13 Fun Mardi Gras Crafts​ to Try in 2026

No celebration is complete without fun Mardi Gras crafts. Having great Mardi Gras food and Mardi Gras outfit ideas is one thing, but it’s the time of the year to maximize color and creativity. So what are some fun Mardi Gras activities? Read on for projects involving Mardi Gras beads, DIY door decorations and everything in between.

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• Mardi Gras Crafts for All Ages
• Mardi Gras Crafts for Kids
• Mardi Gras Crafts for Preschoolers
• Mardi Gras Crafts FAQs

Mardi Gras Crafts for All Ages

Mardi Gras, as covered by History.com, marks the beginning of the Lenten season in the Catholic faith. Add these crafts to your Mardi Gras party ideas so you can celebrate the lively holiday in style.

1. DIY Mardi Gras Table Setting

You can’t host a Mardi Gras party without epic décor. Luckily, Mardi Gras crafts for adults can double as beautiful tablescapes. Attach Mardi Gras masks to wine glasses (one for each place setting) using elastic bands, and drape feather boas and chunky beads around the chairs. The confetti candles outlined below would make a perfect centerpiece.

Why should kids have all the fun? Mardi Gras-themed art and craft workshops in the Bay Area, Miami, Seattle and online give you the space and support you need to create wreaths, table settings, garlands and other festive crafts to add some creative flair to your celebrations.

2. Confetti Candles

Confetti candles are one of the best crafts for adults who love a fun DIY project. Apply a thin layer of glue to LED tea lights, dip them in glitter and place them in glass votives filled with purple, green and gold confetti. 

3. Tissue Paper Wreath

If you’ve ever been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, you’ve likely seen elaborate wreaths on doors all over the city. Surprisingly, they’re some of the easiest Mardi Gras crafts to make. You can use a variety of different materials to create a wreath, but for this example, we’re going with tissue paper. Get tissue paper in all three Mardi Gras colors, cut fringe into each piece and pin them to a styrofoam wreath form in an alternating color pattern.

4. Beaded Coasters

Got leftover beads? It’s time to take on Mardi Gras bead crafts! All you need to make these gorgeous beaded coasters is fabric glue, felt and, of course, beads.

5. Paper Garland

Arts and crafts for adults need not be overly complicated. It’s about practicality, and a paper garland is something you’ll actually use. Cut circles from Mardi Gras-colored scrapbook paper, then connect them using an alternating color pattern with glue and string. 

Mardi Gras Crafts for Kids

Crafts are a great way to get kids involved in Mardi Gras festivities. From crafts using Mardi Gras beads to homemade slime, these are some of the best winter crafts for kids.

6. Mini Mardi Gras Floats

Building a float is no easy feat, but this craft offers a kid-friendly alternative. Similar to dioramas you probably remember from grade school, this craft involves making a miniature float using a cardboard box and other art supplies. It’s a great way for kids to flex their creative muscles and bring their dream float to life.

7. Mardi Gras Shakers

Mardi Gras is a lively holiday, and kids can join in the celebratory atmosphere with these noisemakers. Fill paper tubes, like those found in toilet paper rolls, with dry rice or beans, secure the ends with tape and let the music begin. If you’re looking for something to do with your Mardi Gras beads, use those instead of rice or beans.

8. DIY Slime

It’s a universal truth that kids love slime. It’s surprisingly simple to make your own by mixing glue with liquid starch. Add in food coloring to make it festive, and there you have it: easily one of the most creative crafts. Once you know how to make slime, it’ll become a regular part of your craft days.

9. Printable Mardi Gras Mask Craft

If you need a quick and easy Mardi Gras craft for kids, print out a Mardi Gras mask template and let them color it however they choose. Then, cut out the mask and attach a popsicle stick with glue so they can hold it up.

Mardi Gras Crafts for Preschoolers

These Mardi Gras crafts for preschoolers are safe, easy, and hands-on. Not only are these ideas fun, but they also teach motor skills, patience and more.

10. Handprint Mardi Gras Masks

Handprint crafts are perfect for the tiniest artists, and these masks are no exception. Trace their handprints (left and right) on gold, purple and green cardstock paper (bonus points if it’s glittery!), Cut them out and glue them together with the fingers facing away from each other. Finally, cut eye holes and attach a paper straw or craft stick for the handle. 

11. Candy Jars

This is one of the simplest Mardi Gras crafts for preschoolers. They simply have to fill jars with purple, green and yellow candies (such as Skittles) that you can then use as table décor or party favors. 

12. King Cake Decorating

Your Mardi Gras crafts don’t have to be traditional. Decorating a king cake counts as a craft, and kids will be all for it since the finished product is a delicious treat.

13. Duct Tape Necklaces

Don’t be sad if you didn’t catch any beads at the parade. Duct tape necklaces are an easy, budget-friendly alternative to crafts using Mardi Gras beads. Paint duct tape in Mardi Gras colors, roll it into small cylinders and thread yarn through them to create a necklace.

Mardi Gras Crafts FAQs

What Are Some Easy Mardi Gras Crafts?

In addition to all of the crafts on this list, other easy crafts include paper plate masks and tambourines, beaded picture frames, a DIY bead wreath and “calm” jars filled with glue, water and festive elements, like beads and glitter in Mardi Gras colors. 

Is It Illegal To Pick up Beads During Mardi Gras?

While it isn’t explicitly illegal to pick up beads during Mardi Gras, it is strongly frowned upon by locals and authorities. Beads on the ground are often in the path of oncoming float traffic, so picking them up poses a significant safety risk. 

Additionally, it’s considered bad luck to pick up fallen beads rather than catching them in the air. Instead of putting yourself in harm’s way (or risking bad luck!), only collect beads that are thrown to you. If you don’t catch as many as you’d like, you can always make your own Mardi Gras bead crafts at home.

What Materials Are Best for Mardi Gras Crafts?

When it comes to Mardi Gras crafts, color matters most; the iconic Mardi Gras colors are green, purple and gold. Beads are a classic decorative element, especially if you plan to make necklaces. Feathers, sequins, glitter and rhinestones or jewels are also common materials. Paper plates or cardstock, a foam or wire wreath form and cardboard boxes create the base for many crafts, including masks, door décor and centerpieces. Additionally, you’ll need basic arts and crafts supplies like glue, tape, scissors, markers, crayons and paint.

Now that you know the best Mardi Gras crafts for kids and adults, it’s time to get your creative juices flowing. No matter what you decide to make, shades of purple, green and gold turn ordinary materials into a festive celebration of this special day that only comes once a year. 

For even more ways to celebrate Mardi Gras, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!