If you’re looking for some really fun Mardi Gras crafts for seniors, you’re in the right place!
Below, you’ll find everything from festive beads to make ahead of time to activities to do during a Fat Tuesday party!
In other words, everything you need to create the ultimate merrymaking party for your favorite senior citizens!
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Check More: Easy Craft Ideas for the Elderly
Table of Contents
1. Mardi Gras Bead Strings
If there is one thing that never gets skipped during the Mardi Gras parade, it’s the beads. So why not string some beads just in time for Fat Tuesday?
Materials Needed and Tips
- an assortment of colorful beads with holes that are large enough to string
- crochet or knitting yarn (or any kind of string, really)
- PVC glue
Make sure to use beads that are large enough for arthritic hands to work with and brightly colored for the seniors to see.
Put a bit of PVC glue on one end to lightly coat the tip of the string. Allow it to dry. This helps stiffen the string, making it easier for them to string the beads into the thread.
Benefits of Bead Stringing
| Helps in improving fine motor skills [1]. |
| Helps in improving cognitive function. |
| Helps relieve stress. |
Also Check: St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Seniors
2. Mardi Gras Masquerade Mask
After beads, masks are a quintessential part of the Fat Tuesday celebration. Having your seniors decorate their own masks is a fun way to bring out their creativity!
Decorate them using any kind of art material and let those creative juices come out! Literally, anything goes, but here are some basic instructions:
ALSO READ: Sit Down Games for Senior Citizens
Materials Needed
- Precut eyemasks which can be purchased online ORyou can download and print a mask template here. [4]
- Card stock if you are planning to make the eyemask yourself
- Art materials like glitter, paints, beads, colored foil, colored paper, etc.
- Glue gun (optional) for sticking art materials onto the mask.
If your favorite senior wears glasses, check out the tutorial below for easy ways to modify a Mardi Gras mask for them:
Looks Exciting! Maybe You Can Use It As A Mother’s Day Craft For Grandmother To Spice Up The Celebration!
3. Mardi Gras Wreath Made from Masks
If you have enough masks made, you can turn them into a really fun Mardi Gras wreath that can be used as decor for the celebrations too!
All you have to prepare is the wireframe and additional materials for sprucing up that wreath. Check this video out to get some ideas for a Mardi Gras wreath.
4. Mardi Gras Centerpieces
Another way to get creative is to create centerpieces which you can use as decor using simple bottles or jars.
Simply paint the bottles using Mardi Gras colors [2] and decorate them using different art materials.
One good idea is to decorate them with fleur-de-lis cardboard cutouts to give those bottles that extra mardi gras feel!
Materials Needed
- bottles of different shapes and height
- acrylic paint in mardi gras colors
- art materials
I also love the idea of making a feather centerpiece, like this one:
5. Mardi Gras Pins
This pin idea is a fun and simple way to add a little Mardi Gras pizzazz to your senior’s party outfit! Like the other crafts above, you can customize it any way you want.
Use lace for a vintage vibe, thin ribbon for something elegant, or thicker ribbons in Fat Tuesday colors for a big splash.
Materials Needed
- lace or ribbon in Mardi Gras colors
- glue
- felt
- pin
How to Make It
- Cut a piece of felt into a 3″ circle size.
- Cut the lace to around 16″ in length. Glue one end of the lace onto the felt circle.
- Slowly add glue onto the felt and stick the lace onto the felt circle while slowly scrunching it up to form layers of ruffles.
- Stick a pin to the backside of the felt circle so it can be used as part of your senior’s mardi gras get-up.
Check out this tutorial [3] on making lace ruffle pins to give you a better picture, or the video below for another version:
6. French Vanilla Festive Cupcakes
For seniors who really aren’t into crafting but still want to get in on the fun, you can never go wrong with a baking activity!
Bake some cupcakes from scratch using this recipe, or use ready-to-mix ones. Then, grab some edible glitter, sprinkles, or other fun cupcake toppers in Mardi Gras colors and themes!
Watch this video for an actual tutorial:
7. Paper Plate Tambourine
For seniors with dementia, a paper plate tambourine is a great way to go! They can make it as simple or detailed as they’d like, there’s no wrong way to do it.
Materials Needed
- paper plates
- beads (for inside)
- paint, crayons, stickers or anything else you want to use for the outside
- stapler
Simply cut 1″ snips around the edge of a paper plate. Make sure they are evenly spaced. Insert mardi gras beads into the cuts created. Use a stapler to secure the inserted beads into place.
More detailed instruction can be found here [5] or in the video below:
8. Coffee Can Drum
Another noisemaker that you can make is a drum using an empty coffee can. You can use either the coffee can lid or construction paper as a cover for the drum.
Materials Needed
- empty coffee can (or any other can with a lid)
- art materials
- construction paper (optional)
- masking paper (optional)
Just secure the construction paper using masking tape. Paint and decorate them using different art materials and pound them away during your Mardi Gras party.
