Kids love making music and making music-makers! Here’s a simple project with staying power that might make a fun gift for friends and cousins.
What you need:
• Jar lid
• Rubber bands
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Wide popsicle stick
• Washi tape (similar to masking tape)
What you do:
1. Wrap four rubber bands around the width of your jar lid. Try using bands of different width so each makes its own unique sound when plucked.
2. Secure bands in place with a piece of duct tape over all four bands on the back of the lid.
3. With scissors, trim one of the rounded edges of your popsicle stick to make a straight edge.
4. Using patterned and solid washi tape, wrap the popsicle stick to make it colorful and fun.
5. When you’re finished decorating, secure the popsicle stick to the back of the jar lid, straight edge down, with another piece of duct tape. Keep the rounded end of the popsicle stick sticking out from the lid.
That’s it – you’re ready to jam!
Take it further:
You can embellish your banjo to fit your style by adding rhinestones, stickers, glitter glue, and other details to the back of the lid or to the popsicle stick as tuning keys.
This project is inspired by the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen exhibit, Red Rooster Guitars, featuring handmade candy tin, license plate, and cigar box guitars by local artist Richard Robinson. On exhibit through Sunday, September 16.
