No matter where you celebrate Carnival, be it Brazil or Trinidad, there will always be a street parade. Often these parades include not only costumed participants and music but elaborate floats. You can have your own parade by creating mini-floats at home. Each float can have a theme or just include carnival colors and decorations.  Make one together or have each family member create their own and award each a ribbon for its design.

Materials:
Shoe box
Construction or wrapping paper
Glue
Tape
Scissors
Variety of craft supplies (ribbon, glitter, sequins, beads)

Instructions:
1. Turn your shoe box upside down and wrap it with construction paper. You can use the cover as the back of your float by taping it upright to the short side of the box.

2. Decide on a theme or just start decorating. We used a toilet paper tube as a stand for our Carnival Princess, beads, sequins, and glitter glue.

I helped my five- and seven-year-olds cover the box but after that, they came up with their own designs. We looked at a variety of carnival celebrations online for inspiration, and of course they were reminded of the movie “Rio.”  We also celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans last year, so that was also an inspiration.

© 2012, Jen El-Banna. All rights reserved.

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