Celebrating Fat Tuesday with Kids

Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in many Christian denominations. While we may not be in New Orleans and/or wild like some of us used to be when we were younger, it’s still a tradition that can be celebrated with kids! For most people, Fat Tuesday is the last day to feast on fatty and rich foods before the season of Lent and fasting and giving up things as penance. 

In our family, we celebrate Fat Tuesday with a big dinner of breakfast foods. Pancakes, bacon sausage, eggs. Anything you can think of. We get together with family and just spend the evening together before the Lenten season. If you’re looking for something to eat besides pancakes, my favorite breakfast treat is baked french toast casserole. It can be made ahead and is so delicious! Another special treat that can be added to the dinner table is a King Cake. This cake comes in all shapes and sizes but usually is decorated with beads and/or a crown and the colors purple, green and yellow. Baked inside is a plastic baby and whoever is the lucky person to get the baby in their slice will be treated as “king” for a day and will have luck throughout the next year. 

In addition to the food, we usually celebrate with music, decorations and costumes. The costumes are usually just masks like you would wear to a masquerade party but depending on how into it the kids get, they sometimes get full-on costumes. We’ve also had a homemade photo booth and props. It honestly just depends on the stress level and time available of myself and my mom when planning. #momlife

If you don’t want to limit your celebration to home, Liberal, Kansas has a long-standing tradition of celebrating with a pancake race. In 1950 the first pancake race occurred between Liberal and Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. It is a 415-yard race for the fastest runner who can also flip a pancake in frying pan at the beginning and end of the race. After the race, runners in Liberal and Olney Skype to talk about the race12 and determine the winner. In 2018 the winner of the race was Liberal! In addition to the race, Liberal has made this into a community event featuring parades, pancake eating and flipping contests, additional races for all ages and a talent show. If you’re looking for more information on the activities surrounding the event in Liberal you can view their website.

Regardless of how into this day you want to get it just gives you another opportunity to spend time with friends and family. And of course, eat. 


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Kendra Fernandez
Kendra lives in Derby with her husband Leonard and her two boys- Leo and Jacoby. She works in downtown Wichita but spends most of the rest of her waking hours wrangling two crazy boys. You will more than likely find them at a game or practice. Besides spending time with her family Kendra loves to read and watch Game of Thrones, HGTV marathons and the Royals! She is also very active in PTO at her sons' school and is always trying to find ways to interact with other parents.