Making A Toddler Drum While Ruby Naps

As my daughter gets older she has outgrown quite a lot; her clothes, the fresh beat band (thank goodness), and even most of her toys.  I hate going toy shopping because she will usually see something she likes bring it home, throw it in the corner and then play with a spatula for the next hour.  So with that in mind I am making an effort not to spend much money on toys that may be popular for less time than whoever sang the macarena.  Today I was inspired to do a little recycling and embrace her love of music and chaos, something I am sure I may regret later but hey no risk no reward right? 

Toddler Drum Made from scrap fabric, random debris and a Gerber puffs container.

materials:

modge podge

scrap fabric

seal able container

debris for inside rattle (i used bead and two jingle bells)

glue gun (just to seal the top extra tight)           

1. wipe out the inside of the empty container and then score the outside, i just used a bent sewing machine needle, really anything that will rough up the smooth cardboard a little bit, this is just to help the modge podge grip the fabric, super smooth surfaces don't tend to hold as well.

it only takes about a minute just make sure you get all the way around (you don't want you tiny human finding the weak spot and pulling)

2.cut you fabric to size.  mine was four inches high, and i made the length an inch or two longer for overlap, i made it a touch high so that when i sealed the top with the glue gun it would give the fabric an extra hold too)

3. put about a two inch wide layer of mogde podge down bottom to top smooth fabric on and continue adhering the fabric that way.  I do small section to avoid bubbling and modge podge drying before i can place the fabric over it.  Smooth as you go.

4. add your noise makers!

5. line the inside of the lid with hot glue,quickly cap your drum making sure to tuck the fabric inside. All Done just make sure the modge podge is dry before you let your little start making music!

(do this step quickly because you don't want your glue to cool down before you cap it!)