PDF download Download Article
DIY your own stethoscope with our easy-to-follow guide
PDF download Download Article

A stethoscope allows you to listen to a person's heartbeat. They are commonly used by doctors and nurses, but make popular science experiments as well. Children also love to use stethoscopes when playing "doctor." Whether it is just for play or a science experiment, making your own stethoscope is easy and inexpensive.

Things You Should Know

  • Cover the top of a funnel with a balloon. Then, wrap electrical tape around the balloon to hold it in place.
  • Measure 24 inches (61 cm) of the tubing, cut it, then stick the funnel's narrow end into it. Then, add a second funnel to the other end of your stethoscope.
  • Use the stethoscope by placing the balloon-covered end over your heart and the other end against your ear to listen to it beat.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making a Simple Stethoscope

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Cut the tail-end of a balloon off, then pull it over the larger opening of a funnel. Pull it tightly enough so that it is stretched taut over the funnel, like a drum.[1]
    • You can use any size of funnel you want, but a smaller funnel will be easier to work with. Something around 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide would be ideal.
    • If you can't get a balloon or fit the balloon over the funnel, use a sheet of plastic wrap instead.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    The balloon needs to be secure over the top of the funnel. If it keeps popping off, wrap a piece of electrical tape around the edge to hold it to the funnel.[2]
    • If you used plastic wrap, you will definitely need to do this; you can also use a rubber band instead.
    • If you don't have electrical tape, cut a strip of duct tape in half so that it's 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide, and use that instead.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Find some clear, flexible, plastic tubing that's wide enough for you to stick the end of the funnel into. Measure 24 inches (61 cm) of the tubing, cut it, then stick the narrow end of the funnel into it.[3]
    • You can buy plastic tubing in hardware stores, garden supply shops, and in the aquarium section of a pet store.
    • If the funnel is still loose, secure it to the tubing with a strip of electrical tape.
    • If the tube is too small for the end of the funnel to fit into, try it the other way around: poke the tube into the end of the funnel.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    The stethoscope will still work if you leave the second funnel off. It just depends on what you find more comfortable: holding a funnel over your ear or sticking a piece of tubing into it.[4]
    • If you choose to use a second funnel, you do not need to cover it with a balloon.
  5. Place the balloon-covered end over your heart (or someone else's heart), and the other end against your ear. If you used a second funnel, make sure that the funnel is touching your head; if you left the tube as-is, gently stick the end into your ear, like an earbud. If the room is quiet enough, you should be able to hear the heart beating![5]
    • If you can't hear the heart, do some jumping jacks for about 1 minute, then try again. If you're listening to someone else's heart, have them do the jumping jacks.
    • A quiet room is important. Because this is a handmade stethoscope, it's not very strong or loud. A noisy room will drown out the heartbeat.
  6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Building a Realistic Stethoscope

