I love going to parades. When I think about my favorite parades, the hometown All-American Fourth of July parade on Main Street is most vivid in my memory. I love the small-town parades that bring the whole town together to celebrate.
After kids, what was once a chance to go—relatively unencumbered by stuff—to enjoy the sights and sounds became a bit overwhelming and draining. During my first couple of parades with kids, I felt so unprepared. I quickly noticed other moms who had obviously done this a few times. Here are a few tips from watching other parade pros and my own ideas of items to pack when heading to a parade with young kids.
Items to Pack
- Snacks. Lots of snacks for the waiting time before and during the parade.
- Drinks. Cold drinks are a must on a hot day. Warm drinks (hot cocoa or apple cider) if it is a chilly day.
- Sunscreens, sunglasses, hats, and shade options for hot summer days.
- Weather-appropriate clothing. Check the weather and dress accordingly. Wear layers if necessary to fight the chill of the parade morning, depending on when the parade starts.
- Waiting time activities. My personal favorites are sidewalk chalk and bubbles. I’ve also seen families with a frisbee or a football to toss around while they wait for the parade to start.
- Blanket(s)/chairs for adequate seating for your parade party.
- Cash. If you want to buy a snack or souvenir from one of the street vendors.
- Noise-canceling Ear Muffs for Kids. These are helpful for young kids or those sensitive to loud noises. The sirens can be noisy, and sometimes kids don’t enjoy the marching bands when they are close.
- Wagon. To pack all these things, plus the kids are usually too tired at the end to walk back to the car.
Include Your Village
I love to share these memories with others. Having extra hands available to carry items and entertain the kids while waiting for the event to start is helpful. Don’t forget to scout out the route and share a place to meet with your people.
I’ve found that depending on the day, the parade can be very entertaining and fun for the kids, or it can get boring, and they are over it when it has just begun. So, be prepared for kids who may get antsy and don’t want to sit through the parade.
For a nearby July 4th parade this year, check out the Monument Hill Kiwanis, the “biggest small-town parade in America.” Hope to see you there!
