Tips for Surviving Festivals with Toddlers

It’s Festival Season! There are lots of festivals in March, April, and May here in New Orleans. Most of them are family-friendly festivals with kids’ areas, carnival rides, bouncy castles, live music, and more! Surviving local festivals with a toddler can be challenging, but keep these top tips in mind when planning your day to have a great festival experience for the whole family!

Bring the Big Stroller

You’re going to need to bring a stroller because their little legs won’t be able to keep up! Trust me, you’ll want to bring the big stroller or a stroller wagon instead of the little umbrella stroller. You will be grateful for it, and it gives them a place to sit comfortably, eat lots of snacks, provides much-needed shade, and is the perfect place for a sleeping baby to relax. Plus, this will free up your hands from a diaper bag, and where else are you going to put your cooler?

Adjust Your Expectations

One of the first things you need to do before heading out to a festival with toddlers and small children is to adjust your expectations and go with the flow. Accept that your day will be shorter than it was before kids. Your toddler may get overwhelmed by the crowds or loud music, so if possible, consider taking a nap break and going back for a session or two after nap time. And remember, in New Orleans, there will always be another festival!

Take a seat in the back

Your toddler will want a little room to move around and may need to get away from the loud music. One of the best things you can do is to stake out a spot in the back of the crowd where younger children can twirl and dance from a safe distance!

Pro Tip: If you’re attending French Quarter Fest, Jackson Square, under a palm tree during the early hours on Sunday morning, is one of the great places to lie back, relax, and enjoy the festival’s entertainment!

Hearing Protection

Children’s ears are sensitive, and the music is loud for little ears, so you’ll need to invest in ear protectors for younger kids, such as noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. Even older children may benefit from ear protection.

Sun Protection

Small children with sunburns are miserable, so I can’t stress the importance of sun protection enough. Babies 6 months and older should have sunscreen applied to all exposed skin at least 30 minutes before going out into the sun, and reapplied every 2 hours. Also, UV-protected rash guards, sun hats, and sunglasses are great options for keeping your toddler safe from the sun!

Keep cool

Spring in New Orleans can be HOT, so keeping cool is a must! An easy way to keep your toddler cool is to use a spray bottle of water to mist them periodically! You can also get a portable fan that clips to your stroller and cooling towels. Make sure you pack water bottles and plenty of snacks, such as watermelon, frozen grapes, frozen yogurt pouches, and cold applesauce pouches. Snowballs are also a MUST and a great way to cool off!

RELAX

Most importantly – RELAX! Relax and enjoy this time with your kids! Go with the flow a bit and just have a wonderful time. If it doesn’t turn out so great, it’s ok – there’s always next weekend. Reevaluate and try again!

Insider Tips for New Orleans Moms

• If you are headed out to the quarter to get some Festing done this Summer, and you need to take a potty break, stop by the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve on Decatur. It’s two doors down from Bubba Gump. There is an awesome museum, with a beautiful courtyard, and some clean potties. Just be sure to be considerate and support this national park!
• Use your Aquarium Membership! This is a great option for taking a break in the AC, using the bathroom, letting your little one burn off some energy, and visiting the penguins!

With these tips and a little patience, you will have a great time surviving festivals with a toddler in tow! Have fun introducing your little one to our local culture through festivals!

Do you have any tips for going to festivals with a toddler that we forgot?