound resonate),
- elastic bands of varying sizes and thickness,
- cardboard,
- a stick,
- beads (optional),
- tape and
- hot glue gun (you may get away without the hot glue gun, but just lots of tape).
How to make a cardboard guitar (with sound)
It was really easy to make. I probably did most of it though (sorry), but the kids were involved in every step of the process and rather excited.
1) Wrap your elastic bands around your container and tape in place, so they don’t slide off whilst playing. Just to reiterate – the plastic container is a great way to help make those elastic bands REALLY resonate and make the guitar more musical.
2) Cut out a guitar shape from cardboard (we used the flap of a large box), including a hole for the strings.
3) Tape your container to the back of your cardboard. Then use a hot glue gun to help secure any remaining edges.
4) Glue your stick to your cardboard (or tape in place). We then added some pony beads as “tuners” to the guitar and glued in place with the hot glue gun.
And finished.. can you believe it?
Later… our white guitar cardboard proved irresistible and the kids started colouring it in!
Check out our full collection of Musical Instrument Crafts for Kids here:
Emma @Mummymummymum says
Brilliant Maggy 🙂
Red Ted Art says
Thank you! The kids had fun (even though I seemed to be doing most of the making?!)
Liz Burton says
Your guitar is SO cool!
Red Ted Art says
Thanks Liz, I love how the kids love it equally to the “real one”…
@BlueBearWood says
Brilliant. It has been added to our to do list. Handmade Rock Band is real
Red Ted Art says
I think you are right. We had some drums for a while too!
Bella says
That’s so clever. Love how kids can decorate the guitar and personalize it!
Ness @ One Perfect Day says
This is fantastic Maggy. I love the colourful pony bead tuners and the fact that Pip Squeak and Red Ted added their own finishing touches!
Red Ted Art says
Yes, it looked like a white canvas screaming to be coloured in!! I think it may be an ongoing process too!
Chris at Thinly Spread says
Those are such fabulous photos! I love it!
A Patchwork Life says
Looks like a lot of fun! Love that the kids did a bit of decorating 🙂
Red Ted Art says
Yes, I think they were rather “surprised” that they were allowed to draw “anything”!
Galia says
Such a great idea, can’t wait to do with my childrem (:
love your blog!
Rachel says
Maggy, this is so much fun!!! And I have to say, your kids get cuter and cuter as they grow… my goodness!!! Thanks for sharing at For the Kids Fridays! I’m featuring this post at this week’s party!!
Red Ted Art says
Awe what a lovely thing to say!! Crazy seeing them grow up, isn’t it?!
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
I have yet another thing to add to our MUST make list now. This is fantastic.
Thank you for linking up to Tuesday Tots – just to let you know that I will be featuring this over on Rainy Day Mum this week.