Make a Kid's Native American Rainstick Craft with Items You Already Own

Native American crafts are a fun way to teach your kids about Native American culture. Here is how you can help your kid's make a unique Native American rainstick craft project using items you already have in your home.

Native American Rainstick - Kid's Craft Materials Needed:

Cardboard Tube - Paper towel rolls or wrapping paper rolls
Construction Paper
Aluminum Foil
Crayons, markers or paint
Dry goods - Rice, uncooked beans or uncooked popcorn
Ribbon or string
Beads, feathers and stickers (optional items)

Native American Rainstick Directions:

Rainstick Kid's Craft - Step #1

Give your child the cardboard tube and ask them to decorate it using crayons, markers or paint. My girls used paint to create their rainsticks and added traditional Native American symbols. You can find fun symbols to paint on your rainstick by looking here.

Rainstick Kid's Craft - Step #2

Using your colored construction paper, have your kids cut out two circles about 2" wider than the opening of your cardboard tube. You will use these circles to close the openings of your Native American rainstick craft.

Rainstick Kid's Craft - Step #3

Fold the circle around one end of your cardboard tube. Have your child hold the circle down while you use the ribbon or string to tie around the tube. This will secure the end circle down tightly.

Rainstick Kid's Craft - Step #4

Have your child tear a piece of aluminum foil off the roll the same length as their cardboard tube. This will serve as a sound filter for the Native American rainstick. Crumble the width of the aluminum foil (so it remains as long as your tube) and insert the crumbled length into your rainstick.

Rainstick Kid's Craft - Step #5

Add your dry goods. We loved using rice and popcorn, but use whatever you have around the house. My kids tested out how much dry goods to use by covering the open end with their hand and listening for what they thought was just right amount to make the Native American rainstick sound authentic.

Rainstick Kid's Craft - Step #6

Close the second end using the construction paper circle. Have your child hold down the circle and tie down this end using your ribbon or string again.

Rainstick Kid's Craft - Step #7

Your kid's can add decorations to their Native American rainstick if they choose. This step is optional based on what kind of extra craft items you have around the house.

Rainstick Kid's Craft - Step #8

Shake your rain stick by turning it upside down and your kids can enjoy their own sounds of a Native American rainstick. Enjoy!