This week's fun activity... Nature Xylophone

A xylophone is one of the simplest instruments we can create that will produce unique sounds.  “Xylo” is actually the Greek word for wood; early xylophones were suspended branches that were hit to make sounds.   This week, we’ll make a simple natural version using mason jars!

Materials: Mason Jars Two Small Sticks (Wooden Spoons also work well) Natural Materials (Soil, Rocks, Leaves, Grass, etc)

Step 1 - Jars Get about 5 mason jars to build your xylophone.   You can use different sized jars or all the same size, different sizes will naturally make different tones; however you can change the tone of similar sized jars as well.  You do not need the lids!

Step 2 - Gather Head outside and gather up some natural material to fill your jars.  Soil, rocks, leaves, feathers, flowers, even water will work!

Step 3 - Fill Fill your mason jars to different levels with your natural materials.   Generally, the more full they are the higher pitched sound they will make – however this will change depending on the type of material you fill your jars with!

Step 4 - Make Music Place your jars on a flat surface and hit them with your stick or wooden spoon “mallets.”   For easier music-making, arrange your jars from low-pitch to high-pitch so it mimics the instrument.   You can keep the jars vertical or lay them on their side.   Finally, switch up what’s inside the jars or the amount inside of each to change the notes that are produced!

REMINDER! BUY YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS FOR A CHANCE TO WIN BEAUTIFUL RADLER ROSES! Raffle tickets sold here on the FBBG website. Cost: $5/one entry, $20/5 entries. Winners will be notified on Wednesday, August 26.  Entries can be received up until Tuesday, August 25, 5:00 pm

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FBBG MEMBERSHIPS   We are continually processing memberships! You will receive a temporary card in the mail as we process your packets. Membership questions? Please contact Dkoepsel@fbbg.org JOIN TODAY! You can easily purchase a membership on-line by clicking here. THANK YOU!

We’d love to see your creativity! Tag us on:  Facebook (Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens)  Twitter (@FBBG) or Instagram (friendsofbbg)  to show off your nature xylophone or any of our weekly activities!

Please continue to watch for our weekly activities...  fun learning for ALL ages!