How to Make Maracas

This is a fun craft for kids to make, especially around Cinco de Mayo. When you think of maracas, you usually think of a gourd on a stick. Many other simple maraca guides for kids use balloons. These maracas are made using small cups.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper, plastic, or styrofoam cups.
• Paint
• Hot glue
• Buttons, sequins, other decorative items
• Dried beans

1. Select your type of cup and use 2 for each person making maracas.

2. Decorate the outside of each cup with paint in a fun Latin American style and add buttons, glitter, or anything else to the outside. Use hot glue if you need to.

3. Allow any paint to dry and the glue to set.

4. Choose your type of bean. Different beans will make different sounds.

5. Fill one of the decorated cups 3/4 of the way full with your beans.

6. With the filled cup sitting upright, apply a thick layer of hot glue around the rim.

7. Carefully place the empty cup on top of the bean cup, taking care to line up the rims, and gently press down.

8. Allow the hot glue to harden.

Tips & Warnings

• The larger the bean, the deeper the sound. The smaller the bean, the lighter the sound. I prefer navy beans.
• Help or supervise the use of hot glue around children.