Plastic Spoon Maracas
Turn simple supplies into a fun musical craft with these Plastic Spoon Maracas. This easy Cinco de Mayo activity is great for classrooms, parties, and home crafting. Kids can make their own colorful instruments in just a few minutes, then use them for music time, pretend play, or a festive celebration.
Supplies
- 4 plastic spoons
- Tape
- 2 plastic Easter eggs
- Dried beans or dried peas
- Colorful duct tape, optional
Instructions
- Fill each plastic Easter egg with a small handful of dried beans or dried peas. Close the eggs tightly.
- Place one egg between the bowl ends of 2 plastic spoons. The spoon bowls should curve around the egg to help hold it in place.
- Tape the spoons firmly together around the egg.
- Repeat with the second egg and the other 2 spoons.
- Wrap colorful duct tape around the handles and egg area to make each maraca bright and festive.
- Shake your maracas and start the music.
Fun Facts
Maracas are shaker instruments that are used in music across Latin America and the Caribbean. Britannica notes that maracas are part of the long tradition of shaken rattles used in Latin American music.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
This craft does not require a printable template.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
This craft works well as a classroom activity for Cinco de Mayo, music lessons, or cultural studies. Children can compare soft shakes and loud shakes, count rhythm patterns, or march to music while using their maracas. Teachers can also use the activity to talk about how percussion instruments make sound and how handmade instruments can be part of celebrations.
Supplies
4 Plastic spoons
Tape
2 Plastic Easter Eggs
Dried Beans or Dried Peas
Instructions
Put several dried beans or peas inside plastic egg and screw shut.
Using picture below as a reference, tape plastic Easter egg  inside the bowls of two plastic spoons.
Then tape the handles together.
Select your favorite duct tape and cover the spoon and egg to create a colorful maraca.
Now everyone can be a member of the band.
Other Images
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Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
