Party time! Mardi Gras is a fun holiday that has a rich history. Teaching students about Mardi Gras is a great reason to play some games and have a party! There are so many elementary activities you can incorporate to make this lesson memorable. There are extensive learning opportunities for students when it comes to Mardi Gras and holiday activities. We will explore fun games, cool crafts, and traditional foods that are made for this unique and special holiday.
1. Piñata Party
Mardi Gras is all about celebration. There is no doubt that students will enjoy celebrating with a piñata party! This is a fun activity that students will be able to experience with classmates. Who will be the one to break the piñata and unleash the candy?
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2. Cookie Decorating Contest
Cookie decorating is a fun craft idea that doubles as a tasty treat. You can have students enter their favorite decorated cookie into a fun contest with friends. The winner can earn an extra special Mardi Gras cookie for going above and beyond.
Learn More: Love to Know
3. Crayon Craft Masks
I love these colorful crayon masks! Craft supplies needed include bright crayons, scrap paper, pencil sharpeners, wax paper, an iron, a hole punch, and a colorful ribbon.
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4. Marching Drum
Music is an important part of the huge celebration that is Mardi Gras! Students learn a great deal about culture through songs. Now, they can create their own marching drum to bring the celebration to the classroom. I love the extra touch of the gold-colored ribbon around the drum.
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5. Mardi Gras Recipes
If you are looking for traditional food recipes or Mardi Gras-themed food ideas, you will want to check this out! You cannot go wrong with all of these delicious food choices to celebrate with kids. Don’t forget the purple food coloring to make your favorite foods for Mardi Gras.
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6. DIY Costume Ideas
One of the most beloved traditions of Mardi Gras is for people to dress in costume. Students can gather material in holiday colors and put together their very own unique costumes to celebrate the day! Level up with a costume contest with judges and prizes.
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7. Duct Tape Beaded Necklace
Mardi Gras is a perfect time to put together a bead necklace craft! Children can learn all about Mardi Gras and the significance of traditional beads. The enduring tradition of passing beads at Mardi Gras events started in the 1880s with glass beads. Pretty amazing to learn about!
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8. Mardi Gras Phrase Match
This lesson plan incorporates the theme of Mardi Gras while teaching vocabulary and reading comprehension strategies to elementary students. Students will learn matching strategies and the process of elimination skills. This phrase match activity is engaging and fun for elementary learners.
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9. Mardi Gras WebQuest
WebQuests are an excellent activity for kids. They will explore the website “A Kids Guide to Mardi Gras” and share the information they found most interesting with their classmates. You can create a graphic organizer to go with this activity or allow students to choose their own favorite facts.
Learn More: New Orleans Kids
10. Mardi Gras Activity Sheets
This Mardi Gras-themed activity pack includes word searches, coloring pages, and more. These classroom activities can be completed by students individually or in small groups. If you have distance learners, they can also use digital paint tools to complete these activities and share their masterpieces with peers.
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11. Mardi Gras Math Scavenger Hunt
If you are looking for a Mardi Gras-themed math practice for elementary students, you may be interested in this Mardi Gras Math scavenger hunt. Students will explore thought-provoking word problems and will have so much fun they won’t realize they’re learning.
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12. Mardi Gras Bingo
Mardi Gras Bingo is a very fun game to play with children at an elementary age. Students will learn about the culture and history of Mardi Gras while they challenge their friends in the classic game of Bingo. Be sure to prepare brightly colored Mardi Gras-themed prizes for winners.
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13. DIY Carnival Games
Mardi Gras inspires people to create fun carnival games. You can make carnival games for your very own classroom carnival! Game ideas include balloon darts, coin toss, and ring toss. Students can have a checklist for all the carnival games to make sure they play them all!
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14. DIY Photobooth
Photobooths are a great opportunity for kids to express their creativity and have fun! Photobooths make a great addition to any Mardi Gras-themed event and provide beautiful keepsakes to show family and friends. Don’t forget to have special Mardi Gras-themed props!
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15. Wreath Craft
Wreath-making is great for children to practice their fine motor skills and be creative with their designs. Students can create wreaths to decorate their classrooms for the Mardi Gras holiday. Be sure to select materials that include traditional colors for the occasion.
Learn More: How to Make Wreaths
16. Mardi Gras Sticker Collage
It’s no secret that elementary students love stickers! These Mardi Gras stickers are bright, bold, and perfect for making a Mardi Gras-themed sticker collage. Students can set up a sticker collage gallery where they will walk around and view each other’s art.
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17. 12 Days of Mardi Gras
Students will love reading the 12 Days of Mardi Gras book together. This book also makes a great gift for anyone that loves celebrating Mardi Gras! The illustrations in this book are absolutely breathtaking!
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18. Homemade Mardi Gras Shirts
Do you have a little one who loves to DIY their own clothes? If not, this activity may spark their interest. If you have an upcoming Mardi Gras celebration, I recommend putting together an adorable outfit for the occasion!
Learn More: Everyday Party
19. Musical Chairs
Mardi Gras-themed musical chairs are an entertaining activity for elementary students. This game is fun and appropriate for your classroom holiday party. I would recommend incorporating traditional Mardi Gras music and decorations.
Learn More: Foods Co.
20. Gold Coin Treasure Hunt
Students will be divided into three teams representing green, gold, and purple. Then, they will work together to solve clues and find the treasure. This is a fun activity for Mardi Gras!
Learn More: Foods Co.
21. Trivia Game
Did you know that approximately 1.4 million people travel to New Orleans for Mardi Gras every year? Your students will be blown away by all the interesting facts they learn by playing Mardi Gras trivia.
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22. Mardi Gras Journal Prompt
As students learn about the Mardi Gras traditions, it is a good idea to have them take a break from all the fun to reflect on the traditions in their own lives. Check out this great resource that includes Mardi Gras-themed and other holiday journal prompts for children.
Learn More: Journal Buddies
23. DIY Parade Streamers
Have you thought about hosting your own Mardi Gras school parade? Students will enjoy putting together their very own parade streamers fit for the celebration.
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24. Rule Breaking Day
If there was ever a day to implement a “no rules” day, it’s Mardi Gras! Allow students to have one day (or partial day) to bend the rules, such as eating dessert before lunch, or having an extended recess. As long as they agree to be respectful, anything goes!
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25. Mardi Gras Slime
If your students enjoy playing with slime, they will love this Mardi Gras-themed slime recipe. I recommend adding sequins and gems for an extra special element of sparkle.
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26. King Cake
This king cake is almost too pretty to eat! This traditional recipe is similar to coffee cake and is an absolute must for Mardi Gras celebrations. I’m sure it’s even more delicious than it looks!
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27. Marshmallow Pops
Marshmallow pops are another fun tasty Mardi Gras treat that children would enjoy making together. This is very inexpensive and easy to make!
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28. Mardi Gras Crowns
This beautiful crown craft is perfect for your Mardi Gras celebration with elementary students. Materials you will need are gold, green, and purple pipe cleaners, purple craft foam, hot glue, and scissors. Students can wear their new crowns for their classroom party.
Learn More: Free Kids Crafts
29. Shoe Box Parade Floats
You don’t have to be in New Orleans to put together your very own Mardi Gras-style parade floats. Bring Mardi Gras to you this year! I love the bright colors, intricate details, and beaded designs found on these homemade floats.
Learn More: New Orleans Mom
30. Mardi Gras Playdough
Most children can’t get enough playdough. Why not have them make their own? The benefits of manipulating playdough include practicing motor skills, hand strengthening, focus, and creative thinking. This is a great hands-on craft for celebrating Mardi Gras.
Learn More: Elemeno-P Kids
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