DIY Article

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Rain Stick
From "Rainy Day Fun" Episode DIK-209

The DIY Kids made this rain stick, which sounds just like rain.
Figure A
Figure B
Figure C
Figure D
Figure E
Figure F

Materials:

Paper-towel roll or wrapping-paper tube
Brown shoe polish
White glue
One medium nail
Card stock
Masking tape
Wooden toothpicks
Rice
Scissors

1. Push lots of holes in the tube with the nail (figure A). If it's hard to push through, twist the nail back and forth while applying pressure. Try not to crush the tube as you work.

2. Tape up one end of the tube.

3. Put toothpicks through one hole and out another. There is no special order to this -- just make them crisscross all over and put in lots of toothpicks. The more toothpicks, the more sound.

4. Place a dab of white glue on each toothpick where is meets the cardboard tube (figure B). Let them dry.

5. Cut off sharp toothpicks points (figure C) as flat to the tube as possible.

6. Cut two card-stock circles and tape them over each end for extra strength, so the rice will not fall out. Cut one piece of card stock the length of the tube and wide enough to wrap around it with a little overlap. Tape the card stock around the tube (figure D).

7. Fill the tube with one to two cups of rice (figure E), depending on the length of the tube.

8. Tape up the other end.

9. Cover the entire tube with small pieces of hand-torn masking tape. Rub the surface with brown shoe polish (figure F). Buff to get all the excess off and bring to a nice shine.

Tips:

- Have an adult supervise anytime you're working with sharp tools.

- Be careful with the toothpicks. Even though they are small, they can poke.

- Shoe polish can be hard to get off your hands. Wear gloves or remove with mineral spirits AND THE HELP OF AN ADULT. Never use chemicals, like mineral spirits, unsupervised!

All products can be purchased at craft and all-purpose stores nationwide. No special products needed.

Resources
> 52 Rainy Day Activities

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