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Beatbox anything!

Beatbox anything!
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Learn simple beatboxing sounds and use your mouth plus household objects to create rhythms, practice timing, and record your own short beats.

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Step-by-step guide to Beatbox anything!

What you need
A chair or table to tap on, a small container with rice or beans to shake, household objects that make sounds such as a wooden spoon a cup and a cardboard box

Step 1

Gather three or four household objects that make different sounds and put them on a table.

Step 2

Clear a small space to sit or stand so you have room to move and play your sounds.

Step 3

Warm up your mouth by humming softly for about ten seconds to wake up your voice.

Step 4

Make a kick drum sound by pressing your lips together and popping air to say a strong "B" sound.

Step 5

Make a hi-hat sound by forcing a short "tss" between your tongue and teeth.

Step 6

Make a snare sound by blowing a quick "pff" through your lips like a little puff of air.

Step 7

Practice a simple four beat pattern with your mouth by repeating "B tss pff tss" slowly four times.

Step 8

Pick one of your objects and tap it once on each beat to match the mouth sounds.

Step 9

Use the rice or beans container and shake it steadily to add a steady high sound to your rhythm.

Step 10

Put your mouth sounds and object sounds together into an eight count loop and repeat it four times until it feels smooth.

Step 11

Ask an adult to help you record a short clip of your beat so you can listen back.

Step 12

Ask an adult to help you upload and share your finished beat on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can I use if I don't have a rice or beans container or can't find three or four household objects?

If you don't have a rice or beans container, fill a sealed jam jar with dried pasta or a small tin with coins for a shaker, and use things like a wooden spoon, a cereal box, and a metal lid to make your three or four household objects.

My 'B' or 'pff' sounds are too quiet or don't pop properly—what should I do?

Warm up by humming as step 3 directs, then press your lips together and push a quick burst of air for the 'B' kick drum and tighten your lips for the 'pff' snare, or if your mouth sounds are still quiet, tap your chosen object louder on each beat as in step 7 to carry the rhythm.

How can I change this activity for younger kids or make it harder for older kids?

For younger children simplify by using one object and practicing a two-beat loop (skip the recording), while older kids can expand the step 9 eight-count loop into 16 counts, add faster 'B tss pff tss' variations, and follow step 10–11 to record and upload with adult help.

How can we make our beat more interesting or unique before recording and sharing?

Try adding another object for a counter-rhythm, layer multiple short recordings of your eight-count loop to create harmony, change which object you tap on each of the four beats, or use a simple phone app to add reverb before asking an adult to help you upload to DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to Beatbox anything!

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Hi-Hat - How to Beatbox (EASY TUTORIAL) by a beatbox teacher

4 Videos

Facts about beatboxing and vocal percussion

⏱️ Practicing with a metronome or simple household props (like tapping cups) is a great way to sharpen timing and rhythm.

🥁 Beatboxing was popularized in hip-hop during the 1980s by artists like Doug E. Fresh and later innovators such as Rahzel.

🔁 Many modern beatboxers use loop pedals to record and layer multiple sounds live, creating rich solo performances.

👄 Top beatboxers can imitate an entire drum kit, scratches, and basslines using only their lips, tongue, and throat.

🎤 Vocal percussion is widely used in a cappella groups to replace drum kits and add rhythmic texture without instruments.

How do I do the 'Beatbox anything!' activity with my child?

To do the 'Beatbox anything!' activity, start with a short warm-up: humming and lip trills. Teach three basic sounds—kick drum (B), hi-hat (ts), and snare (pf or k)—by demonstrating slowly. Practice simple patterns (B ts B pf) with a steady count, then add household objects (cups, spoons, boxes) as extra percussion. Encourage layering and call-and-response games, keep sessions short (5-15 minutes), and finish by recording a short loop so the child can hear their progress.

What materials do I need to beatbox anything at home?

You only need a few simple items: a quiet space, a mirror for watching mouth shapes, and a smartphone or tablet to record. Optional household percussion: plastic cups, wooden spoons, bowls, empty boxes, and a water bottle. A metronome app helps keep time, and comfy seating is useful. No special equipment is required—most of the activity uses the voice and everyday objects, so it's inexpensive and portable.

What ages is the 'Beatbox anything!' activity suitable for?

Beatboxing works for many ages. Children around 5-8 can learn simple sounds and rhythms with adult guidance and short practice sessions. Ages 9-12 can combine sounds, use household objects, and start recording loops. Teens and older kids can explore complexity, layering, and effects. Always supervise young children, encourage gentle vocal use, and adapt complexity and session length to each child's attention span and breath control.

What are the benefits and safety tips for beatboxing with kids?

Beatboxing builds rhythm, listening skills, breath control, creativity, and confidence while improving speech articulation and coordination. It is low-cost and encourages improvisation and teamwork. Safety tips: keep sessions short to avoid vocal strain, stay hydrated, warm up before louder sounds, and supervise small objects to prevent choking. If a child experiences hoarseness or discomfort, stop and rest their voice; consult a clinician for persistent issues.
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