Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

[LostDoggy]

Evening all,

I am bringing the family across to Melbourne the week of the suns game. I have a 2 Yo and a 7 Yo daughter. Any tips on getting them through the game? the 7 Yo is brainwashed with the dogs and will love it, they have t shirts and gear but I fear the 2 Yo will be bored by qtr time and her sister maybe by about 3 qtr time.
Any fun stuff at docklands for them? Other contingencies? Maybe a walk along the docks at half time? Can you take a pram in? Games on the iPhone might win a few precious minutes...
I have always come over with mates or by myself and I wouldn't take the girls to a cows game in Adelaide. It's just awful there and they don't need to see daddy arguing with 30000 fools in clown suits.
I have taken the eldest to the last couple of sanfl grand finals so she thinks we just rock up and the dogs take home the cup...

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

Evening all,

I am bringing the family across to Melbourne the week of the suns game. I have a 2 Yo and a 7 Yo daughter. Any tips on getting them through the game? the 7 Yo is brainwashed with the dogs and will love it, they have t shirts and gear but I fear the 2 Yo will be bored by qtr time and her sister maybe by about 3 qtr time.
Any fun stuff at docklands for them? Other contingencies? Maybe a walk along the docks at half time? Can you take a pram in? Games on the iPhone might win a few precious minutes...
I have always come over with mates or by myself and I wouldn't take the girls to a cows game in Adelaide. It's just awful there and they don't need to see daddy arguing with 30000 fools in clown suits.
I have taken the eldest to the last couple of sanfl grand finals so she thinks we just rock up and the dogs take home the cup...

I often go to Crows games when my girlfriends parents don't use their seats and there are two boys that sit directly behind them that used to colour in their colouring books from about half time. They used to kneel on the floor and put the book on the seat but these boys would have been about 4 at the time, 2 might be a whole new ball game.

Between Iphone games (load it up with some cartoons too?), colouring books, a walk at half time (and maybe a short walk in the quarters), distracting them with some food, and watching glimpses of the game I think you might be okay. Maybe take the two year old to the park and run around like crazy beforehand, really tire her out so she sleeps from half time

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

Good luck with your 2 yo - I think the run before the game to tire them out is a great idea and food distraction helps. I once had to chase my son all around Kardinia Park because he couldn't sit still for five minutes. Didn't see any of the game which was a blessing really.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

Good luck with a 2 year old - I have had the same seat at the dome since ?? and there is a young family who sit behind me. The little girl was a baby when they first started coming, and as she got older, it was more and more difficult for the mother to entertain her. The staff won't let you have a pram near the seats (OH&S issue I think), so she had to leave the pram at the back and nurse her daughter all the game. It really isn't very 2 year old friendly IMO. It is a lot to ask young children to sit for all that time, so a walk around the ground at half time, or outside would be a great idea I think! Good luck!

[Desipura]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

take a computer game, coloring book, plenty of snacks and sit near an old lady so she can entertain them both.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

Thanks guys. I will add the colouring book and the old lady... I didnt think of that one Desi!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

Anything kid friendly close to the dome?

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

If they like looking at trains there's always Southern Cross station

We usually find that pulling out a new food distraction every quarter buys us some peace (not much). Or bringing a friend (or cousin) along. But for a 2 year old it might be a bit of a struggle. Good luck.

You could try a small reward every time the Doggies kick a goal -- get the positive association thing happening

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

Ive brought my 2yo once or twice. i watched about about 15 minutes of the total game.

best idea, bring someone who isn't interested in the game and will offer to take them for a walk around the stadium

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

Tough Gig this one and was the main reason I didn't see many live games between 2000 and 2006.

Having a wife that loves the Dogs also is a double edged sword when it comes to getting to the games without kids in tow.

I found it virtually impossible at age two and only started having sucess from age 5 onwards.

Best advice that I can give is bring plenty of food to distract them, Every quarter go for a quick walk (if on level 3) and look out over the city or docklands and at half time you can walk around the entire ground on level 3 at half time and still have time for a toilet stop and grab a beer without missing any of the match.

Good luck, I have never done it but have thought on numerous occasion that phenergan may be your best option if you intent on seeing the game with a two year old.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

Is phenergan still legal?

[soupman]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

My memories of footy at that age involve arriving with a big box of matchbox cars and drving them around peoples feet at Whitten Oval/going as high up the stand at the MCG as possible.

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

Is phenergan still legal?

Ooh, yeah!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

I didn't take mine until they were 5 - but a two year old - A DS - or other computer games, music to listen to ie IPOD - lots and lots of treats - food food and more food - walks after each quarter - coloring books, Lots and Lots of understanding - teddy bear

Good Luck - if she is a placid little girl you might be Ok.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tips on dragging the young ones to the footy

Awesome tips guys, one thing in my favour... the missus is a footy and doggy convert, purely from my brainwashing once again, so there may be a release valve there, especially as I have found the shopping centre close by.. Not being sexist friends but she seriously has a greater interest in shopping than the dogs...

Pass outs are okay?

Heres the plan..

Colouring books
Iphone games
Interesting Toys(maybe even something new saved for 3rd qtr)
Food food food, a treat per goal (bloody love this idea on so many levels ML!!!)
Walk around the stadium at qtr time
Playground at half time

Plan B - marcov watches the last part of the game by himself while the missus goes shopping (costly!), there is a game centre there too

Plan C - Phenergan!!!