Egg Shakers

Musical Instruments for All Ages

• What: Egg Shaped Maracas
• When: Birth until you lose them
• Why: Safe for little hands, colorful, affordable
• Where: Amazon

I have yet to meet a kid who isn’t drawn to these egg shaped maracas in bright colors. You’ve probably seen them in music classes for infants and toddlers. Their irresistibility makes them a safe and appealing toy for all ages.

Plastic Egg Shakers on Amazon

You can get 12 eggs for about $10, and you won’t regret the cost. Not only does having multiples mean you can lose one to the under the couch fairies or the dog, but your kids will have plenty to share with friends and family. Lots of young kids enjoy holding one in each hand, and the oblong egg shape means kids can grip them with ease.

Their size means you don’t have to worry about choking hazards, and their noise doesn’t get loud enough to get annoying. The shaking reinforces the concept of action and reaction, and any kid of any age can play this musical instrument with zero training needed to accompany their favorite song.

If you want to go on a super budget, you can even make some yourself with leftover plastic easter eggs. Simply add beans or dried peas or anything else that makes a noise that won’t drive you nuts, and tape the two pieces together securely. If you do decide to go the homemade route, make sure to do regular inspections. Depending on what kind of tape you choose, it can come off, and balls of tape, not to mention the hard beans or other innards, do pose a choking hazard as soon as the egg breaks.

I’m lazy and I know my limits, so I grabbed a batch online. These shakers also make great party favors for any age, and work well on long car rides to move to the music while confined to car seats. Much like the rainmaker toys, these eggs don’t make enough to noise to be heard over the ambient noise on airplanes, either, so you don’t have to worry about bothering fellow passengers if you take them onboard.