Tag Archives: Hispanic Heritage Month

Toenails of Goats – An Amazing Musical Instrument!

Chapchas

All around the world, people make music. But because they all have different materials in their environment, they create musical instruments that are unique to each continent and culture.

One of my favorite unusual instruments to share are chapchas. Most often seen in the Andean countries of South America, this percussion instrument is made from the toe nails of goats, boiled and then strung onto a cloth circle or bracelet and rattled together to create the sound.  What does it sound like? Most people think it sounds like a beautiful rainstick or a gentle rattle.

You can hear them right here:

You can also hear how chapchas sound being played with other instruments in this video of a song sung in Quechua, the language used in rural Peru that dates back to the Incan empire. Just listen for the instrument that is not a flute or a drum, but sounds like a rainstick or a rattle.

Why Use The Toenails Of Goats?

Why use the toenails of goats as a musical instrument? The answer is simple. Many communities in the rural Andes are located at an altitude above the tree line so it is difficult to find things like wood, seeds or branches to create many common instruments. And most of these communities are herders, so the clipped toenails would be readily available every spring for fashioning an instrument like the chapchas.

Chapchas Coloring PageColor Your Own Chapchas

Want to take a closer look at chapchas? You can color your own goat toe-nail rattle in this TPT freebie here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-The-Chapchas-An-Instrument-from-The-Andes-650050

Enjoy More Posts About Hispanic Heritage Month from Multicultural Kid Bloggers!

Hispanic Heritage Month Series 2019 | Multicultural Kid BlogsWe are so excited for our eighth annual Hispanic Heritage Month series! Now through October 15, you’ll find great resources to share Hispanic Heritage with kids, plus you can link up your own posts on Hispanic Heritage!

Find even more ideas on our Latin America Pinterest board:

 

September 16

Pura Vida Moms on Multicultural Kid Blogs: Celebrating Latino Culture

September 17

Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes: Julia de Burgos, Puerto Rico’s Most Famous Latina Poet

September 18

Hispanic Mama: Raising Kids to Be Proud of Their Latino Heritage

September 19

Spanish Playground: Spanish Tongue Twisters for Kids

September 20

MommyMaestra: Tito Puente Lesson Plans, Coloring Pages, Crafts, Activities and More

September 23

Kids Spanish Book Club: Five Bilingual Picture Books

September 24

Embracing Diversity: 21 Inspirational Quotes by American Latinos To Uplift & Empower

September 25

el Mundo de Pepita

September 26

Little Nómadas: Quesillo Venezolano

September 27

De Su Mama

September 30

Baby Devotions

October 1

For the Love of Spanish

October 2

Tiny Tapping Toes

October 3

LadydeeLG

October 4

Bicultural Familia

October 7

Spanish Mama

October 8

The Multilingual Home

October 9

Bookworms and Owls

October 10

Jeddah Mom

October 11

Pretty Mama Breastfeeding

October 14

Multicultural Kid Blogs

October 15

Maritere Bellas

Don’t miss all of the great posts from previous years as well: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

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Free Music Resources For Hispanic Heritage Month

HHM Mini poster freeCan you believe that Hispanic Heritage Month is almost here?

It’s celebrated every year from September 15th – October 15th and it’s a great time to connect, explore and enjoy the beauty and diversity of Hispanic cultures around the globe.  For the past several years, I’ve been adding free items to my TPT store to share with teachers, parents and homeschoolers who want to have some hands-on fun as part of their HHM experience.

Here’s our most recent list of HHM freebies that share the culture and musical traditions of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and Spain.

Wishing you a wonderful Hispanic Heritage Month!

FREE RESOURCES

Make Your Own Guirohttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Make-Your-Own-Latin-American-Guiro-1230266

josef and cajonMake Your Own Cajon Box Drumhttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Cajon-Make-And-Play-Your-Own-Box-Drum-1236616

What Is A Quijada (Jawbone Instrument https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-is-a-Quijada-Jawbone-Instrument-1406336

Mini-Poster (seen above) https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Celebrate-Hispanic-Heritage-With-Music-Free-Mini-Poster-1430823

Mariachi Guitar Coloring Page -  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mariachi-Guitar-Coloring-Page-2511636

Charango Coloring Page -  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Charango-Instrument-Coloring-Page-2819105

