The Family Guide to Mardi Gras

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What’s New

Different parade routes and new safety rules mean Mardi Gras 2022 could see a lot of changes. Here’s what’s new for this year’s Carnival season. In December, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the Mardi Gras Advisory Council announced changes to Mardi Gras parade routes. While some krewes and parade goers may be unhappy with the changes, they are meant to greatly improve public safety. Let’s just roll with it! The Krewe of Thoth were disappointed that their updated route would not cross paths with the Children’s Hospital or other facilities they normally greet. Instead, this krewe will begin at Napoleon Avenue and Prytania Street before turning right onto St. Charles Avenue down to Égalité Circle. There, they will turn back onto St. Charles street, leading to Canal Street. A final right turn onto Tchoupitoulas Street will lead the parade to its end on Poydras Street. The Krewe of Endymion’s route is now over five miles long with the parade turning right onto Elk Place and Loyola Avenue instead of onto St. Charles Avenue. A right turn onto Girod Street will lead into the Caesars Superdome where the Extravaganza mega-party will begin. The longest-serving captain in Mardi Gras, Ed Muniz, announced that on Saturday, February 26 Diana Ross and Maroon 5 will headline along with Party on the Moon, Groovy 7, and The Wiseguys. The Krewe of Zulu will keep most of its traditional route beginning at S. Claiborne and Jackson Avenue. The modifications then include a left turn onto Poydras Street after passing Gallier Hall then a right turn onto Loyola Avenue. The Zulu krewe will then continue its original route on Basin Street. The Krewe of Rex’s parade route will remain mostly the same, the only change being a start on Napoleon Avenue and Carondelet Street instead of South Claiborne Avenue and Napoleon Avenue. Following suit, the Krewe of Elks followed by the Krewe of Crescent City will remain on their original route, allowing them to turn left onto Poydras Street from St. Charles Avenue then continue on Poydras Street until the krewes disband.

Top Safety Tips

Mardi Gras safety, with kids in tow, is an essential part of parade day planning. We’ve got tips to make it work.

Temporary Tattoo

A permanent marker and a layer of clear nail polish creates a temporary tattoo good for identification. Write out your child’s name, important phone numbers and health information like “Asthmatic.”

Parade Day Photo

Snap a photo with your phone of your child. This can be a major help to the police if they get lost. This will give them a greater chance of being reunited quickly.

Matchy-Matchy

Color coordinated or otherwise matching shirts for “the gang” could help family members recognize each other if separated. Watchful strangers could also identify any stragglers and corral them back. It takes a village.

Emergency Change of Clothes

of trouble in the long run. Accidents happen and you’re going to want to get back to the fun ASAP.

Potties

Bathroom breaks are probably the last thing on your mind, but planning ahead is going to help you out. Our best advice is to be sure to bring cash. Participating restaurants and bars on the parade routes will offer pay-per-visit access to their restrooms or day passes. Your best bet might be to find a friend that lives on or near the route. Coordinate ahead of time, and put together a thank-you gift to stay in their good graces.

Noise Control and Sunglasses

Mardi Gras safety extends to the ears and eyes, especially if your child has sensory issues but doesn’t want to miss the fun.

Sanitizer

Beads that you scooped up off the ground are one of the least sanitary things at a Mardi Gras parade. Try to avoid having your child pick them up but do keep hand sanitizer or wipes on-hand just in case.

Start of the Route

Most parades are calmer at the beginning. If you would like to avoid the rowdiness (and misthrown beads-turned-missiles when riders are less careful), an expeditious retreat midway might be in your best interest. Treat yourselves to New Orleans cuisine or a headstart on post-parade traffic.

Top Kid-Fun Parades

Some are day parades, some night, but all are fun for the whole family.

French Quarter

Krewedelusion, Feb. 12 Krewe of Barkus, Feb. 20

Marigny

Krewe of Chewbacchus, Feb. 5 ‘tit Rex, Feb. 13

Uptown

Krewe of King Arthur, Feb. 20 Krewe of Muses, Feb. 24 Krewe of Thoth, Feb. 27 Krewe of Rex, Mar. 1

Mid-City

Krewe of Endymion, Feb. 26

Metairie

Krewe of Excalibur, Feb. 18 Krewe of MadHatters, Feb. 19 Krewe of Atlas, Feb. 20 Krewe of Athena, Feb. 27 Krewe of Elks, Jeffersonians, Mar. 1

Mardi Gras

caMps

Laissez les bons temps rouler–even when the kids are out of school. Mardi Gras is almost here. Don’t miss your chance to sign up for camp during the break.

Audubon Zoo’s Mardi Gras Camp

6500 Magazine St. Ages: 4-10 Cost: $170-185 Dates/Times: March 2-4; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact: (504) 913-0254 Each day is full of animal exploration, scientific investigation, and arts and crafts.

Big Easy Sportsplex Mardi Gras Break Baseball Camp

800 Webb St. Ages: 4-12 Cost: $50/day, $180/week Dates/Times: February 28, March 2-4; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact: bigeasysportsplex.com, (504) 733-0046 Camps will provide instruction, drills, and games in multiple sports, athletic games, and competitions.

