Terrific Tennessee - Rockin' Guitar Craft #bookingusa

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Myself and about 50 blogger friends will be sharing activities and crafts related to our amazing 50 states. And all of the fun ideas that will be shared will be inspired by books! Head over to the Growing Book by Book blog for additional details.

The book that inspired our trip to Tennessee was the Down South written by Miles Backer and illustrated by Chuck Nitzberg. This book is part of the Travels with Charlie series published by Blue Apple Books. There are 4 books in the series Midwest, West, Northeast and South. For each state you will learn historical facts and discover the state capital and flag. Then you can read the clues to find the colorful landmark illustrations on the state map. The final clue is to find Charlie the dog hidden somewhere on the state map (kind of like Where's Waldo). The books are lots of fun and educational too! They are recommended for children ages 4-9 though slightly older and younger may enjoy them too. The Down South book covers 12 states: TN, VA, GA, AR, NC, AL, KY, FL, LA, MS, SC, WV.

We don't live in Tennessee, but Chattanooga is only about an hour's drive away from us. We have had many adventures in Tennessee and cannot wait to have more. Some of our favorite places in Tennessee are the Nashville Zoo, Chattanooga Aquarium, Titanic Museum, Rock City and Adventure Science Center! I highly recommend a visit to Tennessee there is so much fun stuff to see and do!

After reading the Travels with Charlie, Down South book the children knew right away what craft we had to make. A rockin' guitar of course. After all Tennessee has been known as Music City USA since the 1950's.

Materials:
-8-10 rubber bands (different sizes and thicknesses)
-Cardboard box (shoe boxes work well)*
-Markers
-String
-Stickers, jewels, etc

What to do:

1) Cut the top off of the shoe box if necessary.
2) Take the rubber bands and place them one by one around the box (either direction will work horizontal or longitudinal). Use different sizes and thickness to experiment with sound.
3) If you choose to you can create a guitar neck too out of the shoe box lid. Just cut a rectangular shape and glue it to the back of the box.
4) Decorate your box as desired with markers, jewels, etc.
5) Start a rock band and have hours of fun. Who knows maybe you will get to play on Music Row someday.

*Note on the containers. Other types of containers will work well too like oatmeal containers and even plastic tupperware. Have fun experimenting. 

For more great Booking Across The USA fun visit each state below:

Or check out this Pinterest board:

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10 Easy/Inexpensive Instruments To Make With Your Kids

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do your kids enjoy music? Mine do! And they enjoy making their instruments even more.

10 easy/inexpensive instruments to make with your kids..

1) Zither - you can make a Zither (or guitar like instrument) using a box or container and some rubber bands.
2) Shekere - the real way to make a Shekere is to dry out a gourd, cut off the top and remove the insides. Then create a net by using beads and twine/nylon string. This YouTube video is very helpful for explaining how to do the beading. But if you don't have a gourd (and don't wish to purchase a kit) you can still make a Shekere using an empty milk jug, instructions can be found on Daria Music.
3) Maracas - simply place a small amount of rice or beans into a plastic egg or vitamin container (virtually any container will work but these are the two types I prefer). For safety reasons tape or glue the plastic egg together or lid onto the container. Then decorate as desired.
4) Tambourine - take a paper plate and fold it in half. Staple around the edges but leave a little space open at the top to add beans or rice, then finish stapling. Decorate as desired and ta-da you have a Tambourine.
5) Drum - take any container and transform it into a drum. We like to use oatmeal containers because the lids make a perfect noise when you beat on them. If you wish to create a drum more similar to a Native American drum you can stretch a piece of vinyl, leather, suede or fake skin over the top of the container. And if you want a more percussion sounding drum you can use a metal can like a coffee can and beat on the bottom.
6) Didgeridoo - we have a real didgeridoo that I picked up on my trip to Australia in 1998. But I don't generally like the kids playing with it too much because it is heavy a special keepsake. So they made their own. All you need is a long tube of some sort like a wrapping paper tube, mailing tube or a piece of PVC tube. Let the kids decorate it any way they choose then have fun learning to play it.
7) Guiro -  find a plastic bottle or can with ridges, take off the wrapper decorate the outside. Then fill the bottle with something like beans, rice or popcorn kernels. Secure the lid with glue for safety. Use an unsharpened pencil or chop stick to rub on the Guiro.

8) Cymbals - take two metal bottlecaps, put a hole in the center of each cap and then put a piece of yarn through each side and knot in place. Decorate the caps as desired. You can find more detailed instructions on Daria Music.

9) Spin Drum - we have one of these that we bought at a Native American event but I found these great, simple instructions on how to make your own, here. This is definitely a instrument that we will be making soon (since my kids fight over the 1 we have).
10) Washboard - here is another one on my to do list. Make a simple washboard instrument using a piece of corrugated cardboard. Follow these instructions.

Now you are ready to have a family band!

Be sure to browse through all of our other Top 10 Posts!


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Linking up with: Top Ten Tuesday,  I Can Teach My Child, Look What We Did