Activity #8: Rainsticks

Activity: Build/Create your own rainstick!


Target Participant Group: At-risk youth, children with physical/cognitive disabilities


Other groups that may Benefit: children with ADHD, children with Autism, adults with cognitive disabilities, individuals with HIV/AIDS


Groups not Appropriate: This may not be age-appropriate for the elderly population.  This activity would work best with kids in my opinion.


Therapeutic Potential: promotes visual attention, coordination, fine motor skills, motor planning, strength/endurance, promotes individuality and creativity, may enhance self-esteem


Resources Needed:
 Cardboard tubes  from paper  towels or  gift wrapping or mailing tubes 
A tool  to punch holes in the tube such as a drill
Small hammer
Toothpicks  or  flat  head nails  (1 inch diameter  tube ,  7/8 inch nail) 
Glue  
Masking tape  
Wire cutters or sturdy scissors
"Fill "  seeds, pebbles, rice, dried beans, shells, beans, etc.
Materials to decorate the outside of the tube:
paint, crayons, stickers, yarn, feathers, sparkles, etc.


Activity Description:


1. Drill or poke holes in the cardboard tube.  Creating a spiral staircase pattern, place the holes about one inch apart.  If you are using nails, it is not necessary to drill holes. Simply hammer the nails in. Note: This step may need to be prepared and completed ahead of time, depending on the population you are doing the activity with.


2. Insert the toothpicks through the tube.  Placing them through at different lengths will create different sound effects.  If using nails, hammer them through the tube in a spiral pattern.


3. Cover the nubs where the toothpicks and nails stick out with masking tape.  Seal one end of the tube with masking tape or duct tape may be used.  


4.  Place fill items of your choice in the tube.  Covering the uncovered end with your hand, shake the tube to see if you like the sound it makes or want to add more or different kinds of fillers.


5. Cover the other end of the tube with masking tape.  Note: you may be creative with a different kind of covering if masking tape is not sturdy enough.


6. Decorate the outside of your rainstick! You may try paper mache, tissue paper, sparkles, yarn, or anything you desire! Note: I used a paper bag to cover the rainstick so the child was able to color their rainstick!


Best Leadership Style:  This activity would work best with one facilitator per 1-3 participants if available.  If the first couple steps were completed before, it will work with one facilitator with a small group of people.  It would be best to have extra facilitators/leaders when working with an active group of kids.


Activity Source: My dad brings home old cardboard tubes from his parts department at work.  I made a jumbo rainstick in middle school and thought it would be neat to try with the kids I babysit for and also a kid I watch who has muscular dystrophy.  It turned out great and worked really well!!


Additional Info:  
There are many websites out there on making rainsticks, all with the same general guidelines but a few different twist-off ideas from these guidelines.  (try googling create your own rainstick to find more websites than those listed below)
http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/water/Documents/HowtoMakeaRainstick.pdf
http://www.education.com/activity/article/South_American_Rainsticks/