How to Draw Maracas (Easy Step by Step)
Maracas are a fun drawing because they are just two ovals, a few straight lines, and some tiny circles. Crossing the handles in an X makes the picture feel like a party. Once you can draw an oval and a long thin handle, you can draw the whole thing.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 10 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw maracas step by step
How to Draw Maracas · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The left shaker
Draw a big tilted oval near the top left. This is the round part of the first maraca that holds the rattling seeds.
Step 3: The right shaker
Draw a second tilted oval on the top right, leaning the opposite way, so the two ovals look like a pair.
Step 4: The left handle
From the bottom of the left oval, draw two long straight lines going down and to the right, side by side like a skinny road.
Step 5: The right handle
From the bottom of the right oval, draw two long lines going down and to the left. Stop each line where it reaches the other handle, so it looks like it goes behind.
Step 6: Crossing handle ends
Pick up the right handle again below the crossing and draw its two lines going down to the bottom left, with a short line to close the end. Add a tiny closing line at the bottom of the left handle too.
Step 7: Round handle knobs
At the end of each handle, draw a small circle, like a little ring, to finish the bottom of the maracas.
Step 8: Zigzag patterns
Inside each oval, draw a short zigzag line that goes up and down like a lightning bolt.
Step 9: First dots
Add a few small round dots near the bottom of each oval, next to the zigzag.
Step 10: Dots and shake lines
Add a few more tiny dots near the top of each oval. Then draw short straight dashes in a fan above each maraca to show they are shaking.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your maracas? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a girl or how to draw a boy next.
Tips for drawing maracas
- Draw the two ovals first and tilt them in opposite directions. This lets the handles cross in the middle later.
- Draw each handle as two lines that stay the same distance apart. Looking at the first line while you draw the second one helps.
- Stop the second handle's lines where they reach the first handle. This makes it look like one handle passes in front of the other.
Free maracas coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this maracas coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your maracas drawing
Try bright reds, yellows, and oranges on the ovals, and a light wood brown on the handles. For a twist, give each dot and zigzag a different color, like confetti.
Maracas fun fact for kids
Maracas come from Latin America and are often made from dried gourds filled with seeds or beads. When you shake them, the seeds bounce inside and make a rattling sound.
Questions about drawing maracas
What shapes do I need to draw maracas?
You need two ovals for the shaker heads, long straight lines for the handles, and two small circles for the knobs. A zigzag and dots add the decoration.
How do I make the maracas look like they are crossing?
Draw one handle all the way down first. Then draw the second handle's lines only until they reach the first one, and pick them up again on the other side.
How do I make my maracas look like they are shaking?
Add short dashes in a fan above each oval. These little lines show movement and sound, the way comics do.
