Rolling into Mardi Gras :: 5 School Wagon Parade Float Ideas
There’s nothing quite like seeing little ones celebrate Mardi Gras Louisiana-style! Wagon parades let even the youngest krewe members join the festivities safely. Here are five adorable ideas to make your preschool or grade school celebration unforgettable.
The Wagon Float Tradition
Wagon parades have become a beloved Louisiana preschool tradition, bridging the gap between the grand adult parades and what’s safe for our smallest celebrants. While the big krewes roll through city streets with massive floats, preschools and grade schools across the state have created their own pint-sized version that captures all the magic without the crowds and late nights.
The tradition mirrors the real thing: kids dress in costumes, wagons become “floats,” and there’s plenty of throwing and catching goodies. Many schools hold their wagon parades the Friday before Mardi Gras, making it a fun event where families gather to cheer on their little ones. It’s often a child’s first introduction to parade culture as a “rider,” teaching them about Louisiana heritage in a way that’s pure joy. Grandparents who’ve attended Carnival for decades get sentimental watching their grandchildren experience their first “throws.” Parents who grew up catching now help their children pack and organize throws. It’s Louisiana culture being passed down, one decorated wagon at a time.
5 Cute Wagon Parade Float Ideas
- Street Car – I mean how perfectly New Orleans is this?! Even if your preschool parking lot is a less scenic route than the St. Charles line, this wagon float is sure to steal the show.
Photo Credit: Juliette Crowley - The Classic Float Wagon – Transform wagons into mini Mardi Gras floats with traditional purple, green, and gold decorations. Kids toss plastic beads and stuffed animals to their cheering classmates.
- Princess Carriage – This is our float we made for for our second year at the preschool parade. The whole family got involved turning our wagon into a carriage fit for Cinderella. There are so many variations of this design online, it’s a classic.
- Bayou Buddies – Create a swamp theme with stuffed alligators, frogs and crawfish. Drape fishing nets over wagon sides and let kids wear homemade masks decorated with Louisiana wildlife. Check out this airboat themed wagon float! (These are new takes on the beloved baby in a crawfish pot theme I have always loved!)
5. Cars, Trucks, and Boats, Oh My! If you’ve got a boy or girl into all things that roll and float, turn your wagon into their favorite race car, boat, Tonka truck or CAT machine!
Other ones I’ve seen and loved
- Ariel “under the sea” clam shell with working bubble machine!
- Claw machine
- Lucky Dog Cart
Lessons Learned & Tips
- Start simple. Your first year doesn’t need Pinterest-perfect decorations. Kids are thrilled with basic decorations and beads. See how all-out your school goes before committing, and then year two, go big.
- Practice “throw” etiquette. Teach kids to toss gently underhand and never at faces. Use soft items only, foam balls, stuffed animals, and plastic beads with no hard trinkets.
- Catch your throws. If you know the school’s wagon parade is a few weeks away, start heading to your town’s earlier parades to catch her throws so it is less you have to buy!
- Have someone designated to collect things for your child. The gift of giving is often not yet learned and some kids want to know where all of their goodies are after the parade so we are sure to have a family member catch a bag of throws from their other classmates.
- Use sturdy materials. Carnival season is often cold and windy and the float can start coming apart on the route. Plus consider how you’re going to transport the wagon and keep the design intact. Or consider a few last minute detail assemblies on site!
- Document everything. Parents love seeing their little ones in costume. I thought I wanted to be the one going on the route with my child but I realized I wanted to be the photo/video taker so we had to switch mid-ride. These memories are priceless and I couldn’t trust anyone else with capturing them.
