Rubber Band Guitar Box Craft
Stretch rubber bands over a tissue box or shoebox to create a simple guitar — pluck the bands and discover how thick and thin ones sound different.
What You'll Need
- 1Empty tissue box or shoebox with a hole cut in the lid
- 24-5 rubber bands of different thicknesses
- 3Optional: cardboard tube for a neck decoration
What You'll Need
An empty tissue box or shoebox with a hole cut in the lid
4-5 rubber bands of different thicknesses
Optional: a cardboard tube taped to one end for a "guitar neck"
How to Play
Find an empty tissue box (the opening is already there) or cut a round hole in the lid of a shoebox.
Stretch 4-5 rubber bands of different thicknesses lengthwise over the opening of the box.
Space them out so your child can pluck each one individually with a finger.
Let your child pluck each rubber band and listen carefully to the different pitches — thick bands are lower, thin bands are higher.
Ask: "Which one sounds high? Which one sounds low?" Help them compare and experiment.
Try strumming a finger across all the bands at once for a chord-like sound. That's satisfying.
Sing a familiar song together and strum along on the rubber band guitar to keep the beat.
Tips
The thicker the rubber band, the lower the pitch. This is real physics your child is experiencing through play.
A tissue box works better than a shoebox because the opening is already perfectly sized and the box resonates nicely.
If you tape a paper towel tube to one end as a "neck," it looks more like a real guitar and kids love holding it that way.
Try pressing a rubber band down against the box while plucking it — it changes the pitch. That's how a real guitar works.
This is one of those activities where the making and the playing are equally valuable. The craft teaches fine motor skills, the playing teaches music.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 20 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: empty tissue box or shoebox with a hole cut in the lid, 4-5 rubber bands of different thicknesses, optional: cardboard tube for a neck decoration.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 2-4 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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