Museum of Science and Industry

Sound Like a Turkey

Try this simple activity to make a sound like a turkey. Gobble gobble!

What You'll Need

Paper cup
Pencil
String
Scissors
Paper clip
Water

What to Do

Use a pencil to poke a hole in the bottom of the cup. Cut a piece of string about a foot long. Tie one end to the paper clip. Get the string wet in water. Pull the string through the hole in the cup. The paper clip should rest on the bottom of the inside of the cup. Hold the cup to your ear with one hand. Use your other hand to pinch the string between your fingers and slide your fingers down. What do you hear?

What's Happening?

The water helps your fingers move down the string, but there is still some friction. This makes your fingers catch on and pull at the string, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations travel up the string to the cup, and the cup amplifies the vibrations, producing the sound you hear. It may not sound exactly like a turkey, but it's fun to experiment and see what sounds you can create!