To make a xylophone you will need several tall glasses or jars, some water, and a mixing spoon. To make the different notes in the xylophone, fill the glasses or jars with different amounts of water. The more water there is in the glass, the lower the pitch will be. Conversely the less water there is in the glass or jar the higher the pitch will be. To play, gently strike the glasses with a mixing spoon. This craft is better suited for older children who have more develop motor skills and who will not tap the glasses so hard that the glass breaks or injure themselves in the case that there is a glass that falls.
So you see, there are plenty of different ways to make creative musical instruments out of materials that you will likely already have in your home. With a few helpful ideas you could even come up with enough instruments to create a creative musical instrument craft band!