Rice Shaker Craft and Jam

2-3 small containers with lids (plastic eggs, yogurt cups, or toilet paper tubes sealed at the ends)

Dry rice, beans, or small pasta

Strong tape — duct tape or packing tape

Stickers for decorating (optional)

Set out 2-3 small containers with lids. Plastic Easter eggs, small yogurt cups, or toilet paper tubes with taped ends all work.

Let your toddler scoop rice, dried beans, or small pasta into each container using a spoon. The scooping is half the fun.

Seal each container tightly with tape and decorate with stickers if desired.

Shake each shaker and compare the sounds: "This one with rice is soft! This one with beans is louder!"

Put on a favorite song and shake your homemade instruments along to the beat.

Try shaking up high overhead, down low by your toes, behind your back, and between your legs for movement variety.

Take turns being the "band leader" who picks the song and sets the rhythm.

Triple-tape the lids. Toddlers are surprisingly strong and determined to open things. You don't want rice all over your carpet.

Different fillings genuinely create different instruments: rice = soft maraca, beans = louder shaker, pasta = clicky tambourine sound.

Filling the containers only one-quarter full gives the best sound. Too full and there's no room for the contents to move.

This is a two-part activity — making the shakers is a fine motor and sensory experience, and playing them is a music experience. Two activities in one.

Save the shakers for later jam sessions. They'll last weeks if well sealed.