Check out the video below for a simple tutorial:
9. Flameless Glitter Votives
Use battery-operated candles and place them inside small glass containers filled with sequins, glitter, and confetti in Fat Tuesday colors. They’ll definitely be perfect as table decor for your party!
Materials Needed
- battery-operated candles
- small glass containers
- art materials like sequins, confetti and glitter
Check out the video below for more tablescape ideas:
10. Non-alcoholic Raspberry Margaritas
What’s Mardi Gras without the drinks, right? While I wouldn’t recommend serving up alcoholic drinks at your senior center’s Fat Tuesday party, nearly every single co*cktail has a mocktail version.
You could challenge all of those former mixologists to a mocktail competition to see who can come up with the most unique flavors, or just mix up a batch of these delicious raspberry margarita mocktails.
Ingredients
- Orange Juice
- Lime Juice
- Fresh or frozen raspberries
- Stevia, or any sweetener of your choice
- vanilla (optional)
- Sugar or salt for the rim (optional)
Not a fan of raspberry? I love these strawberry virgin margaritas myself:
FAQs
What are the benefits of craftmaking for seniors?
Craftmaking can be a form of therapy for many seniors. It helps relieve stress and helps in stimulating them mentally.
It also can be a form of socialization for them, especially when done in groups. Any form of craft activity can help in having them lead healthier lives.
How do you get seniors engaged in holiday celebrations?
Having them engage in craft-making by making decorations for a particular holiday is one way of making them feel the holiday spirit.
Other than that, it will also be good to have some form of entertainment, like dancing, to have them participate in. Different forms of activities will definitely help them feel the holiday mood.
Living a senior lifestyle shouldn’t be limiting. It should be, in fact, even more inclusive.
And whether it’s a holiday or not, you can always stay engaged and have fun at any time of the year. Making fun summer crafts for seniors or on different seasons to pass the time is a great way to spend high-quality time with Grandpa and Grandma.
Conclusion
Mardi Gras is a celebration meant not only for the young. The festivities that bring about an air of mystery and fun can still be felt by seniors who want to get into the merrymaking themselves.
Having them engage in crafts meant to bring in the mardi gras spirit is definitely a great way to keep them young in mind and at heart!
References
- 1. How Threading Beads Benefits Both Children and Seniors | SensoryEdge Blog [Internet]. SensoryEdge Blog. 2018 [cited 2021 Dec 14]. Available from: http://blog.sensoryedge.com/threading-beads-benefits-children-seniors/#:~:text=Benefits%20of%20Threading%20Beads%20for%20Children%201%20Improve,and%20getting%20used%20to%20lengths%20and%20numbers.%20
- 2. Mardi Gras Colors | Mardi Gras New Orleans [Internet]. Mardigrasneworleans.com. 2021 [cited 2021 Dec 14]. Available from: https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/traditions/colors
- 3. Brittany. How to make a no-sew vintage ruffled lace flower [Internet]. Hairbowcenter.com. HairBow Center; 2016 [cited 2021 Dec 14]. Available from: https://www.hairbowcenter.com/blog/make-no-sew-vintage-ruffled-lace-flower
- 4. Get Free Printable Mardi Gras or Masquerade Mask Templates [Internet]. The Spruce Crafts. [cited 2021 Dec 20]. Available from: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-mardi-gras-mask-templates-1357858
- 5. Johnston T. Mardi Gras Paper Plate Tambourine [Internet]. Activities For Kids. 2016 [cited 2021 Dec 20]. Available from: https://activitiesforkids.com/paper-plate-tambourine/
What are your favorite Mardi Gras crafts for seniors? Share below!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
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Mardi Gras Crafts for Seniors
Mardi Gras is a festive celebration that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, including seniors. Engaging in crafts and activities related to Mardi Gras can be a fun and creative way for seniors to celebrate and express their creativity. Let's explore each of the concepts mentioned in the article and provide more information about them.
1. Mardi Gras Bead Strings Mardi Gras bead strings are a popular and iconic item associated with the celebration. They can be easily made by stringing colorful beads onto crochet or knitting yarn. It is important to use beads that are large enough for arthritic hands to work with and brightly colored for better visibility. Applying a bit of PVC glue on one end of the string can help stiffen it, making it easier to thread the beads. Bead stringing can help improve fine motor skills, cognitive function, and provide stress relief for seniors.
2. Mardi Gras Masquerade Mask Masks are another essential element of Mardi Gras celebrations. Seniors can decorate their own masquerade masks using various art materials such as glitter, paints, beads, colored foil, and colored paper. Precut eyemasks can be purchased online, or mask templates can be downloaded and printed. A glue gun can be used to stick the art materials onto the mask. Decorating masks can unleash seniors' creativity and allow them to express themselves artistically.
