New Year's Noisemakers!

What You Need:

• Two white paper bowls (small size works best)
• Stapler
• Dried beans, pasta, coins, beads, buttons, etc. (any of these suggested items)
• Tongue depressor stick
• Hole punch
• String or yarn
• Different color ribbons
• Markers
• Two medium-sized beads

Note: When looking for paper bowls, we've found that bowls with a larger lip around the edge work best. Try to shoot for a half inch or so.

What You Do:

1. Place a paper bowl on the table upside-down. Decorate the bottom of it using markers – write Happy New Year!, or have the kids draw their favorite memory from the year. Do the same on the back of the other paper bowl.
2. Place one bowl right side up on the table like it’s waiting for some cereal. Add a handful of dried pasta or dried beans.
3. Glue the tongue depressor on the edge of the rim, and hold it there until it dries.
4. Place the other bowl on top of the first. Add more glue to the top of the stick so it is secure between the two bowls.
5. Staple the bowls together leaving about an inch around the outside.
6. Holding the stick in your hand, punch a hole in the side of the bowl (outside the staples) directly across from each other on the sides, at 3 o'clock and nine o'clock.
7. Tie a bead to the end of a four-inch piece of ribbon and do it again with another ribbon. Then tie each ribbon to each hole.
8. For more decorating, punch more holes around the bowl and tie ribbons (without beads) all around it. To teach your kids how different objects create different noises, try making one using something different inside, such as coins or buttons. See if they can guess what’s inside!
9. Now hold the stick and twist your wrists back and forth so the bead is hitting the plate (and adding to the noise.) Ten, nine, eight, seven…it’s time to make some noise and yell “Happy New Year!”