Significance

• Mardi Gras has evolved over time to be a “last hurrah” type of event before the 40-day Christian Lent period of repentance begins. Although it was started by the Romans, Mardi Gras has become a popular and widely regarded holiday in the United States and is well suited for a party for any age group.
  
  

Time Frame

• The name Mardi Gras literally means “Fat Tuesday” in French. The exact date of the holiday varies from year to year, but it is always on a Tuesday that is exactly 40-six days before Easter. You can hold your party on the exact day or have a Mardi Gras themed party any time of the year, like for a birthday celebration.
  
  

Decorations

• Incorporate bright Mardi Gras-inspired colors such as purple, green and gold into your decorations. Have balloons, streamers and hanging masks and lanterns adorning the room for the party. Use colorful table cloths and contrasting napkins and plates.
  
  

Food

• Consider serving the traditional “King Cake,” which according to AllRecipes.com, is a pastry adorned with frosting and colorful sprinkles and baked with a small plastic baby inside. Whoever finds the baby in their slice of cake is officially the “king." You can also serve traditional Cajun food like gumbo, but may want to opt for something less spicy for the kids. Serve fun and colorful foods or have a cookie or cupcake decorating station where kids can decorate their own food in Mardi Gras colors.
  
  

Party Favors

• Provide the kids with colorful Mardi Gras masks that are adorned with feathers and sparkles or hand out Mardi Gras beads. These items also make great decorations, so you can incorporate them into the room by hanging them on the walls or scatter them on tables. If you are artistic, help the children to paint a colorful design on their face or purchase fake tattoos in the shape of crowns or carnival-type masks.