Screen shot 2014-09-27 at 4.30.37 PMColor The Chapchas – https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-The-Chapchas-An-Instrument-from-The-Andes-650050

Color The Zampoñas (Panpipes) – https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-the-Zamponas-Panpipes-From-The-Andes-650601

Color The Bombo Drum – https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-A-Bombo-A-Drum-From-The-Andes-650642

Lyric Sheet  – Bilingual La Cucaracha https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/La-Cucaracha-Lyric-Sheet-Bilingual-Version-2863996

Making Music For Hispanic Heritage Month Plus the Big HHM Give-Away!

hhm-llamaHispanic Heritage Month – September 15th to October 15th every year – is a great time to explore the many diverse and beautiful cultures with Hispanic roots.  Making and playing simple musical instruments from these cultures is a great way to discover more about countries like Mexico, Chile, Cuba, Spain, Argentina, Peru, Puerto Rico, Honduras or Ecuador.   And it’s a great way to enjoy time with your children, by learning simple songs or playing music together.

Over the last decade, we’ve assembled our favorite musical crafts that delight young kids, so feel free to use these a starting point for giving your little global citizens the whirlwind tour of Latino music and culture.  Here are some of our reader’s favorite, plus links below to freebie coloring and instrument information pages available through the TeachersPayTeachers site.

bongos in the grassSharing Bongos With Babies

Bongo drums are a wonderfully simple drum to make and play. With Afro-Cuban roots, they consist of two small hand drums with differing sounds, so tapping back and forth creates many marvelous rhythmic possibilities. Make two sets for parent and child and try your hand at becoming a skilled “bongocero”.

Here’s what you need for this MYO bongo project. Two cylindrical (oatmeal, coffee cans, etc.) containers, decorative materials and some sturdy tape. Plus a desire to bang on a drum all day! Read the full post here: http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/uncategorized/bongos-for-babies-and-big-kids-too/

click and clack the castanetsCreate Some Castanets

Got buttons? This simple craft creates a convincing castanet that almost anyone can play between their thumb and first finger. Supplies needed for this craft are matched sets of buttons, glue and some sturdy paper, like a manila folder or colorful poster board.

To get all the directions you need to click and clack away, visit: http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/early-learning-with-music/easy-and-funbutton-castanets/

The Zampoñas – A Wonderful Wind Instrument

josef playing straw zamponasPanpipes can be heard throughout South American folk music. Their unique breathy sound comes from blowing over the top of open reeds that are cut to various lengths. You can make your own version from wide straws and decorate them like real zamponãs. With a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of blowing over the edges of the straws (as opposed to into them) and be creating simple tunes that you recognize or even melodies from the Andes!

Get your step-by-step instructions and tips here: http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/early-learning-with-music/make-your-own-simple-panpipes/

Get a Guiro!

paper shred guiroYou’ll recognize the sound of a guiro right away, and if you don’t – you can hear one here: http://www.dariamusic.com/guiro.php. This project is so easy to make and play, then scrape away at rhythms all day long. Use your new guiro to play along with music from Puerto Rico, Cuba or Mexico. Or sing your favorite song in Spanish and use the guiro to keep the beat!

Read the full post here: http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/uncategorized/easiest-instruments-for-young-children-the-guiro/

Free Coloring And Hispanic Instrument Pages from DARIA’s TPT Store

Mariachi Guitar Coloring Page
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mariachi-Guitar-Coloring-Page-2511636

Screen shot 2014-09-27 at 12.22.10 PMColor the Zampoñas – Panpipes From The Andes
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-the-Zamponas-Panpipes-From-The-Andes-650601

Color A Bombo – A Drum From The Andes
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-A-Bombo-A-Drum-From-The-Andes-650642

Color The Chapchas – A Rattle From The Andes
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-The-Chapchas-An-Instrument-from-The-Andes-650050

The Cajón – Make And Play Your Own “Box Drum”
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-is-a-Quijada-Jawbone-Instrument-1406336

What is a Quijada (Jawbone Instrument) https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-is-a-Quijada-Jawbone-Instrument-1406336

Wishing everyone a marvelous month celebrating the beauty and diversity of Hispanic cultures throughout the world!

Multicultural Kid Blogs HHM Give-Away!

