Celebrate Mardi Gras with your own shoe box floats! These were so fun to make and we used materials that we had already at home. This activity is great for all ages.
Supplies:
Shoebox with an unattached lid
Wrapping paper, tissue paper or any other craft paper
Tape, hot glue, staples
Scissors
Doubloons
Beaded necklaces, Mardi Gras garland
Decorative toys, masks, dolls, cars, buttons, candy
Markers, crayons, feathers, paint, flags, pipe cleaners, glitter
Optional: Small axles, wheels and string.
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Steps:
1. Pick a shoebox; one with an unattached lid works best. (When we made these last year, we didn't have any shoeboxes lying around so we used leftover Girl Scout cookie box cases for ours which worked out)
2. Think of a theme for your float. You can use toys to draw inspiration from and decorate according to the theme.
3. Cover the outside of box and all sides of the lid with paper or paint. Turn the shoebox upside down to form the base.
4. Choose how to attach lid, either to the side or end of the box to form a backdrop, or supported above the base.
- Attach the lid to the short-side of box by standing it up straight to create a high back for the float. Use a stapler or hot glue gun (with parental guidance).
- Suspend the box lid above the base by attaching straws, dowels or other long, thin material (we found bamboo skewers) to the box along the sides. Hot glue or craft glue may be needed. If you choose this option, decorate the lid first!
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5. Time to decorate! Write your theme on the lid or box. Use your imagination, glitter, paint, foam stickers, etc. Create paper cutouts and your own Krewe emblems. Build a seat or stage for your doll or action figure, hang ribbons or beads on the sides. Using a straw and paper, you could make a flag. Have fun with it!
6. Optional - attach a string and wheels so you can have your own parade! You may even find a toy car that the shoebox can fit over.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
