So you are thinking of doing an instrument petting zoo, but you aren’t exactly sure how to do it and do it well. First of all, let me tell you that you and your students are in for a ton of fun. Petting zoos are a great way to reach kids an expose them to something that may just change their life.
Many kids don’t even know what possibilities are out there in the world of music, and a musical instrument petting zoo is a great way to give them exposure to instruments. That creates that spark of interest that may build into a shining musical future. Or just be a really cool experience that they remember for years to come.
Whether you are coming to this article as an elementary school teacher looking to give students a great musical experience, a middle school or high school teacher looking to build their program, or an orchestra looking to do community outreach, welcome! This article has tons of useful information that is going to help you build a super successful instrument experience for your school or community.
In a hurry to get your event started? I’ve got you covered. You can jump right in with my Instrument Petting Zoo Toolkit and get started right now planning your awesome event.
What Is an Instrument Petting Zoo?
An instrument petting zoo is an event where people (usually kids) get the chance to see, hear and sometimes even play different band and orchestra instruments. Musicians are usually on hand to interact with visitors, demonstrating how to play the instrument and helping the visitors interact with them.
Sometimes visitors just get to see hear and touch the instruments. Other times, they can actually play them. It just depends on the resources you have available and how creative you can get!
When To Do A Musical Instrument Petting Zoo
I would recommend that you make your instrument zoo coincide with another event at your school or community. You will just have more traffic this way, so the event will reach more people, and it will give people something to do when they are done exploring instruments as well.
We have a curriculum night at our school, where there are math, or reading or science activities available to do around the school. I figured, hey! Orchestra instruments are part of my curriculum, so this night just made sense for me.
If you are in charge of a community orchestra, then consider pairing up with a community event or reaching out to a local library or museum. I feel like this could be a great “Science of Sound” event at a kids science museum – for example.
Where To Get Instruments and Players
If you are a band or orchestra director reading this, then you already have your answer. If you are an elementary school teacher trying to put this event together, then I personally recommend reaching out to the middle school that your school feeds into. They will most likely be jumping at the opportunity to build recruitment for their program.
I’ve always wanted a good connection with my feeder middle school. And I am lucky that at my current school, we share a campus with our middle school.
We do a joint concert in the fall, which is great for the kids, because they get to see those that have moved on to middle school (including many alumni that they know from Chorus) showing off their mad, middle school skills.
So last year I went an extra step and asked our band and orchestra teachers if they would be interested in doing a musical instrument petting zoo in the spring. And it was a big hit!
How I Organized My Space for an Instrument Zoo
I organized my room into four instrument sections:
- woodwinds
- brass
- percussion
- strings
Each section was labeled with a sign on a music stand. My room didn’t quite hold everyone, so the brass ended up in the courtyard just outside my door, but it worked out really well.
Students entered the room via the front door. I had a table set up at the entrance, with passports to the four “music lands.” Students who brought the passport back all filled out received extra credit (or you could have some kind of little prize for them – or both!). Each station had little stamps that they could use to stamp the passport.
I have recreated (and even improved) the resources that I used that night in my Instrument Petting Zoo Toolkit. It has all the signage you need for before and during the event. And, of course, the awesome passports, which were a huge hit and helped guide the families as they explored each section.
Instrument Petting Zoo Ideas for Each Station
Have the middle school ambassadors tell guests about their instrument – the different parts and how to make a sound, etc. Then, if possible, give them the chance to try playing an instrument from the family, with guidance. For example, the brass family brought a bunch of extra mouthpieces and sanitizing spray. Percussion is easy to share, and strings as well.
I’m not sure that the woodwinds let the kids play anything. Maybe next year I’ll leave out a bunch of recorders and sanitizing spray?? Or maybe the band director will have some ideas? Perhaps you could even have a make your own woodwind kit with a paper reed in your hands or have soda bottles they could blow on like a flute.
Successes and Improvements on My First Instrument Petting Zoo
When I originally set out to do this, I thought I could only have it open to my upper classmen. I didn’t know if little kids could handle the instruments with care. But as the event unfolded, we ended up opening it up to everyone, and it worked out great.
One thing I didn’t think of that we had to fix half way through was that I had some of my own instruments (xylophones) out and some kids just started banging on those. How did I not realize this would happen? It happens literally every time people walk into my room for open house, meet the teacher, etc. So we packed up all the mallets and that seemed to fix things pretty well.
If I want them to be part of the percussion station, I might simply put out one or two and enlist volunteers to assist in monitoring the playing to ensure it is done correctly.
Another thing I suggest if having one representative per instrument. For the first year, the band director just said, anyone who wants to come can come. Well, I ended up having a small army show up at my door – probably about half the band. She decided that next year she would bring one trumpet player, one clarinet player, etc. It’s easier to corral and they might all be able to fit in my room next year!
Take Aways
I was really thrilled with how the event went down, and so were the middle school teachers. Kids were saying how cool it was, and the middle school teachers were glad to get some exposure for their program. They even had the sign up sheets that fifth graders could sign for interest in joining for next year – since we did this towards the end of the year.
I know it can seem daunting at first, but really I highly recommend that you take to plunge and give it a try. A musical instrument petting zoo is a great experience for your kids and great exposure to your feeder program.
Still need a little help to get you started? This Instrument Petting Zoo Toolkit is your step-by-step guide to having an awesome event with no stress. It has checklists, guides for each step of the process, and all the signage and the fun instrument family passports that we used.
All you really need is to get the band and the space. Everything else is done for you. You can grab it right here on my site shop. Or I have the same Instrument Petting Zoo Toolkit on TPT as well.
I hope you have an awesome event! Make sure to contact me at admin@sunshineandmusicblog.com to share how your event went! I would love to hear all about it.
Other Blog Posts Related to Instruments
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Sort the Orchestra Instruments
Music Centers in the Elementary Classroom: Tips and Tricks for Success
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