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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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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 festive costumes and endless amount of beads and trinkets that surround the masked riders on the float. But some parades stand out Mardi Gras is first and foremost for families and always has been. For generations, families have been bringing their ladders to parades so kids can catch throws, oohing and aahing at Mardi Gras royalty, pointing out Big Shot and the Boeuf Gras to the smaller ones, and dancing with the marching bands. There is never a shortage of things to do in New Orleans with kids, but Mardi Gras takes the (king) cake! If you are looking for family-friendly Mardi Gras events in New Orleans and the surrounding area, we have you covered for 2025! 2025 Guide to New Orleans Mardi Gras Events and Camps. It’s time to bust out the green, purple and gold! Tips for New Orleans Mardi Gras with Kids. Plan your parades—You can find all the Mardi Gras parade schedules and routes online and there’s also a parade tracker app. We found it took about two hours from the parade start time for it to reach Lafayette Square where we were watching, so station yourself closer to the beginning to get home earlier. Mardi Gras in the St. Louis neighborhood of Soulard is composed of a number of events, but the highlights for families probably are the Pet Parade (the Guinness Record holder for the largest parade of costumed animals); the Dachshund Derby, where the long dogs compete in three aged-based categories: Cocktail Weenies, Ballpark Franks, and Hot 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 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 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. Bring your kids to enjoy the traditional spectacle of Mardi Gras parades, authentic New Orleans cuisine, local art at the Art Market, a Kids' Court with face painting and interactive games, and free outdoor concerts by both national artists and Louisiana's own. 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. What is Mardi Gras | Mardi Gras For Kids is an educational video that explains the history of Mardi Gras and how it is celebrated today.Here are a few facts We painted and decorated ours with Mardi Gras streamers for extra fun. We also recently added wheels to our ladder-seat, and it made it so much easier to pull the whole ladder with the seat already attached. We have already used it at a Mardi Gras parade, and it was lots of fun. Other customizations people often add to their Mardi Gras seats: The Firefighters felt that since the parades are the main attraction to Mardi Gras, and because the Children’s Parade was the only Mardi Gras activity geared toward children, it was important to keep the tradition alive. Parade Route: The parade will begin at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place and head south on 25th Street. Pets and their humans are encouraged to wear their Mardi Gras finest. A costume contest is planned prior to the start of the parade from 12:15—1:00. Winners will be announced, and ribbons awarded prior to the start of the parade. 3:00pm- Mardi Gras! Firefighters Children’s Parade 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. Mardi Gras refers to Fat Tuesday, the final day of revelry before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins.” Mardi Gras wasn’t referred to as “Carnival” until 1781. New Orleans floats are traditionally known as tableaux cars. Mardi Gras meaning of beads: Mardi Gras “throws” (like beads) started in 1870. Below is the 2025 Metairie Mardi Gras parade schedule (and Jefferson Parish). If you are looking for the New Orleans parade schedule, click here. The Northshore parade schedule (Mandeville / Covington / Slidell) is available here. If you are looking for Mardi Gras parades in Houma or other outlying areas of New Orleans, please click here. Mardi Gras Houston 2025 – Free Events 31st Annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade. Kingwood is celebrating Mardi Gras Houston with its 31st annual festival. Enjoy a family friendly day with a parade, zydeco music, Cajun food, and the gumbo cookoff. When: March 1, 2025 | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm; Where: 8 N Main St, Kingwood, TX 77339; How Much: FREE Mardi Gras, with its vibrant hues, jazzy rhythms, and rich history, is a cultural spectacle that invites both merriment and learning. Originally tied to Lent’s approach, this event is steeped in deep traditions and holds symbolic significance that extends far beyond parades and festivities. Through Mardi Gras activities, students can explore history, art, science, and Mardi Gras is a time of vibrant celebration marked by bold colors, festive music, and plenty of fun. While the holiday is most famously associated with the lively parades and parties of New Orleans, you can bring the magic of Mardi Gras right into your home with these kid-friendly crafts.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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