Parades serve to unite and entertain the community.
Parades are colorful, artistic events in which the community gathers to celebrate a variety of holidays; choosing a parade float theme that interests children will make their experience both memorable and educational. Decorating the parade float a recognizable theme will connect children on a more profound level to the holiday and will provide talking points between parents and children. Consider the following child parade float ideas to enrich the process of float building and the parade day for parents and children alike.
Children's Literature
Children's books are a rich source of ideas for parade floats that both adults and children can enjoy. If you and your child are involved in the float production, read the story to him to deepen his connection with the decorating process and fully grasp the scene the float is portraying. Often classic literature is chosen for parade floats, and knowledge of books such as "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" will provide hours of reading and learning pleasure.
Nature and the Environment
Let nature's bounty direct the theme of your float.
Children's parade floats are an excellent way to connect with environment. Parades such as the Rose Parade require that all decorative materials be drawn from nature. You and child will be amazed at the variety of supplies this encompasses---seeds, wood, flowers, and fruits and vegetables to name a few. Also consider constructing this float to honor your local American Indian tribe. You can even take this opportunity to teach your child about pertinent environmental topics, such as thinking "green." Your child will begin lifelong habits of recycling and energy saving if you teach them the benefits of conservation at an early age.
Floating History
Encourage your child to learn about the past by creating a parade float with a historical focus. You can choose a historical moment that affected the globe, like the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the fifteenth century. You can also choose a national theme, such as the Civil Rights movement or Women's Rights. Further narrowing your historical focus may be even more exciting to your child if your hometown played host to a historic moment. Though you may not have a site as obvious as San Antonio's Alamo, a trip to your local town hall for a list of historical sites in your area may surprise you.
Ethnic Celebrations
Choose vibrant colors for onlookers to admire.
Parade floats for children can also inform them about cultures, countries, or continents outside the United States. Celebrate a minority culture that is present in your community so your child will have a better understanding of the diversity of cultures that comprise the modern American social fabric. Any culture that will bring you and your community closer together is a good option, be it Irish, Latino, Italian, or Middle Eastern. The parade float will be a bonding experience for you and your child as well as the community at large.
