Popsicle Stick Harmonica or a lolly stick harmonica

Your kids will love making music with this simple DIY Popsicle Stick Harmonica. They are so easy to make. Fab has sent us lots of lolly sticks to make into fun and creative designs, so we decided to have a go at making a lolly stick harmonica or a popsicle stick harmonica (depended on where in the world you are reading from)!

These were so simple to make, but we have had hours experimenting with what sounds we can make and the boys with all their friends have made a band!

make a lolly stick harmonica popsicle stick harmonica

Table of Contents

How to make Lolly or popsicle stick harmonica

Materials

Lolly or popsicle sticks
Large elastic bands
Small elastic bands or loom bands*
Paper straws

Watch the Video: How to make a popsicle stick harmonica

This popsicle stick harmonica is fun to play, and you can adjust the pitch by moving the straws! It’s a neat project, and a good one to make with a group because the materials are very inexpensive. You can fit in a little science learning too

Instructions

We died some of the lolly sticks* first using watercolour paints, but it would be so much easier to buy coloured lolly sticks (I have stained hands)!

Then take one of your large elastic bands and wrap it length ways round a lolly stick.

Cut small pieces of a paper straw and place them on top before layering another lolly stick on top.

Connect the straws using small elastic bands or loom bands to connect the lolly sticks.

The science of vibration and sound

Vibrations need a medium like air to travel and produce sound that finally reaches our ears. Higher pitched sounds are created by waves with a higher frequency. The pitch, or frequency, produced is equal to the number of times per second (hertz) that the rubber band vibrates. You can change the pitch of your harmonica by moving the lolly sticks or blowing air at different speeds. When the lolly sticks are closer together, the pitch will be higher.

Airflow around the rubber band also affects the sound. The air flowing above and below causes the rubber band between the craft sticks to vibrate due to disturbance in the air. Like most objects, the rubber band has a natural frequency at which it vibrates most easily.

Exploring Further

Does the length or width of the rubber band make a difference in the sound frequency?
Does changing the size or width of the paper straws have a difference in the sound?
Does the material (rubber band, string, metal wire) make a difference in vibrations?

The sound of your voice seems to be made louder by humming into the harmonica because the elastic band vibrates with the sound of your voice. Your voice is a complex sound wave that contains a lot of different sounds all put together so that they sound like one sound. Scientists call the different sounds harmonics, and all those harmonics together are what make your voice sound different from someone else’s.

* Please be aware that we do not advise children to put dyed lolly sticks or rubber bands in their mouths

NB: please ensure parental supervision before using any sharp objects

Check out our other Popsicle Stick Activities:

To see so many more excellent Sprinkles of Imagination make sure you follow Fab Ice Lollies on facebook and their website.

Popsicle stick Harmonica - a simple DIY musical instrument your kids can make

18 thoughts on “Popsicle Stick Harmonica or a lolly stick harmonica”

Kerry July 1, 2015 at 3:43 pm

Fab idea! We’ll have to give it a go 🙂 x

Phoebe @ Lou Messugo July 2, 2015 at 10:16 am

That is genius. I wish my kids were still young enough to be interested in crafting, as I’d do this with them for sure.

Jenni July 2, 2015 at 12:45 pm

Oh I love this, I think I’ve seen it before but I had totally forgotten about it. Pinned for later when I can find some elastic bands!

Anne July 2, 2015 at 12:55 pm

I’d have never have thought of this. We are always looking for ways of making music and sounds so we will give this a go. We may not paint the sticks though.