15 DIY Noisemakers and Gragger Crafts

These 15 DIY noisemakers include Gragger crafts that are perfect for Purim! This post contains affiliate links.

This is a link roundup you’ll turn to all year, but I bet you can figure out why I’m sharing it before Purim! There’s SO MUCH to look forward to on this holiday, and I’m here to help you with all of it – see the full collection here. But first let’s make some noise!

For the most part, kids are noisy little things that aren’t always well received. So it’s a real marvel when grown-ups actually encourage them to be loud – in shul (synagogue) no less!

Noisemakers, traditionally called groggers, engage children in the reading of the megillah, the Purim story. When the name of the villain, Haman, is read, listeners make a racket to drown out his evil name.

Every year, my kids can barely wait for this. Channel that excitement into action by making your own DIY noisemakers, shaker, musical instrument, or traditional grogger using one or more of the links below. Most of them require only simple, everyday materials and just a little adult supervision, while others are great for when you have time to get into it.

Another plus – many of the ideas linked below are sensory-friendly. As exciting as it is, grogger-ing can get LOUD! Whether it’s you or the kids who get overwhelmed, you may be more comfortable with some of the gentler materials suggested here.

Ok, enough about the fun and excitement. Did you know that noisemakers are also an amazing educational and developmental tool?

At the most basic level, using an instrument to make noise teaches the youngest learners about cause and effect, and how their movements can create action in the world. This is something you need to absorb through experience.

Kids move naturally from there to experimenting with the sounds made by different materials and movements. Even without you saying or teaching anything, they’re growing their curiosity about how the world works and developing their own processes of experimentation. Start building their sense of rhythm, which is linked to a variety of cognitive and emotional benefits.

For older kids, you can use these instruments as a springboard to explicitly teach the vocabulary and principles of sound production. It’s far more interesting and effective to learn about vibration by feeling an instrument under your fingers than any textbook or lecture. Several of the instruments below offer opportunities to explore different sound qualities, like pitch or frequency.

Whichever ones you choose are sure to enhance your Purim experience!

DIY Noisemaker Shakers

Shakers are easy and fun to make and use – even a baby can get some noise going, while more sophisticated players can use them in rhythm. While the basic premise is always the same, variations in material and design set each one of these crafts apart in how they look and sound.

Recycled Soda Bottle Shakers by The Chaos and the Clutter

Upcycle empty drink bottles with this kid-friendly tutorial. The paint and glitter go inside the bottle to limit mess and shedding!

Candy Noisemakers by Happily DIY

These are modeled after party crackers, but they also bring to mind the shape of a classic wrapped candy. They’re DIY noisemakers that are simple to create and make a gentle, soft sound.

Cardboard tube shakers by The Craft Train

This fun craft uses materials you almost definitely have lying around at home and opens them up to infinite creativity. The cardboard tube makes for a somewhat softer, sensory-friendly sound effect.

Egg shakers/Maracas by Red Ted Art

Maracas are actually a legitimate musical instrument, but I’m including them here because they work the same way – rattle them to the rhythm! These egg shakers are really just the top part – but they fit so nicely in the palm of a little hand.

Cup Shakers by Creative Jewish Mom

Here’s a craft designed especially for Purim! It’s simple and classic, and can be dressed up in infinite ways.

DIY Noisemakers Inspired By Musical Instruments

For the more particular player (or one who already has enough shakers), there is a whole range of musical instruments you can make yourself. Get together with friends and you can have a whole band! In addition to the musical instruments below, you can also add maracas which I linked above in the collection of shakers. And yes, you can use these as DIY noisemakers too!

Spin drum by Jewish Moms and Crafters

This is a simple percussion instrument that’s fun to make and use! Hold the drum by its craft stick handle and spin to make the hanging beads bang out a beat. Young crafters may need some help creating it, but all ages can enjoy playing with the finished product.

Hand drum by Moms and Crafters

While at first glance this may look similar to the spin drum linked above, it uses different materials to create a very different (louder) sound effect! The balloon gives off a louder, more drum-y sound. And the dowel handle is easier to spin between two palms. You’ll need some adult skills to assemble the instrument, but kids can help decorate it.

Popsicle Stick Kazoo (and more) by Left Brain Craft Brain

You’ll find the video in this link especially helpful when learning how to make and use this unique instrument. The same post also includes some other noisemaker crafts.

Cardboard Guitar by Red Ted Art

I’m sure we’ve all played with twanging rubber bands before, but this post takes it all the way with directions to make a guitar that’s impressive in both look and sound. You can easily modify the craft to make it smaller and simpler if needed. It’s a great one for bigger kids who like to tinker to do on the day before Purim.

Drum by Natural Beach Living

In addition to the DIY drum craft, this post includes loads of inspiration for how to use drums with kids, including a wonderful suggested book list.

Upcycled lid mini banjos by The Craft Train

These mini instruments are adorable, fun to play with, and super portable! Same mechanism as the guitar but with itty bitty appeal. This project comes together quickly with everyday items so it’s perfect for crafting on a whim. And it’s quite a doable one for grade school kids.

DIY flute by Left Brain Craft Brain

You won’t believe how this simple paper craft can play real musical notes! The post includes easy-to-read sheet music for a simple starter tune and some great ideas for STEM/STEAM tie-in. It’s a perfect Purim-themed STEM activity.

Bell shakers by Natural Beach Living

This one is easy and basic, but makes such a nice sound and looks super classy. You can use glitter glue instead of the glitter for a low-mess alternative for younger crafters. I put this with instruments because they are kind of like simplified tambourines.

Gragger DIY Noisemakers

I hope you enjoyed all the creative, varied ideas so far. But truly, nothing says Purim like the classic gragger (or grogger). Hold the handle and give it a twirl (or shake) when you hear Haman! Here are two ways to design your own.