5. Give your kids a history lesson . There's more to Mardi Gras than gathering loot at parades. Take your children to the Carnival exhibit at The Presbytère on Jackson Square and explore two floors of Mardi Gras history, or visit Mardi Gras World and see how floats are made. Here are 10 fabulous ways to celebrate Mardi Gras with your kids, adding a sprinkle of joy and a whole lot of colorful fun to your family’s day. 1. Craft Your Own Carnival Mardi Gras Masks. Mardi Gras is famous for its beautiful and elaborate masks. Grab some craft supplies like feathers, sequins, and glitter, and spend an afternoon making As your kids grow older, navigating Mardi Gras becomes easier, and the experience can transform into a cherished family tradition. Here’s a guide to making the most of Mardi Gras at every age and stage, with tips on kid-friendly parades that will keep everyone smiling (at least for the most part!). The Early Years: Babies and Toddlers Mardi Gras is a great ship with really great food options, IMO. Not quite as large as an oasis class ship on royal, but still quite large. Lots of fun things to do on board. Beds for sure are way more comfortable on carnival. I have found carnival to be maybe even more family friendly than royal, but everyone is different and likes different Mardi Gras, that grand, colorful celebration full of parades, music, and a carnival-like atmosphere, isn’t just for adults. Families can dive into the festivities together, bringing the magic of Mardi Gras to their home in ways that kids and teens will cherish. Let’s walk through the traditions, crafts, and activities that make Mardi Gras a Mardi Gras often gets a bad rap, perceived as an adult-oriented festival that no sane parent would ever allow their children to attend. While most winter carnival events include raucous parties, Mardi Gras can be celebrated with family-specific offerings, such as parades and historic museums, in New Orleans, Louisiana and across the U.S. This family-friendly carnival will return to Federal City for its 5th Annual Mardi Gras Festival. Featuring great performers, lots of vendors, great food, and carnival royalty this is a super fun day to kick off the season. Family Friendly Mardi Gras Parade Routes. There are several Mardi Gras parade routes in New Orleans and surrounding areas. French Quarter in general has walking parades and tends to be the least family friendly parade route. On the other hand, the Uptown Mardi Gras parade route is generally very family friendly and easily accessible without a car. Tips for Attending Mardi Gras with Kids. Mardi Gras New Orleans is great fun and definitely a memorable experience for the whole family. But before you go, there are just a few words of advice we want to leave you with. First 1. Download the Mardi Gras parade tracker. This is an app that tells you the parade schedule. Carnival is a season that stretches from the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (January 6) and then fully culminating the day before Ash Wednesday. Each year Mardi Gras falls on a different date, always 47 before Easter. What to Expect at Mardi Gras With Kids. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the best, and you should plan to catch a ton. See what cruise experts had to say about Carnival Mardi Gras Activities, Entertainment & Amenities for Kids & Adults on Cruise Critic activities, onboard entertainment, and whether the ship is kid Best Carnival Ships for Thrill-Seeking Kids: Carnival Panorama, Vista, Horizon and Mardi Gras. The most exciting and high-energy activities for kids and teens are available onboard Carnival Vista Take a look at all the enjoyable activities kids & teens can enjoy onboard. There's Seuss at Sea, Camp Ocean, SportSquare, ZSpa and more. Mardi Gras Carnival Celebrate Mardi Gras with these delicious Mardi Gras treats for kids. From traditional king cake to bars, ice cream, cookies, and more - kids will love these Mardi Gras sweets during Carnival season! Crescent Roll King Cake Check out all of the kid friendly options onboard the Mardi Gras. Carnival Cruise Lines; Mardi Gras Cruise Reviews If you choose to follow Mardi Gras you will Beds for sure are way more comfortable on carnival. I have found carnival to be maybe even more family friendly than royal, but everyone is different and likes different things. There’s the ropes course, and the roller coaster (super fun). My kids love the family comedy shows on board, or watching a movie by the pool after dinner on carnival. This family-friendly parade is one of the most meaningful events of Galveston’s Carnival season. Hundreds of Sunshine Kids and Shiners children, along with their families, join together to raise awareness for important causes while celebrating the Mardi Gras spirit. Happy Mardi Gras y'all! We are so excited to get this holiday underway! It is our favorite time of year, and we hope to make your experience a little easier and more enjoyable by giving you all of our local knowledge. This post has been updated for the 2025 Carnival Season Kid Friendly Parades Neighborhood Just can’t get enough Mardi Gras? There are plenty of parades in the Capital Region—and even more around the state that are worth the drive.. Whether you want to participate in a chicken run, spend Fat Tuesday in the French Quarter, catch a boat parade out at Grand Isle or take in some family-friendly Carnival fun, Louisiana has a parade for that. On a Carnival cruise, kids can enjoy all the best parts of summer camp and family vacation, all in one! Carnival Youth Programs are open for children and teens ages 6 months to 17 years. All youth must be registered to participate; registration should be completed pre-cruise. During some cruises, capacity may be limited.
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