Ask the average American to describe Mardi Gras, and their first words are unlikely to be “family- friendly.” Most people think of the celebrations in the French Quarter, which are typically filled with wild, raucous adults. Not exactly the most family-friendly vibes. But ask New Orleanians the same question, and their responses are likely to paint a more wholesome picture: enjoying picnics, gathering with friends and family, and celebrating local culture and tradition.

In fact, many outsiders have this renowned annual celebration pegged all wrong. Once you leave the French Quarter and head to the surrounding suburbs of New Orleans, you’ll find a more wholesome experience that’s ideal for children and families. You can attend numerous parades where kids get to catch everything from beads to stuffed animals, light-up toys, and more.

If you’re heading down to Nola with the family, check out our tips for experiencing Mardi Gras for kids and adults alike!

Visit St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District

When you visit New Orleans, you’ll definitely want to hit up the Garden District to see the historic homes and experience firsthand the quintessential local Mardi Gras parades. You’ll get to see tons of mansions on what’s known as “the Jewel of America’s Grand Avenues.” This area is also home to dozens of quaint shops, boutiques, and cafes. One of the most popular streets in the Garden District is St. Charles Avenue. Take a stroll and you’ll see lots of families outside amid the stately oak trees, dressing up in costumes on Mardi Gras day, and throwing around footballs while awaiting the next procession. You can attend post-parade parties where all the kids dump out and compare their treasures, and eat King Cakes in search of the tiny, plastic baby hidden inside.

Head to the French Quarter…in the Daylight

The French Quarter gets pretty wild at night during Mardi Gras, but you’re pretty safe taking your family there during the daytime, so you can catch the area’s historical sites around Jackson Square. Next, shop along Canal Street and taste the luscious beignets from the world-famous Café Du Monde. You’ll also want to visit the Louisiana Children’s Museum in Downtown New Orleans. We don’t recommend booking lodging in the French Quarter or frequenting the area at night unless you want to subject your kids to some truly raucous revelry. Plus, the traditional floats can’t even go in the French Quarter due to size restrictions.

Stay in the Surrounding Suburbs

During Mardi Gras, the suburbs surrounding the New Orleans are more budget-friendly than the city itself, and parking is typically free and plentiful. And while you’re outside the city, don’t miss the chance to experience the bayou at the new wildlife and fisheries museum Lafitte Barataria Museum & Wetlands Trace. It’s located in the historic fishing village Lafitte about 20 miles southwest of New Orleans. Plus, your kids may just get a surprise visit from Privateer Jean Lafitte himself.

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Take the Kids to Family Gras

And finally, there’s an entire Mardi Gras celebration devoted specifically to wholesome fun. Family Gras is a free festival that includes a lively parade on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie, Jefferson Parish. The event occurs during the first official weekend of Mardi Gras in February (the weekend before the one preceding Fat Tuesday). You won’t want to miss the local food vendors and famous musical acts before watching the parades.

As you watch the festivities, your kids will have a chance to catch more than just beads, including toys, doubloons and trinkets. And they won’t have to…well…they won’t have to do what the adults do to at regular Mardi Gras parades to earn their beads. And if your kids are really lucky, they just might get a bedazzled shoe from the Krewe of Muses or the coveted coconuts from the Krewe of Zulu. Don’t forget to bring a bag to catch all the loot!

Have you ever been to family-friendly Mardi Gras? Let us know in the comments below!