The cooler’s packed, everyone’s suited up in their team’s gear, and the kids are already begging to get the games out. Playing with friends and eating lunch at the tailgate gives them a way to join in, even if they’re still learning the finer points of what happens on the field.
When you’re tailgating with kids, plan a shaded place to sit, familiar food, and games that fit your space and your children’s ages. Allow extra time for setup and bathroom breaks, and keep the schedule flexible so you can adjust when someone needs a rest.
Our Tailgate Essentials Guide covers the basic gear to bring. The tips below focus on the extra planning that helps keep kids (and grownups) happy.
Arrive Early and Choose Your Spot
Getting there early gives you time to unload and settle in before the lot gets busy. Check the venue’s website for parking arrangements and tailgating rules, including when the lot opens and when tailgating must end. Arriving when the lot opens can work well, as long as it doesn’t stretch the day beyond what your kids can comfortably handle.
Think through the plan for after you park. You’ll need time to set up, find the restrooms, and get everyone something to eat or drink. Allow time for those tasks so you’re not setting up a canopy while the kids are asking for lunch.
If you have a choice of spaces, look for one away from the main driving lanes. A corner or edge spot may put more space between your group and passing cars, but check what’s beside it. An entrance or exit can stay busy throughout the day. Some stadiums have family-friendly tailgating areas or organized pregame activities for kids—it can pay to check before you go!
Set Up Shade and Comfortable Seating
Arrange your space so everyone has somewhere to sit, eat, and relax. Set up your chairs so adults can keep an eye on their kids and still hang with the group. Keep bags out of walkways and leave a clear path to snacks and drinks. Keep cooking equipment away from where children sit and play. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for where to place it and how much space to leave around it. Review the NFPA’s grilling safety guidance before cooking.
Shade can make or break your tailgating spot on a sunny day. But before you pack a canopy, make sure to check the venue’s size limits and setup rules. The OASIS™ 10 x 10 Canopy with Sun Wall uses a one-push center hub for straightforward setup. Its fabric has a UPF 50+ sun-protection rating, and the vented roof helps release trapped heat. The sun wall clips to any side so you can adjust the shade as the sun moves.
Camp chairs are essential. For adults who like a rocking chair, the Coleman® Pro Rocker Chair combines padded seating with a smooth rocking motion. If having a place to set food and drinks would be more useful, the Flex 'N Go™ Chair has two pop-out side tables.
Pack Kid-Friendly Tailgate Food and Drinks
Pack familiar kid-friendly tailgate food you know they’ll like, and bring a little extra in case the day runs long. Keep easy game day snacks that don’t need refrigeration, such as crackers or unopened shelf-stable fruit pouches, together in one bag for the family. Have children sit upright for meals and snacks, and watch them while they eat.
Choose coolers based on how much food and drink you’re bringing. A large option like the Snap 'N Go 55-Quart Collapsible Hard Cooler can hold chilled food along with water, juice, and other nonalcoholic drinks. It offers up to 64 hours of ice retention and collapses to one-third of its open size when empty, taking up less storage space between outings.
If adults are bringing alcoholic drinks, pack them in a separate cooler and ensure that only adults handle and serve them. A smaller option like the Coleman® Pro 24-Can Soft Cooler has a padded shoulder strap that leaves a hand free while unloading. Its insulated lid and body are designed to keep contents cold for up to 35 hours.
Whichever coolers you bring, pack each with plenty of ice or frozen packs. Keep raw meat in leakproof packaging, separate from ready-to-eat food. The USDA’s tailgating food safety guidance recommends using a refrigerator thermometer in the cooler to check that cold food stays at 40°F or below.
Games and Activities for Kids at a Tailgate
Think about how much space you’ll have and how chaotic it may get at the tailgate. A game that works in a backyard may need more room than your parking spot allows. Point out where the children can play, keep that area within an adult’s view, and always keep activities away from moving vehicles. Chairs and coolers can help mark your space, but they aren’t traffic barriers.
Choose activities that fit your children’s ages, and follow the age guidance on any toys or games you bring. Try Simon Says or I Spy while staying in your group’s space. If the venue allows it and you have enough room away from traffic, bring a beanbag toss game.
Bring a couple of quiet games for kids to play while adults finish eating or start packing. Pack a deck of cards or a small puzzle, plus crayons and coloring sheets for kids who enjoy coloring.
Tailgate Etiquette for Families
Sharing the lot goes more smoothly when children know what to expect. Before getting the games out, explain where your group’s space ends and remind them to ask before approaching another setup or accepting food. Remind kids to ask an adult for help if a toy lands outside your group’s space.
Give kids a little notice before it’s time to pack up so they can finish their game. Allow time for cleanup and a bathroom stop. If you’re going to the game, leave time to walk to the stadium and get through security. If the kids are worn out, it’s fine to head home earlier than planned.
Make sure the adults always know who’s watching the children, especially during cooking and cleanup. If adults will be drinking alcohol, plan ahead for a sober adult to watch the children and a designated driver to take everyone home. Before leaving your tailgate spot, gather the toys and put food wrappers and other trash in the proper bins.
Your Family Tailgate Packing Checklist
Along with your cooking gear, chairs, and coolers, bring these extras for the kids:
- Extra clothes: A spare outfit and socks for each child in case of spills or wet seats. Add an empty, sealable bag to keep wet or dirty clothes away from clean supplies.
- Wipes: Baby wipes or hand wipes for sticky fingers and small messes.
- Sun and weather supplies: Hats, protective clothing, an extra layer, and sunscreen used according to its label. If you’re bringing an infant, review the FDA’s sun-protection guidance.
- Food and drinks: One shared bag of snacks that don’t need refrigeration, plus water bottles for the kids and extra drinking water for refills throughout the day.
- First-aid basics:Bandages, antiseptic wipes, and other supplies your family needs.
- Something for downtime: A comfort item, coloring supplies, or a small game.
- Team colors: Comfortable shirts or other gear the kids enjoy wearing.
- Baby supplies: Diapers and changing essentials, if needed.
Keep these items together in a bag you can reach easily. After your first outing, make a note of what you used and what you wished you’d brought. Each trip helps you figure out what works for your family, leaving more time to enjoy being there together.
