20 Easy Mardi Gras Crafts for Kids

Turn your child’s handprints into a one-of-a-kind mask with this bright, playful craft! Children trace and cut their handprints from colorful cardstock, cut out the eye holes, then attach a paper straw handle for easy “mask-waving” fun. Finish it off with feathers, glitter, or craft jewels for extra parade sparkle.

This festive sensory jar is part craft and part science experiment. Kids mix corn syrup, water, and glitter to create a swirling, shake-and-watch effect, then customize it with different glitter sizes and colorful beads. It’s a fun way to explore viscosity (why some liquids move more slowly than others) while making a calming “quiet time” tool that’s perfect for classrooms, car rides, or winding down at home.

Make candy necklaces that are colorful, kid-friendly, and totally edible! Children use purple, green, and yellow Twizzlers as “beads,” threading them onto stiff beading cord to create festive jewelry while practicing patterns and fine-motor skills. Younger kiddos may need a little help cutting the Twizzlers and tying the ends, but the best part is everyone gets a sweet reward when they’re done.

Create a gorgeous Mardi Gras handprint mask that’s totally kid-made and totally parade-ready! Start by cutting handprints from cardboard, then paint them in classic purple, green, and gold. Children can add dotted details with Q-tips (a fun fine-motor twist), then cut out the eye holes and attach a popsicle-stick handle for easy pretending. Perfect for a Mardi Gras movie night, a living room dance party, or a festive classroom celebration.

From classic Mardi Gras masks and king cakes to musical instruments and jester hats, these coloring pages showcase iconic symbols of the celebration. Designed for kids of all ages, the pages range from simple designs for younger children to intricate coloring sheets for older Children. Perfect for a creative activity during the festivities, these printables also provide an excellent opportunity to discuss the traditions and history of this holiday.

This easy tambourine craft turns simple supplies (paper plates, colorful beads, and ribbon) into a festive noisemaker kids can actually play. Children make small cuts around the edge of the plate, thread beads through to create a jingly “tambourine” sound, then add ribbon for extra flair. Once the plate edges are stapled closed, it’s ready for a mini parade around the house (or classroom) while they practice rhythm and musical timing.

Whip up a batch of playdough for an easy, hands-on sensory activity children will love. With simple ingredients like flour, salt, and Kool-Aid packets, you can make bright purple, green, and gold dough (and toss in glitter for extra sparkle). Kids can roll, squish, and shape their creations while practicing color recognition and building fine-motor skills.

Let kids build their very own mini parade float using a simple shoebox! Start by wrapping the box with construction paper or gift wrap, then go wild with ruffled crepe paper, beads, stickers, and tiny figurines for a festive “float” look. Children can pick any theme they want (clowns, circus, animals, royalty), you name it, and you can even add wheels so it actually rolls like it’s in a parade. It’s great for imaginative play, and it's a fun way to introduce the tradition of shoebox float competitions.

This free printable mask is an easy, no-fuss craft that works for most ages. Just print the template on cardstock, cut out the mask, and let them decorate with sequins, feathers, glitter, markers, or paint in classic purple, green, and gold. Finish it off with a paper straw handle for parade-style masking or add elastic so they can wear it hands-free at parties and classroom celebrations.

These DIY King Cake ornaments are a sweet way to add some festiveness to your decor (like a Mardi Gras tree). Children use oven-bake clay in purple, green, and gold to roll and braid a mini “cake,” then shape it into a circle. After baking, coat it with glue and glitter to create that classic sugary King Cake topping. Add a string to hang it up or turn it into a fun little pendant for festive jewelry.

This fluffy Mardi Gras slime is a super satisfying sensory activity made with simple supplies like glue, shaving cream, and baking soda. Kids can mix up batches in festive purple, green, and gold, then add glitter for extra sparkle and swirl the colors together however they like. The slime turns out soft, stretchy, and perfect for squishing, stretching, and molding.

This feathery Mardi Gras mask transforms an ordinary paper plate into a colorful costume piece children will love wearing. You fold and cut the plate to shape it, snip almond-shaped eye holes, then outline the eyes with glue and line them with green sequins for instant sparkle. Next, layer feathers (starting with larger ones at the top and working down to smaller feathers) so the mask looks full and elegant. Finish it with a wooden dowel “handle” wrapped in gold, purple, and green pipe cleaners, then tape it to the back. It doubles as an easy photo booth prop.

This headpiece is basically a mini parade crown kids can whip up fast using purple craft foam, metallic pipe cleaners, scissors, and hot glue. Cut a foam strip about 1½ inches wide, size it to your child’s head, and glue the ends to form a sturdy circle base. Then glue gold pipe cleaners along the top edges so they curl into swirly “crown” details, and add folded purple, gold, and green pipe cleaners to the front for a burst of color. It’s a fun wearable craft that doubles as a costume accessory.

This Mardi Gras crown is a super simple craft that children can decorate up or down, depending on their age and patience level. You start with a long strip of gold card, then tape feathers along the back so they peek over the top like a real parade crown. Flip it over and let them go wild with sequins, glitter, and any sparkly craft supplies you’ve got on hand. Once it’s decorated, just curve it to fit and secure with tape or a staple for an instant Mardi Gras parade accessory.