Our friends from Kiddie Academy, a longtime sponsor of our PBS Kids series Dinosaur Train, are hosting Music & More events at many of their locations throughout May. These are fun, free community events where families are invited to come in and immerse themselves in the arts through different dance, art and music activities.

Find out more about Music & More and register for an event near you. And to get you in the mood, here’s an activity you can do at home with your child – making a musical rain stick.

To make your rain stick, you’ll need:

1. Empty paper towel roll

2. Aluminum foil

3. Masking tape

4. Small amount of birdseed or rice

First, crumple the aluminum lengthwise so that it will fit into the paper towel roll from top to bottom. Use the masking tape to cover the bottom end of the paper towel roll. Next, pour the birdseed or rice into the tube. Then use the tape to cover the top of the tube. To make the “rain music”, upend the tube, letting the seeds tumble over the foil as they move from one end to the other.

You can further customize your rain stick by having your child decorate it with crayons or paint.

Here are some questions you can ask your child during the activity:

Why is rain important?

How does rain affect wetlands?

What would happen to the wetlands if there was no rain?

Thanks to Mr. Colby and the children at Kiddie Academy of Abingdon for letting us come in and watch them make their rain sticks

Kiddie Academy is a proud sponsor of Dinosaur Train on PBS KIDS.  For more information, visit www.kiddieacademy.com.