Although masks are a fun part of any Mardi Gras celebration, when you're making masks with preschoolers you must be sure the eye holes are large enough for children to see out of. Create simple masks yourself by cutting paper plates in half. Cut eye holes out of each half and tie on a piece of elastic to keep the mask in place. Children can decorate their masks using crayons or paint, or you may let them get a little more creative. Pass out feathers, beads and sequins for them to glue onto their masks.
Once a preschooler dons a green, purple and gold hat, he'll be in the mood for a Mardi Gras party. Crowns or jester's hats are both commonly worn to celebrate the holiday. Draw crown patterns onto construction paper. Let children cut them and decorate them with crayons, then staple the ends together. To make jester's hats, make a paper headband for each child. Draw large triangles onto colored paper. When children cut them out, help them glue or staple the bottom of each triangle to the inside of the headband. The points will flop over the top of the hat. Children can wear these hats all day on Mardi Gras, or just wear them to parade around the school.
Between the music and the partyers, Mardi Gras is a noisy holiday. Preschoolers will enjoy adding to the racket by making their own noisemakers. Ask each child to decorate the bottom of two paper plates. Place one plate on a table, decorated side down, and place a handful of beans on top. Glue a wooden craft stick to the plate so it sticks out and makes a handle. Place the other plate on top and staple the edges together. Children can wave their noisemakers around or rub the sticks in between their hands to make them twist back and forth.
Those who are celebrating Mardi Gras traditionally wear necklaces made of beads. Preschoolers can create their own necklaces using store-bought beads, or they can create their own beads out of clay. Help children break clay into small pieces and roll them into balls. Use a straw or toothpick to poke holes through the center of each ball and let them dry overnight. Let children paint their beads with gold, purple and green paint and string their beads onto yarn. Many people wear dozens of bead necklaces on Mardi Gras, so let children make as many necklaces as they want.