Creative

Chinese lucky rattle drums

by Fellowship Agency June 12, 2018

In celebration of #ChineseNewYear, we’ve made some Chinese Lucky Drums using Gratnells mini trays. But even if you don’t have mini trays, you can use anything from matchboxes to cassette cases to make yours.

Learning outcomes

You will be able to:

  • design a Chinese musical instrument.

You will need (per group):

  • 2 x F1 Gratnells trays
  • 1 x 3 x 3 Gratnells insert
  • Mini trays (small boxes, cartons or cassette tape cases would also work)
  • Beads
  • Bells
  • String
  • Ribbon
  • Lolly sticks
  • Blue tac
  • Sellotape
  • Paper
  • Felt tip pens

What to do:

  • Cut the paper to the size of a Gratnells mini tray (or the inside of your small pot or box).
  • Using Google, or an online translator, translate your chosen phrase and copy onto the small pieces of paper. We chose ‘Happy Chinese New Year’.
  • Secure the pieces of paper to the inside of the mini trays.
  • Thread some beads onto the ends of some ribbon and tie knots at either end to secure them. Once this is done, tape this to the back of your mini tray.
  • Feed a bell onto another piece of ribbon or string and fix to the bottom on the mini tray using tape.
  • Tape a lolly stick onto the back of the mini tray on top of the string and bell.
  • Twist the lolly stick in a circular, upright motion from left to right allowing the beaded strings to swing and hit the front and back of the mini trays.

Other things to try…

  • Use recycled materials as an alternative to the mini tray.

Curriculum links:

Key Stage 1- Primary National Curriculum– Music- To play tuned and untuned instruments musically.

Key Stage 1- Primary National Curriculum– D.T – To design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria.

Health and Safety

As with all Gratnells What’s In My Tray Activities, you should carry out your own risk assessment and health & safety measurements prior to undertaking any of the activities with children.