Homemade musical instruments let children know that they can find new uses for things that might otherwise have been thrown away. You're also encouraging listening skills and a fun way for children to move around -- something that might be especially appreciated on a rainy day.

Materials:

• Cardboard tube from wrapping paper, aluminum foil, or paper towels -- 1 per child
• Packing tape
• Handful of dried beans, popcorn kernels, or pebbles
• Tissue paper, yarn or small pictures cut from magazines
• Markers

Directions:

Start with a cardboard tube from wrapping paper, aluminum foil, or paper towels. Seal off one end with packing tape. Pour a handful of dried beans, popcorn kernels, or pebbles into the tube. Seal off the other end of the tube with the packing tape. Be sure the tube is sealed on both ends.

The children may want to decorate the tube by pasting bits of tissue paper or yarn or small pictures cut from magazines or coloring with markers.

Let the children enjoy making sounds with the shakers, or make up rhythms, or keep time to some music.

If you remember your own father and are comfortable talking with the children about him, you might want to share with them some ways your father cared for you. The children, for their part, might want to talk about experiences they have had with their fathers. Can the children tell you some ways that fathers care for their children?

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