go to DLTK's Homepage
25 Newest  Activites
Top 10 Activities

  
[Countries and Cultures]   [Mexico]
  

DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Mexican Maracas

Check out the General Directions on how to paper mache if this is your first time working with this medium.

Materials:

bulletballoon
bulletpaper mache and strips of newspaper 
bulletI make paper mache with one cup of flour and 4 cups of water.  Boil the paper mache stirring frequently just long enough for it to thicken... take off the stove and put in a separate bowl.  Add 4 ice cubes and stir those in  
bulletYou can make cold paper mache with equal parts flour and water.  It takes more flour and isn't quite as smooth, but it works just fine.
bulletdried beans or uncooked rice
bulletcardboard tube (toilet paper ("TP") roll is best)
bulletstickers, paint, markers, construction paper, etc to decorate
bulletglue and masking tape

 

Instructions:

 

bulletUse a siphon (you can make one by rolling a piece of paper into a cone like we've done in the photo) and pour some beans or rice into your balloon
  
bulletBlow up your balloon (don't swallow any beans!)

bulletFringe the tp roll (see the photo to the right)
  
bulletTape the tp roll onto the bottom of the balloon (use lots of tape)
  
bulletstuff the tp roll with newspaper and put some masking tape over the end.  That way the rice or beans won't fall into the handle or out the bottom.

bulletAt this point your maraca will be nice and noisy.  If you want to make one with younger children or if you want the project done FAST, just stop here.  It won't last forever, but good things rarely do.
bulletCover with paper mache and let dry.

 

bulletDecorate outside of as desired.  
  
bulletYou can cut out shapes from construction paper or paint it or color with markers.  
  
bulletAdd stickers for extra fun!

 

bulletShake your maraca

 

 

Printable version of these instructions