I love music – LOVE music. It makes me feel good, it makes me have fun, and it makes me….stay sane. With Cinco de Mayo approaching, these DIY decorative maracas are right up my alley. My talented friend Cheryl, from Cheryl Elizabeth Craft, has found a great way to make this fiesta super creative 🙂
DIY Decorative Maracas
Save those plastic Easter eggs! Easter is usually celebrated before May so if you have the chance, hang on to a few of those eggs. They are perfect for making maracas! You can find this project all over the internet. It’s a super simple craft for kids, but if you have a little bit of time to prepare for your next party it can be an excellent craft for anyone. Those plastic eggs pop up everywhere in stores after St. Patrick’s Day, so grab a few packs of plastic eggs, along with some plastic spoons and save them for Cinco de Mayo!
To make this a party project I suggest assembling the maracas in advance. You could save a few supplies to assemble themselves for kids or guests who really want to, but having them taped together in advance makes it less intimidating to get started decorating right away!
Supply list:
-1-2 packages of plastic Easter eggs- from Dollar Tree store
-Plastic Spoons
-1 pkg dry rice
-1-2 rolls of masking tape
-hot glue gun & glue sticks optional
-craft paints in various colors- by Apple Barrel
-colorful feathers- from Michaels Arts & Crafts stores
–gemstone stickers– by Jot
-cotton cording- by Bead Landing
-glitter (loose or glue)
-small plastic plates & cups for paint and water
-paint brushes- by Royal & Langnickel
-3 ½ x 6 ½ or bigger foam blocks (enough for each guest)
-table cover & paper towels
These DIY maracas are SO much fun! Get creative and get…loud!
Any type of rice you have is perfect for the inside of the eggs. I used 1-2 tablespoons of rice for each egg. Taking two spoons for one egg, line one spoon on each side of the egg so that the spoon handles are lying flat against each other. Make sure the narrow end of the egg is pointing down. Using a hot glue gun, put a small amount of glue on the inside of the spoon handles so that they seal together to make the handle to the maraca. Using a hot glue is optional, but it helps to begin wrapping the maraca with masking tape if the spoons are glued together in place.
Starting at the neck of the maraca-where the egg meets the spoon, wrap the masking tape around down to the bottom of the spoon handle. Then use 3 inch strips of tape at a time to cover the head of the maraca until the entire instrument is covered with masking tape. Feel free to smooth out any rough edges with more masking tape. Make enough maracas so that each guest has a pair.
Place the taped-up maracas on a serving tray or basket. Arrange paint brushes, paints, modge podge, stickers and other embleshments so guests have easy access to everything. Make sure guests have water cups for their brushes.
For my maracas, I painted each one a solid black color to cover the whole instrument before decorating. I wanted the black spoon handles to blend with the rest of the maraca, but your friends can do whatever they want! If they are ready to start decorating, the masking tape serves as a perfect base for any color. Use the foam blocks for the maracas as a holder so they can dry evenly. Poke two holes on opposite ends of the foam blocks leaving enough room so the maracas do not touch each other. Jam each maraca handle into the holes so that they are standing upright.
I painted my maracas with chevron & pinstripes. I wrapped cotton cording around the neck of my maracas and glued feathers to the ends and added a few gemstones to catch the light. I wanted my maracas to serve as a table centerpiece and also be something I could play with if ever started making music again. After the decorating was completed I used the glossy Modge Podge to seal everything together. This clear top coat dries quickly, so your friends can start shaking their maracas before the party is over.
My friends did a fantastic job. One of my guests is a professional artist and she painted a beautiful scenic landscape across maracas, and another friend turned hers into an awesome spacey galaxy. They both used the cotton cording to wrap their maraca handles-a super cool touch! Encourage everyone to be creative! And remind your friends this is a gift they get to take home and put on display or use to dance around the house when you need a little background music.
Instructions:
Taking two spoons for one egg, line one spoon on each side of the egg so that the spoon handles are lying flat against each other. Make sure the narrow end of the egg is pointing down.
Using a hot glue gun, put a small amount of glue on the inside of the spoon handles so that they seal together to make the handle to the maraca.
Starting at the neck of the maraca (where the egg meets the spoon) wrap the masking tape around down to the bottom of the spoon handle.
Use 3 inch strips of tape at a time to cover the head of the maraca until the entire instrument is covered with masking tape. Feel free to smooth out any rough edges with more masking tape.
Start painting! Use the foam blocks for the maracas as a holder so they can dry evenly. Poke two holes on opposite ends of the foam blocks leaving enough room so the maracas do not touch each other. Jam each maraca handle into the holes so that they are standing upright.
Use the glossy Modge Podge to seal everything together. This clear top coat dries quickly, so your friends can start shaking their maracas before the party is over.
Make your Cinco de Mayo creative and celebrate with your friends. Tequila and music are good for the soul 😉
You can find more fun party crafts on FaceBook at Cheryl Elizabeth Arts, Craft, & Special Events
Free Easter Coloring Pages
