X is for Xylophones: Themed Activities

Xylophones! Funny what a letter will bring us to. Let's brainstorm some activities related to this instrument for you to enjoy with the child(ren) in your life.

Science: Make a row of glasses filled with differing levels of water. You can colour the water to make it a rainbow of glasses if you want to. Now experiment on the different sounds that each glass makes. Can you make them into a range of notes similar to a xylophone?

Construction: Line up wooden blocks of varying lengths. Practice ordering them by size, smallest to largest and find a stick or spoon to tap each one. Does the length of the block of wood alter its sound? 

Music: Learn a tune on an actual xylophone. Can you play the notes to copy the melody of a favourite song? Try playing several different tunes on the xylophone.

Music: Expand on the music session by adding in other instruments to make it a band! They can be homemade like a maraca made from an easter egg filled with rice or store-bought like a ukelele.

Colours: Learn the colours by labeling them as you play along. Red, yellow...most xylophones are in a rainbow of colours for children to enjoy.

Art: If you have an artistic child, you can cut strips of coloured paper to varying lengths and design a xylophone by cutting and gluing the pieces on in order to make a paper xylophone.

Math: For those interested in math: count the eight notes as you play and talk about patterns in music.

Writing: Try writing out lyrics for your xylophone composition, having fun with either silly words or a meaningful verse. Make it up as you go or carefully plan and edit your masterpiece.

🎶The key to any of these activities is to explore and have fun together along the way.🎶

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