With the World Cup underway in Brazil, it’s a great time to introduce children to Brazilian culture. And one of the easiest ways to keep active kids attentive during a lesson on Brazilian culture is with craft projects!
Here are a few ideas that I’ve compiled from across the web– with my own adaptations– to keep your kids busy and engaged!
1. The easiest….Make a Brazilian Flag
Brazilian Flag Craft
Most of the supplies needed for this craft you probably already have at home: blank paper and crayons. If you’re feeling more ambitious, use green colored construction paper as the backdrop for the flag, cut out a yellow diamond shape and blue circle for a neater finish.
2. Brazilian Beaded Necklace
During Carnival, festival goers wear bright colored necklaces consisting of beads and other trinkets. This is another simple craft that kids can be creative with. Visit your local craft store or dollar store and purchase basic plastic beads in bright colors and to give your necklace a more ethnic look, try wooden beads.
Carnival mask and beaded necklace
3. Carnival Headdress
If you have construction paper, some feathers, sequins, paint and other decorative crafting materials (you’re options are unlimited), you can make a Carnival Headdress. During Carnival, festival performers wear elaborate headdresses often consisting of feathers, flowers, shells and other objects found in nature, highlighting African influences found in Carnival costumes. Across countries in Africa, objects in nature are used to create masks and headdress.
Brazilian tribal elder in traditional headdress
4. Carnival Mask
Simply purchase a plastic mask from your local craft store and dress it up with sequins, feathers and some of the other supplies used for the previous crafting projects. You can also paper mache the plastic mask so that paint can adhere better for a more custom look!
5. Brazilian Maracas
I had so much fun making this one with my son! The maracas we made are pictured at the start of this article.
Don’t let all of the steps intimidate you, it takes roughly 30 minutes to complete this project.
The supplies needed for a pair of maracas:
2 x 2 liter plastic bottles (empty) 4 tbsp rice (uncooked) tape (a thicker tape preferably packing tape) toilet paper roll (2) cotton balls (12) glue (Elmer’s or the white school glue works fine) crepe paper decorations (sequins, paint, glitter… limited to your imagination) Twine or yarn (12 inches)Step 1. This step requires an adult! Cut the top and bottom portion of the 2 bottles. I used a sharp knife to puncture a hole roughly 11 cm down from the top of the bottle and 5 cm up from the bottom of the bottle.
Step 2. Fit the top portion of the bottle into the bottom portion. Secure the 2 bottle pieces with tape. I used packing tape and it worked like a charm. After this step, you can see the shape of the maraca taking form.
Step 3. Take the 2 toilet paper rolls and make a cut down the middle. Next, roll them tightly to fit into the opening of the bottles. Use tape to secure the rolls. This is the maraca’s handle.
Step 4. Stuff the tissue roll handles with cotton balls (6 for each handle). This prevents rice from falling out of the maraca. Place tape on each end.
Step 5. Place 2 tbsp of uncooked rice in each maraca.
Step 6. Place the tissue paper roll handles into the maraca (bottle opening).
Step 7. Glue on crepe paper and decorate!
Step 8. Wrap twine or yarn around the entire handle for a decorative look and to minimize any sticky glue from getting on hands while using the maracas.
Enjoy!
Project adapted from ActivityBucket
Have any Brazilian crafts that you enjoy doing with your kids? Share here!
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