Save some plastic, card, or metal bottles, boxes and containers. Make sure they have lids that you can firmly secure.
- Find some things to put inside. You could use pasta, rice, buttons, small stones, twigs, bottle lids, or anything small enough to fit inside.
- Older ones will enjoy helping to put the items inside the container.
- Secure the lid. You may want to use some PVA glue or tape to make it more secure.
- Once your rattles are finished, have fun shaking them and listening to the different sounds. Which is their favourite? What’s inside each container?
- Maybe you could use them to create some music as you sing some songs together.
IMPORTANT: Consider the safety of items you use. Small parts are a choking hazard to babies and young children, so ensure you supervise play at all times.
Older children:
Older children can help you with finding suitable materials to use. They might enjoy thinking of a different musical instrument they could make and planning how to make it.
Top tip:
Try using see-through bottles with water. Experiment with adding oil and food colouring, as well as some small items that float, and some that don't.
Good to know:
This game will help your baby improve their listening. It also helps children learn about different sounds.
