14 Fun Activities For Mardi Gras

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As you plan your February activity calendars, I’m guessing many of you will include a Mardi Gras celebration. Today I’ll share 14 of my favorite ideas for fun activities. I hope you’ll also let me know what you’re doing for Mardi Gras in your senior living community.

1. Decorate with lots of green, purple, and gold. Why these colors? According to tradition, green represents faith, purple stands for justice, and gold represents power. If your residents wish to learn more, you can check out the Color Meanings website.
2. Play ring toss using Mardi Gras bead necklaces and soda bottles.
3. Provide supplies so residents can make and decorate their own Mardi Gras masks. You can find a variety of free printable templates on the Spruce Crafts website.
4. Host a Mardi Gras parade. Decorate wheelchairs and walkers in Mardi Gras colors. Also encourage residents and staff to dress in green, purple, and gold.
5. Treat your residents to traditional Mardi Gras foods. Consider jambalaya, king’s cake, red beans & rice, beignets, gumbo, or moon pies. You’ll find lots of delicious recipes on the Southern Living website.
6. Make a pinata in Mardi Gras colors. Fill with chocolate coins. Invite residents to take turns trying to break it open over a table.
7. Enjoy the traditional music of Mardi Gras including jazz and R&B.
8. Teach several of your staff or volunteers to do the traditional Louisiana Zydeco bounce dance. (You can find lessons on YouTube.) Then surprise the residents with a flash mob performance.
9. Share the history of Mardi Gras. Find out if any of your residents have experienced Mardi Gras in person.
10. String green, purple, and gold beads to create Mardi Gras necklaces or bracelets. I find this activity works well for Memory Care.
11. Host a Mardi Gras potluck or cooking contest for staff. Invite a local celebrity to come in and serve as the judge.
12. Rent a photo booth and capture photos of residents and staff dressed in their Mardi Gras finery.
13. Serve Hurricane Cocktails, a popular Mardi Gras beverage. Here’s a no-alcohol version that’s easy to make.
14. Fill a jar with Mardi Gras beads. Invite staff and residents to guess the number, then offer a prize for the winner. (You’ll want the prize to be donated, of course!)

How are you celebrating Mardi Gras in your senior living community? Please share your ideas in the comment section!