For some people Mardi Gras is all about the beads. Give your party guests a chance to win a whole slew of beads if they can simply guess how many beads are in the jar.
The Set Up: Fill a clear glass or plastic jar with as many colorful Mardi Gras beads as you can fit. There should be beads coming out the top and draping down the side of the jar. Be sure to pay close attention to exactly how many beads you use. Place slips of paper, pens and a box or bowl on a table with the jar of beads.
The Rules: Guests are allowed to examine the jar of beads but no touching. Once they are ready to submit their guess they write their name and best estimate of the number of beads on one of the slips of paper, fold it and place it in the box/bowl on the table. Close to the end of your Mardi Gras party or once all your guests have submitted guesses announce the correct total number of beads. The person who had the closest guess is the winner and get all of the beads in the jar as a prize.