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

[Mkrop]

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?

 

[skuttle]

We haven't been to any pro games, but we did bring DS to his first LSU football game last year at age 3. We also did two LSU basketball games at age 3.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

DS was a toddler when we started taking him to games.

 

[Beth76]

My younger son went to his first Cardinal game last year at age 2. I think he wasn't quite 2 yet. I can't remember when for my first son, I think he was 3.

 

[RUDisney]

I think that my DS went to his first AAA baseball game when he was 7. That was local and he's never been to a pro baseball game primarily because we don't know of anyone who has a luxury box at those games (the only way I'll suffer through a baseball game )

He went to his first Eagles game when he was 7, too. My DH is constantly offered tickets to see the Eagles and Giants play, so cost is not a concern about these games. He's also taken our DS to see Penn State a few times. He's been to Syracuse football and basketball games.

Neither of our kids has been to a pro basketball game. Heck, I was to my first Knicks game last March. It only took me 40 years to get to a pro bball game. That was a lot of fun!

 

[JunieJay]

My boys have been going to baseball games since they were babies. My youngest was only a few months old at his first baseball game.

Football is another story, since the seats are a lot more expensive and the games more infrequent. DS12 went to his first pro football game when he was 10, it was a Christmas gift, tickets to the game for him and his Dad. My youngest hasn't been yet, and since he isn't a huge football fan, I don't know when he'll be going.

I think your DS9 would be fine at the game, especially if he's a fan.

Have fun.

 

[RadioNate]

I can't remember when my DS went 1st. Young, 3 or 4 maybe. I know he was a regular at hockey games at 5 but had been to them and NBA games younger. He also went to baseball games before he was 2.5.

We didn't have an NFL team so he has only been two a few games and maybe 2 bowl games. He actually enjoyed tailgating much more than the game. I hate football so I tend not to stay for the entire game if I go and more often than not he was bored and wanted to leave with me.

I've never had a problem with rowdy fans.

 

[diznygirl]

My son's first basketball game was when he was a month old - he slept through it!

And we've been going to baseball games since they were babies with friends and their babies. I've never been to a pro football game tho.

 

[Mkrop]

My boys have been going to baseball games since they were babies. My youngest was only a few months old at his first baseball game.

Football is another story, since the seats are a lot more expensive and the games more infrequent. DS12 went to his first pro football game when he was 10, it was a Christmas gift, tickets to the game for him and his Dad. My youngest hasn't been yet, and since he isn't a huge football fan, I don't know when he'll be going.

I think your DS9 would be fine at the game, especially if he's a fan.

Have fun.

Thanks he has been to lots of games and loves going. Anything sports is right up his alley.

So those of you who take young kids, did you ever feel these were adult only events and that bc of taligating and other behavior that your kid should not be there.

Someone questioned why a kid would be at an event like this and it is usually the parent and child who get mad at the rowdy fans . So I was just seeing how many go to games where the crowd could get rough or the language may be off color and should a parent not complain bc this is what is expected at this kind of event?

 

[mommasita]

Hockey here, and some baseball, but my son started at around 3 years of age....Tickets are SO hard to come by for hockey, we now fight it out , and he is 11... He has seen 3 NFL games, and was 5yrs old at his first game...

 

[RadioNate]

Thanks he has been to lots of games and loves going. Anything sports is right up his alley.

So those of you who take young kids, did you ever feel these were adult only events and that bc of taligating and other behavior that your kid should not be there.

Someone questioned why a kid would be at an event like this and it is usually the parent and child who get mad at the rowdy fans . So I was just seeing how many go to games where the crowd could get rough or the language may be off color and should a parent not complain bc this is what is expected at this kind of event?

It has never bothered me. BUT I also don't get bent out of shape if my DS hears swear words or sees drinking. I've never seen anything I'd consider questionable at a tailgate. Mostly just people hanging out and eating BBQ.

I've also never seen terribly rowdy fans at any of the events. Sure there has been some yelling and a bit of off-color language but none I've felt the need to confront someone over.

If I did have a problem I would likely take it up with the usher or leave myself.

 

[Sinderelli]

We have 2 season tickets to the N.O. Saints...they were supposed to be for me & DH, and DS 8 occassionally. However, once he went to his 1st game he was hooked. Therefore, he goes to games with Dad and DD & I have girls' time.

He was 7 when he started going. How perfect, this year, as he will get to watch the Saints go ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!

 

[Mrs.Toad]

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.

dd#2 was a little older, because by then, if dh and I both went, we'd need a babysitter for dd#1 anyway, so we'd leave the baby as well. I think she was about 6 months old at her first.

ETA: The people who usually sit in our area aren't too rowdy (primarily season ticket holders, so we see the same faces every game), so that hasn't been an issue for us.

 

[Cool-Beans]

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.

 

[mrsv98]

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!

 

[PghLybrt]

Someone questioned why a kid would be at an event like this and it is usually the parent and child who get mad at the rowdy fans . So I was just seeing how many go to games where the crowd could get rough or the language may be off color and should a parent not complain bc this is what is expected at this kind of event?

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.

 

[PghLybrt]

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.

Oh my god I agree with a browns fan
But that was my point exactly.

 

[Cool-Beans]

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.

Well, of course they are. It is a sporting event, not a tea party, for Pete's sake.

If you want to shelter your children, keep them out of the ballparks and stadiums.

I didn't see the other thread and am not slamming anyone in particular.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Oh my god I agree with a browns fan
But that was my point exactly.

LOL, I'm not a fan. DH and the boys are. I didn't go and haven't gone since my dad drug me along as a kid. Not because I'm offended, because I'm COLD and BORED and COLD.

But it is just dumb to go to a football game and then be surprised that sports fans got drunk, yelled obscenities and smoked various kinds of plants. Helllllo! Football game!

 

[PghLybrt]

LOL, I'm not a fan. DH and the boys are. I didn't go and haven't gone since my dad drug me along as a kid. Not because I'm offended, because I'm COLD and BORED and COLD.

But it is just dumb to go to a football game and then be surprised that sports fans got drunk, yelled obscenities and smoked various kinds of plants. Helllllo! Football game!

Thank you I feel much better now ...not agreeing with a fan

Ok the cold thing I get ....but bored? Oh sorry we are talking browns games
(I am just joking, its all good natured )