Not that we need more rain…
Since we are studying rain and the water cycle in April, we made rain sticks. This is a nice way to incorporate some culture and music and movement into our studies. And it is also a simple and fun craft that is always a hit with the kids.
Materials
- long cardboard (paper towel) tube
- rice
- soft, flexible plastic (like a sandwich bag or any leftover shrink wrap)
- construction paper
- markers, stickers, jewels, etc. for decoration
Directions
1. Pour some rice into a bowl and have a little fun playing with it!
2. Tape your plastic around one end of the cardboard tube.
3. Use a funnel to pour rice into the tube.
4. Close up the other end of the stick with plastic.
5. Wrap the tube in construction paper and glue the paper to the tube.
6. Decorate!
7. Shake, shake, shake and bring on the rain!
Educational Connections:
- Story Time: I found a lovely retelling of a rain stick story from writer Sara Hickman. You can tell this story while making the craft.
- History and Culture: Find out about native rain gods. How do different ancient cultures describe and explain rain?
- Ecology: Why is rain so important to people? What happens if it doesn’t rain enough? What happens if it rains too much?
- Music: Slowly tilt the stick back and forth. What sound does it make? Shake the stick slowly, now fast. How does the sound change? Try shaking the stick to music.
Shared at: stART
Aaah your rainsticks look great!! and so pretty! 🙂
Maggy
Looks like they had fun!!! You know, I’ve got tons of those rolls stashed for some great epiphany that I keep thinking will come….looks like you’ve solved that! My husband will be happy! Ha ha!! Thanks for sharing!!
@Sarah – My husband is ALWAYS trying to recycle our “art materials”. Can’t he tell they are supplies for making rain sticks and animal friends and trees and flowers? I can’t imagine why they look like used-up juice jugs, yogurt containers, and toilet paper tubes and other assorted trash to him!
I’ve seen a similar craft were they spiraled a piece of aluminum foil and put it inside the tube. Do you think the rice would fall more slowly that way to the bottom like in a real rain stick?
Awesome rainstick! We did rain a few weeks ago, come visit us sometime to see our activities. Mind if I link to yours?
http://bookwormfun.blogspot.com/2011/04/rain.html
@Janelle – That is a great idea. Let me know if you try it and I will definitely give that a go next time!
@Briana – I will check them out right now & please always feel free to link to my activities…I’m flattered!