Craft Stick Harmonica DIY

Super simple musical craft alert!

I just had a DIY Instruments program and the far-and-away winner was the Craft Stick Harmonica!  I used instructions found on the Housing a Forest blog.

It was simple, fun...and--chances are--you already have all the materials necessary on your craft shelves! 

Materials Needed:

• craft sticks
• paper
• rubber bands or string
• toothpicks
• scissors

Each patron will need two craft sticks.  We used the wide ones, so I can't speak for the success of the skinnier ones.  Cut a piece of paper the same size as your craft sticks and sandwich the paper strip between the two.

Wrap a rubber band or some string around one end until it is snug.  Then, slide a toothpick--cut to the approximate width of the craft sticks--to the inside of the rubber band/string.  Repeat with an identical toothpick at the other end and wrap with a rubber band/string. 

And THAT'S IT.

Simply have the kiddos exhale or inhale to make a unique noise.  They can also try pinching the sticks together to see how the noises and vibrations change!  There was a bit of a learning curve, but once they figured out the technique, it was a symphony of buzzing and giggles.