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Last updated: 2 Feb 2022
Bringing You The Best Instrument For Toddlers: The 7 Best Kids Maracas
According to a study at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute in 2016, “Musical experiences help accelerate brain development in children”. Better yet, if playing the instrument involves some kind of physical movement, it helps accelerate motor skill development, assists in building coordination, and develops a sense of creativity in kids. Maracas, rhythm sticks, xylophone, etc. are a few such instruments that are great for toddlers! In this article, we’re particularly bringing you the finest kids maracas of 2022 and since there’s just so much variety out there to this little, popular percussion instrument - we’ve also curated a buyer’s guide at the end of this article to help you make a decent purchase.
The raw materials utilized in the making of maracas give room to a lot of variety and styles that buyers can choose from. So, without any further ado, let’s get started with the products!
Here are the Top Maracas for Kids in 2022
1
Tycoon TMS-110 Oval Maracas
– Best Overall
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THE SCOOP
These oval-shaped, black rawhide maracas have a very decent, full sound. They’re perfect for both studio use and playing loud in front of an audience. The handles are ergonomic and made up of siam oak wood which makes them environmentally friendly. Moreover, the TMS-110 maracas look good, sound good, and aren’t too big, making them perfect for kids.
Pros
- They’re environmentally friendly
- Made up of rawhide so they aren’t heavy at all
- Have decent handles made up of siam-oak wood that don’t slip
Cons
- Aren’t available in vibrant colors for kids
2
inTemenos Black Maracas
– Runner-Up
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THE SCOOP
These maracas are about 10-inches long (smaller than the previous one by Tycoon). Perfect addition for any festival, these are classic concert maracas that can serve as ideal noisemakers in your kid’s little hands! Sound-wise, you get a full chick-chick sound. The ergonomic handles are 4-inch long, durable and smooth for years of playing.
Pros
- They’re very loud
- They’re 10 inches long, making them even better for kids
Cons
- The handles are designed for adult hands
3
Meinl Percussion MSM2 Natural Rawhide Maracas
– Honorable Mention
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THE SCOOP
Available in three sizes; miniature, traditional, and jumbo – the miniature one is ideal for the kids and that’s what we’re targeting here. The MSM2 maracas produce a classic sound with plenty of clarity and warmth. The wooden handles are ergonomic and very creatively carved for comfort. Plus, you can even buy it for yourself and layer your grooves to add a unique flavor to both your recordings and live playing!
Pros
- These maracas are 7.5 inches long, making them ideal for kids’ hands
- They sound great, mellow, full and are light to the ears so you don’t have to worry about noise-fatigue while handing it to your toddler
Cons
- They’re traditional salsa maracas so if you’re planning to use it for yourself and expecting a different sound, they may not work for you
4
Musfunny Wood Rumba Maracas
– Also Consider
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THE SCOOP
Available in three colors; an off-white, black, and a colorful one. These are large wood rumba shakers with salsa rhythm – perfect for kids, games, and parties! They’re made up of high-quality wood with a smooth finish. The sound is good, looks are exquisite, and the make is durable.
Pros
- You can easily layer the grooves with two maracas if you’re planning to use them for yourself
- Colorful patterns make it excellent for kids
- The sound is bright and crisp
Cons
- The sound is not too loud (which can be both good or bad)
Buying Guide: Kids Maracas Shakers
There are 100s of instruments native to a certain race or culture throughout the world - maracas are known to be very popular among the folks living in Southern and Northern parts of America. They’re seen as a percussion symbol for festivities, traditional carnivals, concerts, and more!
Currently, maracas are popular throughout the world and musicians all over the world use them - whether as shakers to produce contemporary styles of music or as a mere toy for the kids to introduce them to healthy musical experiences.
This section will list everything you need to consider before buying a pair of maracas.
Things to Look for When Buying Maracas
As a professional, it’s mainly that ‘cut-through sound’ you should be after since that part usually has the highest preference when recording or while playing live. However, when you’re buying maracas for a kid, safety is the highest priority. The instrument should help your kid with their motor and creative skills and it must be safe for them to use.
When buying maracas for toddlers, here’s what you need to consider:
Size
The maracas must always be of appropriate size - they mustn’t be too long or too heavy. 5-6 inches is usually the ideal size and every inch above that should account for a year-older child. The point is - the longer the maracas will be, the more they will weigh, and the more difficult it will be for your toddler to play with them.
