Mardi Gras Will Happen, Here’s How! (Ways to Celebrate Mardi Gras at Home With your Kids)

Mardi Gras Will Happen, Here’s How! (Ways to celebrate Mardi Gras at home with your Kids)

king cake birthday party

Mardi Gras will look different this year. No parades. No marching bands. No bead throwing. No coveted krewe throws. Coronavirus has taken a lot from us. It keeps trying to kick us down but New Orleanians are resilient. Mardi Gras is our holiday. It is in our blood. It can and will not be taken from us. While this year there will not be the traditional ways to celebrate, here are some fun ways to celebrate Mardi Gras at home.

King Cake Tasting “Party”

Mardi Gras Custom Throws

Like many have already been stating this year, you can’t cancel king cake. Set aside one night where you and the family can sample a couple of different kinds of king cakes. Maybe get some savory, maybe some sweet. Are you team Bavarian cream? Team traditional? Team cream cheese? Do you swear by Gambino’s or Dong Phuong? Grab a couple of king cakes from various bakeries and have an in-family poll on your favorites. The King Cake Hub on Broad Street helps by having a variety of King Cakes from various Bakeries and Restaurants. Grab a few and see what the winner in your home is.

king cake tasting

Yardi Gras

This has been a fun idea thrown around. Different neighborhoods are creating groups of “Krewe of House Floats.” Grab the kiddos and paint/create decorations to use around the house, especially outside. Make your own Krewe Float out of your home. Vote on a theme and have each member of the house add to the theme.

Along with this idea, check your neighborhood Facebook group or NextDoor and sign up to be added to the to map of the House floats. Print out the map and go driving around your neighborhood. Check out how your neighborhood decorates for Mardi Gras. Some wonderful homes have hired local artists to create original artwork for their homes. You could even drive around to other neighborhoods to see the House floats. Many St. Charles homes have gone above and beyond!

Floats in the Oaks

Another exciting event that will take place this year is Floats in the Oaks in City Park. Families can safely participate in a parade-type event by viewing stationery floats from their cars. Just like with Celebration in the Oaks, you do need to purchase tickets ahead of time online HERE. There is also the option to purchase a Parade Pack (which includes snacks to munch on while on the driving tour) or the Grandstand Experience in Carousel Gardens, where guests can be the “Grand Marshal” as they travel through the park on the train, have a photo op on a real Mardi Gras float, roast a hot dog over an open fire pit, and enjoy Carnival favorites such as king cake and cotton candy. Masks and social distancing between families will be required and COVID safety protocols will be in place.

Discuss Mardi Gras With Your Kids

Another way to keep the Mardi Gras feeling alive is discussing it with your kids. Grab some books about Mardi Gras and read them to your kids. Discuss what Mardi Gras meant to you as a kid and what your favorite memories about Mardi Gras were while growing up. Go over the history of how Mardi Gras meant to be. You could even show your kids photos of you as a child during Mardi Gras. You could even make a king cake together as a family to start a new tradition.

Krewe de *Insert your Family Name*

Mardi Gras with kids

Throw your own parade at home with your family members. Vote on a theme and have each member of the family make a “float.” Have each member of the family dress in costume with props and parade around your house or yard. If any of the family members play an instrument or dance, they can be a “dance krewe” or “marching band.” Don’t forget to throw some beads out! Throw Me Something Mister (or Sister)!

I know a part of us will feel a missing piece this Mardi Gras season. Personally, I will miss my Krewe of Iris ladies riding and celebrating. I refuse to have my daughter feel like she is missing out. New Orleans is in her blood and Mardi Gras will always be a part of her life. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Baby's First Mardi Gras

 

 

Kristina Robertson
Kristina is originally from Miami, Florida but calls New Orleans home for the last 8 years. She got her undergraduate degree from the University of Miami and her Podiatric Medical Degree from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. Kristina and her husband moved to New Orleans to lay some roots in the Big Easy. She is currently co-owner and practitioner at NOLA Sole Podiatry. She has a lovable and amazing daughter, Victoria Isabel. In her downtime, she loves being out and about with her husband and daughter. They love trying new restaurants and going to festivals. We love exploring different cultures and cultural events here in New Orleans and loves exposing her daughter to them. She also loves going to parks with her family and furbabies. Kristina loves supporting dog rescues and wishes she could rescue all the adoptable dogs in NOLA but will settle for 2 right now.

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