Today I'm sharing a fun activity to do the next time the kids are bored and restless. Break out your box of craft supplies, plus a few more odds and ends around the house and make colorful, festive Mardi Gras masks! You'll have an instant party on your hands, and when the masks are done, you're ready for a parade.
Here's what you'll need:
- paper
- pencil
- scissors
- glue
- poster board or an empty cereal box
- glitter
- feathers
- drinking straws
- strong tape
Start by folding a piece of paper in half. Drawing away from the fold side, create a shape for your mask. Then draw an eye hole about a half-inch in from the fold. (If you don't want to draw your own mask shape, you can download some great templates on this site.)
Next, cut out the shape and mount it to your poster board or cardboard with glue. (I used a cereal box.) Then cut out the mask again.
Now you're ready to start decorating. Using your glue, create some designs on the mask. Use your finger to spread the glue into wider streaks. Top the wet glue with glitter and allow to dry for 10-15 seconds. Shake off the excess glitter onto a sheet of paper.
Once you've added all your glitter, add feathers (or any other decorations) to fill in the rest of the mask.
When you're finished decorating, allow your mask to sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the glue to fully dry.
Finally, take two drinking straws and join them together, one end inside the other. Use your tape to secure the top of your double straw to one side of the mask. Voila! You're ready to party!
Now crank up the music and start the parade!