Hispanic Heritage Month Series 2016 | Multicultural Kid BlogsWe are so excited for our FIFTH annual Hispanic Heritage Month series and giveaway! Through the month (September 15 – October 15), you’ll find great resources to share Hispanic Heritage with kids, plus you can enter to win in our great giveaway and link up your own posts on Hispanic Heritage!

September 14
Hanna Cheda on Multicultural Kid Blogs: How to Pass on Hispanic Heritage as an Expat

September 15
Spanish Mama: Los Pollitos Dicen Printable Puppets

September 16
Hispanic Mama: Children’s Shows that Kids in Latin America Grew Up With

September 19
Spanish Playground: Authentic Hispanic Heritage Month Games Everyone Can Play

September 20
Tiny Tapping Toes

September 21
Kid World Citizen on Multicultural Kid Blogs

September 22
Spanish Mama

September 23
All Done Monkey

September 26
Crafty Moms Share

September 27
Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes

September 28
La Clase de Sra. DuFault

September 29
Embracing Diversity

September 30
Mama Tortuga

October 3
Hispanic Mama on Multicultural Kid Blogs

October 4
La Clase de Sra. DuFault

October 5
Pura Vida Moms

October 7
Spanglish House

October 10
Mundo Lanugo

October 11
Kid World Citizen

October 12
MommyMaestra

October 13
inspired by familia

October 14
El Mundo de Pepita on Multicultural Kid Blogs

Don’t miss all of the great posts from previous years as well: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Hispanic Heritage Month Giveaway!

Giveaway begins September 14 and goes through October 14, 2016.

Enter below for a chance to win one of these amazing prize packages! Some prizes have shipping restrictions. In the event that a winner lives outside the designated shipping area, that prize will then become part of the following prize package. For more information, read our full giveaway rules.

Grand Prize | Multicultural Kid Blogs Hispanic Heritage Month Giveaway

Grand Prize

-Month of free access to online Spanish home learning program from Calico Spanish
-If You Were Me and Lived in… series, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, and Portugal books from Carole P. Roman US Shipping Only
-Spark important conversations about diversity, inclusivity and acceptance with award-winning Barefoot Books! Collection includes Barefoot Books World Atlas, The Barefoot Book of Children, Children of the World Memory Game, The Great Race, Mama Panya’s Pancakes, Off We Go to Mexico, Up and Down the Andes, We all Went on Safari, We’re Sailing Down the Nile, We’re Sailing to Galapagos US & Canada Shipping Only
-Aquí Allá CD from Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band US Shipping Only
-Animales CD from 123 Andrés US Shipping Only
-Best of the Bowl CD from Hot Peas ‘N Butter US Shipping Only
-Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina (hard cover), El fútbol me hace feliz by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Lauren Castillo (paperback), Blankie/Mantita by Leslie Patricelli (board book) from Candlewick Press US & Canada Shipping Only
-A Child’s Life in the Andes e-book plus music CD from Daria Music
-Hola Hello CD with lyrics in digital format from Mariana Iranzi
-T-shirt of choice (or equal value $18) from Ellie Elote US Shipping Only
-Scarves, coin purse and painted wood bracelets from Nicaragua, and a map puzzle of Central America from Spanish Playground US Shipping Only
-Latin GRAMMY-winning album Los Animales from Mister G US Shipping Only

1st Prize | Multicultural Kid Blogs Hispanic Heritage Month Giveaway

First Prize

-If You Were Me and Lived in… series, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, and Portugal books from Carole P. Roman US Shipping Only
-Aquí Allá CD from Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band US Shipping Only
-Animales CD from 123 Andrés US Shipping Only
-Best of the Bowl CD from Hot Peas ‘N Butter US Shipping Only
-Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina (hard cover), El fútbol me hace feliz by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Lauren Castillo (paperback), Blankie/Mantita by Leslie Patricelli (board book) from Candlewick Press US & Canada Shipping Only
-Hola Hello CD with lyrics in digital format from Mariana Iranzi
-T-shirt of choice (or equal value $18) from Ellie Elote US Shipping Only
-Scarves, coin purse and painted wood bracelets from Nicaragua, and a map puzzle of Central America from Spanish Playground US Shipping Only
-Olinguito, from A to Z! (bilingual) by Lulu Delacre, Rafi and Rosi by Lulu Delacre, Mamá the Alien (bilingual) y René Colato Laínez and illustrated by Laura Lacámara, Marisol MacDonald and the Monster (bilingual) by Monica Brown from Lee & Low Books US Shipping Only
-Ecuador Themed International Cooking Box from Global Gastronauts US Shipping Only
-Ora de Despertar Ladino Children’s Music CD from Sarah Aroeste Hard copy if US winner; digital if international winner
-T-shirt of choice from Mundo Lanugo US Shipping Only
-Latin GRAMMY-winning album Los Animales from Mister G US Shipping Only

