Paper Tube Maracas

ages 2-5

Supplies

Empty paper towel or toilet paper tube, dried beans or rice,construction paper, rubber bands, paint, markers or crayons

Activity Detail

Take an empty paper towel or toilet paper tube. Cover one end with a small square of construction paper and fasten the square to the tube with a rubber band. Then fill the tube with dried beans or uncooked rice -- you can experiment with different amounts and with different materials (or combinations of materials) to create different sounds. Once you've placed the desired amount of beans or rice into the tube, cover the open end with a small square of construction paper and fasten it to the tube with a rubber band, creating a maraca. Then, wrap the entire tube with construction paper or white drawing paper, gluing it to the tube so that it's secure. You can then let your child decorate the paper with paint or markers so that it's fun and colorful. Make a whole bunch so that you can have a percussion section for your kitchen band!