Tailgating Fun for Kids

I always love this time of year...  Fall weather is in the air, and football season is in full swing! 

When I was growing up (in Gulfport, MS), we spent Thursday nights in the fall at our Pee Wee League football games.  My brothers played football, and my sister and I were cheerleaders.  We were the Pizza Hut Bulldogs, and our dad was one of the coaches.  We were undefeated a couple of years, mainly because we were promised free pizza after every game that we won.  We made a grand entrance to the field before the game on a firetruck, and just had a great time!

After school on Friday, or early Saturday morning, we loaded into the van and headed for Mississippi State football games.  In 1980, we went to every single game, home or away.  We even built a Christmas trip around going to the Sun Bowl.  The trips were fun, even though we were in the van for hours.  Our parents planned fun activities, such as coloring contests, and we would sing songs.  (How about singing Row Row Row Your Boat in rounds?)  We played the typical car games like looking for the alphabet on signs and counting cows.  Once we arrived at the game, we always enjoyed tailgating and visiting with family and friends.  These were always great times and created memories to last a lifetime.

When reading the September 2010 issue of Palmetto Parent, I saw an article on "How you can make tailgating fun for your kids".  The article includes tailgating ideas from some of the wives of the University of South Carolina coaching staff.  I think these are good ideas and want to share them with you:

• Make hot dogs at home and wrap them in foil for a portable, kid-friendly lunch.  Pigs in a blanket are also big hits with the youngest fans.
• Have a separate cooler for children's beverages.
• Make plenty of finger foods so children can graze before and after the game.
• Reserve special treats for game day, such as M&Ms (in school colors) or other candies that aren't generally offered at home.
• Pack face stickers and other items that get kids excited about the game.
• Seek out the marching band, mascots and cheerleaders when tailgating.
• Time naps strategically around the agenda for game day.  This is especially important for night games.  For older children, establish the requirements for attending night games in advance.
• Bring child-friendly music, games and a football for the tailgate party.
• If you are bringing a baby to the game, consider "wearing" the baby in a comfortable carrier.
• Bring along pre-game activities - such as coloring books and bubbles - for added fun.

Have fun and enjoy your game! 

We invite you to share your favorite tailgating recipes and activites here, too!