Family-friendly blocos at Carnival: Can you bring kids to Carnival in Brazil?
- Rachel
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Carnival in Brazil is a national celebration that brings music, costumes and community events into cities across the country. While many events cater to an adult audience, Carnival also includes many activities created specifically for families and children.
Children are drawn to Carnival for the vibrant costumes, glitter, face paint, dancing and lively music. Dressing up, joining in small parades, and dancing to the rhythms of drums are experiences that captivate young audiences.
In major Carnival cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife and Olinda, you can find children’s blocos (bloquinhos infantis) and "little dances" (bailinhos) . These events are typically scheduled earlier in the day, take place in parks or public squares, and focus on music, costumes and performances that appeal to younger audiences.
Family friendly Carnival options are not limited to blocos. Some Camarotes offer a family-friendly alternative to street parties. offer better crowd management, access to toilets and food, and other services.
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What makes a Carnival bloco family friendly?
A Carnival blocos is an street party that follows a parade route or gathers in a defined public space. While many blocos are technically open to all ages, many are unsuitable for children due to large crowd sizes.
Blocos infantis (kids blocos) have music and performances are adapted for younger audiences. Family blocos often feature traditional Carnival songs, children’s music, marching bands, or themed performances. Sound levels are lower and stages are smaller, making it easier for children to stay close to parents.
Blocos aimed at families usually run in the morning or early afternoon. These hours avoid late night crowds and reduce exposure to excessive noise and alcohol consumption. Many family friendly blocos take place in neighbourhood squares, parks, or in residential areas. These spaces are easier to access with prams, allow families to leave quickly if needed, and tend to attract smaller, more manageable crowds.
When planning Carnival with kids, it is important to check official listings and descriptions. Look for blocos labelled as "infantil", "familiar" or "bloco de criança".
Family friendly Carnival events in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro offers a wide selection of family friendly Carnival blocos. These events are scheduled during daylight hours, take place in neighbourhood streets, parks or squares, and focus on music, costumes and performances suitable for children. Crowds are generally smaller and more manageable than at the city’s main blocos that attract tens of thousands of participants.
There are several sites that offer Carnival schedules. Official Carnival apps like Blocos do Rio and Rio Carnival will provide schedules, including for family-friendly events, closer to the time. Blocos da Rua has some events already listed, though more will be added as Carnival approaches.
Here are some of Rio’s well known family friendly blocos:
Gigantes da Lira
One of the oldest children’s blocos in Rio, Gigantes da Lira takes place in Laranjeiras. It features performances by local marching bands and offers theatrical elements that appeal to kids. The event is scheduled in the morning and attracts a mix of local families and visitors.
Bloco das Crianças
This bloco is specifically marketed as a children’s bloco and is usually held in Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. It incorporates costumes, performances and theatre style entertainment along with music. It is tailored to younger audiences and runs in the late morning to early afternoon.
Bloco da Fanfinha
Bloco da Fanfinha is a long running children’s bloco held in the Botafogo neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro. It is designed specifically for families and younger children and runs during the day time. The bloco usually gathers at Praça Chaim Weizmann and takes place in the morning or early afternoon. Music and performances are adapted for children, with Carnival songs, interactive activities, and kids entertainment.
Bloco Infantil Largo do Machadinho, mas não largo do Suquinho
Bloco Infantil Largo do Machadinho, mas não largo do Suquinho is a well known family focused bloco based in Largo do Machado, in the Zona Sul of Rio de Janeiro. It typically runs during daylight hours and takes place in and around the square, rather than following a long parade route. Activities often include children’s music, simple games, costume parades, and playful performances
Banda de Ipanema Kids
A family version of the classic Banda de Ipanema, this bloco meets at Praça General Osório in Ipanema. It includes confetti, foam and playful music that is suited to children. The event is shorter than the main Banda de Ipanema and is easier to attend with strollers and small kids.
Bloco da Pracinha
Held in Leblon at Praça Antero de Quental, Bloco da Pracinha is known for its relaxed vibe and music that is friendly for all ages. It is an all-ages event, not specifically for children, but is generally suitable for families who want a traditional Carnival experience without intense crowds. The bloco moves at a slow pace and stops frequently.
