Music is a medium for creativity and expression. You may use maracas with imagination games because there are many ways of making sound with the instruments. These activities are motivating because any motion with the maracas creates sound. Choose a song to sing or play along with and find different ways to play the maracas. For example, you can pretend to wash the windows and move the maracas from side to side, or you may jump in and out of an imaginary puddle while holding the maracas. Other ways of playing include tapping the maracas on your hands, rubbing the maracas on the floor or shaking the instruments in a circle.
Create a rhythm band with other instruments or with different types of maracas. Divide a group of individuals into teams and ask each team to play a particular rhythm. Layer the rhythms together to make a song. Play along to a recorded song or provide live music while other individuals play maracas to the beat. Encourage the group to keep a steady beat with the song. Change the tempo of the song to challenge the group to listen carefully and change its beat with the music.
Play call-and-response games by playing a rhythm on the maracas and asking an individual to play the exact rhythm you played. You may also have a conversation without words by playing the "call" and asking another person to give you a "response." Use a variety of sounds from the maracas and experiment with different ways of playing the instruments. Tap the maracas on the floor or wall or roll the instruments across your hand. Encourage other individuals to imitate the way you are making sound. Also trade turns with individuals and ask them to provide a call while you do the response.
Promote listening skills by playing games with maracas that require specific directions. For instance, ask a group to play its maracas way up high or down low. Ask the group to follow a leader, who will change by playing loud or soft, fast or slow. Vary your playing by shaking the maracas behind your back, from side to side or in circles, and ask the group to follow along. Play a freeze dance and ask the group members to be silent with their maracas when the music stops.