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!)
Always park close to a restroom & pack extra snacks & juice. The parades never start on time.
Last year was our first Mardi gras and I learned so much the hard way! lol. We live in stayed Slidell and stayed close to home except on Mardi Gras day we went to Meteraie. Parades never start on time, someone will have to use the restroom during the parades, never fails. =) Bring a cooler full of snacks and drinks and wear lots of sunscreen and wear layers of clothes.
If you do not know anybody close to route, look for a school or a church. Pay the $5-10. You will not regret it!
Bring a stroller/wagon, blankets, and lots of snacks and juice. Be prepared to stay longer than planned. Have something for the child to do in the car as well, after being at a parade for hours, you will be stuck in traffic with a more than likely, tired child.
Yes! A stroller or wagon to haul all your chairs and stuff is required. Get there early for a good spot. Snacks, blankets, drinks, and definitely set up near a restroom! And make sure you have a few bucks in cash too – only restrooms near us last year charged $1 per person.
Pack plenty of snacks and drinks. Have someone get to your spot extra early but don’t bring the kids until its close to parade time. Check the weather when you wake up..just because last night said tomorrow would be sweater weather doesn’t mean it hasn’t changed into a sunscreen is needed kind of day. Make sure there is a bathroom close and bring your own TP and hand sanitizer. A pack and play is great for little ones too. I recommend staying away from downtown if you have little ones, it gets way to crowded and there are other places that are more family oriented. Don’t forget to have fun!!!!
We plan to venture out to the Metairie parades this year and bring our wagon to tote. Dress appropriately in layers and hat. Will have plenty of juice, packets of fruit, and snacks. We are close enough to walk, but park in an area where easy to get out. Ice chest for us! May come in handy if popped with some beads too- cheers to Carnival season! Stoller always great to lay down and sleep if a long day.
A ladder helps corral the kids and puts them above the crowds so they can see and score great loot. Lots of drinks, snacks, and food, a place to lay them to rest (stroller or wagon), and most definitely access to a bathroom, even if you must pay. Being your own TP and hand sanitizer!
I don’t have advice. I too am a NOLA mom, but I’m just moving back to uthe area. I lived here for about four years just not with kids. I am back and I have a 3 year old girl (Aerilyn) and 1 year old boy (Thaisyn)….all the advice I can handle would be great!!!!
Luckily we live about 3-4 blocks off Orleans…
Metairie parades and park at the mall. More for the family and a lot less crowded
The Metairie parades are a bit more family-friendly, and parking a bit easier, too. Definitely bring extra snacks, drinks, and layers!
Nothing beats the Uptown parade route on St Charles. Family friendly, lots of people watching, and tons of places to grab food and drinks!
Bring snacks, chairs, wagon, something to do while you wait (toys, colors, iPod touch, play ispy, etc.) earplugs for the little ones. And figure out where you will go to the bathroom before the need arises!!
I am very lucky that I work on the Uptown parade route, so I have a place to park, potty, and change diapers. We have only done the day parades Uptown though because I am very nervous to do Bacchus (even though I have tons of family that ride in it). I will wait until my oldest is 5 or 6 to bring them out there…those guys just throw to hard. We always go to the Metairie parades every year and park at Best Buy and walk across the street. It’s not packed at all and we have such great friends that are with us. Metairie is so family friendly and I love it. We also spend Mardi Gras day with my sister who lives on the Metairie route. I love Mardi Gras and can’t wait to bring the kids. Make sure to always pack lots of snacks and drinks and clothes!
Get the parade app so you can follow the progress of the parade-especially helpful with little ones!
I love the first weekend of parades because they’re less crowded. We always hang out on Napolean before St. Charles (where the parades line up), bring chairs and a wagon and have some fun. My recommendation would be to not fill up your little ones with water/juice or other liquids unless you have bathroom access. After the parades, we always walk to Theo’s on magazine for pizza. It’s not crowded and we can eat an early dinner while we wait for the traffic to thin out.
Don’t forget the cardinal rule… it’s just a bead!! There is no fighting over beads or throws!
