Materials:  6-8” diameter can, construction paper or material to cover sides, scissors, string or yarn, vinyl material for heads, tape, 9-10” diameter circle for tracing, marker or pen.

Working on either a single or double thickness of the vinyl material, trace a circle on the back side of the material.

Cut out the circle/s.  Two vinyl circles are needed for each drum.

Cut 8 holes around the perimeter of the vinyl circle.  Make the holes about 1” from the edge (to prevent tearing). 

Tape the construction paper to the sides of the can.  Trim as necessary.  If using fabric to cover the sides of the can, craft glue works well.

Place one vinyl circle under the can and one on top of the drum.  Loosely tie a 6-foot piece of ribbon or yarn to one hole in the vinyl drum head.

Alternately from top to bottom, lace the ribbon around the drum.  It helps to hold the top drum head in place while lacing and lace loosely.  When you have laced all around, go back and carefully tighten up the lacing.

When you have reached the point where you started lacing and tightened the lacing, tie the two ends in a knot.  Trim excess ribbon.

Finished Recycled Drum pictured with (left to right), drums from South Africa, Mexico & Ghana.

Anna Stange brings her collection of drums and drum-making supplies to schools, libraries, scout groups, and festivals for a hands-on, educational & fun introduction to drums and drumming.  For more information including rates & availability, annastange@yahoo.com.