Making Musical Instruments From Everyday Objects

Remember how much fun it was to play instruments when you were younger? You might remember gathering with your friends to create a band, and performing for family members.

It is amazing how many simple musical instruments can be made with objects from around our houses or in the recycling bin. I wrote Making Musical Instruments From Everyday Objects over on HubPages to give you a few ideas to start you off. Head over there to check it out and see what else I've been writing about.

I have even had one of my hubs nominated to the prestigious HubNugget Wannabe status!
Voting remains open through June 9, 2009.

Make Sidewalk Chalk In Your Labratory

Making sidewalk chalk in a laboratory is easy to believe, but what if the laboratory is your kitchen?! Check out this easy way to make your own sidewalk chalk, and create your own colors! This project is fun to do, and then the fun continues when you take your chalk out to color with it!

My children loved this project when they were younger. My teenager was on the search for the perfect color for the longest time.

Supplies Needed:

• Toilet Paper Tube OR a paper Towel Tube cut in half
• Aluminum Foil OR Wax Paper
• 1/2 Cup Water
• Food Coloring
• 1 Cup Plaster of Paris

Directions:

1. Seal off one end of your paper tube with a piece of aluminum foil or wax paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the food color into the water. Don't be stingy with the coloring... you need a lot to have a vibrant result.
3. Stand your toilet paper tube on a piece of aluminum foil or wax paper. This makes it easier to clean up by containing any spills or leaks. 
4. Pour the mixture into the tube(s) you have set up.
5. When firm, peel off the paper tube. Let the exposed stick of chalk dry overnight. If you let the chalk dry overnight with the paper on, you will spend a good amount of time and effort trying to scrape it off.

Plaster of Paris is easy to find online or at art & craft supply stores. Do NOT put any excess down the drain when cleaning up. Scrape as much as possible into the garbage, as it will solidify in the drain pipes!

Consider using the entire bottle of food coloring in each tube for vibrant colors that last and last!

Keep your chalk in a sealed container between uses.

Don't forget to mix food coloring colors to get a new color or shade.

Homemade Water Color Paints

Ever wondered how water color paint is made? You might be surprised to know that you can make your own water color paints at home from what is already in your kitchen cabinets! Introduce your child to painting with water colors, and beautiful water color paintings from the masters like Claude Monet! Claude Monet was a French artist that lived from 1840 until 1926. He used water colors similar to these to paint.

Supplies Needed:

• 6-8 small paper cups OR another way to keep your paint
• 2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 Tablespoon vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon Glycerin*
• Food Coloring

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the baking soda and the vinegar.
2. Slowly add in the cornstarch and the glycerin.
3. Pour about one teaspoon of the mixture into each cup.
4. Let dry overnight.
5. Once dry, add food coloring to each cup to achieve the desired color. Remember that the color fades as it dries, so make sure to add plenty of food coloring.

Your paint is now ready to use. Dip your paint brush into water, and then into the color of your choice. Make sure to use absorbent paper like construction paper to absorb the excess water. Allow your painting plenty of time to dry undisturbed.

* Glycerin can be found in some grocery stores, art supply stores or online. It is used to stabilize the paint, but the paint can be made without it.