Grades K–5
Invent an Instrument
Draw a brand new instrument. Then tell how you play it, what family it is in and how it sounds.
Music theory worksheet · Instrument families
Instruments Word Search
Find twelve instruments. They go across, down and diagonally.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Topic
- Instrument families
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Naming the four instrument families, Sorting instruments into families, Explaining how each family makes sound, Describing an instrument
What kids do
Words on this sheet
violincelloharpfluteoboetrumpettubadrumpianoguitar
Teacher tip
After the puzzle, have kids write an S, W, B or P beside each word in the list to show its family. The piano will start a good debate.
How to use it
- Play a short clip of one instrument from each family before the sheet.
- Ask how the sound starts: a string, a reed or air, buzzing lips, or a hit.
- Let kids work in pairs and check each other before you show the answer key.
Watch for
Sorting by what an instrument is made of. Sort by how the sound is made.
Talk about it
- Which family would you like to play in?
- What does this symbol tell a musician to do?
Take it further
Watch a video of an orchestra and spot where each family sits.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More instrument families worksheets
Grades 1–3
Instrument Families Sort
Write each instrument from the word bank under its family: strings, woodwinds, brass or percussion.
Grades 2–4
How Instruments Make Sound
Every sound starts with something that vibrates. Match each family to how it makes sound, then answer the questions.
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