Rubber Band Band

Whether used for decoration or for a stringed instrument, rubber bands are a hit in this musical duo.

What You Need for the Stringed Instrument:

Make music with these simple yet
effective instruments.

2 decorative pencils
Hacksaw
7 x 7-inch piece of wood
Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
Colored rubber bands

Instructions:

1. Saw the eraser end off two pencils. Hot-glue the pencils to one side of the wood piece as shown in the photo, above. Let the glue dry.

2. Place the rubber bands over the wood, parallel to the pencils. Place rubber bands over the wood piece in the opposite direction, so they rest on the pencils. To make sounds, pluck or strum the top layer of rubber bands.

What You Need for the Shaker:

1 cup uncooked popcorn, rice, or dried beans
Tall stacked-chip container with lid
Packing tape
Ice pick
Pencil
Jute rope
Scissors
Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
Colored rubber bands
Thin, colored metallic wire
Wire cutters
Ruler

Instructions:

1. Place popcorn, rice, or dried beans in the container. Tape the lid to the container. Using an ice pick, poke a hole in the lid. Begin wrapping the jute around and around, gluing as you work. Continue wrapping the lid, sides, and bottom of the container until covered. Clip the jute and glue the end to secure.

2. To make rubber band bows, group a dozen rubber bands. Wrap the center with a 6-inch length of wire to secure. Make three bows. Glue the bows to one side of the shaker.