One of the most colorful festivals in the United States, Mardi Gras is an experience that must not be missed! While adults have an awesome time have you ever wondered how one can make Mardi Gras for kids a fun experience? There’s absolutely no reason to not bring the little ones along. The fact is, celebrations are even better when you go with kids as there are some amazing and fun things for them to do here.
A guide to Mardi Gras for kids:
Taking kids to see spectacular Mardi Gras parades is one of the best things one can do as a parent. Watching massive floats embellished with all kinds of glittery things is an experience no kid should have to miss. Make a last minute trip if you have to but take your kids along to be a part of one of the most colorful events in the US. Held in New Orleans, one of the best US cities, this is a must-attend event! Here’s a guide to how you can make Mardi Gras for kids an awesome and memorable experience.
Get awesome Mardi Gras costumes
This is an absolute must-do if you want to maximize the fun your kids will have. Purple, green, and gold are traditional Mardi Gras New Orleans colors and make sure you have at least two if not all of them incorporated in your kids’ costumes. When your kids see others in costumes as well, they will enjoy being part of such colorful extravaganza. This will make Mardi Gras for kids a memorable experience and one they will talk about for years to come.
How to explain Mardi Gras to a child?
Mardi Gras is the culmination of carnival events that begin on or after Epiphany Fest. It is held one day before Ash Wednesday. The carnival is also popularly known as Fat Tuesday. If you need help explaining this to your kids, you can find a Mardi Gras video for students online. There are some videos meant for explaining the history of Mardi Gras for elementary students and these will be helpful as well.
Get a lot of beads
You’ll see a lot of people at the carnival holding on to bead necklaces and some are even covered head to toe in them! Made of Mardi Gras New Orleans carnival colors of purple, gold, and green, these bead necklaces will complete your kids’ costumes. Get as many of these as your kids want and make sure they have a blast at the parade! Book business class flights for comfortable air travel and come experience this thrilling festival.
Pack a picnic
Bringing along a few snacks is a good idea as kids can get hungry at all odd times. While you know what your kids generally like, it’s a great idea to go off the usual and pack something different. Make a colorful salad in line with the carnival’s theme and add a delicious salsa to go with it. This is one of the best Mardi Gras activity ideas that you can do with your kids. Get them to help you prepare the snacks and make this a fun family experience. Bring along plenty of water as well.
Play the King Cake game
Baking a brioche cake is one of the best ways to make Mardi Gras for kids a fun experience. The game is a classic Mardi Gras New Orleans one where the baker hides a fava bean or a plastic baby inside the dough. When the cake is served, the person who gets the baby or bean in their piece gets to be King or Queen for the day. If your kids are younger, it is advisable to substitute the plastic doll with a piece of chocolate.
Attend the Zulu Lundi Gras Festival
Held on Monday before Fat Tuesday, the Zulu Lundi Gras Festival is an incredible one to take kids to. The day is an amazingly fun one with music, food, arts, and crafts among other things. Use the party atmosphere to make Mardi Gras for kids a fun experience. Visit various food stalls and taste different things such as Cajun fry, pineapple lemonade, and crawfish nachos among other things.
Prepare your kids for the crowd
While you try to make Mardi Gras for kids a fun experience, don’t forget to to explain to them safety precautions they must follow at all times. Prepare them for the massive crowds they will encounter, take along sweaters and umbrellas just in case, and stay safe when they throw the beads around. When you book cheap flights and fly down for the Mardi Gras New Orleans festival, try looking for accommodation close to where the parade is held. This way, you can sneak back to the hotel if you need or wish to and be back in very little time without missing much.
Have no worries about attending such a massive festival with your kids. Keep all of the things mentioned above in your mind and make Mardi Gras for kids an incredibly fun and memorable experience.
