To day is:
The Rainstick originally came from South America, but are now popular in many other parts of the world. Traditionally, it is made from the dried stem of a cactus, the spines of which are pulled out, reversed and then pushed back in. Then a few small pebbles are filled in and when they strike the spines as you tilt it, it makes the sound of rain.
Used as a musical instrument for some, and a teaching tool for me, this lovely invention makes a great craft for children. Apart from building on their creative skills, you can teach them to be aware of the different sounds around them, encourage them to ponder over nature, and Who created the rain, etc.
They are many methods to make the rainshaker, I've included two methods here.
Materials
Potato chip canister or paper towel roll
2 circles cut out of a plastic bag
2 rubber bands (or masking tape)
White glue
Straight pins (or toothpicks or wire)
1/2 cup pebbles or dried beans or uncooked rice
Decorating material
Procedure
:: Decide if you are going to use a potato chip (Pringle) canister OR a paper towel roll.
:: If using a paper towel roll, cover one end with a piece of plactic (or wax paper) and close it off with a rubber band (or masking tape).
:: Fill with approximately 1/2 cup pebbles.
:: Glue plastic lid on chip canister OR close off paper towel roll as done previously.
:: Poke pins into tube. (An adult will have to do this.)
:: *option: poke toothpicks right through to other end of paper towel roll, place a little glue around toothpick, once dry cut off the part which is sticking out.
:: *option: if using wire, push them through and bend ends down and tape over using masking tape, this makes it easy to decorate.
:: Decorate! - either paint it, colour it, or stick tissue paper (with gluestick) around it. And then you can add other decorations like yarn, beads, stickers, feathers, etc.
:: Once all dry, lift upright and hear the rain.
I'd love to see pictures of how you and your children decorate their rainstick.
Labels: crafts
At 10:54 AM, 
At 11:36 AM,
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sisters Sultana and Umm Bilal,
Jazak'Allah for the comments, and for your participation in this.
May Allah bless you both and to the other sisters who contributed their time and effort in helping to make others aware of this day.
haha.. yupper Sultana, but that is what kids do best :) so let them be a little creative at the same time.
Umm Bilal, where are you located? (with no rain).. That sounds like a wonderful idea! Let me know how it goes if you decide to make one.
Wa'alaykum as-salaam
Love Farhana
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sister Maryam,
Subhan'Allah I just thought of you yesterday.. and wanted to email you to see in everything was okay on your side (but couldn't find an email address to contact you at). AlhumduliLlah I am sooooo happy to hear from you, and that you are back posting. I do very much enjoy reading your posts, and they do benefit me :)
AlhumduliLlah.. things are well at my end, can't complain.. Allah has been too kind. :D
Yes, Ramadaan just flew by, I pray your went well. And you are ready to enjoy Eid-al-Adha..hehe
As-salaamu'alaykum
Love Farhana
At 12:28 AM,
Assalamu'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakahtu,
Subhanallah...what a great idea you have sister. Its truly beautiful. Am sure the kids love them. Unfortunately I am not an art person...prefer to see others work than my own..hehee
Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful art and crafts idea. Truly enjoy reading about them :)
At 2:50 AM, 
Ihsaan-the struggle
Maasha'allah, gud to read that all is well over at yours sis.
We had a huge Eid alFitr celebration in London prayed in a huge park (turn out was over 6 thousand) which was then followed by fun fair rides, on stage lectures, nasheeds, children reciting quran and much more...so you could say that I'm really looking forward to Eid ulAdha :)
I'l keep you posted insha'allah wasalaamu aleykum warahmatulaah dear sis.
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sisters,
Adikbongsu, jazak'Allah for the wonderful comment. Ahh yes, well I'm a person who isn't very good at writing... but love reading, and masha'Allah your blog is one of those gems I love to visit and learn from. (so we are even..hehe) now if you only lived closer to me!
Wow Ihsaan.... I want to celebrate Eid ul Adha with YOU!! :) It sounds like so much fun.. I can definitely see why you are looking forward to it..hehe (do you think you can have some fun on my behalf?) Subhan'Allah.. 6 thousand plus :) gotta love that. I know in Toronto (an hour from me) they have a big celebration.. ahh but to live with the cows..hehe (alhumduliLlah).. :)
Look forward to hearing more from you.
Wa'alaykum as-salaam
Love Farhana
Salam Alaikum Sis Farhana :)
Mashallah this is a lovley idea...Its a great craft for kids and they could easily drive thier parents nuts with the noise from this thing, hee hee.... Thanks for sharing such a unique idea!
love,sultana