Wondering what to do with your empty wrapping paper tubes?

After Christmas, we had four large empty wrapping paper tubes. My kids had sword fights with them right away. Then they had a blast talking, yelling, and making funny sounds in them.

When the fun and game were done, I just couldn’t toss them. I have so many great memories of making toilet paper roll crafts, and with these tubes being nearly as tall as my 3-year-old, I couldn’t wait to see what we could do.

I thought about making a giant kaleidoscope, but that seemed too crazy. Then, I thought about making a pretend telescope, but that also felt like a crazy idea. Finally, I thought about making a fun instrument or noise maker.

I searched around online looking at different tube crafts and art. I really liked the rain sticks I saw. Some were made with different sizes of aluminum foil and some had nails scattered around the tube.

We decided to make a simple rain stick with aluminum foil to keep it safe for kids to play with.

How to make one:

Step 1: Pull out aluminum foil twice as long as your tube.

Step 2: Roll the foil lengthwise to make a long thin rope.

Step 3: Twist your foil rope into a spiral or zig-zag pattern so that it is the full length of the tube and slide it nicely inside.

Step 4: Decorate your tube!

Step 5: Cover one open end of the tube with a piece of paper and thoroughly tape it around the edge and over the top.

Step 6: Pour 1 pound of dry beans, rice, beads, or a filler of your choice.

Step 7: Cover the last open end of the tube with a piece of paper and thoroughly tape it closed.

Step 8: Flip it over and listen to the beautiful sound!

* Adding a smaller and thinner aluminum foil rope in the middle of the spiral foil will make even more noise as the beans pass through.

We hope you enjoy making one of your own!

Have a great day!

~ Amy