How young is too young to attend an NHL game?

[amikaro]

Attention span is short and overwhelming is a thing. So wait till 5. Before, it s not worth the hazzle.

I go to see lower league games with my kid. They can run around the rink, it's easy to leaver early and therefore, it s a more positive experience. With that, the spark of hockey is lid and you can go to a NHL game when they are ready (maybe as a trear or gift).

Make it something special to create a memory. When too young, that's not happening mostly ...

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

To each their own but seeing people there with newborn babies just seems like the worst night ever.

Doing anything away from home with a newborn baby has a high likelihood of being a struggle. But staying home all the time with a newborn isn't always a picnic either, and it can be nice to get out and do something like you're still a real person, and not just a sleep deprived zombie that smells vaguely of milk vomit.

At least that was how I justified taking my son to a hockey game at 6 months old. It was also Peter Forsberg's jersey retirement game, which helped me sell it to my wife. When else would he get a chance to bask in hockey greatness like this?

 

[Machinehead]

Must everything be about you?

Your parents likely have a different memory, one that’s quite special to them. Especially since they only took you once.

In this case, yes. If you're going to do stuff like this, it should be about the child.

Before they're 3 or 4, there are things they would enjoy way more.

Even baseball, I could see. Let the kid have a hot dog or whatever and it's a day out. That's fine.

Live hockey is not exactly "fun" all the time.

 

[Sheppy]

Doing anything away from home with a newborn baby has a high likelihood of being a struggle. But staying home all the time with a newborn isn't always a picnic either, and it can be nice to get out and do something like you're still a real person, and not just a sleep deprived zombie that smells vaguely of milk vomit.

At least that was how I justified taking my son to a hockey game at 6 months old. It was also Peter Forsberg's jersey retirement game, which helped me sell it to my wife. When else would he get a chance to bask in hockey greatness like this?

Oh, I get it for sure. I mean, I think I do... I don't have any kids (yet) - But I just see it from time to time and just can't imagine it. Maybe it's not as big of a deal as I think it is in terms of enjoyment. I'd probably be more concerned about the people around me if I brought a kid.

Just me personally, I'd try to find a sitter for the evening, lol.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

Oh, I get it for sure. I mean, I think I do... I don't have any kids (yet) - But I just see it from time to time and just can't imagine it. Maybe it's not as big of a deal as I think it is in terms of enjoyment. I'd probably be more concerned about the people around me if I brought a kid.

Just me personally, I'd try to find a sitter for the evening, lol.

It's definitely a different experience going to a game with a baby, so I'm not trying to say it is the same as going with friends, but that's honestly just part of being a parent. My kids are both in middle school now and I'm still concerned about the people around us when I take them somewhere with a lot of people and alcohol.

And, we found sitters for a lot of other events, or one of us would stay home with the kids so the other one could go out.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

I'm still waiting for somebody to explain to me why you have to go to a hockey game as part of the child's development.

Puck to the head increases spatial awareness

 

[drktmplr12]

If you're not gonna remember it, why am I bothering? That's pretty much how I look at it.

That's not how it works.

When they are 3 they will remember you singing them to sleep when they were 1.

When they are 5 they will remember how you would make them laugh during bathtime when they were 3.

When they re 7 they will remember how you sat at their tea parties as a full participant when they were 5.

When they are 9 they will remember how you took them to kid music concerts when they were 7.

By the time they are teenagers they will have all but forgotten you singing to them, but the impression will still be there.

It's progressive.

That said, if one takes a 3 year old to a 3 hour event with 20,000 people and expect them to remain focused while the adult enjoys they game, there is probably an expectation adjustment needed.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

First test with a preseason game, I found 5 and under was way too loud for them and I spent most of the time in the concourse when the game was going on, missed the whole game.

 

[daver]

It's been 43 years since a fan last got beaten with their own shoe. I think you should be OK.

 

[HarrySPlinkett]

It's been 43 years since a fan last got beaten with their own shoe. I think you should be OK.

What was the last real fan confrontation with a player? Was it Domi and that Philly fan?

Been too long - somebody try and fight Ryan Reaves this season.

 

[Jared Dunn]

I think for the most part anything under 4/5 they're going to be oblivious and it's going to suck a lot of the fun out of it for you tbh, but I guess it kind of depends on the kid too. My niece is 3 and she would be BEYOND overwhelmed at a hockey game and I just can't imagine anyone having fun lol

I actually think AHL games are a better option with young kids if you've got one within reach, they seem more geared towards families in general and I mean if it ends up being a nightmare experience for you or the little one, at least you've spent like 1/8 of what you would for NHL

I think for something with such a high ticket price (this goes for concerts as well, toddlers at concerts always astounds me) you should wait until they have at least a bit of understanding of the event

 

[Machinehead]

It's been 43 years since a fan last got beaten with their own shoe. I think you should be OK.

