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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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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. 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 Mardi Gras with Kids Day 1: French Quarter and New Orleans Riverfront. Start your Mardi Gras family trip with some of the most iconic and kid-friendly New Orleans and Mardi Gras attractions. The French Quarter will see some hard-core partying at night, but will be almost empty if you go early in the day. Area Mardi Gras Parades! There are dozens of Mardi Gras parades in and around New Orleans. For your convenience, we have separated the 2025 Mardi Gras parade schedules into their geographical locations. Almost all of these parades are kid-friendly! 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 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. 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. Beyond New Orleans: Other Family-Friendly Mardi Gras Events 1. Mobile, Alabama: Home of the First Mardi Gras. Mobile, Alabama, has a rich Mardi Gras history and a more relaxed atmosphere, making it perfect for families. Best Event: The Mystic Stripers Society Parade, featuring floats, marching bands, and tons of kid-friendly throws 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. 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. It takes place on Veterans Memorial Boulevard, across from Lakeside Shopping Center. 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. The Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade is a unique experience the whole family will love. This rural Mardi Gras parade in the heart of Cajun Country takes place at the corner of Highway 90 and College Road in Jeanerette. It’s a family-oriented event with floats, bands and an “ugly costume” contest that is not to be missed. While the parade is mostly dogs, there may be cats, chickens, ferrets, a pig, iguanas, a tortoise, and maybe even a pony. 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 The Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade is a one-of-a-kind celebration that brings the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras to the shores of the Gulf Coast. Founded in 2010, this family-friendly event takes place annually on the sandy beaches of North Padre Island, Texas, blending the lively traditions of Mardi Gras with the laid-back, barefoot lifestyle of The Twin Cities’ Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras parade will celebrate its 42nd year of Mardi Gras tradition and flavor in the Twin Cities in 2025. The Twin Cities' Krewe of Janus Parade has entertained revelers since 1984 who eagerly gather along the 3.8-mile route through West Monroe and Monroe. Outside of the French Quarter, Mardi Gras is a family affair. You’ll see families set up for parades and they generally watch out for kids. Get the WDSU Parade Tracker app, it’ll have schedules, routes and amps. You can also find Author Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide for sale. It will have a lot of useful info. Enjoy your Mardi Gras! Kid-Friendly Mardi Gras Parades. Mardi Gras is for all ages, and there are plenty of parades perfect for families with young children: Krewe of Little Rascals): A family-friendly parade with child riders and fun themes. 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 Interactive Parades: Kids will love catching beads and waving to the vibrant floats. Moody Gardens Attractions: Take a break from the festivities with a visit to the Aquarium or Rainforest Pyramids. Pro Tip: Many parades are family-friendly. Sunday, March 2nd is Family Gras! Learn more. Parades Along the Seawall and Beyond Kid-Friendly Mardi Gras Parades for 2025 Krewe of Little Rascals (February 16, 2025): A family-friendly parade with child riders and fun themes. Krewe of Thoth : An early parade that’s perfect for kids, thrown by a Krewe that does an incredible amount of volunteer work for the children’s hospital, this one has a unique route that’s lots
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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