Carnival in Malta with Little Ones: Dressing Up and Simple Costumes

Carnival is one of the most colourful times of year in Malta. In the days before Lent, towns and villages fill with costumes, floats, music and dancing. Valletta and Floriana host large parades, and Gozo has its own lively celebrations, including the famous spontaneous carnival in Nadur. Schools and childcare centres often hold their own dress-up days.

For toddlers, Carnival can be thrilling and a little overwhelming. This guide offers ideas for enjoying it calmly, with simple, plastic-free costumes and plenty of dressing-up play at home.

Dressing up at home first

Many toddlers love dressing up, but some find costumes uncomfortable or strange. Introducing dressing up gradually at home helps. A small basket of simple pieces lets them explore at their own pace.

• Hats of different kinds
• Scarves and play silks
• An apron
• A cape made from fabric
• A bag or basket
• Simple crowns made from card
• Old shirts and waistcoats

Our article on pretend play for toddlers explains why dressing up and role play matter.

Simple, comfortable costumes

Toddlers do not need elaborate costumes. Simple ideas often work best and are more comfortable.

• An animal: brown clothes, felt ears on a headband and a painted nose
• A bee: yellow and black clothes and paper wings
• A fisherman: a striped top and a hat, with a small wooden boat
• A gardener: an apron, a hat and a small watering can
• A cat: black clothes and a felt tail
• A bunny: soft ears and a cotton tail

Use clothes your child already has and add one or two simple pieces. Avoid scratchy fabrics, masks that cover the face and anything with small parts.

Making costumes together

Older toddlers can help make parts of their costume: colouring a crown, sticking on felt spots, choosing colours. This makes them more likely to want to wear it. It is a lovely creative activity too; see our article on starting a toddler art habit.

Avoiding plastic costumes

Shop-bought costumes are often made from synthetic fabrics and plastic accessories that are worn once and thrown away. Homemade costumes, second-hand pieces and costume swaps with friends are kinder to the planet. Our article on why we choose plastic-free explains more. If you buy a costume, choose one that can be reused in everyday dressing-up play.

Going to a parade

Carnival parades can be very crowded and loud. With a toddler, consider:

• Going early or to a smaller, local event
• Standing at the edge of the crowd, with space to step away
• Bringing ear defenders if your child is sensitive to noise
• Keeping visits short
• Bringing snacks and water
• Planning a calm activity afterwards

Our guide to Maltese festa season with little ones has more tips for noisy, busy events.

Carnival at childcare

Many childcare centres and kindergartens in Malta celebrate Carnival with dress-up days. Talk to your child about it beforehand, and let them practise wearing their costume at home. If they do not want to wear it on the day, that is fine. Our guides to starting childcare and getting ready for kindergarten have more on settling into these settings.

Carnival treats

Carnival in Malta is associated with sweet treats such as prinjolata and perlini. Enjoy them as part of the celebration, keeping portions suitable for little ones and avoiding choking hazards like hard sweets.

Keep the dressing-up basket going

Carnival is a wonderful starting point for year-round dressing-up play. Keep the basket out, rotate the contents and watch your toddler's imagination grow. Add dolls and soft toys to dress, and wooden animal figures to join the story.

After the excitement

Big celebrations can leave toddlers tired and wired. Plan a quiet evening, a warm bath and a familiar bedtime routine. A calm corner can help if feelings run high.

Costume swaps

Children grow quickly, and many costumes are worn only once. A costume swap among friends, at childcare or with cousins is a lovely way to share. Each child brings a costume they have outgrown and takes another home. It saves money, reduces waste and gives children something new to try. Our guide to buying second-hand toys in Malta has more on sharing pre-loved items.

Photos and memories

Take a photo of your child in their costume each Carnival. Over the years, these photos become a lovely record of how they have grown and what they loved at each age.

If your toddler does not want to dress up at all, that is fine too. Some children prefer to watch, and they can still enjoy the music, the colours and the excitement from a parent's arms or shoulders. There will be many more Carnivals to come.

Little Curio is curating plastic-free toys and dressing-up pieces for families in Malta; see what is coming.