Contrary to popular belief the words “Tailgate” and “Kids” can co-exist. No, not like the good ole’ days with keg stands, or the 3 beer challenge from the tailgate spot to the stadium. The days of sneaking liquor in in zip lock bags taped to your leg are most likely a thing of the past, but you can support your team with your kids in tow, responsibly and have fun doing it.
How you ask? Here are a few things to keep in mind when loading up those little sports fans for game day.
1. Make sure they are decked out in team gear, this is important for them to feel like a part of the tailgating scene. A hat, a shirt, some fun party beads in team colors, maybe even spring for a kid size chair they can call their very own.
2. Pick a location that will be safe for the children to have some space to play. Try to find an area that will have little to no through traffic. You don’t want to have them strapped in a stroller all day for fear of them wandering into traffic or to the wrong camp of tailgaters who will hand them a funnel because they are already too inebriated to see the difference between a pre-schooler and a college student. If possible, arrange the vehicles in your party in a way that will keep them fairly contained. Use chairs, tables and coolers to fill in gaps where needed.
3. So, you found the perfect spot and the kids are contained, now what? Before they start getting bored and whining which will inevitably kill your buzz, let them help you decorate. Take some team colored streamers and balloons, maybe the big car magnets to arrange on the cars you have blocking you in, and if they’re old enough, let them help set out the snacks and food.
4. Speaking of snacks and food – how about a kiddie cooler? Stock it full of juice and their favorite drinks so they can help themselves. Saves you from having to dig through the beer cooler for Juicy Juice and will make them feel like a real tailgater, go an extra step with their very own team koozie.
5. Activities! Activities! Activities! Make the tailgating experience just as fun for the kids as it has always been for you. Playing catch is always an option, maybe a kids game of cornhole, or turn an old classic like beer pong into juice pong……. Too much? How about a deck of cards, maybe take some cookies made into the shape of footballs or team logos and let them decorate with decorating pens. When all else fails or they need a little down time, make sure you have that portable DVD player handy with a couple of their favorite movies.
6. Food. Make sure there are plenty of kid friendly options available. Not every child will want hot wings or sausages off the grill. Make up some sandwiches (use themed cookie cutters for extra bonus points) and have some bowls of easy to snack on food that they will love, keep it within reach of little hands so they aren’t once again killing your buzz because they can’t reach the Chex Mix.
So there you have it, a few tips on making this football season a kid friendly one. Do you and your family tailgate each year? What tips and tricks can you share that will make game day just a little easier and a lot more fun?
If you have kids, I would suggest tailgating some place where they have access to open grass. Our parents used to hand us a Nerf Football, and then we’d recruit other kids to play. 4 hours later it was time to go to the game.
You know, at Auburn there used to be great places with grass, but it seems like they have either made them parking lots or don’t allow you to set up in those areas anymore, but I agree, grassy knolls are ideal.