Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Make Your Own Carnival Mask
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Make Your Own Carnival Mask is a free printable creative activity inspired by Brazilian Carnival. Children design and make their own bright, vibrant carnival mask and bring a little of the party into the living room. It needs imagination, colour and a bit of time, and no special skills.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Page 2 has notes on using the sheet, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea.
What is on the sheet
Children create their own vibrant carnival mask. There is no right or wrong design. They choose the colours, patterns and decorations, and make the mask as bold and exciting as they like. The theme is Brazilian Carnival, so bright colours, strong patterns and a party feel all fit well. Children finish with a mask that is entirely their own, ready to show off.
Ideas to make your mask stand out
Pick a colour team
Choose three or four colours before starting. Bright colours that sit next to each other, such as yellow, green and blue, give a lively Carnival look.
Repeat a pattern
Dots, stripes, zigzags and waves look striking when repeated. Try the same pattern on both sides of the mask so it looks balanced.
Add texture
Scraps of coloured paper, foil, wrapping paper or tissue can add sparkle. Glue them on flat, then add details with pens or pencils.
Make a bold edge
Draw a thick border or add shapes around the top, such as spikes, swirls or feather shapes. This gives the mask a dramatic outline.
About Brazilian Carnival
Carnival in Brazil is a huge celebration held each year before Lent. Rio de Janeiro is one of the best known places to see it. There are parades, music, dancing and costumes, and many people dress up in bright colours. Samba, a style of music and dance linked with Brazil, is a big part of the fun.
Masks are used in celebrations in many parts of the world, and they make a great art project. A mask has to fit a face, so children think about shape, balance and where the eyes go. Bold colours and repeated patterns help a design stand out. Making one also gives children a reason to talk about cultures different from their own.
If any cutting is needed, an adult should do it, especially around the eye holes. Make sure the eye holes are big enough to see through before anyone wears the mask. Keep glue, small decorations and elastic away from very young children who might put them in their mouths.
Fun facts about Carnival
- Brazil is a country in South America.
- The main language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese.
- Carnival in Brazil takes place before Lent.
- Rio de Janeiro is famous for its Carnival parades.
- Samba is a type of music and dance linked with Brazil.
Skills and curriculum link
- Creative design
- Colour and pattern
- Fine motor control
- Making and decorating
- Learning about other cultures
Ideas to help your child get started
- Plan firstAsk your child to sketch a few ideas on scrap paper. They can pick the one they like best before they start on the sheet.
- Choose a moodIs the mask happy, mysterious or fierce? Deciding the mood helps children choose colours and shapes.
- Look at examplesLook together at pictures of Carnival costumes and masks. Talk about the colours, shapes and patterns you notice, then let your child use their own ideas.
- Think about the eyesThe eyes are the centre of a mask. Ask your child how they want them to look, then build the design around them.
Key words
- CarnivalA big festival with parades, music, dancing and costumes.
- BrazilA large country in South America where Carnival is a very famous celebration.
- VibrantFull of bright, lively colour.
- PatternA design where shapes, lines or colours repeat.
- DesignTo plan how something will look before you make it.
- SambaA lively style of music and dance linked with Brazil.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for the notes and ideas.
- Gather colours and any extras, such as coloured paper scraps and glue. Pencils or pens are enough to begin.
- Talk about Carnival first. Ask what colours, sounds and costumes your child imagines at a big street party.
- Let your child plan, then design and decorate their mask in their own way. Offer ideas only if they ask or get stuck.
- Finish by showing the mask off. Ask your child to explain their choices, then display it or wear it for a Carnival parade around the house.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Start with just two or three colours and one simple pattern, such as stripes or dots. Ask, "What do you want your mask to look like?" Draw one small feature together, then let your child carry on. Praise their choices, not how neat it is.
To stretch confident children
Design a second mask that is the opposite of the first, such as calm and wild, or cool and warm colours. Or invent a Carnival character with a name and a story to go with the mask, and introduce them to the family.
Make it a game
Hold a mask parade. Everyone makes a mask, then takes turns to walk in with music playing while the others guess the mood of the mask. Give every mask a prize, such as Brightest, Most Patterns or Most Mysterious.
Talk about it
- What colours make you think of a party, and why?
- What mood did you want your mask to show?
- Which part of your design are you proudest of?
- How would you change your mask if you made another?
- What do you think a Carnival parade sounds like?
- Who would you like to show your mask to?
Take it off the page
Carnival music and dance
Play some lively music and dance around the room in your masks. Try fast and slow steps, then freeze when the music stops.
Paper plate masks
Use a spare paper plate to make a second mask. Decorate it with bold shapes. An adult should cut any eye holes.
Colour hunt
Look around the house or garden for the brightest colours you can find. Make a list or a colour chart to use in your next design.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first few minutes, then step back and let them lead. Praise their ideas and effort rather than how neat the mask looks. Be ready to help with any cutting and with attaching elastic or a stick.
Teachers
Use it as an art lesson, a wet playtime activity, or as part of a topic on Brazil or celebrations around the world. Pupils can explain their design choices to a partner, which supports speaking and listening. Check pupils can see through their eye holes.
Home educators
This works well for a rainy afternoon or a themed day on Brazil or world celebrations. Children of different ages can work side by side, each at their own level. Wear the finished masks for a family parade and display them afterwards.
Where this fits in your child's learning
Before this, children usually enjoy drawing, colouring and using simple patterns. Those early skills build the control and confidence needed to plan and decorate a mask of their own.
After this, children can move on to bigger design and make projects, such as puppets, 3D models or costumes. They can also explore other celebrations around the world and compare how people use colour, music and costume to mark special occasions. This links to the art and design strand of the National Curriculum for England, which covers using a range of materials creatively to design and make products.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is this carnival mask activity for?
It suits children across primary school. Younger children will need an adult to help with cutting, sticking and elastic. Older children can plan more detailed designs and take on the stretch idea on page 2.
- What do we need to make the mask?
Print the sheet and have colours ready, such as pencils, pens or crayons. Coloured paper scraps, glue and foil are optional extras. An adult may need to help with cutting and attaching elastic or a stick.
- How long does it take?
It depends on how much detail your child wants to add. Some children finish quickly with a bold, simple design. Others enjoy spending longer on patterns and decoration. There is no need to rush, and it can be finished another day.
- Does my child need to be good at art?
No. The activity is about having fun and trying out ideas. Bright colours and bold patterns are easy to do, and there is no right or wrong design. Praise their choices and effort.
- Is the mask safe to wear?
Check that the eye holes are big enough to see through clearly before wearing it. An adult should do any cutting. Keep small decorations away from young children, and take the mask off if it makes moving around hard.
- Can it be used in the classroom?
Yes. It works well for art lessons, topics on Brazil or celebrations, or wet playtimes. Pupils can present their masks to a partner or the class and explain their design choices.
- What is Brazilian Carnival?
It is a big yearly festival in Brazil, held before Lent. It is known for parades, music, dancing and colourful costumes. Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous places to see it.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.