Bottle Rattler Instructions DIY Sound Workshop
Bottle Rattler
Instruction Manual & Assembly Guide
Level: Adapted Craft
Target: Fine Motor & Sequence
Student:
Date:
What You Need (Materials List)
1x Soda Bottle
16 or 20 oz size (top third cut)
7x Soda Lids
Plastic bottle caps for rattle
7x Zip Ties
4-inch thin plastic ties
1x Ribbons / Stickers
For decorating the bottle
STOP
Teacher Prep Step (Hot Glue Gun / Cuts)
ADULT ONLY
These steps involve a hot glue gun nozzle (used to melt holes safely) and sharp cutters. Students must not perform these steps. Prep these components ahead of the assembly activity.
Step A
Cut Soda Bottle
Carefully cut off the top third of the 16 or 20 oz soda bottle.
Use craft knife
Step B
Melt Bottle Holes
Melt 7 holes spaced evenly around the cut bottom edge of the top third.
Use hot metal tip
Step C
Melt Cap Holes
Melt 1 hole through the center of each of the 7 rattle caps.
Total 7 caps
Bottle Rattler Assembly Manual Page 1 of 2
Student Assembly Steps
Follow these steps carefully to build your rhythmic rattle!
Phase 2: Build
Step 1 Thread Cap
Thread the Cap
Take one bottle cap and push the pointy end of a zip tie through the hole inside the cap.
O
→
Zip Tie in Cap
Step 2 Thread Bottle
Thread the Bottle
Push that same zip tie point through one of the holes on the bottom cut edge of the bottle.
Cap & Tie
→
||
Step 3 Lock
Secure & Tighten
Wrap the zip tie around and lock it. Pull the end tight to secure the cap. Leave a little wiggle room so it can rattle!
Click & Tighten
Step 4 Snip
Trim the Tail
Use safety scissors to clip off the long tail of the zip tie close to the locking head. Ask for help if it is tough!
Cut Extra Plastic
All
Final Finish & Handle Loop
Repeat Steps 1-4 for all 7 caps around the bottle's edge! Finally, tie a bright ribbon or extra zip tie around the narrow bottle neck to make a loop-handle. This gives you a safe wrist strap so you can hold onto your rattle and shake away!
Bottle Rattler Assembly Manual Page 2 of 2
Bottle Rattler Matcher Interactive Workbook
Bottle Rattler Matcher
Practice identifying your crafting tools and materials!
Student Name:
Date:
1 Match Tool to Task
Draw a straight line from each Craft Supply/Tool on the left to its correct Assembly Task on the right.
Craft Supplies
Safety Scissors
Soda Caps
Soda Bottle
Zip Ties
•••••
•••••
•••••
•••••
Assembly Tasks
Main body of rattle
Holds all the shaking elements
Locks caps to the edge
Threads through matching holes
Snips plastic tails
Trims zip ties to keep it safe
Make rattle sounds
Clatter together when shaken
Supply Inventory Check
Count your caps and zip ties to make sure you have enough to build the rattle! Fill in the boxes below:
Total number of RATTLE CAPS:
Write number here
Total number of ZIP TIES needed:
Write number here
Bottle Rattler Interactive Workbook Page 1 of 2
Interactive Workbook
Safety & Team Sorting
Who does what? Distinguish teacher steps from student steps!
2 Who Does the Job?
Some steps are strictly for teachers to keep everyone safe. Others are great for students! For each task below, check the box to show who should complete it.
Assembly Task
Teacher
Student
A
Melting 7 holes along the bottle edge
Uses the hot glue gun tip to melt plastic.
B
Pushing a zip tie through the bottle cap
First step of connecting the rattle caps.
C
Cutting the top-third off the soda bottle
Requires a sharp utility knife or heavy shears.
D
Pulling zip ties tight and securing the latch
Tug on the zip tie tail until it's locked.
My Noisemaker Reflection
How do you think your Bottle Rattler will sound when you shake it? Write 2 words to describe the sound:
Sound 1: _____________________
Sound 2: _____________________
Bottle Rattler Interactive Workbook Page 2 of 2
Bottle Rattler Sequence Cards Tactile Practice
Assembly Sequencing Cards
Cut out these cards, mix them up, and practice putting them in the right order!
Teacher/Student Tip: Cut along the dashed gray lines. Try to order the steps from 1 to 6 before assembling your actual noisemaker!
Supplies
A
Get Supplies
Gather your pre-cut 16 or 20 oz bottle, 7 caps with holes, and 7 zip ties. Put them on your table.
✂️ Cut along lines Step: ______
Step 1
B
Thread Cap
Take one bottle cap and push the pointy end of a zip tie through the hole inside the cap.
✂️ Cut along lines Step: ______
Step 2
C
Thread Bottle
Push that same zip tie point through one of the holes on the bottom cut edge of the bottle.
✂️ Cut along lines Step: ______
Secure
D
Lock & Tighten
Feed the tail into the zip tie head. Pull hard until it clicks tight. Make sure the cap can still rattle a little bit!
✂️ Cut along lines Step: ______
Trim
E
Trim Zip Tie
Use safety scissors to carefully cut off the long extra tail of the zip tie. Ask a teacher for help if it is too hard.
✂️ Cut along lines Step: ______
Finish
F
Repeat & Shake
Do these steps for all 7 caps around the bottle edge. Tie a colorful ribbon around the bottle neck handle, shake, and make some music!
✂️ Cut along lines Step: ______
Bottle Rattler Sequence Cards Page 1 of 2
Interactive Placement Board
My Assembly Step Board
Order your step cards here to map out your crafting plan!
Student Name:
Date:
Ready to Order?
Paste your cut-out cards from Page 1 into the boxes below (1 to 6) in the order you would do them. You can also write the letters (A, B, C, D, E, F) of the cards in each step circle!
Step 1
1
Paste Card 1 or Write Letter
Step 2
2
Paste Card 2 or Write Letter
Step 3
3
Paste Card 3 or Write Letter
Step 4
4
Paste Card 4 or Write Letter
Step 5
5
Paste Card 5 or Write Letter
Step 6
6