3. Mardi Gras Wreath Made from Masks If enough masks are made, they can be used to create a Mardi Gras wreath for decoration. A wireframe can be prepared, and additional materials can be used to spruce up the wreath. There are various ideas available online for creating unique and festive Mardi Gras wreaths using masks.
4. Mardi Gras Centerpieces Creating Mardi Gras-themed centerpieces can be a creative way to decorate for the celebration. Simple bottles or jars can be painted using Mardi Gras colors and decorated with different art materials. Fleur-de-lis cardboard cutouts can be used to give the bottles an extra Mardi Gras touch. Another idea is to make feather centerpieces. These centerpieces can add a festive atmosphere to the celebration.
5. Mardi Gras Pins Mardi Gras pins are a fun and simple way to add a little Mardi Gras flair to a senior's party outfit. Lace or ribbon in Mardi Gras colors can be used to create ruffles on a felt circle, which can then be turned into a pin. This pin can be a unique accessory that seniors can wear during the celebration.
6. French Vanilla Festive Cupcakes Baking festive cupcakes can be a delightful activity for seniors who may not be interested in crafts. They can bake cupcakes from scratch or use ready-to-mix ones. Decorating the cupcakes with edible glitter, sprinkles, or other fun cupcake toppers in Mardi Gras colors and themes can add a festive touch to the celebration.
7. Paper Plate Tambourine A paper plate tambourine is a great craft idea for seniors with dementia. It can be a simple yet engaging activity. Paper plates can be decorated with paint, crayons, stickers, or any other art materials. Beads can be inserted into snips made around the edge of the paper plate, and a stapler can be used to secure them in place.
8. Coffee Can Drum Making a drum using an empty coffee can is another noisemaker craft idea. Seniors can decorate the coffee can using various art materials. The lid of the coffee can or construction paper can be used as a cover for the drum. This activity can be a fun way to create rhythmic sounds during the Mardi Gras party.
9. Flameless Glitter Votives Flameless glitter votives can serve as beautiful table decor for the Mardi Gras party. Battery-operated candles can be placed inside small glass containers filled with sequins, glitter, and confetti in Mardi Gras colors. These votives can create a festive and sparkling ambiance.
10. Non-alcoholic Raspberry Margaritas While alcoholic drinks may not be suitable for a senior center's Fat Tuesday party, mocktail versions of popular co*cktails can be enjoyed. Non-alcoholic raspberry margaritas can be made using ingredients such as orange juice, lime juice, fresh or frozen raspberries, sweetener, and optional vanilla. These mocktails can be a refreshing and festive beverage option.
Benefits of Craftmaking for Seniors
Craftmaking can offer several benefits for seniors, including:
- Relieving stress: Engaging in crafts can provide a relaxing and enjoyable activity, reducing stress and promoting a sense of well-being.
- Improving fine motor skills: Crafts that involve manipulating small objects, such as bead stringing and mask decoration, can help seniors maintain and improve their fine motor skills.
- Stimulating cognitive function: Crafts that require problem-solving, creativity, and attention to detail can help stimulate cognitive function and keep the mind active.
- Promoting socialization: Crafting activities can be done individually or in groups, providing opportunities for seniors to socialize, interact, and engage with others.
Craftmaking can be a therapeutic and engaging activity for seniors, allowing them to express their creativity, maintain cognitive abilities, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment.
Engaging Seniors in Holiday Celebrations
To get seniors engaged in holiday celebrations, consider the following approaches:
- Craft-making: Encourage seniors to participate in craft-making activities to create decorations related to the holiday. Crafting can foster a sense of holiday spirit and provide a creative outlet.
- Entertainment: Plan entertainment options such as music, dancing, or performances that align with the holiday theme. These activities can engage seniors and create a festive atmosphere.
- Holiday-themed games and activities: Organize games, quizzes, or puzzles related to the holiday. These activities can be enjoyable and stimulate the mind.
- Traditional celebrations: Incorporate traditional holiday rituals, customs, and foods into the celebration. Seniors may enjoy participating in familiar traditions and savoring holiday-themed treats.
Offering a variety of activities and creating a festive environment can help seniors feel the holiday spirit and enhance their overall well-being.
Conclusion
Mardi Gras crafts and activities can be a wonderful way for seniors to celebrate and enjoy the festivities. Craftmaking provides opportunities for creativity, cognitive stimulation, and socialization. By engaging in Mardi Gras-themed crafts such as bead stringing, mask decoration, wreath making, and creating centerpieces, seniors can actively participate in the celebration and experience the joy of creating something unique. Additionally, incorporating other activities such as baking, making musical instruments, and creating table decorations can further enhance the festive atmosphere. Craftmaking and engaging seniors in holiday celebrations can promote well-being, provide a sense of accomplishment, and create lasting memories.
