Instructions for Fruit Shaker

Fruit Shaker

(Set up: 30 minutes, Duration: at least 2-3 classes of 30 minutes each)

What is a fruit shaker?

A fruit shaker is like a maraca, except it is in the shape of fruit. Teachers can find songs with fruits in it and have the students shake the fruits whenever their fruit is mentioned. Ex: “I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas,” “Mango Fandango,” and “Shake, Shake, Shake Your Apples.”

You will need:

• vegetable spray or cooking oil
• pieces of fruit
• ½ cup rice or other filler (beans, popcorn kernels, etc)
• newspaper torn into small pieces
• paper mache mix
• acrylic paints and clear finish material (water-based Polyurethane is recommended)
• paint brushes
• disposable globes (optional, but keeps the mess down)

Paper Mache Mix

Mix equal parts boiling water and flour until mixture is smooth. Add a tsp of cinnamon for a nicer smell, and ½ tsp of salt to stop moulding.

Instructions

1. Put a thin coating of vegetable spray or oil on the piece of fruit.

2. Cover the fruit with paper mache. To do this, dip newspaper strips into paper mixture, removing excess by pulling paper between fingers.

3. Allow to dry for a couple of days.

4. Cut fruit in half with a serrated knife and remove fruit and skin.

5. Put rice or other filler in paper fruit and use small amount of masking tape to
seal halves together.

6. Repeat with several more layers of paper mache and again allow to dry.

7. Paint or decorate fruit as wished.

8. Seal with Polyurethane.

9. Enjoy making music!