2nd Prize | Multicultural Kid Blogs Hispanic Heritage Month Giveaway

Second Prize

-If You Were Me and Lived in… series, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, and Portugal books from Carole P. Roman US Shipping Only
-Aquí Allá CD from Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band US Shipping Only
-Animales CD from 123 Andrés US Shipping Only
-Best of the Bowl CD from Hot Peas ‘N Butter US Shipping Only
-Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina (hard cover), El fútbol me hace feliz by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Lauren Castillo (paperback), Blankie/Mantita by Leslie Patricelli (board book) from Candlewick Press US & Canada Shipping Only
-Hola Hello CD with lyrics in digital format from Mariana Iranzi
-T-shirt of choice (or equal value $18) from Ellie Elote US Shipping Only
-Scarves, coin purse and painted wood bracelets from Nicaragua, and a map puzzle of Central America from Spanish Playground US Shipping Only
-Culture Chest with the theme “Dancing in September” for Hispanic Heritage Month. Includes bilingual books Tito Puente, Mambo King and Me llamo Celia Cruz, both by Monica Brown and Rafael Lopez US Shipping Only
-Spanish Alphabet Print (US Shipping Only) and single-use promo code for Spanish for kids language app from Gus on the Go
-Latin GRAMMY-winning album Los Animales from Mister G US Shipping Only

Bonus Prize

Piñata de Laly | Multicultural Kid Blogs Hispanic Heritage Month Giveaway

Piñata from Piñatas de Laly Europe Shipping Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Image

Color The Instruments from Hispanic Heritage!

Screen shot 2014-09-27 at 12.22.10 PMWho doesn’t love to color?

And did you know that the guitar traces it’s roots to Spain? And in South American, there’s an instrument made from the actual shell of an armadillo? Coloring pages can be a great way to get creative as well as dive into any study or exploration of music. Since September 15 – October 15th is Hispanic Heritage month, we wanted to share a few of our reader’s favorite coloring freebies featuring instruments that come from the diversity of Hispanic cultures.

And if coloring isn’t enough, check out the free E-book listed below where you can make crafty versions of 10 different instruments that also come from the Hispanic world. Castanets, cajitas or box drums, anyone?

Guitar

Color A Guitar – ONLINE  http://www.dariamusic.com/color_Guitar.php

Free Printable From TeachersPayTeachers http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guitar-Coloring-Page-649967

Screen shot 2014-09-27 at 4.30.37 PMCharango (Small Stringed Instrument Made From An Armadillo Shell) 

Free Printable From DARIA’s website

http://www.dariamusic.com/docs/CharangoColoringPage.pdf

Cajón (A Box Drum From Afro-Peruvian Culture)

Color A Cajon – ONLINE

http://www.dariamusic.com/color_Cajon.php

Chapchas (A Rattle Made From Goat’s Toenails) 

Free Printable From TeachersPayTeachers  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-The-Chapchas-An-Instrument-from-The-Andes-650050

Bombo ( A Large South American Drum) 

Screen shot 2014-09-27 at 12.22.27 PMFree Printable From TeachersPayTeachers http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-A-Bombo-A-Drum-From-The-Andes-650642

Guiro

Color A Guiro – ONLINE http://www.dariamusic.com/color_Guiro.php

Zampoñas (Panpipes From The Andes) 

Free Printable From TeachersPayTeachers http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-the-Zamponas-Panpipes-From-The-Andes-65060

HHM-coverResources And Links

10 Musical Crafts To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage -Free Until October 31st on DARIA’s website:

http://www.dariamusic.com/monthly_song.php

Available Anytime From TeachersPayTeachers ($8.99)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Celebrate-Hispanic-Heritage-Musical-Craft-And-Coloring-E-Book-1427919

Additional Coloring Pages With Musical Instruments From All Over the World http://www.dariamusic.com/crafts.php

 

 

We’re Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month – With Music and More!

