songs to celebrate Mardi Gras with kids

3 Songs to Celebrate Mardi Gras with Kids

Jessica Peresta ELEMENTARY MUSIC BLOG

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a big celebration where there are parades, music, tons of eating, and costumes.  I wanted to share 3 songs to celebrate Mardi Gras with kids that are so fun to learn.  These songs are not only perfect to use during a Mardi Gras celebration, but are great to teach about jazz music, big band instruments, and singing.

teaching kids songs from other cultures

1.  “When the Saints Go Marching In” by Louis Armstrong

This is one of my favorite songs, not just for Mardi Gras.  Louis Armstrong is a legend, and when your kids watch this performance, they will not only be learning the song “When the Saints Go Marching In”, but will also be watching live singers and instruments performing jazz music.  New Orleans has such awesome culture and history and this song is perfect to use during the Mardi Gras celebration  because of it’s highly jazz feel and the word saints mentioned over and over.

2.  “Go to the Mardi Gras” by Professor Longhair

“Go to the Mardi Gras” is all about the Zulu parade.  Children will love listening to this song with it’s fast tempo, whistling, and drum line.  Kids will not be able to listen to this arrangement without standing up and dancing around the room.  After all, Mardi Gras is a big celebration, so get up and dance to the music!  The first YouTube video has the original arrangement and the second video shows some amazingly talented kid dancers your kids will love to watch and mimic.

3. “They All Ask’d For You” by The Meters

My mom grew up in Louisiana and I have lots of family that still live there, so I grew up eating Cajun food.  This song is so much fun and not only does it talk about the Audubon Zoo that’s in New Orleans, it mentions red beans and rice, crawfish etouffee, and gumbo which are all staple foods that will be eaten all throughout Mardi Gras.  This song is great for teaching about the culture of New Orleans and kids can clap along and learn the words easily to sing.  Kids might even have fun pretending they are in a marching band and air playing their instruments.

 

 

What are your favorite Mardi Gras songs?

I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post.   

Also, I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it.

 

 

songs to celebrate Mardi Gras with kids

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Jessica Peresta

I'm passionate about providing music teachers with the music education resources, lesson plans, teacher training, and community you've been looking for. I believe your domestic life should be spent soaking up time with family and friends and your music teacher life while at school should not leave you feeling defeated, but should be a joyful, exciting, and rewarding experience. To find out more about me and my passion behind starting The Domestic Musician, click on the "about" tab on my website.

20 thoughts to “3 Songs to Celebrate Mardi Gras with Kids”

  3. What a great idea to share these songs with little ones

  4. I really love your posts. These videos will be used tomorrow in out homeschool. =) I am from Louisiana and we recently went there to visit. The kids got to experience a little of the culture and got some king cake. =) Thank you for sharing these.

  6. Such fun ideas! My 18 month old loves music and dancing, so these are perfect for him! Thanks for sharing!

  9. Great songs! I had completely forgotten about two of these. Thanks for sharing.

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