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Aluminum wire meant for sculpting armatures will work great for this; they are typically around 1.5 and 2 millimeters thick. Cut the wire with heavy-duty wire cutters first, then bend it into a U-shape.[6]
    • Give the bottom of the U a slight point, sort of like a wishbone from a turkey.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    The left end of the wire should point to the right, and the right end of the wire should point to the left. These ends will hook into your ears, so they shouldn't be longer than 1 inch (2.5 cm).[7]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Hold a 12 in (30 cm) piece of thin, flexible, plastic tubing to the left end of your wire. Wrap electrical tape a few times around it to secure it. Continue to tape the tubing to the wire every 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) until you get to the right bent end. Wrap a final piece of electrical tape around it to secure it.[8]
    • The tubing won't be flush with the bottom point of the U-shape; there will be a slight gap, which is fine.
    • Choose tubing that is a little thicker than your wire. About 2 millimeters will do just fine.
    • Trim the ends of the tube down so that the extend past the wires by about 12 inch (1.3 cm). This is the part that will actually go into your ear.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    This is not completely necessary, but it will make the headphones more comfortable to wear. Apply a ring of hot glue around both ends of the tubing. Try to get as close to the edge as possible without covering the hole.[9]
    • Alternatively, you can pop a set of silicone earbud covers onto the ends of the tubing, then secure them with hot glue, if needed.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Start at one end of the stethoscope and finish on the other. Overlap the tape by a couple of millimeters so that the tubing and wire don't show. If there is a gap between the tubing and the wire at the bottom of the U-shape, leave that exposed.[10]
    • You can use duct tape for this instead. Buy either the 1 in (2.5 cm) wide rolls, or cut the tape yourself using a metal ruler and a craft blade.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Take one of those plastic caps that come with cough medicine; they are typically big enough to hold about 2 ounces (30 mL). Poke the craft blade into the bottom of the cap, then twist it like a drill. This will carve a hole into it.[11]
    • Make the hole the same size as your plastic tubing.
    • If you can't find such a cap, you can try using a bottle cap or a tiny funnel. If you're using a funnel, then you don't need to drill any holes.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Turn the cap upside-down so that the bottom is visible, then stick the tubing into it. Insert it just far enough so that it pokes into the cap by a couple of millimeters. Apply hot glue around the seam to make it airtight.[12]
    • Make sure that the tubing is secure. If you need to, push it further into the cap--just don't let it get too close to the rim.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Take your U-shaped tube that you taped to the wire. Use a craft blade or a pair of scissors to slice a hole into the bottom. Make sure that you only go through one side of the tube; don't make the hole go all the way through the tube and out the other side.[13]
    • The hole needs to be big enough for the second tube to fit into it. It would be even better if the hole is smaller to ensure a snug fit.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Take the tube that's attached to the medicine cap. Find the loose end, and poke it into the hole you just made. Apply hot glue to the seam to hold everything in place.[14]
    • Insert the tube just far enough into the hole that it holds, but not so far that it touches the inside wall of the tube.
    • If you want to, you can wrap more electrical tape around the bottom of the U-shaped tube to hide the glue, create a stronger hold, and finish the look.
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    If you used a mini funnel, then a regular-sized balloon might be a better fit. Once you have the balloon on, it would be a good idea to wrap a piece of electrical tape around the sides of the cap from top-to-bottom. This will hold the balloon on and keep it from popping off.[15]
    • Keep the balloon pulled taut, like a drum.
    • Alternatively, stretch a piece of plastic wrap around the top of the cap. Secure it with a small rubber band and electrical tape.
    • You are taping the actual balloon part over the cap--not the tail.
  11. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Crafting a Pretend Stethoscope

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can also use a metal headband too, but a plastic one may be safer for young children. It's okay if the headband teeth on the underside, but skip anything with combs that slide into your head.[16]
    • Pick the thinnest headband you can find--around 14 to 12 inch (0.64 to 1.27 cm) wide.
    • If you don't like the color of the headband, wrap ribbon or colorful tape around it.
    • This is not a real stethoscope and won't actually allow you to hear a beating heart.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Hold the headband so that it looks like a U. Coat the end of your ribbon with hot glue, then wrap it around the middle of the headband. Make sure that the rest of the ribbon is hanging down so that the stethoscope looks like a Y.[17]
    • How long you cut the ribbon is up to you. Something around 24 inches (61 cm) would work great, however.
    • White or light gray ribbon will make the stethoscope look more authentic, but you can use any color you want.
    • You can choose a thinner ribbon if you really want to, but be aware that it may tangle faster.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Cut 2 pieces of your 1 in (2.5 cm) ribbon. Wrap each ribbon around each end of the headband, then hot glue it in place. You can also fold the ribbon over the ends of the headband instead if you want larger earbuds.[18]
    • If you're folding the ribbon, cut the pieces 2 inches (5.1 cm) long. This way, the ear buds will be 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.
    • If you used thinner ribbon for the dangly bit, you should still use 1 in (2.5 cm) ribbon here. You can also use 1 in (2.5 cm) strips of felt instead.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    You can also use gray craft foam instead. Use a compass or a small jar to trace the circles, then cut them out with a pair of scissors.[19]
    • The exact size of the circles doesn't matter, as long as they are a little bit larger than the ribbon.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Set 1 of the circles down on a flat surface, then coat it with glue. Place the end of the ribbon over the circle. Apply more glue over the ribbon, then press the second circle into place.[20]
    • Fabric glue or tacky glue will work the best for this step. If you choose to use hot glue, work quickly so that it doesn't dry before you finish.
    • Make sure that the circles align perfectly. If they are crooked, use a pair of scissors to even them out.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Homemade Stethoscope
    Cut a 1 in (2.5 cm) heart or cross out of red felt. Coat the back of your heart of cross with hot glue, then press it against the center of the gray disk.[21]
    • If you used craft foam to make the disk, you can use red craft foam for the heart or cross.
    • For a more girlish stethoscope, consider using pink instead.
    • If you can't find any red or pink felt/craft foam, you can paint the heart or cross on instead. Fabric paint, puffy paint, and acrylic paint will all work great.
  7. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Does the person have to lift up his or her shirt for the stethoscope to work?
    Peter C
    Peter C
    Community Answer
    Yes. If the funnel is not touching the bare skin directly, you may pick up the sound of rustling fabric.
  • Question
    What if the person doesn't want to lift up their shirt?
    Peter C
    Peter C
    Community Answer
    In that case, you will have to snake the stethoscope under the person's shirt so that their shirt stays down but the stethoscope touches the skin.
  • Question
    Can I make a stethoscope with an old pair of headphones?
    Peter C
    Peter C
    Community Answer
    Using a pair of headphones may make your stethoscope look more like one your doctor would use, but it won't actually work. You need a tube.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

