Here's how we did it!
Shake! Shake! Make Your Own Rainmaker with Kids!
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I had seen several tutorials online showing how to make rainmakers, but a lot of them used Pringles cans or nails (neither of which we typically have on hand.) So when I found a few that just used aluminum foil, I knew we had to try making some for ourselves.
Easiest Cardboard Rainmakers Ever!
Step 1:
Grab a paper towel roll. Then, cut out a circle from a paper bag that's slightly larger than the circumference of your paper tower roll. Trace the paper towel roll in the middle of your circle. Then, cut out about 4 equally spaced slits from the edge of the circle to your traced circle.
Step 2:
Fold up your paper bag circle over your cardboard roll. Use masking tape to attach your circle to your cardboard tube and seal off an end.
Step 3:
Pull out a box of aluminum foil. Rip out a sheet of foil that's about 3x as long your tube. Scrunch the aluminum foil into a long snake. Then, fold it to and fro, creating a bunch of kinks. (This will slow down the fall of your rice and corn to make it sound more like a real rain stick!) When you're done, stick it into your tube!
(By the way, my son LOVED this part. There's something quite satisfying about squishing foil!)
Step 4:
Mix up a bunch of corn and rice. (We poured out way too much and ended up only using about 1/2 of this amount. Also, even though we liked our result, perhaps using just corn or just rice would have worked out better. So definitely experiment!)
(By the way, we did everything in a plastic tray. We got a cheap one at Ikea, but if you're in a pinch I'm sure a dollar store would have them too! Or, you could always order one from here
. But they're kinda pricey!)Step 5:
Pour your rice/corn mixture into your cardboard tube. Then, seal the other end following the same directions found in steps 1 and 2.
Step 6:
Now it's time to decorate your rainmaker! Cut out a piece of paper that will cover your cardboard tube. Then, doodle out a design!
(We used a piece of white craft paper
, but a sheet of computer paper should also do the trick!)
My son doodled a design and then together we colored in the shapes. (I came across a similar idea using watercolors here) and loved her results, so we tried it too. It was fun creating collaborative art together.
Step 7:
Once we finished, we taped the artwork on around our tube. Then voila! We had ourselves a lovely rainmaker and proceeded to shake it for good luck and rain.
(Unfortunately, it's been days since we've finished this craft. And we see some grey skies, but no rain in sight!)
5 Musical Instrument Crafts:
Got a music-loving kid? Here are 5 crafts that are fun to make and play!
5 Cardboard Roll Crafts:
Got cardboard tubes up the wazoo? You're in luck! Here are 5 of my favorite cardboard crafts!
- Toilet Roll Totoro Craft
- Shark Binoculars
- Moveable Cardboard Roll Snake
- Cardboard Rocket Launcher (It really shoots!)
- Toilet Roll Airplanes
5 More Corn Activities:
Looking for a way to use up that un-popped popcorn? (Am I the only one with that stuff always lying around?) Today's craft is part of a collaboration between 6 preschool-activity loving bloggers! Our theme is CORN and here are some more great ideas for preschool activities involving corn!
- Candy Corn Pizza Craft | Artsy Momma
- Preschool Corn Counting Activity with Printable | I Heart Crafty Things
- Corn vs. Popcorn Science for Kids (with Printable Graph) | A Little Pinch of Perfect
- STEAM Candy Corn Pop Art | Handmade Kids Art
- Printable Candy Corn Bingo Game | School Time Snippets
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