Six Easy Tambourines You Make for Kids

Cure boredom in a hurry by making your kids some musical tambourines. There are lots of different designs you can create, but no matter which technique you use, the tambourines are fun and easy to make. You can make them using things from around your house or go to a craft store and purchase supplies to create your one-of-a-kind tambourine.

One way to make a quick tambourine is to use two paper plates. Glue, tape or staple a strip of cardboard onto the back of one paper plate. This will become the handle for the tambourine. Place a few bells on one plate, cover with the other, then tape, glue or staple shut. You can then color or further decorate the tambourine. Instead of bells, you can use beads or rice, but the bells make the best sound.

Purchase the bells in a variety of sizes at any craft store. Paper plate tambourines can be decorated with crayons, markers, fake fur, stickers or colored tape. Glue on rhinestones, fake jewels or small wooden shapes.

Instead of paper plates you can create something similar by cutting craft foam into a plate shape. Just cut two circles - large or small - and trap the bells inside. When working with the craft tape isn't the best choice for sealing the edges. Use glue or staples - even hot glue - but not tape. You can glue a handle, cut from the craft foam, on one side. Use two different colors for the circles, or make the tambourine all one color. The best way to decorate these types of tambourines is by using paint markers. Use stencils, if you wish, to create more intricate patterns on the craft foam.

Plastic disposable bowls are also great for making tambourines. Cut a circle of cardboard, the size of the bowl, to glue on top of the bowl. Place a few bells inside the bowl and glue the cardboard over the top. You can cover the cardboard with fabric or decorative paper before gluing it on. The plastic bowls can be decorated with stickers, paint markers or glue-on embellishments. Make a handle by gluing on a piece of cord or even cardboard. Make a much more dimensional tambourine by placing the bells in one bowl, and covering with a second bowl.