A maraca is a Latin American and Tupi rattle. The original maracas were made from hollow gourds filled with pebbles or seeds.
You can make simple maracas from one or two paper plates stapled together, containing dried beans or popcorn. These are fun to make at a party for preschoolers – you can then make a lot of noise!
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Supplies Needed:
- One or two paper plates
- Dried beans, rice, or popcorn
- Stapler
- Paint, markers, or crayons
- Optional – Crepe paper streamers
Instructions
1.
Put a handful or two of dried beans, rice, or popcorn in a paper plate. Staple a paper plate securely on top of it.
You can use a single plate for each maraca by folding a paper plate in half, adding the beans, then stapling the rim to itself.
2.
Decorate the maracas with crayons, markers, or paint.
3.
Optional: Staple long crepe paper streamers to the maracas.
You now have great maracas that you can use to make music!