Samba Parades: The Sambadrome & Samba School Juniors
One of the cornerstones of Rio Carnival is the Samba Parades at the Sambadrome. Attending the Sambadrome with children requires careful planning, as the parades are lengthy and run late into the night. Most shows begin in the evening and can continue until the early hours, which makes it challenging for younger children to stay awake and engaged. It is generally recommended to attend only shorter parts of the parade if bringing children, or to plan for older kids who can manage late-night schedules.
Rio’s Carnival also includes the Samba Schools Juniors parade, which offers a different way for families to experience the Sambadrome. This year, the children’s parade will be held on Friday night, on the eve of the Champions Parade. Like the main samba school competitions, junior samba schools compete against each other and present a full parade with floats, costumes and choreography. The children involved come from samba schools across the city and actively participate in the creative process. They help write their own samba enredo, choreograph dances, build floats and sew costumes.
Family friendly Carnival events in Salvador
Salvador’s Carnival is larger and more intense than in most other Brazilian cities, with long parade routes, amplified trio elétrico trucks and very dense crowds. Blocos that follow a trio elétrico in the street are generally not suitable for children. The pipoca crowd that moves behind the trucks is tightly packed, loud and constantly shifting, which makes it difficult to manage space and safety with kids.
Pelourinho and the Batatinha circuit
If you do want to attend blocos with children, the Batatinha circuit in Pelourinho is considered the most family friendly area of Salvador’s Carnival. This circuit does not host trio elétricos and instead focuses on smaller cultural performances, percussion groups and traditional Carnival music.
There are several events during pre-Carnival and Carnival, including bailinhos (little dances), that are designed specifically for families and children. Performances are staged or move slowly through short routes, sound levels are lower, and the historic streets limit the scale of crowds. Families should still aim for mornings and early afternoons, as the area becomes busier later in the day.
Family friendly blocos at Salvador Carnival
Most parade-style family-friendly blocos in Salvador are held on the Campo Grande circuit in the mornings, around 10am, before crowds become too busy. Exact dates and times for these blocos will be released in early February on the bloco schedule.
Bloco Happy
Bloco Happy focuses on child friendly Carnival songs and themed costumes. It typically takes place on the Circuito Osmar (Campo Grande) on Saturday morning during Carnival.
O Bloco Afro Olodum Mirim
A children’s version of Afro blocos, focused on cultural identity, drumming and dance. These performances are designed for younger participants and audiences.
Bloco Ibéji
Named after the Yoruba orixá of childhood, Bloco Ibéji is a longstanding children’s bloco in Salvador. It also appears on the Campo Grande route, running in the daytime, and draws families with children.
Todo Menino é um Rei
This kid-focused bloco celebrates children and the joy of Carnival. It is held on the Campo Grande circuit and usually runs in the morning or early afternoon. The parade includes costumes, songs, and interactive activities.
Pequeno Príncipe de Airá
Another daytime bloco on the Campo Grande circuit, Pequeno Príncipe de Airá offers music, games, and playful performances for children. Its early schedule ensures families can enjoy the festivities safely and comfortably before the streets become busier later in the day.
Rataplan
Rataplan is a smaller children’s bloco on the Campo Grande circuit, running during the day. It features live music, playful performances, and interactive activities designed for young participants and their families.
Zum Zum Mel
Zum Zum Mel is a kid-friendly day-time bloco on the Campo Grande route. The parade includes music, costumes, and performances that encourage children to dance and sing.
Mamulengo
Mamulengo is a daytime children’s bloco on the Campo Grande circuit, offering theatrical performances, music, and interactive activities. It is tailored to families and provides a safe, fun environment for children to experience Carnival.
Camarotes: Watch the Barra-Ondina Circuit with kids
For families who want to see the main parades with trio eletricos, incuding the Barra-Ondina Circuit, a Carnival camarote is often a great way to do with with children.
Camarotes are ticketed viewing areas along the official routes and provide a range of facilities. Because it is enclosed, the camarote provides crowd control and a fixed viewing point, allowing families to watch the trio elétricos from above without entering the crowd.
Camarote Cabana da Barra
Camarote Cabana da Barra is one of the few Carnival venues in Salvador that explicitly welcomes families. Located on the Barra Ondina circuit, it offers seating, multiple dining options, a bar, and live entertainment. It also has a beauty and wellness area offering make-up, hair styling, and massages, alongside lounges to relax between performances.
