When I’m looking for inspiration, I love to look at websites like Holiday Insights to see if a given day or month has a fun – and sometimes pretty silly – holiday associated with it. Did you know that Aug. 10 is National S’mores Day? And Aug. 31 is National Trail Mix Day? Most importantly: August is Family Fun Month. That sounds like a holiday families of all ages should celebrate! Start off your month of family fun by getting the band together – your family band. This week on Make It we’re taking some paper plates and turning them into maracas.
Materials
- Paper plates (you’ll need two plates to create one maraca)
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Stapler
- Hot glue sticks and glue gun
- Wooden craft stick
- Dry beans
- Washi tape
- Scoring board
- Bone folder
- Crayons, markers, colored pencils, stickers – anything you’d like to use to decorate the maraca
Instructions
| 1. Cut a 4.5-by-4.5-inch square from a paper plate center. Cut a second square from an additional plate. These will be the maraca shells. |
| 2. The maraca needs a well to hold the beans inside of it, so it’s time to score the square to create a bean well. Measure 1/2-inch up from the square edge and score on all four sides. Make a second score mark 1/2-inch below the first mark – once again, on all four sides. Clip out the four corners. |
| 3. It’s time to decorate the maraca! We used washi tape for our maraca, but you can use stickers, markers, etc., to create just the right look. Decorate both squares however you like. When the decorating is done, fold your score lines to create the bean well shape. |
| 4. To keep the craft stick secure, glue it into place on one of the maraca shell lips, about one-third down from the top of the stick. Add a handful of beans to the well. |
| 5. Take your second maraca shell and place it on top of the shell holding the beans and craft stick. Staple the flaps into place. This will help secure the beans as you work to create the finished shape. |
| 6. To fold down the small stapled flaps, apply a small line of hot glue along all four sides, working one side at a time and holding the flap in place with your fingers as the glue dries. Cover the staples with washi tape. |
| 7. With your washi tape in place, your maraca is ready to make some noise! |
