Mardi Gras with Kids

Can you believe that Fat Tuesday is just around the corner?!  I haven’t taken down my Valentine decorations and it seems that I need to hurry up and get that completed much earlier this year.  Down with the red lights, and up with the purple! Get out the beads, the feathered masks and more!!   Most people don’t do much for this holiday, as it’s rather fleeting and it doesn’t pertain to us; since we’re not down in New Orleans, partying it up like we’re 21 years old!  Ahhh, those were the days.  Truthfully, I have never been there for Mardi Gras, and I don’t see myself ever doing so.  Too many people!

For parents that want to enjoy the festivities of the day, and not have to leave the house, I’ve got some pretty fun ideas for you and your family.  Why not add new traditions?  My kids really enjoy this colorful holiday, and this is what we tend to do in our home:

• Create your own masks – buy the cheap plastic ones, and purchase some fun items at the craft store to attach to it with hot glue.  Don’t forget the glitter glue!!
• Make a shoebox float – get out an old shoebox, turn it upside down,attach the top of the shoebox to be upright as the back of the float, and put construction paper on it.  Add a  Barbie/Ken doll or whatever fun animals you would like.  Add beads, feathers, glitter glue… you name it!! It’s a great creative way to get the kids really involved.  In the end, take pictures to keep the memories for the following years’ creations.
• Turn on Zydeco music through Pandora or MC Radio on the Cable.  Don’t have either? Check out what’s on You Tube!  Pipe that music all in your home and get the kids dancing like silly fools!!  You the parent better be dancin’ too!! It’s a party!
• Create some creole foods with the kids and better yet, have them create their own!!  Need some ideas? Check them out below…

Food ideas:

Gold Truffles!  Yes, seriously someone was crafty enough to think of this one when Prince William was getting married. But I think this makes a perfect sparkly addition for Mardi Gras, to the table decor AND is edible.

Mardi Gras Pancakes – SO simple… make your own pancakes whether it’s from scratch or out of the box.  Add food coloring to 3 separate bowls.  Green pancakes, yellow and purple.  Stack em’ and the kids will love it!

Mini King Cakes – Grab a roll of cinnamon rolls at the grocery store and decorate the tops with the icing and sprinkles in the 3 traditional colors.  TOO easy!

Hurricane drinks (virgin of course!) – This fruity drink will be well loved by the kids, I’m sure!

Red Beans and Rice – An easy on the spice kind of meal that the kids might enjoy helping to put together.

What a great way to make an ordinary Tuesday, into a festive and fun activity day for the family.  Happy Fat Tuesday!

Image courtesy of Jaime Mormann Richardson – Babble (Food)
Image courtesy of Philippe Leroyer

Author Description

Andrea

Wife to Jim, Mother to two daughters, believer in God, homeschooling, baking, and a dancing queen! Culinary instructor for children at the YMCA. I love to work in the kitchen as well as tasting many cuisines out and about.