Mardi Gras for Preschoolers

Mardi Gras explained simply

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday.” It is the last day of a festive season called Carnival, which comes before Lent, a period of 40 days observed by many Christians ahead of Easter. Mardi Gras falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, so the date changes each year. In some places, the same day is called Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day.

Here is a way to say it to a child: “Mardi Gras is a big party time that happens before a quiet season called Lent. People have parades, music, dancing and special treats. In New Orleans, Louisiana, there are parades with colorful floats, and riders toss things like beads to the crowd.”

Some families and communities celebrate it as a religious or cultural tradition, and others enjoy the parades and food. Carnival celebrations also happen in many other places, such as Brazil. Keep your language neutral, and invite families to share their own experiences if they celebrate.

Five facts to share

1. The name means “Fat Tuesday” in French.
2. It comes the day before Lent begins. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday.
3. New Orleans is famous for its celebration. Parades are put on by groups called krewes.
4. Parades have floats, music and costumes, and riders throw items such as beads and coins called doubloons.
5. Purple, green and gold are the traditional colors. They are often said to stand for justice, faith and power.

Mardi Gras colors

Purple, green and gold are the colors most closely linked with the season. You can use them for a color-mixing session: offer paint in these colors plus white and black, and let children explore what they can make. Name the colors as you go, and invite children to describe their creations. For more on this, see how to introduce colors in preschool.

Activities for preschoolers

Mask making

Masks are a classic part of the festivities. Cut a mask shape from cardstock for each child and punch holes for the eyes, making them large enough for easy viewing. Children decorate with markers, paper scraps, feathers or stickers.

For safety, choose a mask on a stick only for older children or have adults hold them, and make sure the stick is blunt and short. Many preschoolers do better with a headband or a mask that is simply held up to the face for photos, rather than something that blocks their vision while moving. Do not use elastic or strings that sit tightly around the neck. Remove masks for running or climbing.

Parade time

Set up a small parade for children to march, dance or ride trikes in. Provide streamers, scarves, shakers and drums. Choose a leader and take turns. Pair it with music, such as jazz or brass band recordings, which are closely connected to New Orleans celebrations. See the importance of dance for preschoolers for more on moving to music.

Bead pattern play

Colored beads are part of the tradition, but they come with serious risks for young children. Mardi Gras bead necklaces are not suitable for infants or toddlers, because beads can be a choking hazard and strings can present a strangulation risk.

For preschoolers:

• Use large beads (larger than a child’s mouth could swallow) and supervise throughout.
• Make patterns on a tray or string them on a thick cord or chenille stem, and have an adult tie the ends. Let children play with beads at the table, not while running.
• Avoid long necklaces, and do not let children wear them during active play or naps. A short, loose pattern bracelet is safer than a necklace.
• Count and sort beads by color for early math (see why sorting is important in preschool).

Shakers

Fill sealed bottles or containers with large, safe materials like dried pasta or rice, and glue the lids shut. Adults should seal them. Children shake them in time with music. Make sure lids cannot be loosened, and check them before each use.

Color drips and painting

Offer diluted paint in purple, green and gold, and pipettes or droppers for dripping down tilted paper. Supervise closely, and use washable paints.

Throwing game

Children toss soft paper plates or bean bags onto a target. This is a gentle version of the “throws” at parades. Keep objects soft and lightweight, and avoid tossing items at people.

King cake snack

King cake is a traditional Mardi Gras pastry, often decorated in purple, green and gold. In traditional versions a small figurine, often a plastic baby, is hidden inside. Do not bake or hide a small figurine in cake for young children, because it is a choking hazard.

Easy snack options:

• A simple ring-shaped pastry or cinnamon roll with colored icing or sprinkles, with no hidden items.
• Check for allergies first. Many recipes use nuts, dairy, eggs and wheat, so follow your program’s food policy and offer an alternative.
• Supervise all eating, and cut foods into suitable sizes for young children.

Keeping it respectful

• Focus on the family-friendly side of the celebration: parades, music, color, food and community. The festivities in some places include adult activities that are not suitable for children, so leave those out.
• Mention the religious connection in a plain, respectful way, and avoid suggesting everyone celebrates it.
• Use real examples from the culture, such as jazz, brass bands and Louisiana food, instead of generic stereotypes.

Safety notes

• Beads, doubloons and small trinkets are choking hazards for children under 3 and for any child who mouths things.
• Avoid string or cord around the neck.
• Masks must not block sight during active play.
• Check food allergies, and do not hide objects in food.
• Keep sensory bins with rice or pasta supervised and use child-safe materials only.

Frequently asked questions

Can you explain Mardi Gras in a simple way?

Mardi Gras is a festive day of parades, music and treats that comes before a quieter season called Lent. The name means “Fat Tuesday” in French.

What are fun activities for Mardi Gras in the classroom?

Mask decorating, a pretend parade with shakers and scarves, color mixing in purple, green and gold, and bead pattern play with large beads are all good options.

What are some activities for a carnival theme?

You can add games such as beanbag tosses, a “parade” with music and streamers, and face-painting stations that use child-safe, hypoallergenic paint, if your program allows it.

Is this theme appropriate for every group?

It can be, if you keep to the family-friendly parts and let families opt out. Some families may prefer not to take part, so offer an alternative activity.