Looking for a fun rhythm activity on the cheap? I LOVE it when I can make creative, fun activites and spend little to no money while doing so!

For this fun activity, take a few standard issue pool noodles and chop them into 2 inch sections (sharp scissors will do the trick). Go to the Dollar Tree- you can make enough for an entire class by spending about 8 dollars.

 Using a sharpie, draw quarter notes, 8th note pairs and quarter rests on the noodles. I go over this with clear nail polish or elmer's glue so they don't rub off.

Using a mallet with a large tip, have students put the noodles on the mallet to make thier kabob. I usually tell them what side of the room we start reading from- Library Side- and what side of the room we end reading at- Hallway Side-. Make sure the students are oriented to make this work for the set up in your room.

Students can either:
Listen to the teacher play/say a pattern and write it down on thier kabob by turning the noodles.
or
write a rhythm pattern and then play it on an instrument. We like to do this with handchimes.

I've found that having students place their kabob on the ground and turn it there works better than having them hold it in their lap or in thier hand.

Cookie trays from the dollar store are a great way to get students composing! Using magnetic rhythm cards, students can create different rhythmic patterns. They can even write on the laminated cards with an Expo marker to create simple melodies (Example: Using B,A and G while composing for recorder.)

The cookie trays can even double as a white board! Laminate peices of thick white construction paper and glue magnets on the back, Expo markers will easily wipe off the laminated paper with a peice of felt. You can even cut the felt in fun shapes using a die cut press or cricut machine.

Did you try this activity in your classroom? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
Happy Music Making!
-Mel.