I grew up attending sporting events with my family, which were some of my favorite memories as a kid. Being a sports fan is a huge part of my identity in my adult life, and my husband and I attend games as much as we can. We never missed a home football game in college, and we were season ticket holders for the Dallas Mavericks for several seasons before we became parents. We – love – sports!

It was important to me, after we had our son, that we not sacrifice our love of live sports and to expose him to our obsession as early in his life as possible. Plus, living in the metroplex offers us plenty of opportunities to explore new and exciting games in person. This hasn’t been the easiest task at times, and we have had to leave early a time or two, but these few tips can help you AND your kiddos enjoy your favorite pastime in person!

Ready to cheer on our Red Raiders in Men’s basketball!

Get your little one their own seat! 
This can add to the expense of your outing a bit, but is so worth it in the end. Our son is 2, and he now requires a ticket to most things. We started getting him his own seat when he was about a year old. This didn’t mean he sat in his own seat all the time, but it gave us extra room for him to wiggle. Many times, we would let him just play on the ground between us if he wanted to. Another tip – we don’t put much worry on germs until we leave and do a good wipe down and then a good bath when we get home.

Don’t go crazy to expose your kids to live sports.
Looking at you outdoor baseball! My husband and son are red heads, so needless to say we don’t do outdoors during the summer if we don’t have to. There is no use in being miserable just to experience a game. It sounds SUPER spoiled and so “Dallas” of me, but we usually don’t go to Ranger games unless we get offered suite tickets.

Aisle seats – for the win!
I just feel so much more comfortable being close to a quick getaway than stuck in the middle of 20 people. Plus, we are currently potty training, so I am making running to the potty an Olympic sport lately.

Know the bag policy.
There is usually a strict bag policy at any event you attend. Do not get caught walking up to a game with a bag you can’t take inside. That is a long walk back to the car and you’ll be kicking yourself for not having a better plan without your snacks and juices with you when you get desperate inside. Most games we attend allow you to take a full size bag in if you can see through the bag. My mom and I have invested in really great clear bags for the games we attend with my son. Along with the bag policy, they will also have a policy on snacks and drinks. We have only been told one time that we couldn’t bring in my son’s crackers and small snack packs. We also take an empty sippy cup and fill it up once we get inside. Taking his own cup ensures that he will actually drink it and we don’t have to navigate him using a full size cup and straw for the first time around 20,000 of his closest new friends. Full disclosure – we allow Wyatt to have plenty of screen time if he isn’t interested in the game. Anything to help us stay as long as we can since we LOVE being there just as much as we love taking him.

If you get free tickets, take them!
Don’t shy away from an experience of taking your kiddo to sporting events because of the hassle you think you’ll have. Just say YES and get a game plan together. You’ll have fun, and if you aren’t having fun, then at least the tickets were free! If nothing else, accept the tickets and give me a call! I have 2 handsome red heads who would love to take in a game any day of the week!

Tips for sporting events in DFW

Cheapest tickets in town / Tips on a good deal:

• NCAA baseball tickets are usually $7 per game – for great seats! We are taking our son to watch our beloved Texas Tech Red Raiders play baseball at Dallas Baptist this season, and we bought tickets right on the field by our team’s dugout for $7. Great deal! We don’t get to Lubbock often, so we watch out for games that they are playing away but that are closer to us here in DFW.
• Dallas Mavericks – I am a huge Mavs fan, but let’s face it, they aren’t the best team in the league right now. This usually means they are giving tickets away for next to nothing. Plus, they have promotions all the time. 
• Frisco Rough Riders – the BEST way to introduce sports to your kids. They have playgrounds and all other types of entertainment in case the game itself doesn’t keep your child’s interest.
• Dallas Cowboys – my feelings on seeing a Cowboys game with my children is it’s not happening. I can barely afford it for my husband and I, so little Wyatt will have to wait until he can afford it on his own. BUT a fun thing to do instead is to go to the new training facility in Frisco where they play the games for the public which is a fun alternative.

What about you?  What are your favorite live sporting events to attend with your kiddos?  Have any tips to add?