Music lessons are very good for children. They appear to help academic performance. Depending on the instrument, they can be pretty hard on parental headaches, but overall it’s usually worth it.

Organized lessons and practice requirements are good, but you can also allow free access to appropriate instruments. Kids love trying to make their own music. I wouldn’t suggest allowing them free access to anything you don’t want to risk being damaged, but it’s easy to come by cheap keyboards, drums, recorders and such.

That said, assigning music practice is a good idea. My oldest wants a harp, has saved the money for one, but has to show that she will practice before she buys it. This summer she will have to show that she’ll practice keyboard regularly before we order her harp.

The post Make Music: Day 6 of 30 Days of Keeping Kids Busy During the Summer appeared first on Home with the Kids Blog.

This is a great way to teach younger kids about recycling. Save up some cans or water bottles and use them to make musical instruments. If you use a side can opener it is pretty easy to tape the lid back on, and there won’t be any sharp edges to worry about.

Put beans or rice in the cans or bottles and close them back up. Fill water or soda bottles to different levels and teach the kids to blow across them and compare the sounds.

If you have art supplies you can also have the kids decorate them before filling them up.

Don’t forget the classic wooden spoon banging on a pot or pan. There’s a reason why that’s a classic, and it’s not the headache you get if it goes on for too long. It’s not so bad if you’re just playing.

The post Improvise Musical Instruments – Free Fun Friday appeared first on Home with the Kids Blog.