Kid Friendly Mardi Gras Party

Throw a G-rated Mardi Gras parade in your living room!

Submitted by
Kayla Chong

Can't swing a trip down to the bayou this year? Create your own Mardi Gras celebration in your living room. Dress up the kids, throw some beads at 'em, grab a drink (or three) and get ready to PAR-TAY!

Mardi Gras revelers:
You, your kids and anyone else you want to invite.
Costumes, wigs, funny hats:
Raid the dress-up box.
Mardi Gras beads:
Buy them online at emardigrasbeads.com or at your local party store.
Mocktails:
Non-alcoholic versions of the Mardi Gras drink of choice—the Hurricane.
Mardi Gras masks:
Buy 'em or see our DO The Mask and have the kids make their own!
Music:
Some cool New Orleans tunes. Check out Mardi Gras Records for a sweet selection.
Cajun food:
Pick up some KFC, or if you're feeling ambitious, make your own Mardi Gras fare! Check out our recipes for Big Easy Beignets and One Pot Chicken Jambalaya.

Order or prepare the food and mix up some drinks.
If you're up for it, have the kids invite some friends over. Better yet, invite your friends and their kids, so everyone can get in on the fun!
Tell the guests to come in their Mardi Gras finest, but have any extra costumes, wigs and hats you have available for party poopers who show up in jeans and T-shirts.
Pump up the tunes! Try New Orleans native Harry Connick, Jr.'s "Songs I Heard" to please both the younger and, ahem, older generations.
Have the kids parade around the living room as the grownups kick back on the sofa and sip Hurricanes. Hey, it's 5 o'clock somewhere!
Don't forget to shout "Show us yer armpits!" at the kids and toss some beads their way when they comply.