How to Make a Rubber Band Guitar

Build your own musical instrument using recycled materials to explore sound and rhythm. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Prepare the sound box. Take your empty tissue box and make sure the plastic film around the opening is removed. If the opening is small, ask a grown-up to help you cut it wider so the sound can escape easily.
2. Set up the bridge. Place one pencil horizontally across the top of the box near the top of the opening, and the second pencil near the bottom of the opening. Tape them down firmly so they stay in place.
3. Add the strings. Stretch your rubber bands around the box so they sit on top of the pencils. Space them out evenly. The tighter the rubber band, the higher the sound will be when you pluck it.