Looking for a fun and festive Mardi Gras activity? These FREE printable Mardi Gras word searches come in three difficulty levels (easy, medium, and hard), so you can pick the perfect puzzle for all ages!
Mardi Gras (also called "Fat Tuesday") is a colorful celebration at the end of Carnival season, right before Lent begins. This year, Mardi Gras Day falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Whether you're heading to a parade, slicing into King Cake, or doing a little crafting with the kids, this activity is great for for all occasions, including home, school, or a party. This free printable is an educational and engaging way to discuss Mardi Gras traditions.
Each puzzle is packed with classic Mardi Gras terms such as parade, beads, and king cake. The bright purple, green, and gold design makes it feel extra festive. Plus, there's an answer key included, so checking work is quick and easy (especially helpful for classrooms or group activities).
What's Included
These free word searches are provided as three separate PDFs, one for each difficulty level: easy, medium, and hard. Each PDF includes a puzzle and an answer key, so you can check your results.
Format: PDF
Paper size: US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches)
Quick Details
Ages/Grades: 1st grade to adults (choose your level)
Prep time: 1-2 minutes (download + print)
Activity time: Easy: 10-15 minutes; Medium: 15-20 minutes; Hard: 20-30 minutes
Skills practiced: vocabulary, spelling, visual scanning, focus, persistence
How to Access and Print Your Word Searches
- Download Your Puzzles
- Click the buttons below to download your puzzles and get started. Save the PDF file to your computer and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar software.
- Printing Tips for Best Results
- For sturdier pages, print on cardstock.
- Want a reusable option? Laminate the puzzles and use dry-erase markers. This is a great option for classrooms, parties, or saving for next year.
- Printer Settings for Optimal Quality
- Set your printer to the highest quality and make sure your sizing is set to Fit to page so everything prints correctly.
Word Bank List
Parade
Beads
Mask
Music
Float
Feast
Jazz
Purple
King Cake
Mardi Gras
Costume
Festival
Crowd
Gold
Green
Party
Tradition
Feathers
Celebration
Carnival
How to Make It More Fun
Want to turn this word search game into a full-on activity (without adding extra prep)? Try one of these easy ideas:
- Beat-the-clock challenge: Set a timer and see who finishes first; then let everyone try again to beat their own time.
- Word search bingo twist: Pick 5 words from the list and race to find only those first. First one done wins!
- Partner teamwork mode: One person reads the word list while the other searches the grid, then swap roles.
- Classroom/party competition: Divide into small teams and see which group finds the most words in 3 minutes.
Here are some fun prize ideas for challenges and group activities:
- Bead necklaces (single strands or mini bundles)
- Mardi Gras masks (foam, paper, or cardstock)
- Fleur-de-lis stickers or sticker sheets
- Mardi Gras-themed pencils, erasers, or pencil toppers
- Fun gel pens in purple/green/gold
- Individually wrapped mini cookies
- A "gold coin" treat bag (filled with chocolate coins)
- Small Mardi Gras goody bag (beads + sticker + pencil)
- Dollar Tree mask decorating kit (mask + gems/feathers)
- Mini coloring/activity book + crayons
Mardi Gras Word Searches
Easy Level for Younger Kids
This easy word search is great for younger kids. Words are placed in simple directions (left-to-right and top-to-bottom), with no tricky overlaps, so beginners can jump right in and feel successful.
It’s best for ages 7-11 to do mostly independently. For younger kids (K-1st grade), it's doable as a guided activity (such as finding 5-8 easier words like MASK, MUSIC, GOLD, GREEN). This level is perfect for building vocabulary, practicing spelling, and strengthening concentration.
For extra fun, let kids use purple, green, and gold crayons or markers to circle the words for a festive Mardi Gras vibe!
Medium Level for Older Kids and Teens
Ready for a little more of a challenge? The medium puzzle includes words hidden horizontally, vertically, and diagonally (left-to-right). It's a fun step up that keeps children ages 9-13 (roughly 4th-7th grade) engaged.
Hard Level for Teens and Adults
This hard puzzle is great for teens and adults who want a challenge. Words can be hidden in six directions-forward, backward, up, down, and diagonally-and some may even overlap.
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