The sizing is a matter of safety and you must not compromise on this part if you’re buying maracas for a kid.
Design
The design is both; a matter of safety and also a matter of choosing vibrant, lively colors for your kid. When it comes to the handle of the maraca, it should be made for a kid’s hand, and not an adult’s hand. Secondly, it should not be too slippery for your kid to drop it over and again.
When it comes to colors, we suggest going with bright red/yellow/blue colors so it can instantly grab a kid’s attention.
Materials
The materials used in the making of maracas usually determine their sound as well as durability. They can either be made up of plastic ABS material with a wooden handle, a leather head and handle, or maybe a wooden head and handle, or perhaps even from rawhide or countless other materials. The key is to choose a maraca that has your desired sound.
The inside of the maracas is usually filled with seeds, beads, beans, metal particles, or beans - basically anything that can produce a nice sound when clapped with the head’s body.
When it comes to materials, there is really not the best choice. It only comes down to how good the maracas sound.
Durability
It goes without saying but the maracas should be durable - they should be tough enough to withstand those anger throws and chews and whatnot. Plus, since they’re full of seeds or beads, it only makes more sense that they are fully safe for your kids and don’t break in any case!
Warranty
When you’re buying online, a warranty will save you from frets and worries. So make sure the product you’re buying has a decent refund policy or/and comes with some sort of warranty that keeps you secure as a customer.
Some Cool Things to Know About Maracas
What is a maraca exactly?
Maracas are also known as rumba shakers - they’re a hand percussion instrument, usually played in pairs, common in Latin American, South American, Caribbean music. They are traditionally made up of turtle shells or calabash gourds filled with beans, pebbles, or beads. However, since they’re widely adopted throughout the world now, they’re made up of all kinds of raw materials.
What do you call a maraca player?
In Spanish, a maraca player is called maraquero. However, it’s not a widely adopted term.
Why are they called maracas?
The heritage of maracas as a rattle is ancient - the term ‘maraca’ is known to have its origins in the pre-Columbian Araucanian” language. Some say the word roots from Portuguese, via a Brazilian language known as Tupi.
Can I Make Maracas for my Kids at Home?
If you’re planning to make maracas at home - you first need to understand and know their distinct sound. It’s very easy to make shaker drums at home, you just fill in two containers with salt or a relevant inner and you’ve got yourself a pair.
However, when it comes to maracas, the key is to get that rattle sound since they’re filled up with relatively larger particles than salt. It’s mostly either beans, seeds, or beads.
Therefore, if you can put together two old plastic/wooden containers, glue them with two sticks, and fill them up with seeds or beads, you can make maracas easily.
However, if you’re planning to go the DIY way, you need to make sure that the maracas you’re making are sturdy and safe for your children.
Maraca Shaker FAQ
Q: Who invented the first maracas?
A: The history of maracas is very gray - some say that they are inventions of the Tainos, the native Indians of Puerto Rico. The others believe that Maracas are from ancient Moroccan origin. Either way, currently, the maracas are played by people in South America and Caribbean countries like Brazil and Colombia. They’re frequently used in ethnic music, particularly pop, latin, and classical compositions of today.
Q: What is the difference between maracas and shaker drums?
A: Maracas are a type of shaker drum since you have to shake them to produce sound. However, the difference between your traditional shakers and maracas is that the former ones are filled up with sand or basically anything and the inner of maracas is usually seeds, beads, or beans - thicker materials mostly that help produce a rattling sound.
Q: Why are maracas good for kids?
A: Maracas come with a handle and are usually made up of plastic, rawhide, or thin wood. They’re easy to hold, make an interesting sound, and fairly easy to shake because of their handles. Plus, the percussive experience helps stimulate brain development in kids, and shaking them helps them develop motor skills.
Q: How much do maracas cost?
A: Buying for a kid? You’ll easily get one within $10 - $20. However, if you’re a professional and you’re looking for an ideal piece, be prepared to spend anywhere between $20 and $50.
Q: What is an easy way to make a maraca?
A: The easiest way to make a DIY maraca at home is by using empty toilet paper rolls. Cover them up with a thick plastic sheet, throw in some beans, attach a stick at the bottom, and make sure everything is glued together perfectly.
