Let the kids have a carnival of their own with these magnificent Mardi Gras Printables for Kids! If you are looking for a way to bring the excitement of New Orleans right into your living room or classroom, you have come to the right place. From elaborate masks to educational word searches, we have everything you need to let the good times roll—or as they say in French, Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Festivals are usually known for being times of feasting, but interestingly, there is one festival specifically dedicated to the art of eating. Even its name screams indulgence! We are talking about Mardi Gras, which translates from French to ‘Fat Tuesday’.
While adults might associate this holiday with elaborate parades and bustling streets, it is actually a fantastic opportunity to teach children about culture, history, and art. Since Mardi Gras is a “moveable feast” (meaning the date changes every year depending on Easter), it’s always a good time to have a stash of activities ready.
Whether you are a teacher planning a lesson unit, a homeschool parent looking for art projects, or just a mom trying to keep the little ones busy on a rainy afternoon, these 10 Mardi Gras printable ideas will save the day.
What is Mardi Gras? A Quick Lesson for Kids
Before we dive into the scissors and glue, it is helpful to give the kids some context. It makes the coloring and crafting much more meaningful.
Mardi Gras is the final day of the Carnival season. It always falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a 40-day period where many people fast or give up luxuries. Because of this, people historically used “Fat Tuesday” to use up all the rich foods in their pantry—like butter, sugar, and lard—before the fasting began.
Fun Fact: Did you know Mardi Gras isn’t just an American thing? It is celebrated all over the world under different names:
- United Kingdom: Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday
- Germany: Schmutziger Donnerstag (Dirty Thursday) or Fetter Donnerstag (Fat Thursday)
- Italy: Martedì Grasso
- Sweden: Fettisdagen
The official colors of Mardi Gras are Purple (Justice), Green (Faith), and Gold (Power). Keep these colors in mind as you print out the activities below
10 Magnificent Mardi Gras Printables for Kids
Here is our curated list of printable activities. You can easily find templates for these online or create simple versions yourself. These ideas cover everything from fine motor skills to math and literacy.
1. The Classic Masquerade Mask Template
You simply cannot celebrate Mardi Gras without a mask. In the old days, masks allowed people to mingle with different classes of society without anyone knowing who they were.
- ** The Activity:** Print out a blank eye-mask template.
- Make it Fun: Don’t just color it with markers. This is the time to break out the craft box. Use feathers, sequins, glitter glue, and plastic gemstones. The gaudier, the better! Attach a popsicle stick to one side so the child can hold it up to their face like a true masquerade guest.
2. “Design Your Own Float” Drawing Prompt
The parades (or “Krewes”) are the highlight of the celebration.
- The Activity: Print a sheet that has the outline of a flatbed truck or a wagon.
- The Creative Spark: Ask your children to design their own parade float. What is the theme? Is it a dinosaur float? A space alien float? This encourages immense creativity and storytelling. They can draw the riders throwing beads to the crowd.
3. Mardi Gras Bingo Cards
If you are hosting a party or managing a classroom, Bingo is a lifesaver.
- The Activity: Print out 4-5 different Bingo cards featuring icons like a Jester hat, a King Cake, beads, a saxophone (for New Orleans jazz), and a fleur-de-lis.
- The Prize: Use chocolate coins or plastic beaded necklaces as the prizes for the winners. It’s a great way to build vocabulary as you call out the images.
4. The Jester Hat Headband
Why should the mask have all the fun?
- The Activity: This printable usually comes in strips. One strip is the headband, and the other pieces are the three “points” of the Jester hat with circles (bells) on the end.
- Assembly: Kids color the points in alternating purple, green, and gold. Cut them out and glue them to the headband. Staple the band to fit their head. Now you have a room full of little jesters!
5. King Cake Counting Sheets
For the younger toddlers and preschoolers, combine festivity with math.
- The Activity: Print a sheet with several King Cakes or cupcakes on it.
- The Math: Ask the child to use playdough or stickers to put “sprinkles” on the cakes. “Put 3 green sprinkles on this cake.” “Put 5 gold sprinkles on that one.” This creates a tactile math lesson that helps with number recognition.
6. Mardi Gras Word Search
For elementary-aged kids, a word search is a great way to improve spelling and concentration.
- The Words: Hide words like New Orleans, Parade, Beads, Doubloons, Krewe, Jazz, Mask, and Carnival.
- The Bonus: Add a “mystery word” that is revealed by the unused letters for an extra challenge.
7. Fleur-de-Lis Bunting
Decorate your home with the symbol of French heritage.
- The Activity: Print large triangles with the Fleur-de-Lis symbol in the center.
- The Decor: Let the kids color them. Punch holes in the corners and string them together with green yarn. Hang this bunting across the fireplace or the classroom whiteboard to instantly set the mood.
8. “If I Were King/Queen of the Carnival” Writing Prompt
Literacy is important, even during a party!
- The Activity: A printable sheet with a decorative border and a picture of a crown.
- The Prompt: “If I were the King/Queen of Mardi Gras, my rule would be…”
- The Answers: You will get hilarious answers ranging from “Free candy for everyone” to “No homework on Tuesdays.” It’s a wonderful keepsake for parents.
9. Color-by-Number Mosaic
This helps with color recognition and following instructions.
- The Activity: A complex image of a Jester or a detailed mask where each section is numbered.
- The Legend: 1 = Purple, 2 = Green, 3 = Gold. The result is a vibrant mosaic that looks impressive on the fridge.
10. The Bead Scavenger Hunt Clues
Get the kids moving!
- The Activity: Print out clues that lead to hidden treasures around the house.
- The Hunt: “I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but never go outside. What am I? (A Keyboard/Piano).” Hide a string of beads at each location. The child with the most beads at the end wins!
Why Use Printables for Celebrations?
In a digital world, you might wonder why we are suggesting paper activities.
- Screen-Free Time: It gets kids off tablets and engaging with the physical world.
- Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, coloring, and gluing are essential for developing the hand muscles needed for writing.
- Cost-Effective: You don’t need to buy expensive party supplies. A printer and some crayons are pennies on the dollar compared to store-bought decorations.
Tips for a Kid-Friendly Mardi Gras Party
If you are using these printables as part of a larger celebration, here are a few tips to make it a success:
- The Music: Stream a playlist of “Kid-Friendly New Orleans Jazz.” The brass instruments are upbeat and energetic—perfect for a “second line” parade around the living room.
- The Food: You can’t talk about Fat Tuesday without food. Serve Beignets (fancy donuts with powdered sugar) or make a “cheater” King Cake using cinnamon rolls and colored icing. Safety Note: If you make a King Cake, do not bake the plastic baby inside. Place it on top or underneath to avoid choking hazards.
- The Dress Code: Tell the kids to wear anything green, purple, or gold. If they don’t have those colors, they can use the printable masks and jester hats they just made!
Conclusion
Mardi Gras is more than just a party; it’s a celebration of joy, community, and history. By incorporating these magnificent Mardi Gras printables, you aren’t just keeping the kids busy; you are inviting them into a tradition that spans centuries and continents.
So, fire up the printer, grab the glitter glue (don’t worry about the mess, it’s a festival!), and get ready to celebrate. Whether you are in New Orleans or New York, these activities will ensure your kids have a Fat Tuesday to remember.