If you have kids, don’t miss the Litle Rascals parade in Metairie! And I will echo some others: pack lots of snacks and drinks, have little chairs and/or a wagon for them to rest in, be prepared to wait for the parade and to sit in traffic after and have fun!! There is nothing else like it : )
My advice for mom’s of potty training little ones headed out to a Mardi Gras parade is to put them in pull ups! Even if your little one is doing great with undies and hasn’t had an accident, they are often a little too nervous to use the port-a-potty. IFor a little one (and really us too), it’s a little too dark and creepy in there. So, better safe than sorry!
Am I the only person who actually lives in Metairie/Kenner and says don’t bother with Metairie parades? lol And yes, pay to park – totally worth it.
love the little kid parades that are perfect for them – and not so crowded – River Ridge – Driftwood – and Lil Rascals – we usually have parked in the macy’s lot and walked right out and the crowd is small!
I am not a fan of the “big” Metairie parades anymore either – those people around are not appropriate for my kids (or for me!) to be around, so we have fallen in love with the Mandeville/Covington parades – and the drive across the lake has been well worth it!
Wear your baby, bring a stroller or wagon, snacks, change of clothes.
Always bring something for the little ones to do because parades never start on time. bring lots of snacks and diapers. A portable crib is good to bring as well.
The Uptown day parades on Saturday and Sunday are so much fun and very family friendly!
I grew up in New Orleans and have done both Metairie and the New Orleans parades. Love them both for their own reasons. This will be my first year with a little one who will be almost one. We are so excited but I will say all the advice I can get would be great. I was thinking of taking what we normally bring for a day out of town visiting the in-laws and double it!
Bring an ice chest full of juice boxes, waters, etc. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen if it’s a day parade!
An item you just can’t go without is toilet paper! You just never know if that portable toilet will have toilet paper.
I second extra toilet paper, wet wipes, and an extra pair of clothes. Also, go with the flow and try to enjoy the experience bc it’s a lot of hassle with lil kids, but so worth it.
Finding a friend or family member near the route was the best because we didn’t miss nap time! I find Metairie on Mardi Gras Day the most family friendly, lots of kids. Prepare for rain or cold even if the forecast didn’t predict it, Nola weather is nothing if not unpredictable! And most of all, have a blast and take pictures. The years fly by
We’ve only been in the area a little over a year. We avoided parades last year b/c we wanted to wait until our youngest was a little older. We’re hoping to venture out to some parades this year. Thanks for all the tips. I never would’ve thought to bring TP!
Bring snacks and drinks. Bring a stroller or wagon to carry everything in. Check the weather and dress appropriately. Bring something for the kids to do while waiting for the parade (bubbles, balls, frisbee, etc.)
1.Little Rascals is a great starter parade or try one of the Northshore parades to get your feet wet.
We hit the smaller parades but will leave the bigger ones until they are older and can enjoy it. It’s too long of day for our little ones.
2.If you are in NOLA stand close to a church or school that has portapotties that you can pay to use. Lots of restaurants do not allow you to use their potties so don’t count on that.
3. if you are heading into to town for any parades I strongly suggest you get a ladder & seat (Harry’s Ace Hardware sells them) WITH WHEELS ON IT! Also paint and decorate it with your kids!!! Also Get the hubs to attach cupholders (can be done quiet easily!).
4. Bring cash- those little vendors with carts full of stuff (and cotton candy) will suck you in!
5. don’t bring your purse! Keep you valuables on your body. Get a backpack for a diaper bag.
6. Watch where you park your car. Metermaids and tow trucks do big business during this time of year! Where comfy shoes and be prepared to hike it if need be.
7. Or be like us and head out of town for Mardi Gras day
I’m not even sure if a non-local can win, but my best piece of advice is just do it! Research what you need to (use the comments from this post!) and get out there and bring that LA culture to your little one!
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!
I have visited New Orleans often and gone to the parade several times. We have relatives there, so we had them drop us off well before parade time and pick us up at a pre-designated spot when we called. Once we stayed at the Omni Hotel, which is a great location. Check out where the bathrooms are, of course. And don’t take any more money or valuables than you have to. Take small bills and change. Put any valuables in a butt-pack might be a good idea, not a purse or even a diaper bag. Bring something like Capri Sun to drink and snacks that aren’t too salty so you want to drink all the time (and therefore, go to the bathroom all the time! LOL.) And of course sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. Have fun.
