How to Make a Bamboo Rainstick

Rainsticks are musical instruments that were used in ancient times. They were named after the sound that they make that resembles the sound of rain. Rainsticks have been used in ceremonies to capture the "rain spirits" but they are used today as a fun today for children. Rainsticks can be fun to teach your children about the pass and different myths. Parents and teachers have been using the rainstick to teach children for years and children love to hear the sound of the stick as well as the stories that go along with it.

To make this project, you are going to need a few materials and tools. You will need a handsaw, wood glue, a scrap of 1/2 inch thick wood, a drill with a long bit, sandpaper, 1/2 rounded file, kabob skewers and 1 to 3 feet long piece of bamboo that is 3 inches in diameter.

You will start by cutting your piece of bamboo the right length and hallow out the inside by using the long drill bit. You can then use the rounded file to make the bamboo as smooth as possible. You will now drill 2 holes into the bamboo about 1 inch apart. Be sure to use a drill bit that is the same diameter as your skewers.

Add some wood glue to the skewers and put them through the bamboo. Let the skewers dry. When the glue has dried, trim the ends of the skewers that stick out on the inner side of the bamboo.

Next, you'll want to cut two pieces of wood to be used as plugs for either end of the bamboo. Glue these in place and allow them to fully dry. Sand the areas where you have trimmed the skewers and stain or paint the bamboo if you wish. You will now fill the bamboo about 1/5 of the way with your filler of choice. Rice, rocks, seeds, beans and gravel work well to create a rain sound.

Try each of these to see which sound you enjoy the best. When you have decided what the filler will be, you can then finish by gluing the other piece of wood into the open end and allow it to dry.