rice shaker Archives - Mama.Papa.Bubba.

Now, if you know me well, you know I’m not crazy about toys. I’m not saying that I dislike all toys, but the more modern toys that you most often see lining the shelves of big name toy stores? They’re not my favourite. The flashing, blinking, noise making, spinning, beeping, moving, battery operated plastic contraptions of today just seem like such an assault on the senses to me. That, and I guess I just don’t feel like they inspire creative, open-ended imaginative play.

Toys I do love are the more classic ones… The things we grew up with as kids and the things I love filling the shelves of my Kindergarten classes with… Building blocks, felt puppets, wooden puzzles, dress-up clothes, and art supplies. Besides those, I don’t think a child can ever have a library of books too vast or a collection of instruments too large.

On the topic of musical instruments, I’ve bumped into this gorgeous blog several times before, but only had time to properly sift through the posts late last night {from midnight to one a.m. while I should have been sleeping, of course}. The author has beautifully presented ideas that are simple, eco-friendly, and often music-based. Before calling it a night, I pinned several of her ideas on my Toddler Activities board, one of which was this idea for making a balloon bongo, rice shaker, and güiro all in one.

Already having everything on hand, Gracen and I whipped up a couple this morning.

Here’s our collection of supplies… A couple of tin cans from the recycling bin, thick elastic bands, balloons, some wool, a pair of scissors, chopsticks, and a couple of little bowls filled with pantry goodies (Grae chose red lentils and sushi rice).

First of all, make sure your tins cans have been opened with can opener that leaves the edges smooth rather than sharp. Then, put your lentils/rice/beans/couscous/pasta inside.

You can fill your cans as much as you like, but we filled ours about 1/6 of the way.

Next, snip the ends off of your balloons.

Then stretch the balloons over the tops of your cans. Be sure to make them tight.

Although the balloons stay on quite nicely on their own, secure them with a thick elastic just to be sure. No one wants a lentil explosion all over their floor.