How to Make Maracas Instrument
This DIY Maracas Instrument craft uses supplies you probably have at home. It's fun & helps you learn creativity, sound, rhythm, & movement.
Servings: 1 maraca
Cost: $2
Equipment
- Spoon or small funnel (optional) A spoon or small funnel may be used to fill the maraca bulb
- Baking sheet A baking sheet with sides prevents the filler from spilling
Ingredients
Option 1: Water bottle maraca
- Plastic water bottle (short size if possible)
- Toilet paper tube
Option 2: Plastic egg maraca
- Plastic Easter egg
- 2 Plastic spoons
Option 3: Paper mache maraca
- Water balloon
- Toilet paper roll
- Lightweight paper
- Mod Podge
- Hot glue gun and glue
- Acrylic craft paint
All Options:
- Filler Dry beans, popcorn, macaroni, rice
- Tape
- Washi tape
- Stickers (optional)
Instructions
Option 1: Water bottle maraca
- If the water bottle is full size, cut it in half. Trim off an inch from each half. Place 1-2 Tablespoons of filler inside the bottom half. Then put the two ends back together, getting one half to kind of fit inside the other a bit. Then tape the two halves in place.
- Cut the toilet paper tube from end to end. Roll it up into a smaller size until it fits into the open end of the water bottle. Tape the tube to keep it the proper size. Then tape over the top and bottom end of the TP tube.
- Slip the toilet paper tube into the open end of the bottle and tape it into place. Use colored tape to cover the handle and reinforce the attachment to the bottle.
- Decorate the water bottle with washi tape and stickers.
Option 2: Plastic egg maraca
- Open the plastic egg and place about 1Tablespoon of filler in one half of the egg. Put the two halves back together. Use the tape to secure the two egg halves together.
- Place the egg so it fits in between the bowl of each spoon, handles together. Tape the handles and the bowls together to hold the egg in place.
- Decorate the maraca with washi tape and stickers.
Option 3: Paper mache maraca
- Blow up the water balloon to about 4 inches in diameter and tie off the end.
- Use the Mod Podge to cover the surface of the balloon with small pieces of the paper. Leave the tie of the balloon exposed. Repeat this step several times. Place the bottle on plastic wrap to dry. When dry, check that the water balloon shape is hard, there are no soft spots. If you find soft spots, cover with more paper and let dry again.
- Pop the balloon and pull it out of the paper bulb you’ve made. Put about 1-2 tablespoons of filler inside the shape.
- Cut the toilet paper tube from end to end. Roll it up into a smaller size until it fits into the open end of the paper bulb. Tape the tube to keep it the proper size. Then tape over the top and bottom end of the TP tube.
- Slip the toilet paper tube into the open end of the bottle and hot glue it into place. Cover the handle of the maraca with paper using the Mod Podge. Then cover the entire maraca with a coating of the Mod Podge. Let it dry on the plastic wrap.
- Paint the maraca with acrylic craft paint. You can also decorate with washi tape and stickers.
Video
Notes
There are many tips and variations as well as history of the maraca on the post found at: https://welcometonanas.com/maracas