Tips & ideas for carnival crafts

Is children's carnival just around the corner, the most kids can't be stopped. The search for the perfect costume begins and the planning for the next carnival party is in full swing.

To raise the excitement for the fifth season a little further, grab your kids for a carnival crafting afternoon.

With carnival crafting you not only have the opportunity to to plan your carnival season, but also to create beautiful decorations, masks or other carnival crafts.

Whether cutting, painting or gluing – little artists love playing with colorful materials and won't be able to wait to carry out the best craft ideas together with you. To keep the fun from being spoiled, always choose the craft instructions according to the age and skills of your little crafters. Support rather than demand is the motto – and crafting promotes fine motor skills of budding artists in a playful way.

Grab your craft supplies and put the first ideas for carnival into practice right away. HABA shows on this page the best craft instructions for every age.

Crafting for carnival: materials for the best craft ideas

To try out the best craft ideas together with your children, you need, in addition to a big portion of fun plus the right materials. You probably already have most things at home, so you can start crafting immediately and without delay. HABA shows you exactly which materials and supplies you need.

Materials and supplies for carnival crafting

• colored crepe paper

• paper plates

• newspaper & toilet paper rolls

• balloons

• craft glue

• markers & paints

• craft scissors

• craft corn

• stickers & decals

• play dough & modeling clay

• brushes

• craft mat

Craft instructions for carnival – great ideas for children of every age

Depending on your child's age, some craft ideas for carnival and Mardi Gras are more suitable than others. If you want to craft with younger children for carnival want to craft with, choose a simple tutorial that no complex crafting steps includes and doesn't take too long. That way you can be sure that your little crafters stay engaged and don't lose interest.

Older children craft independently and are confident using scissors and glue. They also often enjoy creating more delicate decorations for carnival and dare to do most steps on their own – however you should still always keep a watchful eye on your little ones and support them if they need help.

Craft ideas for toddlers and preschoolers (2-5 years)

Coloring pages with carnival characters

Coloring pages are great fun at any age.. Here even the smallest artists can really let loose and design the shapes and figures as they wish.

Carnival-style versions with carnival characters are not only fun to look at, but they also put you at the same time into the perfect carnival mood. Whether as decoration in the children's room or as a gift for grandparents – coloring pages are always well received.

Required materials:

• colored pencils or watercolors

• paper

• decoration & embellishment materials (optional)

• craft glue (optional)

How it's done

1. First choose a coloring page that you like and that suits your child's age.

2. Lay out all the paints, pens and decoration for embellishing – and the crafting fun begins.

3. Give your child free rein. It doesn't matter if the lines get painted over or the colors don't match the object. The main thing is that the artist is happy with the result afterwards.

4. Once all areas are colored, decorate the carnival figures with confetti, glitter or other decorative material.

Make carnival masks from paper plates

Masks are a must as decoration for carnival.

But variants to wear are also quick and easy to make and give you the opportunity to to take on different roles. Especially popular with children is the Making animal masks.

You don't need that much material for that – a paper plate already forms the basis of your mask.

Required materials:

• paper plates

• colored cardboard

• craft scissors

• glue

• ruler

• markers & paints

• elastic band

How it's done:

1. First decide how your mask should look. If you only want to cover your eyes, cut the paper plate in two halves. Alternatively, you can cut a shape from the plate that covers the whole face.

2. So that you can see through the mask, there still need to be cut-outs for the eyes. Measure your children's eye distance with a ruler and transfer it to the paper plate. Now cut out the holes for the eyes and check whether the mask fits well.

3. If you are happy with the shape and fit, it's time to decorate. You are completely free in the design. From the colored cardboard you can make feathers, ears, dots or other details that you attach to the mask with glue.

4. Once all parts are assembled, only the holes for the elastic band are missing. To do this, poke a hole on each side on the back with the scissors and pull the elastic band through. Tie a knot to secure the band on the right and left – your carnival mask is ready.

Craft ideas for children (from 6 years)

Make a confetti cannon

At the latest when colorful confetti flies through the air, carnival is in full swing. Whether homemade or bought, throwing confetti is great fun at any age.

But the little paper scraps fly even better with a homemade confetti cannon around. Grab an empty toilet paper roll for crafting and let the colorful fun begin.

