In general, festivals around the world are known for being times of feasting, music, and joy. However, there is one specific festival where “feasting” is literally in the name! You guessed it—we are talking about Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday.”
While New Orleans might be the capital of this celebration, you don’t need a plane ticket to the French Quarter to join the fun. You can bring the carnival spirit right into your living room or classroom with paper, crayons, and a little imagination.
With the festival season approaching, we have curated a list of 10 Magnificent Mardi Gras Printables for Kids. From elaborate masks to educational math packs, these resources will turn your home into a parade route. But first, let’s learn a little bit about what we are celebrating.
Before you fire up the printer, it is a great idea to teach children the history behind the mystery. Understanding the context makes the crafts much more meaningful.
The Meaning of “Fat Tuesday” Mardi Gras is celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day Christian period of fasting, reflection, and simple living leading up to Easter. Because people used to give up rich foods like meat, eggs, and sugar during Lent, they held a massive feast the day before to use up all those delicious ingredients. Hence, “Fat Tuesday”—the last hurrah of eating, dancing, and celebrating!
When is Mardi Gras? The date changes every year because it is tied to Easter. It always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday. Whether it lands in February or March, it is a sign that spring is on the way.
The Colors of the Carnival As you use these printables, you will notice three specific colors popping up everywhere. These aren’t random; they have special meanings chosen in 1872:
- Purple represents Justice.
- Green represents Faith.
- Gold represents Power.
Now that we know the history and the color palette, let’s get crafting!
1. The Classic Masquerade Mask Template
A major part of the Mardi Gras tradition is the masquerade. In the past, masks allowed people of all different classes to mingle together without anyone knowing who was who.
- The Printable: Look for templates that feature the classic “cat-eye” shape or the more elaborate Venetian styles with swirls and points.
- How to Use It: Print these on heavy cardstock rather than standard printer paper. Once your child colors them in purple, green, and gold, don’t stop there! This is a 3D craft waiting to happen. Use glue to add sequins, real feathers, and glitter. Attach a popsicle stick to one side so the child can hold it up to their face like a true masquerade attendee.
2. Jester Hat Headbands
The Jester, or the court clown, is a central figure in Mardi Gras lore. Their three-pointed hats are iconic.
- The Printable: These printables usually come in strips. The main strip goes around the forehead, and the triangles (the hat points) are glued to the top.
- The Activity: This is fantastic for role-play. Have your kids construct their hats and then ask them to come up with a “Jester Joke” or a funny dance to perform for the family.
3. Mardi Gras Coloring Pages
Sometimes, you just need a quiet activity to calm the excitement.
- The Printable: Detailed coloring sheets featuring floats, beads, King Cakes, and fleur-de-lis symbols.
- Why We Love It: Coloring is excellent for mindfulness and fine motor skills. For older kids, look for “Zentangle” style Mardi Gras sheets that require precision coloring. It’s a great way to talk about the symbols of New Orleans while they color.
4. The “Preschool Pack” (Tracing and Counting)
If you have younger children (ages 3-5), you want printables that double as learning tools.
- The Printable: Worksheets that involve tracing the letter “M” for Mask or “K” for King Cake.
- The Educational Value: These packs often include “Color by Number” or “Connect the Dots.” It helps toddlers feel included in the celebration while sneakily working on their handwriting and number recognition skills.
5. Design Your Own “Doubloon”
In New Orleans parades, riders on floats throw “throws” to the crowd. The most prized catches are often Doubloons—aluminum coins minted specifically for that parade.
- The Printable: Large, blank circles with a decorative border.
- The Creativity: Ask your child: “If you had your own parade float, what would your coin look like?” Let them draw their own crest, superhero logo, or family pet on their doubloon. You can even cut them out and wrap them in aluminum foil for a metallic effect before drawing on them with permanent markers.
6. Mardi Gras Bingo Cards
Are you hosting a party or a playdate? You need a game!
- The Printable: A set of 4 to 8 different Bingo cards featuring images like trumpets, masks, beads, alligators, and coins.
- How to Play: Instead of marking the spots with a pen, use plastic Mardi Gras beads or chocolate coins as markers. The winner gets the “King Cake” (or just a special treat)!
7. The Shoebox Float Planning Sheet
One of the most popular school projects for Mardi Gras is making a float out of a shoebox.
- The Printable: A “Blueprint” or planning worksheet.
- The STEM Angle: Before they start cutting boxes, have your child draw their plan. What is the theme of the float? Where will the rider stand? What materials do they need? This teaches planning and engineering concepts before the messy crafting begins.
8. King Cake Mazes and Puzzles
The King Cake is a delicious cinnamon pastry with a tiny plastic baby hidden inside. Whoever finds the baby is King or Queen for the day (and has to buy the next cake!).
- The Printable: A maze where the child has to help the King find the Baby, or a word search filled with culinary terms like “Sugar,” “Cinnamon,” “Pastry,” and “Baby.”
- The Fun: This is a great pre-snack activity. Complete the puzzle, then eat a slice of real cake!
9. Fleur-de-Lis Bunting and Garland
Decorating the house is half the fun. The Fleur-de-Lis (Flower of the Lily) is the symbol of French royalty and is synonymous with New Orleans.
- The Printable: Triangles or flag shapes featuring the Fleur-de-Lis symbol.
- The Activity: Print these out, have the kids color them, and then practice their scissor skills by cutting them out. Punch holes in the corners and thread them onto a piece of gold ribbon. Hang it across the mantelpiece or the classroom door.
10. Mardi Gras Word Scramble
For elementary and middle school kids, a word scramble is a great brain teaser.
- The Printable: A list of mixed-up letters that need to be unscrambled to form words like Carnival, Krewe, Parade, Music, Jazz, and Louisiana.
- The Challenge: Set a timer! Who can unscramble all the words the fastest? This builds vocabulary and spelling skills in a fun, pressure-free environment.
How to Get the Best Results from Your Printables
To ensure these crafts look “Magnificent” and not just like flimsy paper, follow these three simple tips:
- Paper Matters: For masks, crowns, and bunting, always use Cardstock (65lb or heavier). Standard printer paper is too thin to hold the weight of glue, glitter, and feathers.
- Laminating: If you are using the Bingo cards or the Playdough mats (from the preschool packs), laminate them! This allows you to use them year after year, making them an eco-friendly choice.
- Add Texture: Printables are 2D, but Mardi Gras is 3D! Always have a supply of sequins, ribbons, and gem stickers nearby. The more sparkle, the better.
Conclusion
Mardi Gras is more than just a party; it is a celebration of culture, history, and community. It is a time when adults and children alike can wear silly costumes, dance to jazz music, and enjoy the sweetness of life.
By using these 10 Magnificent Mardi Gras Printables, you are providing your children with hours of entertainment that is both creative and educational. Whether they are designing the ultimate parade float or carefully coloring a Venetian mask, they are participating in a tradition that spans centuries.