Culinary Kids

915 Marigny Ave. Ages: 5-12 Cost: $75/day Dates/Times: March 2-4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact: culinarykidsns.com, (985) 727-5553 Kids cook their own breakfast, lunch and snacks, and desserts; make drinks; enjoy gardening; guest visitors with treats; science experiments; indoor/ outdoor games; and have great fun with friends.

Franco’s Mandeville Mardi Gras Day Camp

100 Bon Temps Roule Ages: 5-13 Cost: $50-60 Dates/Times: TBA, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Contact: (985) 792-0205 Campers will be doing Mardi Gras arts and crafts, inflatables, organized games, and fun exercise classes.

JCC Metairie - Mardi Gras Mini Camp

3747 W. Esplanade Ave. Ages: 3-11 Cost: $65/day; JCC membership required Dates/Time: March 2-4, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Contact: terrance@nojcc.org Campers will participate in art, sports, and games. Please bring a nap mat, lunch, and a change of clothes every day. Campers must be potty trained.

Kidcam Camp: Aurora United Methodist School Break Camps

3300 Eton St. Ages: PK4-13 Dates/Time: February 28-March 4, closed March 1, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fees: $40-136 Contact: kidcamcamp.com/auroraholiday-camp, (844) 4KIDCAM At Kidcam, day camp isn’t just something we do, it’s all we do. Create memorable moments and lasting relationships through the power of camp.

LCM’s Celebrate New Orleans Camp

15 Henry Thomas Dr. Ages: 4-8 Dates/Time: March 2-4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fees: $55-65 Contact: lcm.org/programs/camps Children will learn about New Orleans architecture, music, and artists, as they explore Creole cottages, musical instruments, and masterpieces in this one-of-a-kind hands-on camp experience. Mardi Gras Camp has one session for four-five-year-old children and one for six-eight-year-old children. You can register for one, two, or all three days.

Longue Vue’s Carnival Camp

7 Bamboo Rd. Ages: 5-10 Dates/Time: March 3-4, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Fees: $55-65 Contact: longuevue.com/event/ carnival-camp-begins, (504) 488-5488 Students out for Mardi Gras break can reconnect with nature through seasonal activities and supervised garden exploration.

MOVE! New Orleans’ Best Summer Camp and After School Program: Mardi Gras Break Camp Hosted by Church’s Karate Academy

4714 Paris Ave. Ages: 5-11 Cost: $65/day Dates/Time: February 28-March 4, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Contact: (504) 376-7009 MOVE! offers a full-day camp experience for your child that’s as educational as it is exciting. It’s a safe, positive, and motivational camp adventure where your child is guaranteed to obtain physical and mental fitness. Activities include Parkour, Dance, Tumbling, and Martial Arts as well as Arts and crafts, Brain Gain activities, indoor and outdoor sports, and team games. Come tour the new beautiful, clean, and safety-oriented facility.

Pony Tales Mardi Gras Camp

156 Bertucci Ln. Ages: 5-12 Cost: $55-59/day Dates/Times: February 28, March 2-4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact: (504) 469-0148 Campers will be learning about handling and riding ponies or horses, fun games, activities, and crafts.

Posh Paint Pub Mardi Gras Camp

3218 Taft Park Ages: 5-12 Cost: $55-65 Dates/Times: March 2-4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact: poshpaintpub.com, (504) 835-4155 Paint pottery and canvases, build with clay, and create with other fine arts mediums, as well as making your own jewelry and a variety of wacky crafts. Projects vary by day.

Upturn Arts: Mardi Gras Masquerade

1719 Toledano St. Ages: 4-12 Cost: $120-140 Dates/Times: March 3-4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact: upturnarts.org, (504) 390.8399 Each day, they will explore one of New Orleans’ classic spaces for a morning field trip. After each adventure, young artists will have lunch at a local park and then return to Nola Spaces for on-site programming with UA staff.

Vamonos Nola Holiday Camp

600 Eleonore St. Ages: 5-11 Cost: $220 Dates/Times: February 28-March 4, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact: amilia.com/store/en/ vamonos-nola Vamonos NOLA is committed to inspiring our future leaders to bridge cultures and language through authentic, play-based methodology. Campers leave not only speaking more Spanish, but with a love of learning the language.

YMCA: Belle Chasse

8101 LA-23 Ages: 3-14 Dates/Times: February 28-March 4, closed March 1, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: $30-55/day Contact: ymcaneworleans.org, (504) 392-9622 Kids have the opportunity to play sports, make arts and crafts, and make new friends. Be sure to pack a lunch and plenty of snacks.

YMCA: West. St. Tammany

71256 Francis Rd. Ages: 4-12 Dates/Times: February 28-March 4, closed March 1, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: $35-45/day Contact: ymcaneworleans.org, (985) 893-9622 When school is closed for a holiday, visit the YMCA and play. Bring two snacks, a bag lunch, and a water bottle.

Note: Schedules subject to change. Check with the camp for more details.