Supplies
Needed:
Black and White Construction Paper (and any other colors you
would like) - Scissors - Glue or Tape - Crayons (Option) -
Cereal Box |
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| Pianos
are huge and can make a lot of noise but they can also be fun
to play. The best way to encourage your toddler's interest in
a piano without owning a piano or at least one that you can
turn the volume down on is to make a silent piano with them.
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| Step
1: The first thing that you need to do is to cut out
the keys for your silent piano craft. Cut out white strips for
your white keys, making them a little bit longer than half the
width of the cereal box that you will be using. Then cut out
your black keys, making them shorter and a less wide than the
white keys. In most cases cutting paper isn't an option for
toddlers. The first step can be something that you can do ahead
of time before starting the craft with your toddler and something
that you can help your young child with. |
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| Step
2: With all of your black and white keys cut you can
help your toddler glue the white strips down to the front of
the cereal box that is your piano. If you do not have glue or
find it too messy for your toddler you can help them tape the
keys down. There is no need to make the white strips evenly
spaced but it helps for the piano to look better if you do.
Leaving a small amount of space between each key will actually
help the look of the piano. |
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| Step
3: Once you glued (or taped) all of your white keys
in place you can begin to put the black keys on. If you want
to make the piano more realistic you will want to space the
black keys in a way that will resemble how they are on an actual
piano. On a standard keyboard you have two black keys next to
one another then a space and then three black keys next to one
another and then the whole then starts over again. Place the
black keys so they are are a bit away from the front of the
piano. |
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| Step
4: Next you will want to cut out a strip of paper that
goes behind the keys on your piano. Most likely you will use
black or brown construction paper for your piano but your toddler
can choose which ever color they want for their piano. In addition
to cutting out a strip for the top of the piano you will also
want to cut out strips to go on the sides. You can cut out a
piece for the bottom of the piano if you want to, but seeing
how the bottom of the piano is always going to be covered you
can save paper and leave it be. |
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Step
5: Now help your toddler glue (or tape) the top piece
behind the keys on the front of the cereal box. Also help
them glue (or tape) on the side pieces on the sides of the
cereal box as well as glue the bottom piece to the bottom
of the cereal box, that is if you decided to make one. Now
your toddler's piano is done. Now your child will have an
instrument that is quiet and it will encourage them to use
their imagination. |
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| Another
neat thing about this toddler craft is that you and your toddler
can do the whole thing all over again and make a second, third,
fourth or how ever big you want the silent piano to be. By making
a second silent piano you can set them side by side to make
a bigger keyboard, you can even permanently glue the two pianos
together and you don't have to stop there if your toddler wants
an even longer silent piano. |
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