Homemade Mardi Gras Fun

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

21 Feb 2009 02:27 PM

If you need a reason to party, this is it. During this last weekend before Lent, let the good times roll with these simple, yet spectacular Mardi Gras projects the whole family will enjoy. Gather the kids and pull out your leftover craft materials, then get cracking on these fabulous noisemakers and party beads.

MARDI GRAS NOISEMAKERS

Materials:

Large paper plates

Stapler

Streamers

Markers, paint or crayons in traditional Mardi Gras colors (gold, purple, yellow, green)

Craft glue

Dry pinto beans

Craft sticks

Embellishments--Sequins, glitter, buttons, stickers, etc.

Directions:

Have your children decorate the outsides of two paper plates. They can color or paint the plates, then embellish them with their favorite decorations.

Staple 12-18-inch long streamers around the outside edge of one of the plates.

Glue a craft stick to the rim of the plate to make a handle.

Place the second plate on top of the first one with the insides facing each other.

Staple the two plates together, leaving a small gap opposite the stick handle. (Staples should be close enough together to prevent the beans from falling out.)

Place dry pinto beans in hole between the plates, and then staple shut.

Let your kids shake to the heart's content.

HOMEMADE MARDI GRAS BEADS

Materials:

Cardboard

Pencil

Ruler

Old magazines or comics

Scissors

Stiff cord

Glue

Small paintbrush

Clear nail polish

Embroidery thread

Large embroidery needle

Directions:

Cut triangles out of the old magazines. Each triangle should have two long sides that are five inches long and a shorter side that is one inch long. Each triangle will be a bead.

To make a bead, take a triangle, wrong side up, and roll the wider end around a piece of cord. Work carefully and continue to roll, making sure the bead builds up evenly.

Keep rolling the paper tightly until the last two inches.

Brush the wrong side of the two inches with glue, and roll it up.

Let the bead dry on the cord.

When the glue is dry, coat each with clear nail polish. Let beads dry thoroughly before touching them.

When the beads are dry thread them on embroidery thread to make necklaces, bracelets, and anklets.

Related Articles:

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Fun Mardi Gras Craft Projects for the Entire Family

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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