Taking Young Kids to the Big House
I am so excited to take our 1 year old daughter to her first ever game at the Big House on 9/13. But I want it to be an enjoyable experience for all. So I am seeking advice from veteren baby/kid takers.
Do we get there early, or is hanging out plus a 3+ hour game too much for little ones?
Aside from kiddo snacks, is there anything particular that we should bring to keep her content?
Or are 1 year olds just too squirmy to sit there for even a half?
Any insight is appreciated.
August 27th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^
just wondering?
August 27th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^
boo. not nearly a good enough question to be posted twice.
August 27th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^
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August 27th, 2014 at 10:58 AM ^
So much doom and gloom. You know your child the best, how they will react. My 2 year old is going to her first game this Saturday, going with dad and her uncles. I wouldnt have considered it, but, after having a good experience taking her fishing this year, I decided to try. She can hang out on a pontoon boat for 3-4 hours without getting upset, fussy, or anything. As long as she gets a little attention, she is good.
That and my wife had a c-section and emergency surgery following 5 days ago. Anything to keep the 2 year old from crawling all over her for a few hours will help all involved.
Good luck, hope your kiddo does well, hope everyone enjoys!
August 27th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
make sure to bring protection for her ears. aside from the fact that the loud noise may make her irritable, it could also cause long-term damage to her ears.
my buddy went to a concert earlier this year, stood near the speakers, and now he has what may be life-long hyperacusis.
August 27th, 2014 at 11:15 AM ^
Didnt you get the memo? The Big House is full of quiet old farts and it never gets uncomfortably loud.
August 27th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^
to game, especially if you actually wanted to see the game. if you don't mind missing most of it and just getting junior's feet wet at the big house, you'll be fine. the suggestions on this thread are excellent re: your time in the stadium with junior. i am blessed with well-behaved children (and more than the average number, as my name implies), but i would hold off for a few years. we have a tradition that when it's time to leave, we run back to the truck which is about 1 1/2 miles away. if they can make the run, then they are good-to-go to the game.
August 27th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^
Best of luck to you! I'm planning on taking my kid (she'll be 9 months) to the Slippery Rock game where the stakes are much lower =P (And noise has never really bothered her... she enjoys seeing everything way too much... which makes it more difficult when nap times come)=
August 27th, 2014 at 11:12 AM ^
As has been mentioned, it could be a bit rough for a one-year old attending a game. I was about 1 when i was taken to my first game, but that was in '77, so things are a bit different these days (and my parents may be insane). We took our sons to games when they were 1 and 2 (actually, the first time I took my oldest son to the stadium he was 4 months old and it was for Bo's memorial service...), but I think we lucked out at all our early games because we were flexible, had good weather, and had lots of support (ie. sat with the grandparents); if it is just you and your significant other, it might turn out to be miserable, because it does take a good amount of work; however, again, it can be done.
Definitely lots of good comments above, so read through those; sorry if I repeat anything excessively here but here are my quick thoughts:
If you're going early in the season, water and sun protection are vital. The first/August game is basically too hot for adults, and is really hard for kids generally; so it goes without saying that toddlers would not like it at all. In short, don't go to the August game with a 1 year old. Later on in the season (late sept. - oct.) would be preferrable, and you'll just need to be ready with various layers and weather protection.
As far as pre-gaming, rather than sit around by the back of a car, we've always tried to balance snacks with a variety of activities for the kids, so after we set up base at the tailgate and eat a snack, we would then go watch the drumline on the steps of Revelli Hall; come back for more snacks, then watch the band march into the stadium; now that they're older we can play a bit of catch, etc. I think that helped get my boys excited about the pomp and circumstance associated with the gameday experience, which is always helpful, and is something they still remember (perhaps due, in part, to the fact that we took lots of pictures). The variety/activity helps tire them out as well, which was always helpful for our little guys (our oldest slept in a sling on my lap for most of the 38-0 blasting of ND years ago after this kind of pre-game), and even if they're going to stay awake, they will at least not be entering the game already being bored by having sat around a tailgate for 3 hours doing nothing.
