How to Make Homemade Maracas

Making homemade maracas is a simple project for kids. Maracas can be made from just a few household items. Maracas are a fun first musical instrument for a child and can be made by using the following steps.

Things You'll Need

• Balloon
• Toilet tissue tube
• Flour
• Water
• Items for decoration
• Newspaper
• Glue

Instructions

1. Use a funnel to insert about half a cup of beans into the balloon.

2. Blow up the balloon, making sure not to swallow the beans, and tie it in a tight knot.

3. Take the toilet tissue tube and cut a fringe about two inches long in half-inch intervals. Tape the toilet tissue tube to the underside of the balloon. Stuff newspaper into the toilet tissue tube and tape it shut.

4. Cover the balloon and toilet tissue tube with paper mache. Paper mache can be made with equal parts water and flour. Mix the flour and water together. When the mixture is smooth, dip newspaper strips into the paper mache and cover the balloon and toilet tissue tube. Be sure to let the homemade paper mache maraca dry before continuing.

5. Embellish the homemade paper mache maraca with paint, stickers, markers, or construction paper.

Tips & Warnings

• You have and use patience when helping a child with a craft project.

• Customize the homemade maracas by cutting out shapes from construction paper and coloring them with markers.

• Do not let a small child eat paper mache paste or filler beans.

Resources

• Discover great homemade maraca-decorating ideas at this website.
• Find paper mache directions here.