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When you think of Mardi Gras, does your first thought bring you to New Orleans? Images of beads, floats, and debauchery? New Orleans might be the most famous place to celebrate, but it is not the only Mardi Gras celebration around.
You might be surprised to learn that the first Mardi Gras celebration in the United States was actually held in Mobile, Alabama. Also, a huge Mardi Gras parade is also held in St. Louis, Missouri, every year.
If you’re like most, a trip to New Orleans, Mobile, or St. Louis is not in the cards for your family this year. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun! Here are a few ideas to have a kid-friendly Mardi Gras celebration at home.
Enjoy a King Cake
King cake is a Mardi Gras staple. You can’t have a proper Mardi Gras celebration without one. Check out this guide to king cakes in Dallas!
Part of the fun in a king cake is seeing who gets the piece with the baby in it. My six year old just reminded me that he never gets the baby, and he is really hoping to get it this year!
The morning after Mardi Gras, enjoy a slice of king cake with a cup of hot coffee. Make it chicory coffee to maximize those New Orleans vibe at home.
>> RELATED READ :: Mardi Gras Family Fun <<
Purple, Green, and Gold Everything
The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold to represent justice, faith, and power. A simple Mardi Gras craft that kids can do with minimal supervision is an easy paper chain in purple, green, and gold. Get festive and hang the chains around the house.
Next, have a Mardi Gras fashion show! Pull out all the green, purple, and gold clothes you can find in your and your kids’ closets and layer them in the wackiest, silliest way possible. Don’t forget the beads! You can buy a set of inexpensive Mardi Gras beads here.
Put on a Parade
Remember that St. Louis Mardi Gras parade I mentioned above? It always has a dog parade! Grab some neighbors with dogs, dress up in Mardi Gras fare, and take the dogs for a fun dog parade around the block.
If you don’t have a dog — or your dog does not play well with others (like mine) — have the kids decorate their bikes and scooters. Use feathers, streamers, beads, and jingle bells for a fun (and noisy) parade.
Sip on Mocktails
When the parade is finished, everyone will be ready for a drink! Try a kid-friendly Hurricane. Another festive option is Sherbet Punch. The kids will feel even more grown up enjoying them in plastic goblets.
>> RELATED READ :: How to Elevate Your Non-Alcoholic Drinks <<
Make a Pancake Dinner
Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. It is also sometimes called Pancake Tuesday. Embrace the spirit of the day and plan an easy meal of breakfast for dinner (one of my kids’ favorites). Make pancakes even more festive and fun by adding whipped cream topped with purple, green, and gold sprinkles.
My eight year old has recently started taking over pancake-making duties on the weekends, so I’m looking forward to having some help. One of my favorite ways to add veggies and color into our breakfast is with these two pancake recipes: red beet pancakes and green spinach pancakes. My kids love both the taste and the color when we make these!
Just because we live in Dallas doesn’t mean we have to miss out on Mardi Gras fun! These simple, at-home activities will get the good times rollin’!
