Even though Evie is 8 months old, in many ways, C and I are still settling in to this whole parenthood thing. One of our regular challenges has been figuring out what to do on a Saturday night. We want something that we’ll enjoy and is baby-friendly – as much as we love cocktail bars and a nice dinner out, we’ve got to save those plans for a night when we have a sitter.
So, when we were offered tickets to a Mavs game last weekend, we jumped at the chance. I don’t know why we didn’t think of it before! Sporting events are family friendly and a guaranteed good time – which we definitely had (and a little tip for Dallas families: babies under 1 can get into Mavs and Stars games for free!).
Here are five easy tips to ensuring you (and the babe) have a great time at your next game:
1. Check online for fun family events around the game. The night we went, the Mavs we’re hosting their annual Winter Wonderland pre-game with Rudolph and Frosty, a spot for family Santa photos, a holiday magician, and lots of other kid-friendly entertainment. E had a blast!
2. Look for a game time that doesn’t interfere with naps or bedtime. Nothing’s worse than a fussy baby! You know your kid best, and whether you can push them past their regular bedtime. But, when possible, find a game that fits your schedule. The game we went to had a 5pm tip-off, so while we pushed E’s bedtime a little to see the last exciting minutes of the game (although we had planned to leave before the 4th), it wasn’t too late. You can check out the Mavs schedule HERE and the Stars schedule HERE, if you’re in Dallas.
3. Grab a set of headphones. Some games can be LOUD. We lucked out and had seats in an open area that helped keep the volume lower. Still, we packed our baby headphones that E uses at the gym just in case. They’re a small investment and when you need them, you really need them!
4. Bring snacks. We shared some of our mac and cheese with Evie and she LOVED it! Towards the end of the night, we found the best way to keep her hands out of our popcorn was to give her a snack cup with her puffs in it. She was a happy girl!
5. Pack only the essentials in the diaper bag. The items above, a change of clothes, and a few diapers – that’s all you need. We brought a huge diaper bag with toys and felt like it was always in our way. E only wanted the empty cup we requested from concessions anyway. She happily clapped on it and cheered the whole game! (Side note: there are also family restrooms all over the AAC to make changing easy.)
We’re definitely adding more games to our list of family Saturday night ideas. Have you been? Any other tips to add to our list?
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