  • A homemade stethoscope won't be as powerful as a real one, but you should still be able to hear the heartbeat if it is quiet.
  • Make sure that the room you are in is quiet. If you're having trouble hearing the heart, have the person get up and do some jumping jacks to get their heart pumping.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Your stethoscope is for educational purposes and entertainment value only. It's not a substitute for professional healthcare.
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

Making a Simple Stethoscope

  • 1 or 2 small funnels
  • 24 inches (61 cm) clear, flexible plastic tubing
  • Balloon
  • Electrical Tape
  • Scissors

Building a Realistic Stethoscope

  • 10 in (25 cm) piece of thick, aluminum wire
  • 2 12 in (30 cm) pieces of thin, flexible plastic tubing
  • Medicine cap
  • Water balloon
  • Scissors
  • Craft blade
  • Hot glue gun

Crafting a Pretend Stethoscope

  • Thin, plastic headband
  • 1 in (2.5 cm) gray or white grosgrain ribbon
  • Gray felt
  • Red felt
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue
  • Fabric glue or tacky glue (optional)

You Might Also Like

Advertisement

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about health and wellness, check out our in-depth interview with Joel Warsh, MD.

About This Article

Joel Warsh, MD
Co-authored by:
Board Certified Pediatrician
This article was co-authored by Joel Warsh, MD. Dr. Joel Warsh is a board certified Pediatrician and the Owner & Founder of Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Warsh specializes in holistic and integrative medicine. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, a Master’s degree in Epidemiology and Community Health, and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Thomas Jefferson Medical College, where he was elected president of the Jefferson Pediatric Society. Dr. Warsh then completed his Pediatric Residency at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA), where he received the George Donnell Society Research Fellow. This article has been viewed 266,107 times.
3 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 25
Updated: August 5, 2024
Views: 266,107
Categories: DIY

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

You can easily make your own stethoscope right at home using a few basic supplies. You'll need a small funnel, plastic tubing, electrical tape, scissors, and a balloon. First, cut the tail-end off the balloon, stretch the top over the large opening of your funnel, and secure it with tape. Then, place the small end of the funnel into the plastic tubing and attach it with more tape. To use your stethoscope, place the funnel-end against someone’s heart and hold the tube-end in your ear. If the room is quiet enough, you should be able to hear their heart beating. For more tips, including how to build a realistic stethoscope, read on!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 266,107 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Kashish Tiwari

    Kashish Tiwari

    Oct 26, 2016

    "It is very easy and nice. Easily-understood, helpful pictures."
Share your story

Did this article help you?

Advertisement