My favourite thing to do as a kid with my nan was to lay in her backyard and mimic the birds singing. This got me thinking differently about music and sound, it’s what I ultimately credit my keen interest in songwriting to! With this idea in mind, I have put together a simple music-making activity you can do whilst you’re out and about with the littlies. It will get you outside, creating musical memories together and is really adaptable with wherever your child is at musically!

The Sounds of Autumn

1. Go to your favourite local park, backyard or even a new location like a local river, creek or beach

(Try and find somewhere you know there will be lots of natural sound i.e flowing water, birds, dogs etc.)

2. Have a walk around and point out the different sounds you hear. You can mimic the sound of a bird, the sound of leaves in the breeze, or flowing water

3. Start to engage in active music-making by using the natural materials around you
Find some sticks or leaves and explore different outdoor surfaces (e.g. tree trunks, rocks, fences) by tapping them rhythmically with the sticks. It may feel a little silly at first, but lean into this!

Experiment with varying rhythms and intensities to create different sounds.

Encourage your little musician to listen to each sound produced. Ask, ‘Can you hear this sound?’ ‘Can you make this sound with me?’

4. DIY shaker making
Take an old jar or container and fill it with dirt or pebbles to use as shakers.

Encourage children to shake the jars and experiment with the sounds they produce whilst also mimicking the birds and other sounds.

5. Incorporating a song
Why not change the words to a familiar nursery rhyme to sing about what you can see in the environment. Encourage your little one to use their shaker whilst you sing. Or for older children, you can play percussion while they sing a song!

Stuck for inspiration? Here are some lyrics that you can try to the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down:

Autumn
The Autumn leaves are falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
The Autumn leaves are falling down.
Let’s rake them up!

Spring
In Spring the flowers come alive,
Come alive, come alive.
In Spring the flowers come alive.
Let’s smell the fresh air.

Winter
In Winter I will wear my gloves,
Wear my gloves, wear my gloves.
In Winter I will wear my gloves.
To keep my hands warm!

Summer
In Summer time the sun it shines,
Sun it shines, sun it shines!
In Summer time the sun it shines.
Let’s slap on some sunscreen.

About the author

Hannah is a Bachelor of Music student specialising in vocal performance. Her musical interests include songwriting and music therapy. She loves to go on walks, sing and cook!