Tailgating for Kids

Tailgating is typically a “food sport” for the big kids, but plenty of little kids enjoy hanging around before the game chatting it up with fellow fans.

Make your kid’s tailgating experience a fun one with these tips from Celebrations’ Jeanne Benedict.

Kids’ tailgating food and drink:
Burger and hot dogs are a must on a kids’ tailgating menu! Round it out with football-themed edibles to keep kids fueled up and in the game.

• Football Sandwiches — Use a football shaped cookie cutter to stamp out sandwiches like peanut butter and jelly for the little kids who won’t eat anything else for lunch!
• Football Helmet Cookies — I love this idea from Wilton. Use a football helmet cookie cutter to make sugar cookies. Ice them with your team’s colors and detail the helmet with white decorator icing.
• Football Cookies — Use a football shaped cookie cutter to stamp out sugar cookies. Ice the cookies with chocolate frosting and use white decorator icing to make the football laces.
• Football Cupcakes — Ice cupcakes green to resemble a football field and top with candy football decorations.
• Football Chocolate Lollipops — Make your own football-shaped chocolate lollipops and surprise the kids with a sweet ending to the tailgate.

Pint-size gear and a few sporty supplies will make the kids feel like they’re a part of the party. Go for sports-themed items like team logo kid chairs and football water bottles.

Kids’ tailgating gear:
Pint-size gear and a few sporty supplies will make the kids feel like they’re a part of the party. Go for sports-themed items like team logo kid chairs and football water bottles.

• For seating, kid’s folding beach chairs are great. They’re easy to carry so the kids can unpack and set them up by themselves.
• Keep the kids’ thirst quenched with football water bottles.
• Make it a kid’s party in the parking lot by using football-themed paper plates and napkins and a vinyl football field table cover.
• And you can’t go wrong with pom-poms, but keep noisy party props like whistles and maracas at home.

Kid tailgating tips:

• Park near other families with kids and away from crowds who may be drinking alcohol in excess.
• Try to park near a bathroom or know where they are (especially if you have young kids).
• Pack clothes to be prepared for all weather conditions.
• Give the kids a rundown of safety tips: Don’t run in the areas where cars may be driving. Be careful of hot grills. Make sure Mom and Dad can see you at all times.
• Think “family event” and be responsible about your own alcohol consumption.

Check out Celebrations.com for more tailgating recipes!