HHM-coverWe’re excited to be part of the MKB network’s awesome blog hop that shares all aspects of Hispanic culture. Our contribution is a free and fun E-book that shares 10 Musical Crafts you can make to explore these exciting and meaningful cultural traditions.

Find that free E-book here: http://www.dariamusic.com/monthly_song.php

And please, read on.  There are contests, give-aways and lots of other great activities and information from some really awesome bloggers that I hope you get a chance to meet through this wonderful blog Hop.  And don’t forget to scroll through the prizes to find and enter the Rafflecopter below!

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

heritagemonthWelcome to the Third Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Blog Hop, hosted this year by Multicultural Kid Blogs and 17 of our member blogs! Don’t miss our amazing giveaway, and share your own posts at our linky!

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 every year, “celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America” (from HispanicHeritageMonth.gov)

Be sure to visit all of the participating blogs (listed below) and follow our related Pinterest boards:

MKB HHM Twitter PartyDon’t miss our Twitter party “Celebrating Hispanic Heritage with Kids,” Tuesday, September 23, from 9 – 10 pm ET! Follow #mkbhhm to participate!

MKB Hispanic Heritage Month Blog Hop: Participating Blogs

Multicultural Kid Blogs

All Done Monkey

Spanish Playground

Kid World Citizen

Mommy Maestra

Kids Yoga Stories

Inspired by Familia

Entre Compras y El Hogar

Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes

Spanglish House

Crafty Moms Share

Toddling in the Fast Lane

Mama Tortuga

Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Our Whole Village

A Life With Subtitles

Spanish Mama

Pragmatic Mom

Daria’s Music

My Favorite Multicultural Books

Hispanic Heritage Month GIVEAWAY!

This year to celebrate we are giving away fabulous prizes! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post for a chance to win!

Please note that there are shipping restrictions on some prizes. In the event that the winner lives outside of the shipping area, that portion of the prize will be added to the following prize package.

Grand Prize Package

Smart Play - Hispanic Heritage Month Blog HopSmart Play Pad (SRP $ 24.99): Interactive tablet like electronic toy makes early learning fun and exciting for little ones. More than 30 touch sensitive keys teach language and pronunciation skills to help prepare children for school. Bilingual feature helps kids learn in English & Spanish. Lightweight and truly portable for on-the-go learning. Ships to US and Canada only.

Traditional Mexican toys and games.

A basket of fun from Escuela Falcón in Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico. This prize includes educational games, ceramic Day of the Dead skulls, a hand-painted ceramic box, wooden toys, and a certificate for 5 hours of Skype Spanish lessons with Escuela Falcón.

A basket from Lanugo with the book “Lula la Consentida,” a limited-edition “Latino de Corazón” infant onsie, and Seventh Generation’s baby product essentials. US shipping only.

Spanish games for kids.

A Spanish edition of the award-winning game Bananagrams.

DVD of Spanish music videos from Rockalingua.

DVD of Spanish music videos from Rockalingua.

Bilingual poetry book from Lee and Low.

Spanish poetry book for kids from Lee and Low.

A Movie in my Pillow and Poems to Dream Together – Books of poetry in English and Spanish from Lee and Low.

First Prize Package

Peru prize basket - Kid World CitizenA child’s sweater and bag from Peru courtesy of Kid World Citizen. The handmade, wool sweater is typical from the Andes and might fit a child ages 2-4. The little backpack is also handmade with gorgeous details typical of the region.

Spanish games for kids. A Spanish edition of the award-winning game Bananagrams.

Spanish songs for kids.

Chocolalala – CD of songs in English and Spanish from Mister G.

Spanish songs for kids from Mariana Iranzi.Hola Hello – A CD of children’s songs in English and Spanish from Mariana Iranzi.

Spanish poems for kids.

Mis primeros poemas – A book of poems and audio CD for Spanish learners from All Bilingual Press.

Spanish color activities from Mundo de Pepita.

Digital download of Spanish Colors Activities Pack with printable minibooks, games and activity pages from Mundo de Pepita.

