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It’s Christmas Sensory Series time again and this week we are focusing on SOUND!  I’m so excited to share these super fun kid-centric jingle bell noise makers! Gigi and I had so much fun making these together.  After last week’s santa binoculars, which were definitely more on the crafty side, it’s nice to share something a little more process oriented and way more meri cherry style.  I hope you like it!

*This post contains affiliate links. What you’ll need – packing tubes, toilet paper rolls or paper towel tubes, red masking tape, white paint (I used gesso) or spray paint, googley eyes, pom poms, jingle bells, ribbon, a glue gun, a hole puncher and some pipe cleaners First, I painted the tubes white. I had a bunch in different sizes.  You can do this part with your child or ahead of time.  I had limited time so I quickly painted them with white gesso.  It dries really fast and you only need one coat.  *Art Tip – White Gesso is a great way to give kids a clean surface to create on.  I often paint cardboard, wood, canvases, etc. with gesso.)  Ok, so paint the tubes white and set out the materials above so you and your child can tinker together.

GASP! I let my three and a half year old use a low temperature glue gun! Yes, it’s true.  This may not be comfortable for all parents.  I totally understand.  It works for us but please use your own discretion.  Gigi used the glue gun with bigger objects and for smaller objects she would point to where she wanted something glued. She wanted a lot of pom poms for faces and every tube had to have plenty of bells for a good jingle.

After everything was glued she asked for a hole puncher.  She had this great idea to be able to carry the noisemakers so she put two hole punches on either side of the tubes and ran a pipe cleaner through the holes.  I twisted it for her to make a little loop.  Good idea Gig!

This is why I love process art.  You never know what will come of it.  You never know what great ideas your kids will come up with and if we go with them, I think we’re giving them a real gift.  It’s experiences like this that build confidence and encourage problem solving.

Having the handles on the noisemakers made this activity come alive for Gigi.  She put them on each arm and ran around the back yard in delight.  She danced in the play house singing Jingle Bells and had a total blast.  I loved being a part of her play and watching her enjoy her creations.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…

I have a feeling these noisemakers will be a part of the mix for the weeks to come.  They’d be great to take caroling.  Maybe we’ll start a jingle bell band.  Who’s in? For more simple Christmas crafts related to sound, check out these great posts… Holiday Bell Tota from BabbleDabbleDo Christmas Present Sound Match by Toddler Approved Christmas Drawing and Listening Game from Picklebums Don’t Ring the Bells Obstacle Course from Childhood101 Christmas Listening Games from NurtureStore Thanks for reading along! and sorry for the pic overload.  I just couldn’t decide and the cuteness was on overload.