Hey there! So, Mardi Gras is sneaking up on us again. You know, that time of year when we collectively decide that eating king cake for breakfast is a personality trait? Absolutely no judgment here—I’ve already claimed my slice with the baby inside. But if you’re a parent like me, you’re probably thinking, “Okay, cool, but how do I explain this chaos to my kids without them just asking for beads every five seconds?”
I’ve got you covered. We’ve done the deep dive into the craft bin, survived the glitter explosions, and come out the other side with some actual, honest-to-goodness fun. Whether you’re looking to throw a full-on Carnival bash or just want to keep the little ones busy while you watch a parade on TV, these 10 Mardi Gras activities for kids are guaranteed to bring the party.
Let’s get this party started, yeah?
1. DIY Mask Mayhem (The Craft Stick Edition)
If there is one thing Mardi Gras is known for, it’s the masks. And if there is one thing parents love, it’s a craft that doesn’t require a trip to a specialty store.
The Classic Popsicle Stick Mask
Ever tried to get a toddler to wear a plastic mask? It usually ends in tears (theirs and yours). I ditched the flimsy store-bought ones years ago and started making these.
- What you need: A bunch of jumbo popsicle sticks, glue (hot glue for you, white glue for them), paint, and feathers.
- How to do it: Lay the popsicle sticks side-by-side vertically to form a rectangle. Glue two sticks horizontally across the back to hold them all together. Let it dry. Once it’s solid, let the kids paint them in purple, green, and gold. Once dry, glue on feathers and maybe some glitter if you’re feeling brave.
IMO, these hold up way better than the cheap elastic ones. Plus, they look super cute in photos because the kids have to hold them up to their faces, which adds to the charm. :/
2. King Cake… In a Cup!
Look, I love a traditional King Cake. The brioche, the cinnamon, the sugar… But do I have the energy to make a from-scratch dough while my three-year-old is “helping”? Nope.
This is where the King Cake Cup comes in. It’s the lazy parent’s best friend, and honestly? The kids like it better.
No-Bake Magic
Grab some clear plastic cups. Layer it up:
- Start with a crushed vanilla wafer or graham cracker crust at the bottom.
- Add a layer of vanilla pudding (or cream cheese frosting if you’re feeling wild).
- Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar.
- Top with a tiny plastic baby if you have one (or a bean, or just hide a coin underneath the top layer for them to find).
It’s deconstructed, it’s cute, and the kids get to eat their own portion without fighting over the biggest slice. Win-win.
3. Bead Sorting Bonanza
Okay, so you went to a parade and now you have approximately 4,000 strands of beads tangled in a corner of your garage. Instead of just tossing them in the trash (please recycle them!), turn it into a game.
A Lesson in Colors
This is perfect for the preschool set.
- Dump all the beads on the floor (or in a sensory bin if you want to contain the mess).
- Give them three bowls or buckets, each labeled with a color: Purple (Justice), Green (Faith), and Gold (Power).
- Challenge them to sort the beads by color.
Not only does it keep them busy for a solid 20 minutes (which is like, a lifetime in parenting hours), but it also teaches them the meaning behind the colors. Ever wondered why those specific colors are used? Now you can sound smart while they sort!
4. Jester Hat Craft (That Actually Stays On)
Store-bought jester hats are usually made of flimsy felt and always fall off. My solution? Use a cheap baseball cap as the base.
The “Hat Hack”
Grab an old baseball cap.
- Cut three long triangles out of stiff felt in purple, green, and gold.
- Glue the base of each triangle to the top edge of the cap’s brim, letting them flop over to the side.
- Hot glue a jingle bell to the tip of each triangle.
The hat fits because of the cap, and every time the kid runs, the bells jingle. It’s annoying and adorable. You’re welcome.
5. Mardi Gras Parade in the Living Room
Why wait for the big parade when you can have one right now? This activity requires a little setup, but the payoff is huge.
Grab Your Instruments
Pull out all the pots, pans, wooden spoons, and plastic containers you own.
- Give the kids drums (pots and pans).
- Make shakers by putting rice in sealed plastic Easter eggs.
- Grab those sorted beads from activity #3 to throw at each other.
Crank up some brass band music (Preservation Hall Jazz Band is our go-to) and let them march around the living room. I usually act as the “floater” by walking slowly with a baby on my shoulders. It’s chaotic, loud, and absolutely the best kind of fun.
6. The Purple, Green, and Gold Slime Experiment
Slime. I know, I know. It gets everywhere. But hear me out: themed slime is a massive hit.
Glitter Bomb Slime
Make your favorite slime recipe (glue, contact lens solution, baking soda) and separate it into three batches.
- Tint one batch purple, one green, and one gold.
- Mix tons of glitter into each one.
- Let the kids play with them separately, or let them twist them together for a cool marbled effect.
Pro-Tip: Do this activity outside or on a plastic tablecloth. Also, keep a bowl of vinegar nearby—it dissolves slime if it gets in the hair. Trust me on this one.
7. Float Crafts from Recyclables
Have you ever looked at a Mardi Gras float and thought, “I could build that smaller version out of trash”? No? Just me? Well, try it.
Shoebox Floats
Gather up all your shoeboxes, cereal boxes, and toilet paper rolls.
- Let the kids paint the boxes in bright colors.
- Glue on feathers, beads, and tissue paper flowers.
- Attach string to the front so they can pull them along like a real float.
It’s amazing to see what they come up with. My son once made a float entirely dedicated to dinosaurs. Was it Mardi Gras themed? Not really. Did it have a T-Rex throwing beads? You bet.
8. Sensory Bin: Mardi Gras Style
Sensory bins are a staple in our house. They’re messy, but they keep kids occupied while I drink my coffee. For Mardi Gras, I swap out the usual rice for dyed pasta.
How to Dye Pasta
Cook some rotini or farfalle, let it dry, then shake it in a bag with a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and food coloring.
- Make a batch of purple, green, and gold pasta.
- Throw it in a bin with beads, plastic coins, and tiny spoons.
- Let them dig in.
FYI, the pasta lasts forever if you keep it dry. This bin has saved my sanity on multiple rainy afternoons.
9. Face Painting (The Easy Way)
I am not an artist. If you hand me face paint, I will somehow turn your child into a blurry, muddy mess. So, I cheat.
Sticker Tattoos
- Buy a pack of Mardi Gras themed face stickers (masks, jesters, fleur de lis).
- Stick them on the kids’ cheeks.
- Or, use temporary tattoo paper on your printer to print out simple designs and apply them.
It gives the same festive vibe without me having to explain why their cheek looks like a purple rainbow. 😀
10. Make Your Own Throws
We all love catching beads, but what about giving them out? If you’re having a family gathering, let the kids be the float riders.
DIY Beads and More
Set up a table with:
- Plain wooden beads and string for them to make their own necklaces.
- Small, dollar-store toys.
- Sealed packs of crackers or cookies.
Let them decorate a “throw bag” and hand out their creations to grandparents or stuffed animals. It teaches them that giving is just as fun as getting. Plus, it’s a great way to use up all those little McDonald’s toys that have been lurking in the junk drawer.
Don’t Forget the King Cake Babies!
So, there you have it. Ten ways to survive—err, I mean celebrate—Mardi Gras with kids. Whether you’re going all out with the shoebox floats or just throwing some beads on the floor for a sorting game, the point is to have fun and make a little noise.
Have you tried any of these? Do you have a go-to Mardi Gras craft that I missed? Drop it in the comments! I’m always looking for new ways to use up that purple glitter. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a slice of king cake and a quiet couch. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