It’s my 1st Mardi Gras as a mom and I’m loving all these ideas!
My thought here… pack all the necessities – more diapers and wipes than you think you need, extra water, snacks. And don’t forget the cash!
BUy a ticket to the viewing stands on st charles. I’m going to do that this year, much easier with a little one, and I think they have restrooms available too. Last time I looked it wasn’t nearly as expensive as I expected.
A wagon is great for hauling the kids and all the beads and such. Also bring plenty of snacks and drinks as well as sunscreen!
A Wagon, best thing to put everything including a sleeping child, we even put a body pillow on the bottom so when he falls asleep, lay him down, cover him up, boom, instant bed. We do have the Radio Flyer wagon with wooden sides.
Mardi Gras is my favorite holiday and I don’t miss a year, but I don’t have any mom advice because I’m a new mom myself and will be having my inlaws watch her for Mardi Gras this year just because I personally think 9m is too young. At least for Uptown parades which is where we go. I do think Metairie parades are more kid friendly and def would say stake out near a bathroom or if you are parked near route and own an suv/van put a bucket in the back (<— may sound gross but if you have heard the song "aint no place to pee" it speaks the truth and I have found a bucket to be the easiest solution!). Good luck!
Depending on the area, we have brought out our camper and parked nearby. Then we can use our own bathroom and let the kids rest comfortable. we normally invite tons of people and everyone brings food while we wait.
I am also new to New Orleans and had been wondering if it was a good idea to take a 17 month old to a parade. I had really wanted to go with her and after reading everybody’s comments above I feel much more comfortable taking her out. One of the big questions I had was about taking a stroller, so thank you for answering that question as well. New Orleans Mom’s site has been such an excellent resources for family information!! Thanks again
Wow, lots of good advice. Dress your kids in bright distinct colors so you can spot them quickly and keep an eye on them easier. And it is definitely a 2-parent event- if you don’t have a coparent bring a friend so you have some more adults to help watch the kids so that MOMMY can have a beer or two and also have a good time. If you’re not into the ladder scene, at least bring a little step stool so the kids can see, and you can still stand right with them when the parade is passing. Oh, and the wagon is great b/c it’s a mode of transport, and also a place for the kids to sit and play with their loot.
If a friend with a house on or close to the parade route invites you over for a parade, take them up on it! Don’t think you’re going to impose. You’ll not only have a fun time with friends, but you will also have a (semi) quite place for the kids and you to rest and most importantly, a bathroom!! Also, be sure to have at least one more adult with you to keep an eye on the kids. Some parades (Muses, Endymion, Bacchus, and Orpheus) get really crowded. One more piece of advice, bring a wagon to transport everything! The kids will love it, especially if you decorate it with them specifically for Mardi Gras! Welcome and have fun! It’s a party like no other!
Mardi Gras is a marathon not a sprint!
Overnight or heavy duty diapers; lots of yummy snacks and BUBBLES!
BABY WIPES, BABY WIPES, BABY WIPES!! Seriously, they help clean hands after going into a yuck port a potties, clean up spills, wipe faces, and if you are caught with no toilet paper, they are really handy too!!
Hand sanitizer and flushable wipes. If you’re Uptown around Napoleon, buy Sacred Heart’s bathroom pass. Worth every penny to have access to clean potties!
The more snacks the better. Be sure to bring a variety. Portable potties (to leave in the car) are great. Using wagons to carry everything are much better than a stroller for the rough streets.
A wagon, ladder, bags to put all your beads in, snacks, water/juice for kids, alcohol for mom and dad. I agree with others about setting up near restroom and trying to park near a friend’s house close to the parade. We love the parade atmosphere on St Charles and are able to walk the 8 blocks from our house in the Irish Channel. I also agree about getting there early and planning to set up camp for a few hours…or days! Be prepared to make lots of friends and Mardi Gras brings out the friendliness in everyone. Extra clothes, diapers and wipes are always good!
I bring lots of snacks and activities to share with friends we are parading with and families around us…bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and glow necklaces/bracelets for night parades. I use the chalk to define a boundary for my kids and all that pavement is an empty canvas!
Have Fun!!!