how young is too young to take your kid to a panthers game?

[SixMileDrive]

Two is absurdly young. Plenty of people detailed why it isn't a good idea from your perspective, but it is also incredibly inconsiderate to those sitting around you. Football games are kid friendly, but they are also a place where people want to go relax and have a couple too many beers. Young children don't mix well with drinking events. Not for the parents, not for those who didn't bring a young child. Its a loud environment where you won't be moving for hours and chances are high that the kid won't behave (this goes for every two year old).

You are risking not only having a bad time yourself, but ruining the experience of twenty to thirty people around you. Give the kid some time and take them when you think they will be able to appreciate the experience.

[csx]

Whatever age required for them to not be a nuisance.  It sems it would depend on the parent as much or more than the child.

[LUUUUUKE]

My daughter turned two in May, and I know she's still to young for the game experience, but I've also seen some little-ass kids hanging out at the endzone seats collecting touchdown footballs from Cam. I have always thought five or six is a decent benchmark, as much for the other fans in the stadium as for the kid (no one wants to be stifled by sitting next to a toddler (same reason I refuse to bring my kid into a bar to eat.)

I'm curious what the thoughts are on this.

Philly, take her to a local high school football game on a Friday night. See how she responds in that environment, and then make your plans accordingly. I've done this with my son for every event I've ever taken him to. 

Its way cheaper if you need to leave, and you really don't care what the outcome is. 

Thats my best advice brother

[PhillyB]

Two is absurdly young. Plenty of people detailed why it isn't a good idea from your perspective, but it is also incredibly inconsiderate to those sitting around you. Football games are kid friendly, but they are also a place where people want to go relax and have a couple too many beers. Young children don't mix well with drinking events. Not for the parents, not for those who didn't bring a young child. Its a loud environment where you won't be moving for hours and chances are high that the kid won't behave (this goes for every two year old).

You are risking not only having a bad time yourself, but ruining the experience of twenty to thirty people around you. Give the kid some time and take them when you think they will be able to appreciate the experience.

agree. nothing ruins an experience where you're supposed to drink and get loud than someone bringing in a kid and making you hesitant to drink and get loud. 

[SOJA]

This is a good question. 

I think bringing her to a pre-season game (when you think she is ready) as a test-run is the best option.

Fans are generally more chill, although I got a whole beer spilled on me as a kid at a Panthers pre-season game. I thought it was funny, my dad did not.  

[Mr. Scot]

Most Common Answer: If they're younger than my kid, leave 'em at home.

[Darth Biscuit]

The main problem you're gonna have Philly is her being bored.  At her age foul language isn't gonna register andand the main issue is that  you'll end up spending more time worrying with her than watching the game imo.

I started taking my kids at around 8-10...  That was about when they could sit thru an entire game without whining the entire time (something my wife still can't do) and actually have it be enjoyable.

[PhillyB]

The main problem you're gonna have Philly is her being bored.  At her age foul language isn't gonna register andand the main issue is that  you'll end up spending more time worrying with her than watching the game imo.

I started taking my kids at around 8-10...  That was about when they could sit thru an entire game without whining the entire time (something my wife still can't do) and actually have it be enjoyable.

i think it will be important for her to be all hype about the panthers before she even gets to that age so it's something she actually eagerly approaches, not just something i'm dragging her to. i'm making a concerted effort to start watching more games at home instead of at sports bars so she can be there to watch them with me.

[L-TownCat]

I've got a 4 year old and he says he wants to go but I also know he hasn't sat still for 3.5 hrs since he learned to walk.  I'm gonna wait awhile.  Training camp/FanFest stuff like that for the little ones is the way to go.

[RevJ]

I'd say as soon as the soft spot heals/closes on their skull/head, they are good to go.

[blackcat]

Wow- I am truly impressed.  Maybe I need to rethink my plan.  I took my wife's (much) younger brother a few years ago when he was 11 and am basing a lot of my experience on that

it really just depends on the kid and what your expectations are.  Don't go thinking you're staying for the entire game, or even a quarter.  Go to have fun with your kid.

[MV%doe]

[panthers55]

I am in the camp who advocates that each child is different with different temperaments and personalities. One child will be climbing the railings while another sits quietly in their seat. 

But the missing factor so far in the discussion is not the child but the parent. What is your temperament and personality. Particularly while watching a Panther game. Are you going to be more interested in interacting with your child and ensuring they are having a good experience going with you to the game or are you focused on the game and anything that detracts from that is an unwanted distraction. If he or she is hungry and needs to pee are you going to tell them to wait until halftime or do you gladly take them and load them up on junk food.  The younger the child typically the more attention they need and the more likely they won't be able to sit still for 3 hours or stay occupied.  Taking a very young one can work at a game if you are there for them and devote your time to the child first and game second. It helps to bring a partner to help trade off during the game as well.

if you are not good with that then don't bring your child until they can occupy themselves and are relatively self-sufficient. That way you see the game up distracted and they can do what they want as well.

[Gallagher]

My daughter turned two in May, and I know she's still to young for the game experience, but I've also seen some little-ass kids hanging out at the endzone seats collecting touchdown footballs from Cam. I have always thought five or six is a decent benchmark, as much for the other fans in the stadium as for the kid (no one wants to be stifled by sitting next to a toddler (same reason I refuse to bring my kid into a bar to eat.)

I'm curious what the thoughts are on this.

 

I think 2 is a fine age, just be sure to bring ear plugs/muffs for her. The decibel levels of a stadium are probably too much for a toddler.