When you get into the game, all the normal toddler caveats apply too: have lots of wipes, hat, sun shade, snacks and beverages (one-year olds complicate that a bit, depending on what they're eating), be prepared to exit your section quickly if a diaper change is needed (or just to calm down an anxious tiny person who isn't as keen as you are to sit in the same place surrounded by tons of people; remember too that you're trying to watch a game that actually may be physically impossible for your one year old's eyes to focus on too (depending on where your seats are), so don't be surprised if they aren't into watching the game since it is likely too far away for them to see!
As has been mentioned, leaving the stadium entirely in the first half or so is a very likely possibility, given all the stresses and issues you'll be facing; if you're lucky, if they get fussy you can just get them calmed down a bit by walking/playing around the grass outside the stadium, etc., but that obviously means you're missing the game... Might be a small price to pay, however, if you want to stick around for longer and potentially be there for the end of the game. Finally, you'll need to finesse their napping schedule if you're going to have any chance at staying long enough for you to enjoy the game too. As I mentioned, we lucked out in that our boys were still napping, and I was able to get them to sleep on my chest while the game was going on because we'd tuckered them out so much before going into the stadium and they were already past their normal nap-time.
Anyway, whenever you're able to take your little one to their first game, here's hoping you and they have a great time. Best of luck, and GO BLUE!
August 27th, 2014 at 11:13 AM ^
I can't say don't bring your 1 year old, because every kid is different and reacts to stimulation differently.
My guess is that 3+ hours is way too much. I'd be worried about feeding, sleeping, the temperature... to take my kid when he was that age.
August 27th, 2014 at 11:16 AM ^
that young, I wouldn't recommend it. As others have stated, it's way too noisy in the stadium and your daughter might get very frightened. Also, the weather this Saturday is supposed to be hot which is not good at all for a one year old. If you still end up doing it, don't plan on staying long. But, good luck whatever you do.
August 27th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
Common sense people . . . 1 year olds . . . just don't do it . . . a walk in their stroller in the a nearby park is a far more pleasureable experience. It's too loud, too hot, too much. To be honest, taking you kids into the Big House . . . I really think you have to be 10 years old or older to appreciate it. Now, when Michigan puts a Comerica park type carousel in . . . maybe that's when you could take a 5 year old. But, when I go to Comerica, it's never about the game. But, when I go to Michigan, it's all about the game. The experience is different and you have to figure out how that experience works for a kid . . .
August 27th, 2014 at 11:27 AM ^
I can't speak specifically to bringing a kid to the Big House, but I do have recent experience on bringing my 1 year old daughter (turns 1 on Friday) to a Tigers game a couple weeks ago. It wasn't all that bad, but it is not something I plan on doing until she is a few years older, as it was tough. As there is no room for her to safely walk or sit by herself, she had to be on our lap or carried. This made things pretty annoying/obnoxious when it came to people having to get up from our row or vice versa. Also, CoPa was pretty lenient. We were able to bring in a fully stocked diaper bag as well as a travel stroller. If I'm not mistaken, you'd be hard pressed to be able to bring in much of anything into the Big House.
She did end up loving it though for the most part when we got to sit in our seats uninterrupted. She thought the roar of the crowd and the clapping was the greatest thing ever, and she was old enough that the sights and sounds weren't over-stimulating for her. She also made a lot of friends in the form of people who were more interested in making funny faces and speaking baby to her than watching the game. Regardless, she only made it through the 4th inning until she let us know it was time to go. So, add in the added restrictions of Michigan stadium, the increase in action and sounds, and it creates a place that I don't plan on taking my daughter to for a long while. Hope this helped and good luck in whatever you decide to do.
August 27th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
Does anyone know the age limit where you can bring kids for free? Or is it 1 day old, buy a ticket? I've been curious about bringing my 4 yr old to a game, but have been very hesitant because I don't want to pay full price for a ticket and then leave at halftime. I know my boy would LOVE most of the game, just not sure if he could keep his attention for the entire thing.
August 27th, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^
Last I checked when I was thinking of bringing my kid to a basketball game last year, there is no age limit, even if you're bringing your baby who was born yesterday. For Crisler and the Big House, every single person going to the game needs a ticket, and whether they're going to put their butt in that actual seat is irrelevant. A bit ridiculous as many sporting venues use the 2 years and under get in free policy.
