Maracas - Another Great Music Instrument to Make for a Kid's Birthday Party

: Image by Kraftwerck via Flickr

Maracas, often called rumba shakers, are percussion instruments made from dried calabash or gourd shells, filled with dried seeds or beans. They are an integral part of the music of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Jamaica and Brazil.

I am sure that you have at some time in your child’s life, made a maraca or shaker from two paper plates or with an empty plastic bottle filled with rice or beans.

However, none of these have the shape of real maracas, but with some newspaper, glue, an orange or two and a few odds and ends, you can easily make some colourful maracas that will delight your child and his/her party guests.

This method does require a little time but is really worth to use it.

You will need:

Oranges
one quantity papier maché paste
old newspapers
petroleum jelly
a craft knife
withe emulsion paint
paintbrush
poster paints mixed with a little wood glue***
rice/dried beans/seeds
cardboard rolls for the handles
clear tape

Papier Maché Paste Recipe:

1 cup flour
3 cups water
mixing bowl
whisk
saucepan
wooden spoon

Whisk a cup of flour with a cup of water in the bowl. Add two more cups of water and mix well to remove all the lumps.
Put the mixture in a saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring constantly. Allow to cool completely.

Tip: You can also use powdered wall paper paste mixed with water or simply mix flour and water to a nice, smooth but not too thick consistency, add some wood glue to make it sticky.

To make the maracas:

Rub the orange all over with a nice thick layer of petroleum jelly, this will prevent the newspaper sticking to the orange.
Tear newspaper into smallish pieces and strips.
Dip the pieces in the paste and cover the orange with it, tearing them a little smaller if they don’t lie flat.
Allow to dry completely before adding another three to four layers, allowing each layer to dry completely.
One dry, use the craft knife to cut around the middle of the shape. Ease the paper shape off.
In one half of your paper shape, put a few grains of rice, dried beans or dried seeds.
Replace the other half to match exactly.
Paste paper strips in all directions over the joints where the halves meet. Leave to dry.
To add the handles, cut the cardboard rolls to about 10 cm long.
Stuff newspaper into one end and tape the other end to the orange shape and cover with paper strips.
You can now either paste some white tissue paper over the whole shape or simply paint it with one or two coats of white emulsion paint and let dry.
Paint and decorate as desired.