Maraca Piñata
Celebrate Hispanic holidays, birthdays, or any festive event with Maraca Piñatas! Fill them with craft-y treats and bring on the Mariachi bands!
1. Find out about how and where maracas were originally made. With what kinds of music are they played? Piñatas were used in Asia before their popularity spread around the world. This is a great craft to make with your friends or family members! Start to make your Maraca Piñata several days before you plan to use it.
2. Fill two recycled paper bags with crumpled recycled newspaper to form round shapes. Close the opening of the bags with tape. At the base of each bag, attach a recycled cardboard roll with masking tape to form two maracas.
3. Cut or tear recycled newspaper into strips.
4. Cover your work area with recycled newspaper. Combine glue with an equal amount of water in a shallow bowl to make a paper maché glaze.
5. Cover the maracas with two layers of recycled newspaper strips which have been dipped in the paper maché glaze. Use your fingers to strip away excess glue. Dry thoroughly after each layer. Attach a string for hanging on each maraca. Cover the whole sculpture with another layer of paper maché. Dry.
6. Ask an adult to cut a small flap near the top of each maraca. Carefully remove the recycled newspaper. Fill the piñatas with Crayola Markers, Glitter Glue, and similar items that are not likely to break when the piñatas are broken open. Close the flaps and secure with a piece of tape.
7. Paint the maracas with Crayola Washable Kid's Paint. Design the maracas in a festive way with several bright colors. Dry.
8. Tie your maracas together with colorful ribbon.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Adult Assistance is required for this arts & crafts project.
Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.
Recycled Cardboard Tubes—Use paper towel tubes, gift-wrap tubes, or long cardboard tubes that can be cut to any length. Health professionals caution against using recycled toilet paper tubes for arts & crafts projects because of the potential fecal contamination.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.
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