Fun Mardi Gras Craft Projects for the Entire Family

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

20 Feb 2009 12:50 AM

My daughter is counting down the days until Fat Tuesday. While we don't have plans to party hearty in New Orleans, the day before Ash Wednesday is traditionally when I allow my preschooler to choose not one, but two treats at our local bakery. It's not exactly, a gorge-fest with booze and beads, but she's just four and the simple outing makes her happy.

Another Fat Tuesday activity that makes her happy is listed below. I try to do at least a couple craft projects with her to celebrate the day. The projects are simple, affordable, and yield cute results.

Try them out and see for yourself.

TWISTED TIARA

Materials:

Craft Wire

Pony Beads

Pencil or Chopstick

Scissors

Directions:

Twist three pieces of wire together to form the base of the tiara.

Adjust to child's head size and twist ends together.

Cut two long piece of wire to make the peaks.

Starting at one end, twist wires around the base a couple of times to secure. Leave some length to curl and make a spiral at the side.

Twist long pieces together, then add beads.

Form peaks, twisting them to the base in between the peaks.

Trim ends leaving extra to curl.

Add beads to wires.

Cut pieces of wire to twist between peaks. Twist around a pencil or chopstick.

Crown your princess with twisted tiara.

MARDI GRAS NECKLACE

Set out a variety of dried pastas that have a hole through the center, such as penne pasta or macaroni.

Use traditional Mardi Gras colors (purple, green and gold) to paint pasta. You could use markers or glitter glue if you don't have paint.

Allow pasta to dry completely.

Cut a 12-18-inch length of yarn.

Tape one end of the yarn to the table so that the pasta won't fall off while stringing.

Wrap a piece of tape around the other end of the yarn. String pasta.

Tie the two ends of the yarn in a double knot.

Hand out necklaces to family and friends.

Related Articles:

Mardi Gras in Missouri

What To Know About Carnival in Rio Before You Go

Mardi Gras and the King Cake

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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