Damn you Dave Brandon!!!! /s (or am I...)
The oldest I've seen any major college or pro sports allow free entry for children on a regular basis is 3 years old and even that's rare, so I think you'll be paying for your 4 year old to watch any game from here on out.
August 27th, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^
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August 27th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
Only you know your daughter, so this might not apply at all. I happen to have two boys, ages 4 and 1. I can talk about them rather well.
My 4 year old had ear tubes put in at a rather young age (LOTS of ear infections...which stopped once the tubes went in almost instantly). The only side effect that we are noticing is that he tends to dislike loud noises. Depending on which side of the "down in front" vs. "up in back" debate you are on will determine whether you think this is a problem for him or not. In all seriousness, we'd have to do earplugs at the very least because the noises can be a tad unpredictable. INTERCEPTION! FUMMMMBLLLEEEE! Need I go on? From the, "but would he be able to sit for the game" standpoint, it would depend on the level to which I allow him to be distracted. We go to church, and he is able to "make it through" the service. That is to say, everything is good as long as he has:
- Some trains to play with
- Things to color
- Snacks (which would get SUPER EXPENSIVE at the stadium)
- The ability to get up and go to the bathroom...up to 5 times in one service, but at least once.
- The ability to crawl on and around Dad (me).
As you can see, this quite a bit of things to arrange, and by the end of service (60-90 min) he is DONE. I could probably make him last longer if I gave him an iPad, but that's not what I want to teach him at church. Transitioning that thought to a game...do I really want to spend the $$$ on the ticket just to hand my kid an iPad? I think not. I've never done the tailgating experience, but I think that could work. Especially if he had friends to run around with.
My 1 year old...to put it bluntly, I can't imagine taking my 1 year old to a football game. He is just starting to toddle around (14 months) and is interested in MOVING. So the idea of holding him for a large fraction of a game (or...what is more likely because he just likes her better...making his mother do so) is not appealing. There is also the whole nap thing. He requires 1-2 naps still. That means a nap in the late morning and a nap in the afternoon, or a LONG nap right after lunch. And any thought that you have of having him nap while one of us is holding him should be banished from your mind. He needs a quiet space to calm down so he can fall asleep. Moreover, research has shown that kids don't sleep as deeply or as well when they are being held (or when they are in a moving car for that matter). I could possibly see tailgating, depending on how close you are to the stadium, and where you decide to tailgate. Letting the kid run around would keep him happy, then when it is naptime, have a place available or leave.
Seeing as how you've already bought tickets, these are my recommendations in order of preference:
- Sell/Give away your tickets and tailgate. At this age, fall Saturdays can be about wearing Blue, and spending time with other people that are wearing Blue. This is about joining a fan community, not necessarily about physically being in the stadium.
- Bribe your wife to stay home and watch the kid while you take a buddy. Alternately, hire a babysitter and take the wife if she'd be into it.
- As others have said, take your daughter and be prepared to leave early. Like before the first quarter is over. This really doesn't sound like how I want to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Remember, you can start traditions at home. I still celebrate touchdowns with my 4 year old like this:
August 27th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^
It seems selfish to me. If you do bring the kid, I hope you don't sit next to me.
It makes as much sense as taking a house cat to a game.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^
Wanting to instill a love for a great institution like Michigan at a young age is selfish?
I could easily go with buddies and have a blast, but I'll do that many more times this season. I want my daughter to be able to say that she shared an experience with her family at the Big House before she could even remember.
If you have suggestions, positive or negative, that's one thing, but who are you to make such judgment?
And I hope that I don't ever sit next to a person like you.
August 27th, 2014 at 3:47 PM ^
Many agree (as you can read in the posts) that bringing your 1 year old is probably not a good idea. You have to admit, you are doing this for you, not for your daughter. You will get a photo, but your daughter won't remember this. Your daughter would probably be much happier playing with $2 worth of bubbles.
When I've flown with my son, I could see people cringe when they saw that they were sitting near us. This does not make them bad people for not wanting to sit next to a baby on the plane. Luckily he didn't cry and was good, but there was plenty of reason for them to not want to sit next to us.
