We don’t know about y’all, but Mardi Gras might just be our favorite holiday! King cake, parades, beads, another excuse to wear a costume, spears, ice cold beer in the crisp NOLA air, crawfish, revelry and marching bands … what’s not to love?
To get in the spirit, we’ve teamed up with some of our favorite local companies to bring you an amazing giveaway! These are our favorite picks for the Mardi Gras season. Whether you’re looking for a unique parade-going outfit for your little one, personalized bead bags for the family or something to keep your beer cold, we’ve got you covered!
It’s Carnival Time! giveaway 1 (WINNER: Alissa)
- Personalized bead bag from Sip N See by LP ($13 value)
- Skirt from Small Habit ($24 value)
- Headband from Yeaux Yeaux Bows ($12 value)
- One piece or toddler tee from Nolafionnah ($22 value for one piece, $26 value for tee)
- Candle (king cake scented) from Southern Lights ($16 value)
- 1 dozen Mardi Gras themed cake balls from Stephanie’s Cake Balls ($24 value)
- “It’s Great to be a NOLA Kid at Mardi Gras” coloring book and personalized streetcar notepad from Let’s pARTy NOLA
It’s Carnival Time! giveaway 2 (WINNER: Tiffany)
- Bead bag from Two Sprouts ($12 value)
- Bow from Little Touches ($3 value)
- Two koozies from Embellished Bayou ($17 value)
- Applique shirt from Lisey Lu ($20 value)
- Storyville infant Mardi Gras tee ($20 value)
- 1 dozen Mardi Gras themed cake balls from Stephanie’s Cake Balls ($24 value)
- “It’s Great to be a NOLA Kid at Mardi Gras” coloring book and personalized streetcar notepad from Let’s pARTy NOLA
To enter, leave a comment on this post with your best piece(s) of advice for a mom about to experience Mardi Gras for the first time. Is there a specific place to hang out? Parade to catch (or skip)? Items to pack? Place to park? Our newest contributor Karen is new to the city and needs to know! We’ll pick two winners at random on Friday, January 11!
And if you like GIVEAWAYS, don’t forget that there are currently over 30 giveaways going on over at our network’s Facebook page, including the chance to win $400 in clothes (for real!)
We live a block off of the parade route in Metairie so we are a bit spoiled when it comes to parking, food/supplies and bathrooms. I will say that a wagon is a MUST. No one wants to drag the kids beads and leftovers back to the car or house with ripping bags and such. Also, bring some kiddie blankets so the wagon can be an impromptu nap spot for a tired toddler.
Bring a first aid kid just in case. And sunscreen even if it is overcast.
I’m a big believer in Metairie parades for super young kids! It is easier to park & move around and less packed sidewalks. Also, backpacks only filled with everything to keep kids happy including diaper bag essentials but also activities to keep older kids occupied between parades! If you do venture Uptown, look for a safe, pay to park lot with an attendant (usually there are some near a school or church).
This will be my first Mardi Gras as a mom. I grew up in this area and we just recently moved back. My kids are 6 and 9. We are very excited to share this tradition with them. Thanks for the great tips ladies! 🙂
Pack for an all day affair! Snacks, drinks, toilet paper and hand sanitizer will help tremendously. Ladders help keep the kids in one spot, so that is very helpful. A lot of work to bring the kids out all day, but worth it!
Backpacks work great for walking kids – carry their snacks, water bottle, gloves, hats and pre-parade entertainment, then as a bead bag that they can carry home…also, pull ups on anyone you can put them on 🙂
Best advice someone told me is take the lil’ ones to the Uptown parades the week before Mardi Gras weekend. It is more low key & more families…not nearly as crowded. (And, of course, you must experience ALL the super parades the weekend before Mardi Gras) However, this year those parades will take place 2 weeks prior. I will also echo…the Mardi Gras tracker app comes in handy. Always bring plenty of snacks & drinks for all. Find a potty…you never know 🙂 Bring hand sanitizer, toilet paper, sunscreen and other essentials. Lassiez les bons temps rouler!
Bring water and snacks! Hungry kids won’t enjoy the event.
I like catching parades at the beginning of the uptown route. Napoleon is usually fairly low-key and the wide neutral grounds are a great place for a ladder. With little ones, I suggest being back of the front line, so its more about seeing the parade than catching beads. If you’re on the front line, you’ll spend the whole time trying to make sure you’re 2 year old doesn’t get hit in the face by a bead.
A great place to camp out is along the neutral ground (or sidewalk) on Napoleon in front of the large church. You can pay a small amount to get a bracelet that gets you into the bathrooms all day. There is a lot of space in the neutral ground and it is very family friendly!
Always know where the nearest bathroom is!