Beat the Drum! Crafting a Laced Tom-Tom for Real Rhythm

What You’ll Need:

Here’s a look at the materials you’ll need to create your very own percussion instrument:

• Drum Body: A clean, sturdy, small cardboard tube or cylinder (approximately 4-6 inches tall).

• Drum Heads (Skins): Two circular pieces of heavy material like sturdy vinyl, faux leather, or thick felt. They should be large enough to completely cover the top and bottom openings with excess material extending down the side of the drum.

• Lacing Material: Heavy yarn, twine, or leather cording (in a contrasting color looks great!).

• Securing: Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

• Tools (Adult Use Only): Hammer and Nail (for punching holes). Scissors.

• Optional: Markers, paint, or washi tape for decorating the cardboard body.

Step 1: Prep the Drum Heads (Adult Step)

The drum heads need precise holes for lacing.

1. Cut the Skins: Ensure your two circular materials (vinyl/felt) are the same size and large enough to drape over the top and bottom of the cardboard tube.

2. Punch the Holes: Using a pencil, mark small dots evenly spaced around the entire circumference of both circular pieces (e.g., 8–10 points, depending on the size). Use a hammer and a nail or a leather punch to carefully create a small hole at each mark. Safety Note: Use a protective wooden block underneath the material while punching.

Step 2: Assemble the Body

The finished drum relies on the two drum heads being securely attached to the cylinder.

• Glue the Bottom: Run a line of hot glue around the bottom edge of the cardboard tube. Press the tube firmly onto the center of one of the pre-punched circles (this will be the bottom head). Hold until set.

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• Glue the Top: Repeat the process for the top head, running hot glue around the top edge of the tube and pressing the second circle onto it. Let cool completely.

  

Step 3: Begin Lacing

This is where the magic happens and where fine motor skills are put to the test!

1. Find the Center: Cut a long piece of yarn or twine (it must be long enough to go back and forth many times).

2. Start the Lace: Thread the yarn through a top hole and then down through the corresponding bottom hole. You will then lace diagonally across the drum body to the next adjacent holes, creating an X shape, as shown in the final craft image.

   

3. Continue: Keep lacing the yarn diagonally, going back and forth between the top and bottom heads until you have laced through all the holes.

   

4. Finish: Tie the yarn off tightly in a knot to secure the lacing. The tension of the lacing is what helps the drum heads stay taut. 

   

Step 4: Play!

Use your fingers or simple wooden dowels to tap the drumhead! Compare the sound on the top versus the bottom head, and experiment with different rhythms.

🌞 Final Thoughts

Creating your own sturdy, playable musical instrument is a wonderful accomplishment. This laced drum is a fantastic way to introduce engineering and music appreciation in one fun project. The final product is a satisfying, authentic toy that encourages hours of rhythmic play!

If you make them, be sure to snap a picture!

For more fun and educational activities, recipes, and learning resources for your preschoolers and kindergarteners, visit us at www.missannasclass.com!