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Building Musical Instruments with Wummelbox!

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We’ve had the chance to try out a few of the subscription craft kits for kids that are so popular right now, and this Wummelbox music kit that we were sent to review really stands out to me because of the way it got my kids crafting and thinking in new ways!

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Our kit came with materials for three crafts: the drum from the top photo, a sound identification game shown above (we added the buttons, but everything else was in the box), and the metal chimes featured below. It also included instructions for a sound experiment using glass bottles, which we didn’t have on hand. You can see my kids using all three crafts in this short video:

The thing I love most about this kit is that all three of the crafts actually make a nice final product that I see the kids enjoying for a long time – AND they all store in the box that the kit came in! I do wish that, since the box is being re-used, it closed using side flaps or velcro rather than adhesive, but this is a minor detail.

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The materials are all very high quality – the pair of scissors that came in the first kit were made by Fiskars, my favorite brand of children’s scissors (Johnny is using them in the above photo).

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These crafts are designed to get kids thinking and (since this is a music box) really listening. The kits are marketed to children aged 3-8; five-year-old Johnny and (fairly precocious) three-year-old Lily were most interested, but this may be because they are my more musically-inclined children. They did need help assembling the chimes and putting the caps on the sound boxes. And I actually used an embroidery needle (not included) to thread the chimes onto the wooden bar. I think it may have been possible to do it without the needle, but it would have taken a long time!

I’ve spent a fair bit of time in Germany (where Wummelbox kits are made), and I have always been impressed by the quality of their hand crafting. That attention to detail and appreciation for good quality materials shows through in these kits – and I an contemplating a subscription for my family once we are settled enough (we’re moving this summer) to get their most competitively priced year subscription ($19.95/month as opposed to $34.95 for one month and $24.95 for three months – although that three month option is a tempting option for summer vacation…)

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

17 thoughts on “Building Musical Instruments with Wummelbox!”

  1. That looks really great. A lot of craft kits have projects that are not that hard to duplicate at home without paying for a kit but this one makes a lot of sense. It is a toy after it’s done too which makes it last longer! I didn’t know there were musical instrument craft kits. Love it!

  2. This looks like so much fun and I love the idea of getting a new box every month – I wish we had something like that available to us here. We will also be moving this summer so I’m really looking forward to following along with you and your family.

    1. Do you know where you are moving yet? I’ve gotten good and settled here, and it’s a little tough to pull up my roots this time!

      1. We don’t and it’s driving us a little mad! My husband’s contract is up here and we don’t have a solid next step yet. We will definitely be staying in Sub-Saharan Africa but I’ll be much happier when we know exactly where we’ll be moving. We’ve only been here three years and it will be hard to say goodbye to the home our kids had so many baby milestones in – I can’t imagine how it must feel for you!

        1. Unknowns are so hard! We’re still finalizing contracts here, and the timing isn’t completely set in stone, but at least I know WHERE we are going!

  3. Elisa | blissfulE

    I couldn’t see the video, but I loved the pictures. What a terrific idea: combining crafting and music!

      1. Elisa | blissfulE

        The video just showed a black box before, but it’s working now! Love the chimes.

    1. I think it’s very new (to the US, at least). I hadn’t heard of them before this review, but I was super impressed with the quality!

  4. Moving, moving?! I hope you will have a big backyard again!

    This looks like a great kits! I love the idea of making musical instruments and the video is adorable!

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