August 27th, 2014 at 4:16 PM ^
I was looking for advice. I never said it was set in stone that we were taking her. Maybe Iwe'll reconsider, especially if the weather isn't good. It's not like I'm the only person who has had this idea or even done it, as many of the other posters experience shows.
And I'm not doing it for me, but rather for her and my family to have a uniqe experience.
Going on a plane, which is supposed to be quiet, is a lot different than going to a sporting event. I've never seen an infant/kid at a M football game and thought "oh man, not another one of those ruining my time." Rather, I've thought, that's cool, maybe I should bring our daughter.
August 27th, 2014 at 4:54 PM ^
Not sure what you mean. I provided my advice above. I think tailgate is good idea, and game is bad idea. I also don't see how you believe you aren't doing this for you.
Just because you can't understand why someone isn't super excited to sit next to your kid at a game, or out at dinner, or on a plane or whatever, does not mean that they are wrong or horrible people. That's the point. It might not be the noise, it may be for other reasons.
August 27th, 2014 at 4:32 PM ^
OK, don't listen to us. Ask your baby. Ask your baby if she would like to go to a football game, and ask her where she would like to sit. That way it won't be about you.
I'll be in my seat "instilling a love for a great institution like Michigan" to the cat I smuggle in. I'm pretty darn sure Mr. Whiskers wants it this way.
Here's my suggestion: leave the baby home.
August 27th, 2014 at 4:46 PM ^
In fact, in my OP, I wrote, "Or are 1 year olds just too squirmy to sit there for even a half?"
So my question wasn't "I'm doing this hell or high water." It was any insight. And from your post, it doesn't sound like you have kids or have any eperience taking them to a game. So I'm not sure where your little diatribe comes from.
You just need to not be a jackass about it.
But I will be sure to consult you on any other major life decisions I make, since you do seem so smart.
August 27th, 2014 at 4:57 PM ^
Correct, I don't have kids, and I don't have any experience taking a baby to a game.
I do, however, have unpleasant experiences of others taking babies to a game.
August 27th, 2014 at 7:05 PM ^
August 27th, 2014 at 8:59 PM ^
Thank you for gracing us with your presence.
You're better than me.
August 27th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
Why oh why do people think it's a good idea to bring a baby to a sporting event?
August 27th, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^
I took my year and half old to the spring game. He lasted exactly 2 mins sitting in the bleachers. He squirmed and wanted to run down to the stairs to the field. I would not recommend this at all. He had more fun running around the concourse. They are just to young to realize what is happening.
August 27th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^
August 27th, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
August 27th, 2014 at 1:27 PM ^
August 27th, 2014 at 3:35 PM ^
no one likes kids except their grandparents. leave them at home. and don't take them on airplanes either, dick
August 27th, 2014 at 3:54 PM ^
Taking Young Kids to the Big House is a nightmare for everyone, including the people sitting around you.
August 27th, 2014 at 4:47 PM ^
As a parent of a 1-year-old and 3-year-old, this is something I would never consider doing. It's just a miserable time for all involved: the parent, the child, the people around you. The seating is so tight and crowd noise can get very loud.
August 28th, 2014 at 4:12 PM ^
I am taking my 4 year old to his first Um game this saturday. To even make this a remote possibility, I had to do a few things:
1. Make SURE I got aisle seats - to ensure ease of access to concourse/bathrooms if need be - and so that way im not climbing all over other patrons when and if I need to take my son out.
2. Make sure to bring alternate entertainment i.e. ipad LOADED with content movies, apps, games, etc which DO NOT require an internet / cell connection ('cuz, yeah we all know about cell reception in da' house).
3. im prepared to watch the game from the TVs next to the concession stands - as more likely than not I will be watching my little one run around on the grass / concourse rather than watching the actual game.
4. Understand that there are other paying patrons without kids who honestly dont appreciate your kid being there even though it is a "public" area per se. As such, if your kid is crying/whining/squirming/yelling - it is your responsibility to remove the kid immediately so as not to interfere with others' viewing of the game.
5. Be ready to leave early.
All in All, like others have mentioned, every kid is unique, however, I would venture to say that taking a 1 year old is not such a hot idea. My wife wouldn't even let me consider the idea until my boy was 4. And even now, I am trepadatious about it.
Good luck and Go Blue!