Lingua ToysSpanish activity book with an audio CD with listening exercises for kids between 3-10 years old (value: 12€) from Lingua Toys.

Bolivian GuiroHand-crafted guiro (traditional instrument), hand-carved from a gourd in Bolivia with a sun and moon pattern. Great instrument as well as a piece of folk art. From DARIAMUSIC. US shipping only.

Second Prize Package

Handwoven scarf from Nicaragua.

Handwoven scarf from Nicaragua courtesy of Spanish Playground.

Spanish ABC book from Libros Arellano.

Spanish book for kids from Libros Arellano.

¡Las letras! and Señorita Bienvenida en el aeropuerto – Two children’s books in Spanish from Libros Arellano.

Spanish songs for kids from Mariana Iranzi.

A CD of children’s songs in English and Spanish from Mariana Iranzi.

Children's songs in Spanish from Mister G.

ABC Fiesta – CD of songs in English and Spanish from Mister G.

High frequency words books in Spanish.

Digital download of 6 printable Spanish high frequency words books from Custom Literacy.

Bonus Prize: France Shipping Only!

Las piñatas de LalyBeautiful piñata created especially for this contest by Piñatas de Laly.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Link Up Your Posts Now it’s your turn to share your posts! The linky will be open through October 15, so come back and share throughout Hispanic Heritage Month!


 

Make Your Own “Quijada” – A Jawbone Rattle

colorful quijadaHispanic Heritage Month is coming up in September and we’re starting early by sharing some of the more unique instruments found in Latin American cultures as well as ways you can craft your own clever versions at home!

What is A Quijada

The quijada is a wonderfully gross instrument from Afro-Peruvian culture made from the dried jawbone of a donkey.  Also called charrasga or quijada de burro, the unique sound of this instrument comes from the teeth rattling and buzzing in the dried sockets.

Although this might sound like an odd object to use to make music, if you trace the history of the enslaved people brought to Peru, they were allowed almost no personal items so it makes sense they “recycled” what they could find to continue making the music that was meaningful to them.

In more modern times, the quijada along with a box drum (called a cajón) and a little donation box (called a cajita) create the signature sounds of this beautiful and expressive music from the coastal region of Peru.

monster rattlesMake Your Own Quijada Craft

Since jawbones and animal teeth are not common materials, we’ve created a craft that uses the same idea of teeth rattling in empty sockets.  Although it’s a simple project, there are several ways to decorate and play an egg carton quijada, making it a fun addition to any home, school or homeschool music basket.

Gather Your Supplies

quijada suppliesAll you need is an empty egg carton and 12 items that fit inside the egg’s spaces.  Use anything you have around the house such as marbles, legos, beads, buttons, or dried pasta or venture outside for pebbles, rocks, acorns or small pinecones.

This is a fun way to learn to count to 12 and to understand the concept of “a dozen”.

Tape It Up!

Once you’ve put your 12 items in place, seal up the egg carton.  Be careful to tape over the holes that are often found in egg cartons so that none of the smaller objects come out when it is played like a rattle.

egg carton faces 2Decorate!

You can leave your rattle plain and simple, or create a cover for the top.  We’ve designed a series of “monster faces” you can download for the top of the egg cartons, available from TeachersPayTeachers.  Some are in color and some are colorable.

Feel free to give your faux donkey jaw a personality all it’s own!

How To Play An Egg Carton Quijada

sunita playing quijadaYou can play your egg carton quijada just like any other rattle.  Shake it up and down or back and forth.  Place it on the ground or in front of you on a desk or table and tap it to make it rattle.

You can also play it more like a quijada.  A traditional quijada is played by holding one side and striking the other with the side of your fist so that the teeth vibrate.   To play it this way, hold your monster rattle on one side and tap the other side gently with your fist to create a nice vibrating, shaking sound.

Links and Resources

Monster Faces for Quijada Craft
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/EGG-CARTON-QUIJADA-MUSICAL-RATTLE-1146672

josef plays cajitaWhat is a Cajón – Free PDF from DARIA’s TPT Store
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Cajon-Make-And-Play-Your-Own-Box-Drum-1236616

What is a Cajita – Free PDF from DARIA’s TPT Store
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-Is-A-Cajita-Latin-American-Percussion-Instrument-1388694