Kids get the beat at Lincoln Park drum circle

Dozens of families took part in a drum circle Wednesday morning in Lincoln Park.

Between 8 a.m. and noon, every hour on the hour, volunteers from Abbott, a global health care company, helped children create their own instruments before joining in a drum circle in the park.

“The Family that Drums Together” event was part of Abbott’s “FULL-Life Hacks” program, which aims is to give families an inexpensive way to spend time together while staying active.

In a survey of about 2 million people worldwide, Abbott found that more than 32 percent said the key to happiness was spending time with family.

Abbott designed seven “life hacks” to provide low-cost, active ways for families to spend time together, Abbott spokeswoman Darcy Ross said. Abbott will host the remaining six hacks in other cities across the country, she said.

Wednesday’s hack was in partnership with John Yost, owner of Rhythm Revolution, a local rhythm-based events organization.

The company often hosts drum circle events throughout the city.

When he found out about Abbott’s program, Yost offered to run the drum circle in Lincoln Park.

“Music makes us feel better,” he said, and it keeps us moving. He pointed to small children bouncing in time to the beat of the drum circle.

Yost, along with Abbott volunteers, helped children make maraca shakers, handheld drums and dancing ribbons out of patterned duct tape and “found items” like shampoo bottles.

Georgia Haidos and her younger siblings followed the drum beat to a tent in the park.

“I liked when I had the shaker and then I did the drum,” Georgia said. The excited 6-year-old went on to describe her love of drums and piano.

Other families, who came for the Green City Farmers Market, spread out picnics in the grass surrounding the drum circle. Children danced between the blankets with their homemade ribbons.