sammysaint Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 Hi All Bit of advice taking my 3 and half year old to his 1st game tomorrow, with all the family day things going on, we didn't manage to get the free under 11 ticket as i left it last minute. How can i keep him entertained when he is bored while i try watching the game ? I am thinking iPhone sweets etc I appreciate i wont be able to enjoy it like i normally would but would like advice from some Mum and Dads who take young children to the game. Thanks in advance incase i can not reply to you with my 3 post limit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 I wouldnt do it till they're about six. If you spent the money for his ticket on a baby sitter you'd both have a better time. Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 I used to promise mine a sweet every five minutes. He spent more time watching the big screen to see the clock but it seemed to work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 Too young. The idea is better than the reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILLY Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 Took my daughter to The Dell, Lower West, when she was 2 as my wife was away. Had to leave at half time when she wouldn't stop crying and everyone was looking at us! I think it was 1-1 V Villa when we left. I think you have to wait until they are about 8/9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammysaint Posted 12 September, 2014 Author Share Posted 12 September, 2014 Thanks, thankfully i did not buy the tickets until i had a few response from you guys, i think il leave it and take him next season on 5th Birthday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 Agree with those that said it he is too young. I took my 6 year old to the Bayer Leverkusen match and even that was borderline - but at least it wasn't too crowded. Spent a lot of time going to/from the loo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 Thanks, thankfully i did not buy the tickets until i had a few response from you guys, i think il leave it and take him next season on 5th Birthday. Try 7th birthday - be patient Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 Took my nipper to a reserve game about that age. He lasted 20 minutes. You've probably got the best policy with an iphone / sweets. Maybe set a few tasks like counting the floodlights / players or guessing what will happen next. First proper game I took the lad to was promotion game against Coventry which was just before his 5th birthday. He has been disappointed by the lacks of goals and pitch invasion ever game since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 My (both pink flavour) tiddlers were just 5 and 6 when we took them to Real Sociedad in 2000 the eldest clicked pretty quickly the youngest had ants in her pants but amused herself people watching. I would always recommend the family corner (Chapel Kingsland corner) as the pressure of being concerned about your sprouts playing up / getting the fidgets is lessened as most other folks tin lids are pinging around too: I hasten to add that my 2 were good as gold (yes I know every parent will say that) and the youngest was thoroughly entertained just watching people, no electronics involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 There are a fair few toddlers in the family stand. My 9yo has a st and has been going since he was 5. At first I found he was more entertained if we were with a group of mates. I'd also suggest going to a cup game when the ground is half full, there's a bit more room and it's not so loud. Phones are for half time only. Sweets rationed throughout the game or they'll be caned before 10 minutes has elapsed and your kid will then have a massive sugar crash on about 60 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintJackoInHurworth Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 I agree that waiting until he is 5 or 6 is the best policy. I was thinking about taking my second child to her first game and she will be 6 in March, but I'm probably going to wait until next year at least. My oldest is now nearly 9 and I would say last season was probably the first time that she really took interest in most of the game and even then she was beginning to struggle a bit towards the end I think. My advice is to make sure you talk to them about what is going on all through the game. Point out certain players and their shirt numbers. Tell them a bit about that player (e.g. that Pelle is supposed to try to score most of the goals, that Forster saves shots in the goal and is allowed to use his hands as long as he stays in the penalty area, etc.). Explain other things too, like the shirt colours of the opposition (away colours, etc.) or if you're at an away match, why Saints aren't playing in red and white, etc. Talk about the floodlights and the referees, the areas where home and away supporters are, the bench where the managers, coaches and subs sit, why people are cheering, booing, etc. Also get him to ask you questions if he has any too. Of course, all of those tips work better the older they are and the more you have talked to them about football beforehand, so my advice would be to start these sort of conversations now. As for other things that can keep them entertained and/or focussed, try sitting them on your lap or shoulders (with sensitivity to those behind you!), stand them on the seat (be careful though!); teach them some simple Saints songs (the ones with nice words!!) like 'Oh When The Saints!' and get them shouting support like 'Come on Saints!'. In short, get them involved in the game if you can, rather than giving them things that only communicate that actually what they are watching is boring and that the DS or whatever is better! Like others have said, reserve those sort of things for half time. If you need other things that go a bit further than all of this, then try some of the following which are all about watching the game: * Get them to shout 'Come on Saints!' whenever a certain player touches the ball. * have a competition based on the number of completed passes by saints players in a move. They go first and count passes, then after possession is intercepted the game passes to you and it is your time to count (aloud!) completed passes and see if you beat their score and so on. Play it for ten minutes or so or for a whole half and see who gets the highest score. * Choose a player each and count the number of times they touch the ball. Whichever of you has chosen the player who makes the most touches in a certain period of time is the winner. Hope these are helpful ideas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delboy Dave Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 ^^^^^ Much better than the sweets iphone idea. Get them involved! It's what they're there for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 Take him! When a Newcastle player dives, nothing gets the point across more than when a supporter throws a big baby at him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsland Codger Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 Don't be surprised if your child asks a simple question; they are not asking because they don't know but because they know the answer but want you to ask them that same question. So when they ask, say, "which is the team in red-and-white stripes"? Don't reply saying "the Saints". Reply "I don't know; which team do you think is wearing red-and-white?" ... and he/she will tell you the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoPints Posted 12 September, 2014 Share Posted 12 September, 2014 Just fill him up with sugery sweets and coke, sit back and watch the chaos unfold. Ps please don't do this in the Chapel Stand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintds Posted 13 September, 2014 Share Posted 13 September, 2014 Forget about being able to watch the game. When my lad was that age, and a bit older he was quickly bored and looking for distractions/ways out all the time. I think about 15 mins into the 1st half is the record for wanting to go home. He's 6 now and absolutely loves it, so you're just gonna have to ride it out as there is no easy answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Durman Posted 13 September, 2014 Share Posted 13 September, 2014 (edited) Forget it! You're doing it for you and not the child. It will be too loud and you will need to leave at half time. The child will be scared after the experience. Wait until 6 years old. Try local football first. Get them used to crowds and noise. Leave after 15 mins Edited 13 September, 2014 by Andy Durman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammysaint Posted 13 September, 2014 Author Share Posted 13 September, 2014 I have done it, he was bugging me saying he wants to go, il take your advice thanks, the getting him to shout things, giving him sweets rationed, so thanks The Cat and SaintJackoInHurworth. iPad is there incase he kicks off with preloaded children programs i have downloaded, hes been up since 6am so hopefully he will be too tired to run around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goatboy Posted 13 September, 2014 Share Posted 13 September, 2014 Take him! When a Newcastle player dives, nothing gets the point across more than when a supporter throws a big baby at him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampersound Posted 13 September, 2014 Share Posted 13 September, 2014 Took my son from 3 years old. Food, drink & a couple of toys kept him going in between the goals. Be prepared to go to the toilet every 25 mins and changing ****ty nappies in the gents was a challenge (unless your in the family area). As he got older the toys turned into my iPhone then a DS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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