Chicken sounds experiment

Learn about how sound boards work with this cool kids’ science project. Create fun sounds like a chicken clucking with this chicken sound-making experiment. They’ll laugh as they learn, so go ahead and try this science experiment today.

What you need:

• Plastic drinking cup
• String (cotton or wool)
• Paper clip
• Small sponge
• A nail
• Scissors
• Water

Number of players:
2+

Activity:

Cut a 40cm length of string.

Punch a hole in the centre of the bottom of the cup with the nail.

Tie one end of the string to the centre of the paper clip.

Thread the other end of the string through the hole in the cup and pull it through until the paper clip is against the cup.

Tie the free end of the string around the small sponge.

Dampen the sponge with water.

Hold the cup upside down so that the string hangs down.

Squeeze the sponge around the string near the cup in short jerks. You should be able to hear a chicken clucking.

Notes

• The vibrations created by the sponge jerking along the string are made audible by the cup which spreads and amplifies them.
• This is the same way pianos and music boxes are able to generate sound.
• You could draw a little chicken face and beak on your cup to give your creation some visual appeal!