How to Make Mardi Gras Floats From a Shoebox

The elaborate floats of a Mardi Gras parade serve as inspiration for this craft idea.

A fun activity for the whole family or classroom is to make shoebox floats and then stage a parade. Mardi Gras offers tremendous inspiration by way of both theme and example and the combination can become an enjoyable cultural lesson. Gather found objects and a few supplies and let imaginations run free as you create these miniature Mardi Gras parade floats.

Things You'll Need

• Shoebox
• Glue
• Hot glue gun
• Tape
• Scissors
• Construction paper, tissue paper or foil
• Decorative objects

Instructions

1. Gather decorative objects such as glitter, costume jewelry, feathers, sequins, tissue paper, scrap paper, small shells or rocks, tinsel, foil, markers, paint, crayons, pictures cut from magazines or printed from the Internet, colored cotton balls or pipe cleaners, buttons, dolls or action figures, or small toys.

2. Paint the shoebox or cover it with construction paper, foil or tissue paper. Turn it over so that the bottom becomes the float platform. Cover the lid in the same manner and then attach it upright perpendicular to one end of the box, like the headboard for a bed.

3. Glue the found decorative objects on and allow to air dry. Position a doll or figure as if it were riding the float and waving at the crowds.

Tips & Warnings

• Doll house furniture can also come in handy, especially when designing a platform for the float's passengers.

• Some objects--the heavier ones like beads, buttons and shells--are better suited to hot glue, which requires adult supervision.