Rainstick

The rainstick is believed to have been invented by a group of indigenous people in Northern Chile. They were made by hammering cactus spikes into dead cactus tubes and filling them with rocks. Whenever an object filters through a rainstick, it bounces off whatever it is sifting through and produces a sound. Each tiny sound vibrates through the tube, creating a collective sound like rain.

Supplies

• Paper
• Paper towel tube
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Tape
• Spatula or stick
• Tinfoil
• Rice, beans, small rocks, etc.
• Bowl

Step 1: Step 1

Fold the paper in half

Trace the bottom of a bowl onto the paper

Trace the paper towel roll in the middle

Draw spokes around the inner circle

Cut out the outer circle and spokes

Step 2: Step 2

Put one cap on the end of the tube

Fold the spokes over the tube and tape it down

Step 3: Step 3

Use a piece of tin foil about the length of your tube

Fold the foil in half four times

Wrap the foil around a stick or spatula to create a spiral

Stretch it out

Place it in the tube

Repeat!

Experiment with different amounts of foil

Step 4: Step 4

Create a funnel with a piece of paper

Using a mixture of two materials creates a unique sound

Fill the tube about 1/10 of the way full

Later you can experiment with different amounts

Tape your second cap on the end

Test it out!