Mardi Gras Craft: Hand Print Mask

If you are looking for a quick and easy craft for Mardi Gras, you might want to make a hand print mask. Kids will have fun making this craft. And it's so easy, that it's a good craft for even young children to make.

All you need to make a hand print Mardi Gras mask is two different colors of construction paper, some glue, and something to use as a stick to hold up the mask (see how to make a safe stick below). If you want to expand on the craft, you can use whatever you have on hand to decorate the mask, such as sequins, feathers, buttons, stickers, etc.

To get an idea of what this simple Mardi Gras mask can look like when it's finished, click here to see an image. Remember, this is just an image to get you started. You are allowed (and even encouraged) to make your mask any way you want.

Before you cut your child's hand print from construction paper, it's a good idea to make a template out of scrap paper so you can get the placement for the eyes. So, cut two hands out of whatever scrap paper you have available (newspaper, magazine pager, paper bag, etc.), put the two hand prints together as seen in the image, and hold the pieces together with a bit of glue or tape. Then place the temporary mask against your child's face and draw circles where the eyes are. Cut the eyes out of the mask then hold the mask in front of your child's face again. If the eyes are in the right place, pull the hand prints apart and use them for your template.

Once you have your template, it's time to cut two hand prints out of two different colors of construction paper. Then cut out the eyes and glue the hand prints together. You can now decorate the mask any way you want.

When the mask is done, you will need a stick to hold up the mask. For older kids, you can use any type of craft stick you have on hand. For younger kids, you might want a "soft stick" so there is no danger of getting hurt. You can make a stick by rolling up a few pages of newspaper then securing the roll with tape. You can also use several layers of cut cereal boxes to make a stick. If you want your stick to be colorful, you can paint it any way you like.

Glue the mask on the stick and let the masquerade begin! These simple masks are a great project to make for a child's Mardi Gras party. Make one for each guest then let them take their masks home as a party favor.

Source for the image link: familycrafts.com