For us, the best part of tailgating is spending time with your friends and family and building an awesome community. As you get older, that includes having the kiddos running around as well. Parking lot parties have transformed over the years from drinking with friends into family get-togethers, where the next generation can meet their future best friends. 

Like almost all things, tailgating with your kids means you’ll need to plan and pack a bit differently and it can be a bit tricky at times, but when you get it right, the crowd will go wild! Check out our top 5 tips for a kid-friendly, super fun, family tailgate.

1. Plan Your Menu With The Kids In Mind

We all know that kids can be a bit picky when it comes to food, so when you are planning your menu, make sure you choose a few items you know the kids will go nuts for. No one will be having a great time if the little ones are whining about the food. We also like to pack some juice boxes or special drinks for the kids, but make sure they are drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated as well.

2. Be Prepared For Accidents And Messes

There is no use crying over spilled milk and that’s doubly true at a tailgate. Kids have a tendency to bring a few extra messes along with them, so make sure you have backup napkins and paper towels to clean up with, but also an extra outfit for the kids in case they spill or get dirty. We also suggest grabbing a pack of baby or wet wipes for those sticky messes, even if your kids are out of diapers already.

3. Kid-Friendly Entertainment

Kids love a good tailgate game as much as the grownups, so make sure to bring plenty of them to play, but we also suggest packing a few kid-specific activities as well. Coloring books and crayons, bubbles, and chalk can help younger fans pass the time and the great news is they don’t take up a ton of space in the trunk. If all else fails try taking the kids on a walk around the parking lot. A change of scenery can stave off boredom and checking out other tailgates is a great way to foster community and get some ideas for your next party.

4. Plan For Naps

One thing is for sure, cranky and over-tired little ones are never fun, so depending on how old your kids are, you might need to plan ahead for nap time. If you tailgate with a truck, pack some extra blankets or pillows for them to take a nap in the truck bed, or put your seats down and let them nap in the back of your SUV (just make sure to leave the trunk open so the area is well-ventilated, so it doesn’t get too hot)

5. Assign A Minder

This might be one of the most important pieces of advice we have. We know that when you are hosting and cooking, things can get a little hectic and you might not always be able to keep on top of everything all at once. It is important to assign someone (maybe one of the teens or a fellow parent) to always have their eyes on the little ones. It will help the whole day go so much more smoothly when you don’t have to worry.

No matter what the day brings, just remember to enjoy making these memories with your family and friends.