Project
Materials

Matraca

WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?

A wooden rattle toy!

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

You will learn to use a vice and a drill for a woodworking project.

STEPS

STEP 1

Find the center
Create an "X" on one of the cardboard pieces by using a ruler to create a diagonal line from one corner of the square to the other. » Make a second diagonal line to make the "X". » Stack this square on top of your other square.

STEP 2

Drill holes
Using an awl (or another pointy object), punch a hole in the center of the "X". » Make 4 more holes along the "X" lines about 1/2" inch from each of the corners. » Using a 25/64" drill bit and a vise, drill holes in each cardboard square where you marked the holes.

STEP 3

Build cardboard-dowel cube
Cut 4 dowel rods that are 2.5" each. » Stick a rod into each corner of a cardboard square. » Place the second cardboard square on the free ends of the rods so that you create a cube. » Use hot glue to secure each dowel-cardboard joint. » Feed the 9" rod through the center holes of the cube. » Secure it to the cube with hot glue, making sure you leave 1" of length above the cube on one side.

STEP 4

Glue sticks to wood.
Glue two craft sticks between 2 small blocks of wood (approximately 1"x2"x3" each).

STEP 5

Assemble
Drill a hole about an inch and a half in from the edge of each of the longer wood pieces using a 13/32 inch drill bit and a vise. » Slide the longer wooden pieces onto the dowel on either ends of dowel-cardboard cube. » Glue the block with the craft sticks onto the longer wooden blocks opposite to the cardboarddowel cube (make sure to glue it in a position so that the craft sticks don't block the dowels too much).

STEP 6

Add a handle
Drill about 1.5" inches into the center of your remaining small block on the smaller face (1"x2") with a 25/64" drill bit. » Add glue into the hole you just made then slide the dowel in there, use a hammer to help you if necessary. » Wrap sandpaper around a scrap piece of wood to help you sand the edges off the handle.

STEP 7

Finish it up
Wrap some masking tape around the end of the matraca where the craft sticks are glued.

Materials:

  • 2 craft sticks (popsicle)
  • 19" wooden dowel (3/8" thick)
  • 2 cardboard squares (2.5"x2.5" each)
  • 2 pieces of wood at least 7" long
  • Masking or electric tape
  • 3 small blocks of wood (1"x2"x3")
  • Sandpaper
  • Craft knife
  • Hot glue gun
  • Marker
  • Ruler
  • Awl
  • Hand saw
  • Drill
  • 13/32" drill bit
  • 25/64" drill bit
  • Vise

See More Projects in these topics:

Music Woodworking

See More Projects from these themes:

Construction Site
Maker Camp
Maker Camp is a do-it-yourself online resource to help leaders like you organize a summer camp that engages children in making. Our goal is to provide you and your campers with the inspiration and the helpful resources, along with many possible projects to fit a wide range of interests and abilities. The idea is to focus on making as a playful, social activity. Maker Camp provides enough support for anyone to get started. Making provides experiences that help children become self-directed learners and good problem-solvers.
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Please Note

Your safety is your own responsibility, including proper use of equipment and safety gear, and determining whether you have adequate skill and experience. Power tools, electricity, and other resources used for these projects are dangerous, unless used properly and with adequate precautions, including safety gear and adult supervision. Some illustrative photos do not depict safety precautions or equipment, in order to show the project steps more clearly. Use of the instructions and suggestions found in Maker Camp is at your own risk. Make Community, LLC, disclaims all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense.

Maker Camp Project Standards

Based on NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)

National Core Arts Standards

The National Core Arts Standards are a process that guides educators in providing a unified quality arts education for students in Pre-K through high school. Also see Standards with cross-cutting anchors in Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting through art for Music.

NGSS MS.Engineering Design

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.
  • MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
  • MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
  • MS-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
  • MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
For additional information on using content standards with our projects please visit the Maker Camp Playbook.

NGSS HS.Engineering Design

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.
  • HS-ETS1-1. Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
  • HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
  • HS-ETS1-3. Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
  • HS-ETS1-4. Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.
For additional information on using content standards with our projects please visit the Maker Camp Playbook.

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