What to Bring to a Child's Fall or Winter Sporting Event

As temperatures begin to dip and weather starts acting more unpredictably, you will need to bring several basic items to your child's fall and winter sporting events. It just makes sense to plan ahead by packing a tote bag or backpack, and you will be amazed at how much you can actually fit into one.

In order to keep up with numerous schedules, with a full house of kids, I found it was easier to be packed and organized. I would fill oversize tote bags and backpacks (easy to carry) with targeted essentials, for a specific activity, keeping them either by the door, or in the car. I recommend you try this time-saver, and keep several bags packed by your door, ready to grab-and-go.

Sports-Event Bag

My array of over-sized totes included a fully-stocked emergency kit, a plastic-lined bag for beach-trips, a diaper bag for baby, and a travel sporting-events bag. By keeping an array of bags packed by your door, or in your car, you will not only be more organized, and prepared to grab-and-go, but you will never be late to another game.

Sports-Event Bag Basics

A packed, family-style, sports-event bag should be filled with specific items that your family may need, while sitting on the sidelines, supporting another family member. Here is a list of the essentials your family may need, while sitting in the bleachers, with a cold wind blowing, before the dinner hour.

1. A refillable thermos (with attached cup) can be filled before leaving the house, or on the way to a game, with hot cocoa, cider, tea or coffee, to warm-up from the inside-out.

2. Healthy snacks such as bags of nuts, trail-mix, raisins, or crackers, which offer nutrition without destroying meal plans.

3. A sports blanket which can double as cushions, over those cold, hard, and sometimes wet, bleacher seats.

4. An extendable umbrella for unexpected showers, which will fold back down, to fit into your sports bag.

5. Travel packs of Kleenex for cold-weather runny-noses.

6. Sun glasses for pre-sunset events, in case your child's team seats you staring into the sun.

7. Bottled water, don't leave home without it!

Dress Appropriately for Your Area

Always dress prepared for the weather, as it relates to your part of the country. You might even want to check the local news-weather reports before leaving your house for the game, and plan ahead, to enjoy your child's sporting event. Just remember the weather will be cold, and your other kids will be hungry prior to dinner. If your sports-event bag is already packed, and ready to go, you can relax and drive safely, arriving on-time for your child's game.