At what age do you take kids to pro sporting events?

[crazyme5kids]

My kids were young (under age 5). Then again, I take my kids to concerts. I have no problem with what they see, hear or smell if they are with me (or my husband), because I am next to them to answer any question they might have or protect them if the need arises (usually from a drunk bumping into them .).

 

[Mkrop]

It was I who questioned. The question was directed at those who do have a problem and take issue with things that happen around them.

I just asked the same of everyone in my building at work. The youngest said 10. All however, said that if they had a problem with swearing, drinking, adult behavior and various smells (after all we were discussing rock concerts too on the thread) that they would not take them. They all said that’s what they expect to see hear and smell at such events.

Like I said on the last thread it is my experience that the parents that do have issue with what the children witness at such events are the ones that start the trouble.

Hello again

Your inquiries on the other thread just got me thinking bc kids are there, how young were they when they got to go, and did parents still take them even with the rowdy beahvior that can be expected. I thought your inquireis on the other thread would be interesting to ask here. Whether football or baseball made a difference etc. Not trying to argue just curious.

I also think some of the behavior can be avoided, not all, but some depending on how you handle it. I mean I am 38 and dont want some drunken jerk to spill beer on me while cursing his head off so I do tend to avoid certain situations as I can. And we do try to use these as examples of how not to act for our son if we cant avoid them.

 

[Mkrop]

My DDad and I took DD last summer to her first Cubs game, she was 6yo at the time. Now, I wouldn't take her to the bleacher section but the regular seats are just fine. Here is a pic, it was Build-A-Bear Day!

cute idea did she get on tv with that sign

 

[Mkrop]

The boys went to their first game when they were four or five. They sat in the dog pound and came home chanting "********! ********!" DH got The Look. But it was cool - part of growing up a Browns fan, I guess. I dunno, I'm one of those girls who doesn't like or "get" football and had to go with DH on that.

I would never ask sports fans to behave in a normal way or not get drunk and yell foul things - that's what sports fans do.

If people have a problem with their kids being around that stuff, they shouldn't take their kids there. Duh.

Mine came home chanting "Cowboys suck" In case the filters get it, it is what you do through a straw.

 

[TaraPA]

On another thread, someone asked if the stadium is so rowdy why do you take young kids to pro football games.

So what age did you start taking your kids to professional or college sporting events? Did it matter if it was NFL or MLB or does any of it matter?

I see lots of young kids at Phillies games and know of some kids as young as 4at Eagles games. We avoid all tailgating. And mostly DS9 has been to preseason football games bc of how expensive tickets are but he has been to a few regular games, he has been to tons of baseball games. DH does work very hard to protect him from the rowdier fans.

So what age do your kids go?

DH & DS10 are HUGE Phillies & Eagles fans. He took DS to 2 Philies games last year & this year, and he said they sat by rowdy bunches every time, but not too bad. They're going to the Eagles/Seahawks game on 12/2 (while me & DS7 are in WDW!!!!) & he got tickets in the Family Section. He said Eagles games are way too rowdy for a 10-year old.

 

[LUVMYTINK]

Our oldest DS went to a Braves game in San Diego when he was 1 1/2 yrs. old. He has LOVED baseball since he was a baby. No problem with fans around us. Then when he was 4 1/2 he went to a Titans game in Indy with DH. DH said they were around some rowdy Colts fans, but what do you expect they were in Indy. Haven't taken the other kids to any yet cause we don't live near our beloved teams .

 

[Mkrop]

DH & DS10 are HUGE Phillies & Eagles fans. He took DS to 2 Philies games last year & this year, and he said they sat by rowdy bunches every time, but not too bad. They're going to the Eagles/Seahawks game on 12/2 (while me & DS7 are in WDW!!!!) & he got tickets in the Family Section. He said Eagles games are way too rowdy for a 10-year old.

Now see I had no idea there was a family section. Could you ask him what section? That could be a potential present if I could get them tickets in that section.

 

[Kimmumum]

My boys were both about 2 when they went to their first Cubs games. They have gone to Cubs games, many Sox games (easy tickets to get), a few Bears games (incredibly hard to get), one or two Bulls games and many Wolves (hockey) games. Never had a problem. They love it.

I have a cousin who is a die hard Sox fan and he has taken his 5 month old (3rd child) to 4-5 games this summer.

