Tips For Taking Toddlers To Sporting Events
Originally posted on April 8, 2016
Before little ones, you could easily score tickets to a game and be there at a moment’s notice. Now that you have children, it’s not that easy to leave the house for a sporting event on a whim. Traffic, crowds, and a place that may not be so kid friendly can pose challenges for parents. Here are a few tips to make things a little easier on all of you.
- Know what kind of bags are allowed in the arena. Many places don’t allow pocketbooks larger than a clutch, so call or go online in advance to ensure that you don’t have problems at the gate. If baby bags aren’t allowed, stuff a diaper and some wipes in a plastic baggy and put them in a small cross-body bag or clutch. Remember, each stadium is different, so make sure you understand security requirements before you arrive.
- Feed your little ones beforehand, and try and bring snacks if the arena permits. This is a great tip for many reasons. This can help eliminate crankiness, but also helps control the amount of junk food that they may want to eat, and will also curb the amount of money you spend.
- Bring wipes and hand sanitizer. These places aren’t always the cleanest, and you know that kids have a tendency to touch EVERYTHING.
- If you have a toddler that still fits in a baby carrier, be sure to bring it. Believe me. It is a huge help because when you are sitting with your child on your lap, he/she will not be able to wriggle off of you.
- Don’t put pressure on yourself to stay for the whole game. A good rule of thumb for a baseball game is that a child can last one inning per year…but sometimes you get lucky and are able to make it through more innings than their age. Do what you can do.
Remember, take lots of pictures. Sporting events create special family memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy!
xx Mommiemix