Kai-lan's Chinese Rattle Drum

Announce the New Year with happy noise. When kids flip the drum back and forth, the action sets the beads in motion, creating a celebratory rattle and bang!

Watch Kai-lan every day on Nick Jr.

Materials

• Round cardboard gift box
• Serrated knife
• Origami paper in a decorative print
• Craft glue
• Mod-podge
• Foam paintbrush
• Hole punch
• Heavy red string, such as plastic lanyard string
• 2 medium wooden beads
• 1/2-in. dowel, about 10 in. long
• Red craft paint
• Paintbrush
• Craft knife
• Kai-lan Drum Templates

Directions

1. Step 1

   With a serrated knife, such as a bread knife, cut across the base of the gift box so that the total height is about 1.5 inches. The diameter of the top should be about 4 to 6 inches.

2. Step 2

   With craft glue or mod-podge, wrap both the box and lid with origami paper. (If you're using mod-podge, use a sponge brush to apply the product to the back of the paper. Lay the paper on the box and smooth it with a paper towel or soft cloth. This will remove any air bubbles.) Let dry.

3. Step 3

   Use the hole punch to create one hole on each side of the drum for the string to pass through.

4. Step 4

   Pass the string through the hole on one side and bring it out the other. Tie a knot close to each of the holes to keep the string from sliding out.

5. Step 5

   Tie one bead to each end of the string. Be sure to make a knot above each bead so that it can't slip up and down along the string.

6. Step 6

   Have your child paint the dowel red. Let dry.

7. Step 7

   With a craft knife, cut an "X" at the base of the drum. Push the dowel in through the X. This will be stiff, and may be a little tricky. (The tight opening is what prevents the stick from shifting inside the drum while kids are playing with it.)

8. Step 8

   Print the Kai-lan Drum Templates and cut them out. Use craft glue or mod-podge to apply them to the front, back, and side of the drum.

9. Step 9

   With the foam paintbrush, have your child apply mod-podge to the entire drum. This step will seal the lid and base of the gift box in place. Allow about 20 minutes to dry.