Rainbow rainmaker or rainstick - Cardboard tube craft | Mum In The Madhouse

Rainbow rainmaker or rainstick – Cardboard tube craft

We love crafts that can be made from recyclables and this rainbow rainmaker is a great cardboard tube craft, plus is a great home made musical instrument.  There are lots of ways to adapt this project depending on the age of your kids, however, we decided to use some of my massive stash of washi tape and make our rainmaker a rainbow of colours.

DIY Rainmaker or rainstick craft for kids. This is a super simple craft and musical instrument activity for children. Traditionally made from dried cacti, this simple DIY rainstick has the same sound and is also a perfect rainbow craft too

Traditionally rainmakers or rainsticks are believed to have been invented by the Aztecs and were played in the belief it could bring about rainstorms.  Rain is not something we need more of in the UK, but without rain, you would never get rainbows.

Rainbow rainmaker or rainstick – Cardboard tube craft

DIY Rainmaker or rainstick craft for kids. This is a super simple craft and musical instrument activity for children. Traditionally made from dried cacti, this simple DIY rainstick has the same sound and is also a perfect rainbow craft too

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Materials

  • Cardboard tube (UK Link/US Link)
  • Washi tape (UK Link/US Link)
  • Beans or rice
  • White duck tape
  • Nails or drawing pins (optional)
  • Hammer (optional)
DIY Rainmaker or rainstick craft for kids. This is a super simple craft and musical instrument activity for children. Traditionally made from dried cacti, this simple DIY rainstick has the same sound and is also a perfect rainbow craft too

How to make a rainbow rainmaker or rain stick

Most homemade rainmakers or rainsticks have nails or drawing pins pushing randomly through the side to slow down the rice or dried beans and make the sound of falling water.  We skipped this step, mainly as I couldn’t find the hammer!

DIY Rainmaker or rainstick craft for kids. This is a super simple craft and musical instrument activity for children. Traditionally made from dried cacti, this simple DIY rainstick has the same sound and is also a perfect rainbow craft too

We started by covering the tube with white tape and adding our beans (they were 9 years out of date)! we made sure that we taped the ends closed once the beans were in.  If you are planning on painting the outside of the tube, then cover it in paper.

DIY Rainmaker or rainstick craft for kids. This is a super simple craft and musical instrument activity for children. Traditionally made from dried cacti, this simple DIY rainstick has the same sound and is also a perfect rainbow craft too

I have said before I have a rather large stash of washi tape, so we placed the colours we chose (the boys wanted to make a rainbow) and then they started wrapping them around the tube.

DIY Rainmaker or rainstick craft for kids. This is a super simple craft and musical instrument activity for children. Traditionally made from dried cacti, this simple DIY rainstick has the same sound and is also a perfect rainbow craft too

What child does love something that makes noise and this rainbow rainmaker or rain stick is perfect for that and ours have had a lot of play!

DIY Rainmaker or rainstick craft for kids. This is a super simple craft and musical instrument activity for children. Traditionally made from dried cacti, this simple DIY rainstick has the same sound and is also a perfect rainbow craft too

You could also  use stickers like Happy Hooligans did with their rainsticks or collage like The Imagination Tree 

DIY Rainmaker or rainstick craft for kids. This is a super simple craft and musical instrument activity for children. Traditionally made from dried cacti, this simple DIY rainstick has the same sound and is also a perfect rainbow craft too
DIY Rainmaker or rainstick craft for kids. This is a super simple craft and musical instrument activity for children. Traditionally made from dried cacti, this simple DIY rainstick has the same sound and is also a perfect rainbow craft too

Check our our other rainbow crafts:

This would be a great craft for St Patricks day too

st patricks day activities for kids badge

St Patrick’s Day Preschool Potion Play from Crafty Kids at Home
Egg Carton Shamrock Craft from Play & Learn Everyday
The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day from Kelly’s Classroom
Rainbow windsock from Mum in the Mad House
Michael Finnigan Craft from Craftulate
Shamrock sun catcher craft from The Gingerbread House
Rainbow Hearts Craft from Our Whimsical Days
Shamrock Stones from Sunny Day Family
Luck of the Irish Mickey Mouse Oreo Pops from Crafty Mama in ME
Kids’ Kitchen: Over the Rainbow Cupcakes from Sugar, Spice & Glitter
St Patrick’s Day Counting Worksheet from Larabee UK
Pot of Gold Number Mats from The Kindergarten Connection
Rainbow Buttons Color Sorting & Craft Activity from Kidz Activities
Pot o’ Gold DIY Piggy Bank from Playground Parkbench
Rainbow Duct Tape Rainbows from Teach Me Mommy

Easy Rainbow Crafts for toddlers


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