Looking for a fun way for kids to explore the science of sound?
These simple music STEM activities are perfect for giving kids a hands-on way to learn all about sound waves and the science behind music.
They may even become some of your child’s favorite STEM activities for kids.
Have you ever tried to make your own musical instrument?
Get your child excited about music with a musical instrument stem project.
Then try out one of the other STEAM activities for music to learn about the connection between vibrations and sound waves. We love this simple Sound Wave Experiment.
STEM Musical Instruments
Musical Instrument STEM Challenge — Give kids the chance to explore the different sounds they can make using a variety of objects you probably already have around the house.
Paper Plate Tamborine — Preschoolers will have fun creating their very own colorful tamborine to shake.
Homemade Hand Drum — Kids of all ages will have fun making this hand drum. Rotate the drum in your hands to get the ribbons and beads to spin and hit the drum. Perfect for discussing vibration and sound.
Craftstick Harmonica — Challenge your child to engineer their very own harmonica. Then, experiment with the sounds it produces by changing the rubberbands and moving the straws in different positions.
Plastic Egg Maracas — Toddlers and preschoolers will have fun shaking these to the beat of some of their favorite songs. For more fun, experiment with how different materials (dried beans, dried rice, or beads) sound when used inside your maracas.
Chip Can Marching Drum — Inspire your child’s imagination with this DIY marching drum. Take it one step further and fill some of the cans part way to change the sounds it makes.
Straw Pan Flute — Kids will have fun exploring the science of sounds with this homemade instrument STEM activity. There is even a free printable recording sheet for kids to record the notes of their own songs.
Cardboard Tube Kazoo— Kids can explore sound with this simple DIY music instrument. What will happen if your child makes the kazoo shorter? What if they add holes to the side? Experiment with different activities to see how it will affect the sounds.
Music STEM Activities
Paper Cup Phone — Kids can learn about how sound waves travel with this classic sound wave experiment. Give it a musical twist by having kids whisper sing songs to each other through the cups.
DIY Music Amplifier — Tweens and teens will have fun making their very own amplifier to use when playing music on their cell phone.
Dancing Oobleck — This musical STEM activity is an awesome way for kids to see sound waves in action.
Musical Jars — This is the class musical sound experiment. Gather several jars of the same size, then change the pitch of each jar by adding different amounts of water.
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