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.
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
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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)
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!
We started by covering the tube with white tape and adding our beans (they were 9 years out of date)!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.
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.
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!
You could also use stickers like Happy Hooligans did with their rainsticks or collage like The Imagination Tree
Check our our other rainbow crafts:
- DIY Rainbow Clay Christmas Tree Decorations
- How to Make Rainbow Milk Marbled Paper Art
- How to make a Rainbow Windsock
- Rainbow Crafts and Activities for Kids
This would be a great craft for St Patricks day too
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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These look so lovely! I’m definitely adding making a rain stick to my rainy day to do list!
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This is just beautiful, I feel I don’t have enough washy tape now and must go and buy some. This is a wonderful and simple idea and the perfect sensory instrument for any little one.
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This is simple enough to do and would be a great way to spend a rainy afternoon with the kids.
How beautiful! Such a great use for gorgeous Washi tape too.
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This is such a pretty craft!
What a great excuse to go out and buy more washi tape (and use up the old beans lurking at the back of our kitchen cupboards!)Thanks much for taking part in our hop with this fun post.
I love to color it is so relaxing. How do I get some of these adult coloring books and the things to color with? I would like to get some for myself and a family member.
Mine love rainmakers but we have never made one – such a good idea
We’ve made something similar from two empty yoghurt pots stuck together and the kids loved it – me not so much 😉
What a cute rainmaker! We haven’t made them before and really should
What an amazing idea!! I have so many washi tapes that i have collected and the girls would love to make this 🙂
I need to make one of these for my 10 month old. He’s really into noisy toys. Love your washi tape collection.
That is just gorgeous Jen! I have pinned. x
What a great idea! I love all those colors
This is the prettiest rain stick I’ve come across! (What a great excuse to bring out the Washi tape – as if I needed one, lol!)