Make Your Own Mexican Maracas

Maracas are musical instruments that sound like rattles. The maracas player shakes a maraca with each hand to mark the rhythm of the music. Maracas can be heard in many different forms of Latin American, pop, and classical music. Maracas are sometimes called rumba shakers. They are fun to play during a gathering or a big dinner. The Indians of South America, the first people to use maracas, make theirs out of gourds. Here is how to make your own with easy day to day materials.

Steps

  1. Blow up two balloons to the size of a grapefruit. Tie the end of each.
  2. Place one of the balloons in the mouth of a jar. Then cut strips of newspaper about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long by ½ inch wide. (save time by cutting triple layers.)
  3. In a foil pan, mix equal amounts of white glue and water about ½ cup of each. Dip the newspaper strips in this mixture and apply the wet strips to the balloon, criss crossing them. Use about five layers, to make the maraca strong. Make sure that no part of the balloon shows through except at the very bottom.
  4. Do the same with the second balloon. Let both balloons dry overnight.
  5. Hold each balloon in turn by the tied end and burst it with a pin. When the balloon has gotten small enough, pull it out by the tied end.
  6. Insert 12 beans or pebbles through the hole in each maraca and tape the hole closed.
  7. To make handles, use a cardboard tube for each maraca. A tube from gift-wrapping paper is best, but you can use a paper towel tube instead.
  8. Cut four parallel slits into the end of each tube, running lengthwise. Make each slit about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long. Circle the tubes with tape just below the slits to keep them from splitting farther.
  9. Spread the slit pieces apart. Fit the maracas onto the slit pieces and tape the slit pieces firmly to the maracas.
  10. Paint the maracas and let dry overnight.
  11. To decorate the handles, cut two strips of crepe paper about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} wide and {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long. Cut 1 1/2 –inch slits all along the edge of each strip, about ¼ inch apart. This will make a fringe.
  12. Glue the uncut edge of one strip to the handle of one of the maracas, starting just below the maraca. Wind and glue the strip around the handle toward the bottom end. Repeat with the other handle.
  13. Cut out several crepe paper circles and glue them on the maracas.
  14. Finished.

Warnings

  • If you are doing this with kids, please make sure the children are age-appropriate to handle the materials.

Things You'll Need

  • newspapers to cover work space
  • two round balloons
  • white glue
  • 24 dried beans or small pebbles
  • two cardboard tubes
  • masking tape
  • paint
  • crepe paper
  • jar
  • ruler
  • scissors
  • measuring cup
  • foil pan
  • pin
  • paintbrush

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