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Tips For Tailgating With Your Child's Sports Team

Tailgating can turn an ordinary event into something special. When you think of tailgating you automatically assume it is related to college or professional football games.  This is not the only venue for tailgaters.

Tailgating is a way to bring friends and family together to have fun. So why not tailgate at your child’s soccer, hockey, football or baseball game.  It is a great way to build team camaraderie, get to know other parents and have fun at the same time.   We do this every year with my daughter's travel soccer team and it is a lot of fun.  The team looks forward to it and  always enjoys it.

Prior to the event:

The first thing that you need to do is select a date when you have an afternoon game at home.  Contact the parents of the team and notify them of the tailgate plan. Ask everyone to contribute the items that you need.  Your menu will vary based on whether you want to use a grill or not.  Be sure that you have all food areas covered -- main course, salads, desserts and drinks.  Remember to ask for a volunteer to bring the grill and cook the food.

Day of Event:

Plan to arrive about 1 hour early  to set up.

We never get into the grill scene, it seems like too much trouble.  Finger foods like pizza and hoagies work just as well.

Choose a spot in the parking lot where you get a great view of the field and plenty of room for all the cars to park. Have everyone with SUV's back in and open their hatch.  This is a great spot for the kids to congregate.

If you are real ambitious you can decorate your site to support your team.  Make banners, posters, and purchase balloons in team colors.

Set up your table, chairs, grill etc..

Have Fun

Items to Include:

Ice and ice chests.  You will at least need an ice chest for your drinks and an ice chest for food that needs to be kept cold.

A grill, charcoal, lighter fluid, matches  if you plan on doing hot dogs and burgers. BBQ utensils to cook the food.

Chairs

Folding table and table cloth.

Paper products (plates, cups, plastic forks, and spoons),

Garbage bags

Wet wipes. baby wipes to clean hands prior to eating

Aluminum foil

Food ideas:

Hot dogs/ hamburgers and rolls (mustard, ketchup)

2 ft hoagies

Pizza

Chicken Finger platter (dipping sauces)

Chili

Pasta salad

Veggie tray

Fruit kebobs or fruit tray

Cheese/cracker tray

Chips and dip

Soft pretzels

Brownies

Cookies

Soda, water, hot chocolate, Gatorade

Be sure to have plenty of food the kids will be starving!!!