My son turns six tomorrow and this season is the first time he has shown real interest. Playing his first season of minor hockey has made a big difference in that regard I believe. I have taken him to two games so far this season. The sunday game against PHX he was really into it. Late in the third he was cheering "Go! Flames! Go!" all by himself and kept telling me "I'm not bored at all Dad!". It is probably a good idea to bring some snacks and a juice box or two to help keep them occupied. The Dome for instance doesn't have to many kid friendly drinks. Ice cream usually keeps them happy for a half a period or so.
I treat my kids to pop when we go to hockey games. I treat the Flames game differently than I do the Hurricanes games. I absolutely hate to miss a second of Flames action. So, I buy them popcorn in the 1st intermission, and a pop in the 2nd intermission. That first game I took my son to I bought pop in the 1st intermission and I had to take him to the washroom 6 times, 5 of those times was still during play. I learned my lessson... so did the people on the aisle seats. They moved to our seats in the middle of the aisle, so we could have quick access to our seats.
i can't remember how old i was when i went to my first hockey game.
i was definitely in elementary school. my younger years were in southern ontario, so my dad took me to a leafs game. i don't really remember any details about the game... who the leafs played, final score, or anything like that (it was about 30 years ago!) but i know i had a blast with my dad that day.
just a thought.... has anyone asked the kid what he wants??
back to my story... my dad owned his own biz and was pretty much a workaholic. i really only saw him on sundays when we were young. he started a cool tradition where every christmas there was a card in the christmas tree from him that was basically an invite to hangout with him for a day and do whatever i wanted. usually we'd go to a jays game, then dinner and a movie or something like that - but it was my choice... so the one time i asked to go to a hockey game.
i think it's important to find out what the kid would want, not just drag him along becuz if the kid doesn't want to be there it could be a very loooooong night!
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going to a game with a kid is exactly like watching an episdoe of the simpsons with a kid - you each enjoy it on completely different levels.......
if you want to go tp the pub or something afterwards, just leave the kid in the car with an ipad, a blanket and some snacks - he may soil himself though
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Thanks to all replies. I will be taking him, and looking forward to it. Will even go for the pre-game skate, etc.
As a farm boy he is pretty resilient, and in no way has seen anything on this scale. I don't think he has been to TO before even.
Go to the game, feed him crap for 3 hours while I drink, go home and give him to his grandmother while I tune into flames.
I'm no expert parent, but grade one was when I fell in love with this sport. So I'd say bring him. The environment that the ACC brings will get him into the game, guaranteed.
Thanks to all replies. I will be taking him, and looking forward to it. Will even go for the pre-game skate, etc.
As a farm boy he is pretty resilient, and in no way has seen anything on this scale. I don't think he has been to TO before even.
Go to the game, feed him crap for 3 hours while I drink, go home and give him to his grandmother while I tune into flames.
If you're able to get down there, take him close to the warmup. Jokinen threw a puck to my son last season (he was also 6) and he was in heaven. Took him to the Coyotes game Sunday and he was the loudest fan in the section. Have a great time!!
My first pro game was when I was 8. Gretzky was a rookie for the Oilers in the WHA, he scored 4 that night. I won't ever forget it.
This is somewhat related to the baby question, however thought it deserved its own thread.
How old do you think a kid should be before you would take him to a night game and assume he would enjoy it?
Back story, it happens that the Leafs are playing the Pens on the Sat night. I have a buddy on the Pens, so was planning on going to the game with my wife and enduring the horrible Leaf fans. But now my wife's nephew is coming for his first visit to TO (from the country), and I was thinking of bringing him along.
- He is in grade 1. Watches hockey when he is with his Dad, but not normally.
- My mother-in-law (who is bringing said kid) thinks he would be too young to enjoy the game.
- He's a great kid when hes good, but not great when in a foul mood.
- I figure worst case, if he goes off the wall, my wife can take him out of there. But that is not an ideal solution for either of us.
So I don't need to take him. But thought it could be an AWESOME time for him.
Thoughts?
If this helps...
My daughter was 9 months old when we started taking her in the 2004 Cup Run.
You do not have to pay for an extra ticket untill they are 2.
According to her she became understading of the game and really enjoying it when she was 4. I just asked her lol
Now she is 9 and a full fledged Flames fan
I always wonder about taking a kid to a Friday or Saturday game as it seems by the second or third period alot of the adults are out of control. Probably no different than Xbox live, so what is the appropriate age?
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Originally Posted by calgarywinning
I always wonder about taking a kid to a Friday or Saturday game as it seems by the second or third period alot of the adults are out of control. Probably no different than Xbox live, so what is the appropriate age?
Stay out of the Press Level seating (formerly 300 level). Its basically just a big night club up there. Plenty of public intoxication and swearing. Police will excort a few people out during the game. A fight or two will erupt. If you take a kid up there, you will regret it and get angry.
For instance you will see a young kid in the bathroom and some drunken moron will walk in and well the F word as loud as they can. I see it all the time.
Stay out of the Press Level seating (formerly 300 level). Its basically just a big night club up there. Plenty of public intoxication and swearing. Police will excort a few people out during the game. A fight or two will erupt. If you take a kid up there, you will regret it and get angry.
For instance you will see a young kid in the bathroom and some drunken moron will walk in and well the F word as loud as they can. I see it all the time.
fully agree with that. Used have ST in 304 and it became a gong show up there depending who the Flames are playing.
Fun sections but not advised for kids.
Which is a big reason why we moved into the 2nd level the following year.
My son just turned 2 and I took him to his first game on Friday and he loved it (missed the first but caught the 2nd and 3rd period). Does anyone know what the rules are for when you have to buy them a separate ticket?
6 or 7 seems right. Feels like kids start to have a better attention span not to mention how they can get obsessive and know every single thing about hockey and other topics in a pretty short time.
not sure about free of charge threshold but i assume it is under 2.
anyways, i bought my little one, 17months old, twice this year (Chicago, Detroit). she didn't have a lot of excitement but she hung on there with patience.
it could be a bit overwhelmed as the music was pretty loud to her. i still believe you need to have certain ear protection under 3.
Think it depends on the child & their focus/interest in sport.
My 5 yr old son enjoys skating at the rink but a 2 1/2 - 3 hrs at Flames or Hitman game he is not focused enough to just want to watch the game, rather play or chat with his Timbits friends.
Thing is if I took him to a game last Sept even if friends would be at game he wouldn't last.
Lastly just took him to the Columbus game on Friday with timbits teammates/families and starting at 7pm already close to regular bedtime so he was already getting grumpy especially by game ending past 9:30pm- so game time also affects whether young kids will pay attention.
