How to make a samba shaker

Shahan: Hiya! Let’s make a special instrument called a samba shaker.

To start, get some uncooked rice, some masking tape and two clean yoghurt pots. Or you can use a milk carton or a box instead, plus some things for decorating.

First, pour the rice into your yoghurt pot, milk carton or box until it is half full. This is going to make our music.

Then, tape the other pot to it like this. Use plenty of tape so it stays shut, even when giving it a good shake.

Now, let’s decorate. People use samba shakers during a festival in Brazil called Carnival. So, I’m going to use green and yellow; the colours of the Brazilian flag, but you can decorate your shaker however you like.

I cut my paper into strips with scissors. Always make sure to ask an adult for help when using scissors. Then, I wrap each strip around my shaker and tape it together. Feel free to keep decorating however you like.

All done. Let’s check how it sounds.

People in Brazil usually hold samba shakers with both hands between their fingers and thumb like this, but you can do whatever's comfortable for you. Ready! Let’s shake.

That’s a fun sound. This shaker will be great for Carnival because it’s a time when people dress in colourful costumes, make music and do a dance called the samba.

If you like making music, can you think of any other instruments you can make? Try to use your imagination and have fun.