Best baby maraca around
I've experimented with a wide variety of baby maracas with babies at the library where I work, we use them in baby storytime. I bought two of these for our 1 year old for Christmas, and it's his favorite one so far. He likes to hold it in his is mouth by the ring while he uses other noisemakers in his hands! The sound is excellent, like a "real" maraca. It's easy for grownups (or older kids) to shake out more complex rythms with these, and do subtle changes from soft to louder, slow to fast. It's also the safest I've tried so far: there isn't a long handle babies can gag themselves with. I'd be comfortable giving it to a newborn. It's also very "tight," meaning there isn't a seam down the middle where gunk can get stuck. Very important for toys used by large groups of babies! I wouldn't put it in the dishwasher, or soak it in soapy water, but it's fine being wiped with a soapy sponge and rinsed off. Cheaper maracas get water inside when washed, or they break under heavy use. This one appears unbreakable so far! I'm planning to buy a couple dozen for work!