At the Field

Keep Your Toddler Entertained and Safe at Sporting Events

By Melinda Copp

Summer means sports for many families with school-age children. But when your school-age child has a toddler brother or sister, getting to games and actually being able to watch them becomes a challenge.

As a parent, you want to be there to support your older child and his or her team, and you naturally want your toddler to be involved in the family fun. Toddlers are learning how to be people, and they usually love plenty of action. So a ball game of any kind will be exciting, especially with big brother or sister on the field and a crowd of screaming fans. Plus, they love to be outside regardless of the weather. A ball game is toddler wonderland, but for Mom or Dad sports events can be a little more challenging.

"With 12 years in age between our first and fourth, and three and a half years between the others, we have lots of experience with that," says Bridgett Clark, a mom from Jacksonville, N.C. To make it a positive experience, you need to work to incorporate the toddler world into the community and you need to do it well. Otherwise, you'll feel stressed and agitated, which nobody wants.

The key is to relax and do your best to engage your toddler in the game and the experience of being there. Make sure everyone in the family is there and excited about the game. Talk about all the people in the stands. What are they all cheering about? Explain that this must be exciting stuff. Then point out big brother or big sister. Your toddler will wonder what's going on. And toddlers love to clap, so encourage them to fit right in.

Keep in mind that this approach will likely have temporary results. Your toddler will eventually get comfortable in the game atmosphere and need to find something else to remain entertained within it. Toddlers are busy little people, and they have a lot of things to do at a ball field. So don't go it alone. Bring a friend or grandparent if both parents aren't available to help keep the little guy busy. And if things get too stressful, think about leaving the field and taking a walk around the area with your toddler as a distraction.

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