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12 Tips for Tailgating with Kids
Tailgating with kids can be both a challenge but great family fun as well! For us, tailgating is truly a family adventure from the moment we park until we head into our event. Below are a few of the tips that help us make tailgating a breeze as a family.
- Set Boundaries for Safety: As soon as you arrive set up parameters on where they will be allowed to play and how close they should stay within the tailgate area. Write your phone number on their arm and cover with liquid band-aid just in case they were to get separated especially if you are tailgating in a new area.
- Lather up on the sunblock and bug repellent: Make sure the give the kids a good base of sunblock before tailgating. Even when it is overcast, it’s easy to get sunburned. If you aren’t sure about the bug situation, it’s always a great idea to bring bug spray to reduce the likelihood of bug bites.
- Bring a First-Aid Kit: It never fails when our kids are playing rough and tumble at the tailgate someone ends up needing a band-aid. This First-Aid Kit is small and budget friendly and goes with all on vacations as well.
- Set up a Tent and Chairs: Kids tend to wear down (read: get whiny) when they are out in the elements for a while. Tailgating can be a super long event especially when paired with an event to follow. A tent will help reduce sun exposure and give them a great place to rest in a chair.
- Bring plenty of activities: Make busy bags full of crayons, coloring books, small games, books, bubbles, balls etc. We are fortunate that we often tailgate with other families so we can all bring our share of these items. The bonus to that is that it is then all “new” to my kids!
- Pack Plenty of Changes of Clothes: It never seems to fail that our kids will inevitably end up wearing their food or tearing a hole in their pants after romping around at the Tailgate. Having an extra outfit on hand is super helpful for those accidents. Don’t forget to also pack for any other potential weather events (rain, snow, wind, etc). For more on that, see our Tips for Tailgating in the Rain.
- Yard Games are a huge fun: There are so many awesome giant games on the market now. Adult me also loves a lot of these! Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, Giant Checkers, and Yardzee are just a few of the great ones available right now.
- Bring Kid-Friendly Tailgate Food & Drinks: Let the kids know that they can help themselves to a certain cooler of drinks like small waters, juices, milk, etc. Bring plenty of food and snacks that all ages will love. Some of our most popular tailgate foods for our kids are popcorn chicken, chicken nugget trays, popcorn, chips, pretzels, cheese, and fruit.
- Make sure a bathroom is close by: If you have a choice of parking, scope out spot that may be nearby a bathroom to reduce any potty accidents. You will appreciate not having to parade a gaggle of children through a large tailgate.
- Bring Hand-Sanitizer, Disinfecting Wipes, & Baby Wipes: Kids are inevitably going to touch ALL of the nasty things despite our pleas in the port-a-potty. When you don’t have the access to a sink, baby wipes comes in majorly handy for wiping faces and messes. Don’t forget the hand sanitizer for post-potty!
- Wagons are great for small kids: If you are going to do a lot of walking, it was much easier to use a wagon to bounce around from tailgate to tailgate with little kids. We got a lot of miles on our Step 2 Wagon during tailgating.
- Bring a Fan: A portable misting fan is always a big hit with my kids. I think they see this as more of a toy, but it certainly minimizes the “I’m so HOT” conversations.
There you have it! The Tailgate Winners Tips for Tailgating with Kids but the most important of all, be patient and have fun! Being prepared and organized will go a long way in a kid-friendly tailgate. What other tips do you have?
