Top 10 Tips for Football Family Fun with Sydney So Sweet

Tip #1: Snacks for toddlers

Save yourself from the stress of waiting in the concession stand line for over priced  food by packing easy and healthy snacks for our kids! I'm not a big fan of lines (is anyone?), and the concession stand line always seems a mile long as soon as my little ones declare their hunger. The plan... pack non-messy snacks and drinks like trail mix, apple slices, and bottled water. Make sure to check the stadium policies before you go as some items may be prohibited. 

Tip #6: Be prepared for the noise

Whether you are going to a high school, college, or NFL game; it is important to prepare your little ones for the loud noises. I make sure to bring a pair of noise cancelling headphones. Not only do they block out the loud buzzers and whistles, they also block out the intense fan sitting behind you that keeps cursing at the ref. :( Shop my favorite headphones here.

Tip #7: Let the kids have some fun

During my town's Friday night football games, the big kids would rather run around with all their friends than sit in the stands and watch the game. I make it a rule that my kids are not allowed to go over to the opposing team's side of the field and in exchange, they are allowed to participate in the legendary football game under the bleachers.

Tip #9: BYOC

Not all soccer field are created equal! A very important tip for soccer moms is to pack your own bag chair - BYOC = bring your own chair. (And don't forget a blanket for the little ones to sit on.) Sometimes we get lucky and the game is in a stadium on a beautiful turf field. I lounge like a soccer mom queen in my bleacher seat with arm rests, a seat back, and a drink holder. But more often than not, the venue is just a mowed rectangle of grass with some nets and some lines - seats not included. That is why from August through October I never head to a game without packing my handy bag chair. In fact, my cars is always fully stocked with bag chairs, blankets, seat cushions, umbrellas, and more. I have learned a lot in my decade of being a soccer mom. 

Tip #9: Packing for the unexpected

Have you ever arrived at the game just to realize that her shin guards are still sitting on the kitchen counter? Yep, we've done that. Thankfully a well-prepared soccer mom leaped to her feet, dug through her "ready bag," and proudly presented my tearful daughter with 2 shin guards just before the tears became a flood. Since that day I have vowed to be the "ready mom." And on more than one occasion I have been super mom coming to the rescue. Okay... so it's usually my kid who forgets his water bottle, but that's not my point. My car actually has a little compartment in the back which I use to stock extra water, shin guards, extra jerseys (we seem to have a stockpile of jerseys), snacks, band-aids, and more. 

Tip #10: Be prepared for parking

Arrive early for good and reliable parking. This is a big one for me. Until the GPS was invented, I was a lost soul. I was born with zero internal mapping system and absolutely no ability to find my way around, even in places I have been to before. Finding my car in the dark when the crowd leaves the stadium all at once can be a challenge for me. Our whole town goes to the Friday night games and our stadium has very limited parking. So I make sure to get there early enough for a close parking spot. This will help with getting out before the traffic gets backed up, too. If you are going to a college level or NFL game, pay the extra money for close parking. The money spent on parking saves on hearing your kids complain about the long walk back to the car after the game. And it's easier to find your car!

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