Monthly Archives: July 2012

Tin Can Howler

12

Kaleb learned how to make this Tin Can Howler last year in school.  He loves to tinker and build things.  His projects often start with something from the recycling cupboard.  He remembered the sound project and couldn’t wait to show us his howling creation.  I love when kids are excited about what they are learning.

To make your own Tin Can Howler, you will need:

  • Tin can (opened on one end with a clean edge can opener not one that will leave sharp edges.)
  • String (about 2 feet long)
  • Hammer
  • Nail
  • Water and a rag to wet the string.
Use a nail to puncture a hole in the bottom of the tin can.  The hole only needs to be wide enough for the string to fit through.
Thread the string through the hole, and tie a large knot on the outside of the tin can.  It would be interested to see if other materials could be used instead of string…wire or twine…to see if they make a different sound.  Kaleb decided to cover his tin can howler with brown paper.  You cold use wrapping paper, a drawn picture or your kids art work.
Wet with string by rubbing a wet rag up and down the sting.  You can experiment with how wet the string is to see what different noises it creates.  We found that the wetter the sting, the louder the howl.

 Now that your sting is wet; hold the tin can in one hand and pinch the string in the other.  Pull the string tight and pull your hand down the string to make interesting sounds! Try pulling and pinching the string in different ways to make unique noises.  Try rubbing the string with your thumb or thumbnail.


Have fun and enjoy your new tin can howler toy.

Here is a link to a fun list of great experiments that my kids love.

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Tammy