How to Entertain Kids Before and During a Parade

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

As soon as you get to the parade location, make sure you define the boundaries for your children so they don't get lost or go into a busy street. Perhaps they need to stay on the grass, not pass the stop sign, or not go past a folding chair. You can even rope off a small area for your group so they know to stay inside the rope.
Step 2

Make sure to locate a facility for the kids before they need to "go". Some businesses charge a nominal fee to use their facilities the day of a parade, so bring money for this expense. You may want to bring the kids to the facilities before they are required because the lines may be long. Consider bringing your own tissue, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and cleaning wipes.
Step 3

Make sure you have plenty of snacks for the kids. Kids love to eat special snacks on special occasions and get grouchy when hungry. You might want to bring foods that are individually wrapped, such as granola bars, fruit snacks, and chips. Don't forget the ice chest for keeping drinks cold and as an extra seat. Also bring trash bags, utensils, and napkins.
Step 4

Pack a chair and/or blanket, sun canopy, and toys for the kids. Consider bringing bubbles and/or a bubble machine, sidewalk chalk, books, coloring books and crayons, glow in the dark items, noisemakers, hand held games, a portable radio, and/or playing cards to entertain the kids. You can also bring a wagon to help carry all of your supplies to your parade spot. A wagon is also good for pulling the kids around before the parade.
Step 5

Check the weather before leaving the house. Often when you leave for a parade it may be warm, but then get cold very quickly when the sun goes down. Make sure to have warmer clothes than you think you will need and rain gear in case it rains. Bringing sunscreen, bug spray, and lip balm is also advisable.
Step 6

Bring an extra set of clothes to the parade in case the kids have an accident, get caught in the rain, or get dirty.
Step 7

If you are attending a parade that will be giving away items such as Mardi Gras beads, small stuffed animals, or candy, make sure to bring a bag for the kids to put their goodies in so they can easily carry them home.
Step 8

Make sure the kids will be able to see the parade. If the parade is very crowded, consider bringing ladders or letting them stand on ice chests to see above the crowd. You can even buy or build a ladder box that attaches to the top of a ladder for the kids to sit on. If the kids are standing on something, make sure an adult is holding on to them so they don't fall or accidentally get pushed off. Consider creating a buffer around the kids using ice chests so others don't accidentally bump into them during the excitement of the parade.
Step 9

Be prepared when leaving the parade that it may take an extra hour to get home since everyone is leaving at the same time. Make sure the kids don't have to "go" and have everything they need before getting in the car. If the parade is at night, consider changing them into their pajamas before putting them in the car since they will probably fall asleep on the way home.