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

lets see oldest DD was born in November and baseball starts in April so she was 4 months the other dd was just a couple weeks old because she was born in March and youngest was probably a month old of course DH worked for a baseball team at the time and we always sat behind the net in the shade and had the option of going into his office if it was too hot
youngest kid went to his first Hockey game at 2 weeks old but we sat upstairs in a room behind glass so his 1st words didn't involve the ref or anything

 

[skuttle]

DS has actually been tailgating for LSU football games since he was 8 weeks old! He was born July 2nd and was out at the first LSU tailgate that year. He went home with grandma when it was time for the game to start.

We never had a problem with fans. Then again, DS doesn't know the difference. To DS, the bad words are "stupid" and "shut up." Every now and then, DH or I will let one of those bad words slip and it cracks DS up...he always says "oooooo, you said a bad word." Once in a while, DH will say a "real" bad word on purpose and DS just looks at him like he's crazy. LOL!

 

[tropical depression]

our daughter never got into the games, she's always bored. she does love going to Buccaneers games, just for the screaming, cursing, and smack talk between the fans.

after the Bucs/Eagles game last year she was yelling, "enjoy your trip back up I-95" to anyone in a Philly jersey.

 

[Kimmumum]

My DDad and I took DD last summer to her first Cubs game, she was 6yo at the time. Now, I wouldn't take her to the bleacher section but the regular seats are just fine. Here is a pic, it was Build-A-Bear Day!

When my DH took our oldest to his first Cubs game he was 2. He was sitting on my DH's shoulders. After they went through the gates this guy came up and asked my DS if it was his first baseball game. He said yes and the guy handed him an official game ball. He still has it to this day. They were there with my DH's father and grandfather. 4 generations.

I got Cubs tickets for my birthday. We will be at next Tuesday nights game. Go Cubbies!!

 

[Darcy03231]

DS was 8 and it was a pro-hockey game. We had some young men (early 20's) behind us that I have to give a lot of credit to. They really tried very hard to curb their language knowing there was a younger child present and very quickly apologized when they did say something. While they were drinking they certainly weren't drunk and I really didn't expect them to curb their language, they just tried very hard to do it voluntarily. DS had a great time and has been to several more per season since then.

 

[CamColt]

My kids were both about 1 at their first hockey games.

 

[liamsaunt]

I started taking my niece and nephew to Red Sox games when they were about four. I only had to leave once--it was a Sox-Yankees game, things got a little too overheated with the "Yankees Suck" chants, and a couple of guys near us got into a fight. My choice to leave. Otherwise, they've had wonderful times, and are generally oblivious to all around them except 1. the game and 2. the ice cream vendor!

My Dad started taking me to Bruins games when I was about the same age. I always had a good time. I do have a funny memory of this really drunk guy standing in front of us who was swearing up a blue streak. Finally my Dad leaned over and said "Hey guy! Have mercy!" The man turned around and saw me sitting there, and mumbled for a minute, then gave me the biggest grin, threw his hands over his head, and shouted "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" We all laughed and he did not swear any more either. Of course, if things had gone differently we would have left, I am sure.

 

[ajsmommy1129]

dd#1 was 3 weeks old at her first NHL game. We took her all the time because she was free to sit on our laps until age 3.

You are my kind of gal!!! My DS went to his 1st Flyers game in utero....then when he was about 3 weeks old. We take him all the time, he is just a sports freak like his Mom and Dad...during hockey season, his first words in the AM are "Mommy, did the Flyers win or lose last night?" He and DH are going to the Blue Rocks game on Sunday so Mom can get the house in order...and finish packing for Disney!

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

I've been going to pro football games since I was a toddler. However, at that age, I was still a Bills fan, as per family rules, so I enjoyed every one of them. I think that if anyone isn't a fan of the game, it will be dull, regardless of age.

 

[Minnie_me]

They won't be going to any NFL games for a WHILE. DH took me to see the Bills, and even though we were seated in the "FAMILY SECTION", it was terrible. The language! I don't want to subject my girls to that (or boys, if I had any). The fans fight with each other, there are drunks everywhere. It's just awful.

We don't have NBA near us, but we've taken the girls to see college basketball (Syracuse Orangemen) and they love it!

Also, they've been to pro golf tournaments. Golf fans aren't nasty.

 

[xCourxCorex]

I went to my first Bruins game at 8. I don't remember it really, but now being almost 10 years older, I get annoyed with all the stupid drunk idiots that ruin the game.

 

[Pigeon]

Since I'm in my 40s and I've yet to attend a pro sporting event, let alone my kids, I guess the answer is never!