How to Make Paper Whistles

If you want a cheap, easy sound-maker, then paper whistles may be the answer. They work like a clarinet or saxophone reed does. When you blow air on the mouth piece where the reed is mounted, the reed vibrates and makes a sound. Unlike musical instruments that have keys to regulate the air passing through them that creates a variety of tones, a paper whistle can only make one tone. A paper whistle is a fun, simple, man-made reed.

Cut a piece of plain paper to 3 x 6 inches. Fold the 6-inch length in half. Now the paper measures 3 x 3 inches.

Position the paper so the fold is parallel with the edge of the table and facing away from it. Take the top layer of paper and fold it up and over, placing its edge even with the fold created in Step 1.

Flip the paper over and repeat Step 2. The paper is now 3 by 1 1/2 inches.

Let the paper unfold slightly to create an accordion shape. Take a scissors and cut a 3/4-inch slit, perpendicular to the first fold--the middle fold--created in Step 1.

Place the folded paper between the index finger and the middle finger. The fold with the slit cut into it is positioned above the knuckles of the two fingers. A 1 1/2-inch paper flap sits over the bottom side of the index finger, and the other 1 1/2-inch paper flap sits over the bottom of the middle finger.

Bring the hand up to the mouth. Rest the two 1 1/2-inch flaps against the lips. Blow air so it enters the paper being held between the two fingers and hits the slit cut into the paper. The paper whistle will make a sound.