T.P. Tube Maraca

The first thing you want to do is decorate the T.P. tube. A few suggested decorating methods: colorful tape, decoupage using tissue paper and a glue stick, just drawing on the tube with markers... get creative! We have tried fabric, stickers, gluing beads all over the outside... Each style will create a different sound, so why not try a bunch?!

Once fully decorated, you want to pinch down and staple one end of the tube closed. I used three staples.

Now, fill the T.P. tube with the filler of your choice. You don't need too much filler, only about 2 or 3 tablespoons. (The more room the beans have to bounce around, the louder the sound. Too much filler and your maraca will sound dull.)

Turn your tube a quarter turn and pinch off the end in the opposite direction as your first closure. You want to create a triangle-shaped T.P. tube as opposed to a flattened tube. Staple the end closed. I used three staples.

Use tape to cover both ends of the tube to ensure no little fingers get snagged or pinched by the staples.

Now you can shake it, shake it! Here are a few T.P. tube maracas I decorated. I even tried making one out of a paper towel tube. Can you think of other things that would make a good maraca?