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. Mardi Gras great for kids, Bourbon Street is not. I can understand how a tourist/outside like yourself can think Mardi Gras and The French Quarter/Bourbon Street are one in the same, but the reality is you can experience everything Mardi Gras has to offer and be miles away from the French Quarter. Please, come, bring the fam, have a great time. Yes, kids can absolutely have a fun and safe experience enjoying Mardi Gras parades. Let our Kids Guide to Mardi Gras show you how. Best Mardi Gras Parades for Kids. Most parades will offer kids the sense of wonder that comes with seeing massive floats bedecked with flashy colors, bright lights, and astounding sculpture work, plus kids love the 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 If you think of Mardi Gras as a raucous, bawdy, booze-fest, you might not think it’s a very family-friendly event. But, for locals, Mardi Gras is for families. I took my nephew to New Orleans for Mardi Gras to celebrate his tenth birthday and I think it’s safe to say that he had the best 10th birthday weekend imaginable. But contrary to public perception, Mardi Gras is actually a family celebration. Yes, we dare say that it’s kid-friendly. The best place to take the kids is to the parade route on St. Charles Ave. For families, look to the Mardi Gras Parades Uptown, such as Krewe du Vieux or Krewe of Proteus, in Metairie, Marigny, or on the North Shore or West Bank, which are more family-friendly. The Garden District is calmer with smaller crowds and a more family–friendly atmosphere, particularly along St. Charles Ave. between First St. and Napoleon Ave. 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. Kid-Friendly Mardi Gras Music Playlists. Create a playlist that balances traditional jazz with fun kid songs to keep the Mardi Gras spirit alive at home. Cooking Up Mardi Gras Delights Easy Recipes for King Cake with Kids. King Cake is a Mardi Gras classic. With a simple recipe, kids can help decorate with colored sugars, adding to the fun. Selecting Kid-Friendly Mardi Gras Events. One of the most popular family-friendly events during Mardi Gras is Family Gras, a free celebration held in Jefferson Parish. This event features live concerts, parades, local art, and a dedicated Kids’ Court with activities and entertainment designed specifically for children. Lafayette goes big with its Mardi Gras festivities, and two of the family-friendly highlights are the annual Children's Parade and the Krewe of Bonaparte. The Children’s Parade kicks off first in downtown Lafayette and is followed by the illustrious Krewe of Bonaparte later in the evening. Family Gras - February 21 - 23, 2025. Family Gras is a FREE celebration of Carnival and family that takes place two weekends before Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day), and is located just ten minutes from downtown New Orleans in the suburb of Metairie. A festive King Cake Cheese Ball is a fun, kid friendly dessert to celebrate Mardi Gras. Continue Reading Photo Credit: www.callmepmc.com Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe Highlights include the Kids and Kritters Parade (with costumed kids and pets); the Grand Parade, held the Saturday before Fat Tuesday (with a children’s viewing area with kid-friendly food, face painting, and other family entertainment); and the Krewe of Wrecks Beach Parade (the Sunday before Mardi Gras), which boast 50 floats. 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. Attention parents!! We are calling all kids 12 and under to be involved in our Coloring Contest. Get the chance to ride on a float, attend a Family Gras! balcony party AND be in the Galveston Daily News! The Family Gras! Coloring Contest will announce THREE winners from three different age groups. Krewe of Southdowns Parade – 7 p.m.. Route: Starts at Glasgow Middle School and winds through Southdowns neighborhood. Theme: Safari Adventure. Celebrating 38 years of family-friendly fun. Let’s have our own Mardi Gras party with these fun Mardi Gras activities & crafts for kids! Mardi Gras for Kids. All of these kids Mardi Gras ideas make fun Mardi Gras party ideaswhether you’re looking for an easy kids Mardi Gras craft or a yummy treat, you’ll be sure to find something the kids will love. 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 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.
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