Puschel steadies an empty cardboard tube as Flauschi prepares a paper spiral for the rainmaker

The little Wusel story

Puschel“Today we’re making indoor rain,” Puschel announced, holding an empty cardboard tube. Flauschi slid in a paper spiral. An adult helped fill it and carefully sealed both ends. Puschel slowly tilted the colourful tube. Inside, the grains trickled past the paper curve: sh-sh-sh. Flauschi lifted a paw like a conductor. Puschel tilted it faster. Puschel“Now it sounds like a quick shower!” They listened once more. Outside the round window it was still sunny.

What you need

one sturdy empty kitchen-paper tube
two circles of thick card, slightly larger than the tube openings
a strip of paper for a loose spiral
a few tablespoons of dry rice or lentils
strong sticky tape, child-friendly glue and coloured paper
a spoon and a small paper funnel

How it works

An adult cuts two card circles. Attach the first to one end with glue and firm tape all around.
Curl a strip of paper into a loose spiral and slide it into the tube. It will slow the grains down.
Spoon in just a little dry rice or lentils. Try the sound while an adult securely covers the open end.
Seal the second end with card and several firm strips of tape. An adult gently turns the tube to check that no grain escapes.
Decorate the tube with coloured paper. Slowly tilt it from side to side and listen to the changing sound.

Adult help: Adults cut the end pieces, seal the tube permanently and check both ends before every use. Rice and lentils are small choking hazards; this rainmaker is unsuitable for children under three. Do not shake it right next to an ear.

Puschel slowly turns the finished sealed blue-and-orange rainmaker while Flauschi smiles and listens

Listen again: Flauschi’s Gentle Rain

About ages 6–10 with adult helpCrafting: approx. 30 min

Use your rain-sound tube to invent gentle sound stories and take turns listening.

Puschel raised the finished rainmaker like a great magic wand. Puschel“I’m ordering a downpour!” Flauschi smiled, paws resting in front of her belly. Flauschi“I’d like to hear a little shower first.”

He slowly lowered the tube the other way. Something trickled inside. Puschel listened. This time he moved it even more gently. When the sound ended, he held still. Puschel“The rain is taking a break.”

Flauschi brushed her fingertips softly across the table. Flauschi“Those are my drops on the leafy roof.” Puschel answered with a short rustle. They took turns, leaving little spaces to listen.

Puschel“Now we have a whole woodland weather concert,” Puschel said. Flauschi rested both paws quietly on the table. Puschel stopped too. Outside, a leaf rustled. They had not made that final note themselves.

Also have ready

optionally two sturdy paper strips for a loose accordion insert instead of the paper spiral
a shallow tray under the tube while filling

Try a little more together

Choose the paper spiral from the original instructions, or fold two paper strips loosely like accordions. An adult sizes them to fit inside without tightly blocking the tube.
An adult permanently seals one end with a card disc and several overlapping tape strips extending across the rim. Do not simply rest a loose lid on it.
Insert the paper. Over a tray, start with one tablespoon of rice. This is a starting point, not an exact sound recipe; an adult can adjust the amount if needed.
For a brief sound test, an adult completely covers the open end. Afterwards they permanently seal it too and slowly turn the tube over the tray to check both ends. No grain should escape.
Listen from an ordinary distance, never right beside an ear. Tilt slowly, wait for the grains to settle, then try a different movement. The sound does not have to last for a particular time.
Check the dry tube and all seals before each use. If damp, torn or loose, stop playing and let an adult repair it. Do not insert nails, needles or pointed sticks.