The Camarote also features a 360° stage, and elevated mirantes that provide direct views of the trios elétricos and street festivities. Children are welcome with a dedicated Espaço Kids, including climate-controlled play areas, toys, and trained monitors. Children up to 11 enter for free when accompanied by an adult.
Family friendly Carnival events in Recife and Olinda
Recife and Olinda, in the north-eastern state of Pernambuco, are known for their vibrant and traditional Carnival celebrations. Unlike Salvador, many of the blocos here are smaller, follow short routes, and are more localised, which makes them naturally more suitable for families and children. The cities also have a strong tradition of children’s blocos, which are organised specifically to allow kids to participate.
Family friendly Carnival programming in parks (Recife & Olinda)
In addition to street blocos, Recife’s official Carnival programme includes dedicated kids‑friendly activities in parks and public spaces. The city sets up multiple polos infantis (children’s poles) with l activities that are designed to be safe and engaging for families and younger children.
At these park venues, you’ll find live music, dance performances, children’s bands, frevo ensembles, circus acts and themed characters that make Carnival accessible for families. These park programmes typically run in the afternoon into early evening during the main Carnival days.
In recent editions of Carnival, the following parks have been part of the family friendly lineup:
Parque da Jaqueira – shows and performances aimed at kids and families.
Parque Santana – children’s music, dance and group performances.
Parque Macaxeira – stage shows and interactive entertainment.
Parque Dona Lindu – a popular coastal park with kid‑oriented artists and music.
Rua da Aurora and Parque da Tamarineira – additional spaces with afternoon activities for children.
Family-friendly blocos in Recife and Olinda
Exact dates and times for these blocos are available on the official schedule, by clicking "infantil" to filter for children's events.
Patusquinho (Olinda)
Patusquinho runs in Olinda early on Carnival Saturday (approx. 09:00 at Pátio da Igreja de São Pedro). It is a small, daytime bloco that draws families and children before larger crowds form.
Mucha Lucha (Olinda)
Mucha Lucha is typically scheduled on Carnival Sunday in Olinda (around 09:00 at Alto da Sé). This bloco features upbeat music and a short parade geared toward children and families.
Pinto do Galo da Madrugada (Recife)
Pinto do Galo da Madrugada starts very early on Carnival Saturday morning in Recife at Praça do Marco Zero (approx. 06:45). Though not specifically designed as an event for children, it is popular with families. It is a kid‑friendly variation of the famous Galo da Madrugada tradition with frevo music and a short, manageable route suitable for families.
Bloco Trinquinha de Ás (Recife)
This is one of the most popular children’s blocos in Recife. It features live music, dancing, and small parades tailored for children. The route is short, crowds are manageable, and the event usually takes place in the morning, making it suitable for younger children.
Bloco Mangue Beatinho (Olinda)
A kid‑friendly version of the Mangue Beat bloco, it introduces children to local rhythms and percussion. Kids get the opportunity to play instruments and join in the performances.
The original Mangue Beat bloco in Olinda is known locally as the Bloco da Lama because participants cover themselves in argila (clay/mud) before and during the parade, and that tradition carries over into Mangue Beatinho for children as well.
O Bondinho (Recife)
O Bondinho is designed as a theatrical and interactive bloco for children. It incorporates costumed performers, music, and games along a short route, allowing parents and children to enjoy the experience together.
Final tips for attending Carnival with children
Attending Carnival with kids requires planning to ensure the experience is safe, enjoyable, and manageable. Even family-friendly blocos and camarotes can become overwhelming without preparation. Here are key considerations:
Timing: Morning and early afternoon events are the safest and most suitable for children. Crowds are smaller, noise levels are lower, and the sun provides natural daylight for easier supervision. Planning around nap times and meal schedules will help keep children comfortable.
Essentials to bring: Refillable water bottles, sunscreen, hats, snacks, and appropriate clothing for hot weather are important. For younger children, prams or carriers can be useful, but be aware that some streets are uneven (cobblestone) or crowded. Ear protection is recommended for kids if music is loud, even at family-friendly events.
Navigation and facilities: Know the route or venue layout in advance, including the location of toilets, exits, and first aid points. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot, and set a meeting point in case anyone gets separated from the group.
Behaviour and supervision: Keep children within arm’s reach at all times, and be aware of sudden changes in crowd density or noise. Encourage them to participate at their own pace, and take breaks as needed. Teaching children simple safety rules for large events can reduce stress for both kids and adults.
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