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Looking for some ways to make Primary Singing Time Music Instrument Kits on a small budget? Here's some helpful tips and ideas...
You don't have to spend a lot to get a variety of musical items that are useful and fun for primary singing time! Bowls, tupperware or other similar items can be used for drums... Pencils can be used for rhythm sticks... Cut-up strips of thrift store material or ribbon can be used as dance scarves...
If you don't have a big budget but want to bring all the magic of music to Primary Singing time, here's some ideas that will get you going and give you what you need with a small price tag total.
POOL NOODLES
Quiet, easy to use and cheap, pool noodles are perfect for rhythm and movement activities during primary singing time!
Where to Get Them: The Dollar Store! :)
Cut them into three pieces and you have three rhythm sticks for only $1.00!
Can't beat that!
Or, use as a type of sand block and rhythm stick all in one by cutting a 3-4 inch pool noodle piece in half and letting kids rub together and tap!
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Or, ORIENTAL TRADING sells a 24 pcs set for $18. Ribbons are around 2 feet.
DANCE SCARVES
Dance scarves make a great addition to any movement activity. Twirl them around, shake them fast and low, throw them in the air and catch them again... Kids love using dance scarves. They make a great addition to primary singing time!
While it's easier to buy a set of scarves, if you don't have a budget for that, find some old material you have laying around and cut those into section (material that is soft, flowy and light work best), and use those. (Just be careful of fraying... You want material that once cut will not fray).
Or, have some long pieces of lace or tulle laying around? These can also make decent dancing scarves.
Here's a few blog posts for option on how to make your own dance scarves:
Or, if your budget can handle it, and you want to save yourself the time of having to purchase the items to make them yourself, purchase a set of dance scarves (like the 30 pc set pictured below).
Quiet, easy to use and fun, egg shakers and rhythm sticks are also great for rhythm and movement activities during primary singing time! (If you want something softer than the sticks, go for the egg shakers or pool noodles - which can be used as sticks or sand blocks, depending on how you cut them). ;)
Unsharpened pencils make great rhythm sticks and are super cheap.
You can get a box of 30 for only $4.99! That's even cheaper than rhythm stick pool noodles!!
For egg shakers, grab those old plastic Easter eggs, fill them with some rice, tape around the middle to seal, and you've got egg shakers for primary for cheap!
Or if you want to get more fancy and even make the egg shakers into maracas, grab some plastic spoons, get some different styles of tape, and you're set. Check out the post from Happiness is Homemade for more instructions (first picture on the left below).
OR WALMART HAS THIS AWESOME SET OF DOWEL RODS - UNDER $2.00 a package!!
*Amazon Affiliate Links
EMPTY THREAD SPOOLS
Here's an unusual option you may not have considered before but one that a primary music leader has used
with great success... Empty thread spools.
They are great for rhythm and movement fun!
Find a high school sewing class or shop and ask them
for their empty thread spools and you'll have ready-
made rhythmic singing time instruments!
EGG CARTONS
Egg cartons can be used both as a drum and as a type of sand block (scrape rhythm stick across the egg carton). Add some variety to primary singing time by using egg carton during music activities (along with a rhythm stick or pencil).
Make sure they are clean ones! ;)
PAPER PLATES & CUPS
Paper plates and paper cups are cheap and provide endless variety and fun. Plus, you don't have to make anything! Cheap and Time Saving! I LOVE it!
THINGS TO CONSIDER: Paper products make a bit less noise than plastic so, I'm a fan of paper! However, they do tear and bend more easily than plastic.
DRUMS
While drums are rarely seen or suggested by other Primary Music Leaders, as a past early-childhood and elementary music teacher, I have to put in a plug for drums. It's totally possible and doable to have drums in primary singing time. Kids love the drums. Plus, they are super engaging.
That doesn't mean you have to go out and spend a fortune purchasing hand drums for every child in your primary!
Plastic or paper cups and a pencil for each child make great drums (and for super cheap!).
And if you want to include actual drum instruments during primary singing time, it's totally possible, even if you only have a few sets. Get 1-3 drums and give them out to kids that are behaving really well and have them use the drums along with any other rhythm instrument work you are doing with the kids.
And, you don't just have to use the drums during rhythm work time either! Give the drums out while the kids are just singing and learning the songs too! Let the drums rotate around during singing time. It's a great way to help kids feel and keep the beat, as well as being a good motivator and great way to engage the kids when they are "just singing"/learning the songs.
I love this drum set because it comes with three drums and are small enough for easy transportation. Plus they are brightly colored and are lollipop-and-cartoon-themed. And what kid doesn't like lollipops?
Whether on a stick or band, jingle bells add a fun and unique element to primary singing time. Kids can hold them, put them on their wrists and even their ankles.
Jingle bells provide a variety of fun ways to use that can make "old" movements new and exciting!
To make your own, get some ribbon or elastic string or pipe cleaners and little jingle bells.
Use Michaels or Joanns coupons. Put together and you have lots of sets at a small price tag.
SIDE NOTE: If you DIY, make sure they are sturdy and can withstand lots of movement without falling apart! ;)
Or, save yourself time and purchase a set if you have the budget.
