Music+Websites

=__Music Websites for Kids!__=

** Creating Music: [] **
===**This site lets kids easily create and experiment with music and rhythm by drawing their compositions on a** **"Musical Sketch Pad". This site also includes musical puzzles which challenge users to put melodies in the correct order, and other fun activities.**===

===Sphinx Kids is an interactive website for children that features classical music. Children can learn about musical instruments in a band and orchestra, play games related to reading music, and learn about the history of classical music and composers.===

Making Mexican Maracas
◦ Make paper mache with one cup of flour and 4 cups of water. Boil the paper mache stirring frequently just long enough for it to thicken... take off the stove and put in a separate bowl. Add 4 ice cubes and stir those in ◦ You can make cold paper mache with equal parts flour and water. It takes more flour and isn't quite as smooth, but it works just fine. > >
 * Materials:**
 * balloon
 * paper mache and strips of newspaper
 * dried beans or uncooked rice
 * cardboard tube (toilet paper ("TP") roll is best)
 * stickers, paint, markers, construction paper, etc to decorate
 * glue and masking tape
 * Instructions:**
 * Use a siphon (you can make one by rolling a piece of paper into a cone like we've done in the photo) and pour some beans or rice into your balloon
 * Blow up your balloon (don't swallow any beans!) [[image:http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/mexico/images/mexica2.jpg width="123" height="167"]]
 * Fringe the tp roll (see the photo to the right)
 * Tape the tp roll onto the bottom of the balloon (use lots of tape)
 * stuff the tp roll with newspaper and put some masking tape over the end. That way the rice or beans won't fall into the handle or out the bottom.
 * At this point your maraca will be nice and noisy. If you want to make one with younger children or if you want the project done FAST, just stop here. It won't last forever, but good things rarely do.
 * Cover with paper mache and let dry [[image:http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/mexico/images/mexica4.jpg width="176" height="151"]]
 * Decorate outside of as desired. You can cut out shapes from construction paper or paint it or color with markers. Add stickers for extra fun!
 * Shake your maraca!

**Soda Bottle Organ Activity for Kids** Kids can make an air-powered instrument of their own with the soda bottle organ activity.

What You'll Need:

 * Newspapers
 * Five or six empty glass soda bottles
 * Water
 * Dark-colored nail polish
 * Food coloring

Spread out the newspapers. Practice making a tone by blowing into the top of a glass soda bottle. When you have it mastered, fill the bottles with different levels of water. (If you've had some music lessons, you could try tuning the bottles to specific notes.) Arrange the bottles from left to right, low notes to high notes. Practice playing an easy song. Make a water level mark on each bottle with dark-colored nail polish. (Mark the notes, too, if you know them.) Let the polish dry. Using a drop or two of food coloring, put a different color in each bottle. Put your thumb over the end of each bottle, and gently swirl the water to mix the color in. Now you can practice your songs on your soda bottle pipe organ!
 * Instructions: **