Required materials:

• toilet paper roll

• watercolors or acrylic paints

• brushes

• a balloon

• tape

• confetti

How it's done:

1. Take the toilet paper roll in hand and paint it with watercolor or acrylic paint as you like. Alternatively, you can also cover the cannon with colored paper.

2. Now cut off the bottom part of a balloon. Set the narrow piece aside – you only need the rounded part of the balloon.

3. Pull the balloon over the toilet paper roll and secure it with tape.

4. Almost done. Fill your confetti cannon with ammunition. Now pull back the balloon and the confetti will shoot through the air.

Make a carnival garland

Garlands are the perfect decoration for carnival – but did you know that you don't have to buy beautiful garlands, you can also easily make them yourself?

Handmade decorations are usually much more individual and exude a very special charm.

With our instructions you will succeed in making the right decoration for your <Link> carnival party in no time.

Required materials:

• colored paper

• craft scissors

• glue or stapler

How it's done:

1. Lay out your craft materials. First cut small strips from the colored paper in different colors. These should be about two centimeters wide.

2. Form the first paper strip into a ring and glue or staple the parts together so that the ring holds well.

3. Now take a second strip and thread it through the first ring. Close this one at the bottom as well.

4. Proceed like this with all remaining strips until your carnival garland reaches the desired length. Now just find a nice spot to hang it up.

Craft ideas for older children (from 8 years)

Modeling clowns

Clowns exude cheerfulness and make children laugh. The little, funny fellows are of course a must when crafting for carnival.

With a little skill and play dough or modeling clay in tow, you're ready to start.

The little figures are not only eye-catchers for carnival – also as a talisman or gift for friends the little clowns are a nice idea.

Required materials:

• Play dough or modeling clay for baking

• toothpicks

• modeling mat

How it's done:

1. Place a modeling mat under your crafting to protect the table. Choose the colors you like best and gradually shape the individual body parts of the clown.

2. It's best to start with the thick body to which you attach feet and hands.

3. Use a lighter clay for the clown head so that the red nose stands out nicely later. Carve details such as eyes or a mouth into the mass with the toothpick.

4. Now attach the red nose. If you like, give your clown a funny hat or coat. Let the clay dry thoroughly on the radiator. If you made your clown from oven-bake modeling clay, harden the material according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Make a piñata

A stuffed piñata filled with sweets is the highlight of every carnival party. It is hung on a tree or the ceiling and the children hit it with a stick and blindfolded until it opens and reveals its sweet secret..

When the colorful candies and treats appear, there's no holding back. Here's the instructions for your own carnival piñata.

Required materials:

• balloon

• craft scissors

• glue

• old newspapers

• a bowl

• 2 cups of water

• 2 cups of flour

• colored crepe paper

• pens

• a rope

• craft mat

How it's done:

1. Make paste from the flour and water. Mix both ingredients in a bowl and knead the mixture thoroughly until the paste has a sticky consistency. Blow up the balloon – the larger, the more candies will fit in your piñata later.

2. Cut or tear the old newspapers into small pieces that you attach to the balloon with the paste. Make sure the newspaper pieces are nicely wet. It's best to use a craft mat to protect the table.

3. Now glue several layers onto the balloon until no free spots are visible anymore. There should be at least three layers.

4. The balloon must now dry thoroughly – this will take a few days. It's best to place it near the radiator. After a few days, check whether the paste has dried well and the shape is firm.

5. Now it's time to decorate the piñata: coat it with plenty of glue and beautify it with crepe paper. Make sure that the hole where the tip of the balloon sticks out will be at the top later.

6. If you are satisfied with your piñata, cut the balloon inside and fill it with sweets. Now pull the rope through the holes that you poke with the scissors at the top. Hang it up and the game can begin.

Image credits

Smiling boy wearing a cardboard dinosaur costume © Stock Rocket - stock.adobe.com

Girl with Pippi Longstocking braids has painted freckles and holds

Moustache and crown in front of her face © detailblick-foto - stock.adobe.com

DIY paper cracker, paper craft, recycle toilet roll © Elena - stock.adobe.com

Handmade alchemist modeling-clay figure © Zerbor - stock.adobe.com

Children's hands make a piñata © Ina - stock.adobe.com