Age a child can attend a game

SkinsfaninNJ · #1 02-15-2007, 11:36 AM

At what age would you (or have you ) take your child to their first NFL, MLB or NBA game?

My son turned 2 in Dec. I think he should be able to go to a Skins game or at least the scrimmage this year, but wife disagrees. The drive would be no big deal since he sleeps in the car most of the time anyway. The issue would be keeping him occupied and involved for most or all of the game without annoying other fans.

Any thoughts?

SpicyMcHaggis · #2 02-15-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinsfaninNJ

At what age would you (or have you ) take your child to their first NFL, MLB or NBA game?

My son turned 2 in Dec. I think he should be able to go to a Skins game or at least the scrimmage this year, but wife disagrees. The drive would be no big deal since he sleeps in the car most of the time anyway. The issue would be keeping him occupied and involved for most or all of the game without annoying other fans.

Any thoughts?

As soon as he is old enough to realize what is going on..2 seems a bit young to me. Personally, my dad took me to my first Roma game when I was 4 and a half.

redskin_rich · #3 02-15-2007, 11:44 AM

I took my oldest daughter to her first game at 5 months and all together 5 games up until she was 2. I'm pretty sure it's 2 and under that don't need a ticket.
Anyhow, once she reached the toddler stage (walking around, etc), she became too much trouble and I'm sure she was bothersome to others. I only took her to preseason games at that point, so I wouldn't mind missing a lot.
The pyrotechnics at the beginning of the game startled the heck out of her and made her cry but other than that, she had fun.
I haven't taken any of my other girls yet but I would like to take them all to a training camp or scrimmage.

dj_stouty · #4 02-15-2007, 11:56 AM

I took my daughter to a Chargers game at Qualcomm Stadium (Priest Holmes' last carry, in fact) when she was around 7 months old. I strapped her into one of those Baby Bjorn carriers and she was content watching the other fans. She never once cried, so we were lucky.

But we managed to get seats under cover...(similar to Fed Ex's 200 level) That was a good thing, b/c the sun can be harsh on an infant.

csquared · #5 02-15-2007, 12:06 PM

Yea my daughter is 14 months old. I wont take her to any event until she is like 4-5. That way she knows she needs to stay in her seat. At the age she is now she would be walking all over and when we tried to make her sit in her seat she would pitch a fit. Your wife is probably right. Id give it a few years. It would make it more enjoyable for everyone.

CarMike · #6 02-15-2007, 03:53 PM

I didn't think about taking my oldest son to a game until he was 5 years old. I felt before then he'd be a "kid" and would get wrestless.

If it were me, i'd atleast wait till then. Unless you're lucky and your kid enjoys football. Caleb is just now really getting into it and wants to tag along.

PGiddy18 · #7 02-15-2007, 04:33 PM

I was at my first hockey game (NHL) when I was 5 months old. I've been spending most of my summers at the Vet/Citizen's Bank Park since I've been three. It all depends on your child's temperment. If they are quiet and can amuse themself, you'll be fine. If they are more of the type to want to run around and visit all of the shops rather than watch the game, you'd be better off waiting till they are older.

shally · #8 02-15-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinsfaninNJ

At what age would you (or have you ) take your child to their first NFL, MLB or NBA game?

My son turned 2 in Dec. I think he should be able to go to a Skins game or at least the scrimmage this year, but wife disagrees. The drive would be no big deal since he sleeps in the car most of the time anyway. The issue would be keeping him occupied and involved for most or all of the game without annoying other fans.

Any thoughts?

when they are old enough to order a beer from the vendor ......

for me

AGibbsGirl · #9 02-15-2007, 06:04 PM

I took my boys ages 13, 15 to their first Skins game this year. They absolutely hated it!!! They were so freaked out by the cussing, the drunks, the fighting that they are sworn off from games forever.

Jake (13) said one guy in the bathroom was told to knock off the behavior because there were kids in here and the guy said, "F... the kids" Jake got really scared at that. Who would have thought my kid couldn't go to the restroom by himself at the age of 13? I was so completely disappointed at the lack of self control and restraint around the children and the fact that most people are like, "Oh well, I paid for the ticket, I'm gonna behave the way I want to." that I don't know if I'll ever go to another game myself...

BurgundyNGold · #10 02-15-2007, 06:07 PM

I think it depends on the kid and on the game. If your kid is pretty worldly and if you're sitting with a good group, you can bring them at 8 or 10, I would think. But I wouldn't take them to a Dallass or Iggles game at 8 or 10. They would have to be at least 14 to attend those games.

BurgundyNGold · #11 02-15-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGibbsGirl

I took my boys ages 13, 15 to their first Skins game this year. They absolutely hated it!!! They were so freaked out by the cussing, the drunks, the fighting that they are sworn off from games forever.

Jake (13) said one guy in the bathroom was told to knock off the behavior because there were kids in here and the guy said, "F... the kids" Jake got really scared at that. Who would have thought my kid couldn't go to the restroom by himself at the age of 13? I was so completely disappointed at the lack of self control and restraint around the children and the fact that most people are like, "Oh well, I paid for the ticket, I'm gonna behave the way I want to." that I don't know if I'll ever go to another game myself...

Sorry, AGG. I didn't know that was Jake.

Just kidding!

Seriously, though, that was one guy who was being a jerk. And I'm sure that by 13, Jake has heard worse at school -- although not from an imposing drunk adult. You can take at least some solace in the fact that the other guy admonished the jerk for dropping his f-bombs around kids.

akhhorus · #12 02-15-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurgundyNGold

Sorry, AGG. I didn't know that was Jake.

Just kidding!

We can't take you anywhere! Jeez, you think that was bad, you should have seen him during the Houston game lol...kidding.

LadyNRedskinsfan · #13 02-15-2007, 09:51 PM

i took my 4 year old nephew to a game last season. he loved the tailgating, but got bored at the game (L to TENN), lol. i dont blame him, but it was more due to the fact that we werent all that close to the field. his favorite players are portis, moss, taylor and campbell so he'd constantly ask where they were but he is just too young to truly follow it right now.

LATrueRedskin · #14 02-15-2007, 10:03 PM

I wouldn't take any kids to a Redskins game because, by the way they've been playing lately, they'll end up liking another team.

I think it depends on the kid. I think taking a young toddler can be a little dangerous and kind of pointless, because they're not going to remember it at all. I think 4-5 is a good age, considering the kid isn't crazy and can act right in public.

LadyNRedskinsfan · #15 02-15-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LATrueRedskin

I wouldn't take any kids to a Redskins game because, by the way they've been playing lately, they'll end up liking another team.

I think it depends on the kid. I think taking a young toddler can be a little dangerous and kind of pointless, because they're not going to remember it at all. I think 4-5 is a good age, considering the kid isn't crazy and can act right in public.

LOL. you can do what i did and exaggerate the score, lol. j/k, i didnt do that but at such a young age you have to brainwash the kids and make them hate all the other bad teams, lol. i taught my nephew who joe gibbs was when he was 2.