By a player*

 

[Staniowski]

I didn't grow up in (or near) an NHL city, but I attended many games - Junior A and other local games - when I was young. But, I think age 5 would be good to start for NHL games (which are long games). Younger than 5, maybe go to a minor hockey game, and you don't have to stay for 3 hours or whatever.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I wouldn’t take anyone under 5

 

[HisIceness]

First game I went to that I remember I was 4. It was a Raleigh Icecaps (ECHL) game. To be honest, the ECHL of that era (This would have been 1992-93) was probably not the type of atmosphere to take a kid to but my parents didn't grow up with the game and didn't know better haha.

I'd say any age really. Nothing will be quite as intense as the 90s ECHL. Probably bring ear protection for the young ones.

 

[My3Sons]

Every child is different and the social context matters. My oldest wasn’t interested in the games we attended until he was about 7 or 8. My youngest was interested earlier but it was because he was there with his older brothers. You can always go and leave early. The biggest issue I found was the need for constant distractions and interruptions when they were young. Multiple trips to the concessions and bathroom and team shop with about 20 minutes of sitting with the game in between. Just don’t place expectations on it and it will be fine.

 

[Hanji]

It would not be a good time with any kid under 5, for you or the spectators next to you.

 

[LuckyDucky]

It’ll probably be a Ducks game so doubtful anyone gets that passionate. I’ll avoid the Kings until she’s a great deal older. There’s also the added benefit that the game will probably already be over at the start of the second if she makes us leave early.

It’s sounding like the general consensus is a little older than she is now. If I were to bring her what would your recommendations be? I assume headphones are a given given the noise levels in the stadium.

Our daughter has been to 4 Ducks games (she’s now 11 months old). Honda Center is pretty good about catering to the young; they offer a sensory bag that includes headphones and other goodies for those whom may require them. I believe it’s section 215 (or 212) where you can request the bag prior to/during the game.

As for the original question, our daughter lights up at games. She’s very young and obviously can’t process it all, but she clearly has fun when we go.

 

[thadd]

If you can stay in once place for 3 hours without erupting into tears, your old enough to attend a hockey game.

Same goes with getting on a plane.

 

[Chainshot]

Family had Sabres season tickets since their inception, we were going to games before I even could recall. But mostly was running around the arena playing from what I have been told.

Different times !

The mini-stick games in the concourses? That was you eh?

 

[Crow]

I would at least wait until the kid was very unlikely to annoy everyone around me by crying or throwing a fit.

 

[Nstar to Wild]

I would at least wait until the kid was very unlikely to annoy everyone around me by crying or throwing a fit.

This - I feel like the last thing I would want is for my kid to ruin the time of others that spent good money around me.

 

[tarheelhockey]

This one is for the other parents here. I’m afraid I haven’t been to see an NHL or AHL game since my daughter was born in March of 2022, but it is something I miss. She’s had some exposure to NHL games via television during the playoffs and knows daddy loves hockey, but has been limited otherwise as we tend to frown upon television while she’s awake.

She’s pretty quiet overall and well tempered, but she is 2 and occasionally gets lost in her emotions.

When did you guys take your kids to their first game? Or perhaps if you’re younger, when did you first go with your parential figures? Just looking for some guidance before spending the money as games aren’t that cheap these days.

My rule of thumb was: bring your kid to the game if you want, but understand that the minute they start to get restless or cranky, you need to leave. And I mean that is a HARD rule. Overtime is starting? If your kid is whining, you need to leave. It’s disrespectful to others to force them to deal with a kid who’s whining/crying or can’t sit still.

That rule makes it simple. How much time will it take for your kid to get restless or cranky? As a baby it’s random, they might very well sleep the whole way through or you might be leaving at the first stoppage. Toddler, you’re gonna get about 5-10 minutes. Preschool, about a period or two. Early elementary, probably 2 periods and maybe they last the whole game. By late elementary you can probably watch the whole game.

So, do you feel ok about watching only 10 minutes? Cool, bring your toddler to the game. If you’re not ok with leaving early, you’re looking at a few years down the line.

 

[CanMerc]

Once they’re out of diapers, they’re good to go

 

[SillyRabbit]

I think ages 5-10 is the sweet spot for kids attending their first game.