We’ve had our backyard melody maker and wind chimes for quite a while but I wanted to write a post for it so link up to Child Central Station’s outdoor music blog hop. This is an idea originally from Family Fun magazine.
This interactive musical rod is simple to make and easy to use — over and over again. Kids slide the washers to the top of the metal rod and release them. As the washers slowly cascade to the bottom, they make a beautiful metallic twinkling sound, similar to that of a rain stick. One 4-year-old tester declared it “the most awesome musical instrument I’ve ever played in my whole life!”
We’ve had our backyard melody maker attached to our deck for 2 years now and it holds up to the weather and still gets played with. I think it’s highly creative!
For one of my ECE classes, I set up this wind chime center that can be used indoors or outdoors. The frame is a folding wrought iron trellis that I zip-tied dollar store wind chimes onto. Now that it’s been a few years, I need to add new chimes. For indoor use, I put the trellis into a planter.
Both are great additions to the outdoor play space!
child central station
Monday 16th of May 2011
Thanks for linking up :). I remember that rod from Family Fun!!! I thought about trying it and then completely forgot about adding it to the to do list! Thank you for the reminder :). I love the wind chimes too!