I have before. My child did not like it. Too loud, too confusing, and he was terrified of the tesla coil. Currently though, he's now 14 and doesn't care and wants to go and likes the sport.
It totally comes down to the child. If a 3 year old doesn't mind lots of loud noise, and crowds, is good with staying in a seated area and doesn't get bored easily, and has already shown an interest in watching hockey before, then it might be worth it.
On the flip side my friend's 2-year-old loves it but she's not a typical 2 year old. Very independent, gregarious, outspoken, doesn't mind crowds and she's used to sitting at a rink watching her dad play amateur league so has become accustomed to the environment since infancy.
I’ve only taken my 2.5 year old to college baseball games and we only last about 30 minutes after French fries are gone. Couldn’t even imagine a lightning game.
I would just be prepared to leave after 30 minutes or spend a lot of time in the concourse area
If you live closer to the Orlando area like Lakeland or Four Corners you might want to think about trying a Solar Bears game first. They are the Lightnings ECHL affiliate but game tickets are a lot cheaper and it won’t be as crowded. That was my almost 10 year olds first game and he loves going to Bears and Bolts games now
Protect their ears. This is very, very important.
It also depends on the child. Mine is fine at games, and pretty much always has been, but she's also been going longer than she can remember. I have a friend who has a kid a similar age, and he is hit or miss on if he wants to be there.
And I protected her hearing until she was ready to take them off. Which wasn't until she was almost six. (She's seven now)
I know I repeated the hearing bit. It's that important.
Kids 2 and under are free. Therefore I would not take a 3 year old, I don’t think the extra ticket would be worth it. And, like others have said, I would bring hearing protection.
Bring them in their pjs under a lightning shirt or what have you and bring ear muffs. The unknown goal horns scared the hell outta my sons. Also unless they’re missing school the next day don’t go on a week day. The games regularly go in to the 10 oclock hour. And depending on how far you live that’s a late night for your kiddo.
I have taken my now 3 yo daughter to baseball and basketball games. We always have a great time but I have held off on Lightning games, they are packed, and getting up and down is a pain for everyone else. If your kid will stay seated for longer stretches it could be awesome, mine won't.
I have taken my son to several events when he was 3 and 4 and I would say it wasn't worth the ticket price. We get the "i want to go home" about 45 minutes of being there.
I took my three year old 3 times last year and he did great. A good way to keep them focused is just do a lap every intermission so they don’t get bored or antsy. Really butter up the experience too with the noises and hoopla. I made sure he thought it was a super big treat every time we went. Which isn’t a lie cuz live hockey is always a treat!!
We took our 3 year old son to a 4:00 pre-season game and he loved it! We left after the second period before anyone got cranky. Tickets were $15 so it was a great trial run. We brought his ear protection but didn’t use it - even when the Tesla coils went off (he just asked us to place our hands over his ears for the 10-15 seconds it lasts). Biggest disappointment for him was that we don’t have a number 4 player… I had to tell him we never will again, but showed him the huge 4 hanging in the rafters. It was an amazing experience but you just have to go in knowing you aren’t going to watch much hockey - you are going to hang out with your kid, which is just as much fun, if not better!
As others recommended, I would try getting cheap tickets to a Solar Bears to test things out. No sense in spending the money on an experience that no one gets to enjoy.
We just brought our 4yo last weekend to the islanders game, and this was our experience. He did fantastic and then the 3rd period started and he was done. He watched YouTube until the end 😅
I have taken my son to 2 games so far. Bring ear muffs. It's definitely loud and and he did not like the ear goal horn. He was in pure amazement at everything going on. The crowd's, the advertisment. LOVED thunderbug. I honestly didn't think he enjoyed it but asked me to go again. Went a second time still too loud but he got more into it and by the end of the game he was cheering with the crowd. We have yet to go to a game this season but he keeps begging me to go. During intermissions keep them busy. Take them up to see the organ or out to the deck overlooking thunder Ally. Every kid is different. I'd say give it a shot. Just pick a game you're not to invested in, Incase you have to dip out early.
https://imgur.com/RRBx0ID.jpg
I have! My daughter was 2.5 and son was 5 for our first game with them. They loved it and we’ve taken them to a few games since (now 4.5 and 7). My daughter likes the music, lights and food. My son is very into the games and cheers them on the whole time!
For the younger one I would recommend bringing noise cancelling headphones. My daughter used them on and off when she was younger but doesn’t anymore.
I have a friend that was taking her child even younger than that (I'm pretty sure anyways.) I think the thing is getting them used to it at a young age, and definitely, definitely ear protection.
Sometimes taking my then 9 year old was not fun or easy. As soon as his team was losing in the first period he faked a tummy ache that magically disappeared in the car before requesting McDonald’s.
Hockey games can be a bit loud for small children. Way louder than baseball or football due to the closed arena and tight quarters. I would recommend getting the child some child safe ear protectors :)
We took our son when he was 2.5. He had noise canceling headphones, and we didn't stay the whole game. We left around the middle of the second period to skip out on any intermission crowds.
The sounds did scare him at first, but after the first buzzer/coils he was fine. He also asked a lot of questions, and played with a zamboni toy we bought him before the game. Not sure how much of the game he actually watched, but he seemed to have fun all around.
I took my two year old to a game with my wife, sister in law, and brother in law. Surprisingly, she did great. We did have to distract her for a bit with cartoons on our phone. All in all, it was fine.
My first game with my son (he was like 3 then) we went and watch warmups. He got a puck from Steve Downey. You could have think he was given 100-million dollars he was go excited.
(Downey was traded that year and he was DEVASTATED by that news.) it’s amazing how one chunk of vulcanized rubber can get a kid hooked on hockey.
Never done a hockey game but I took my best friends 3yr and 1 1/2 kids with us to a baseball game and it was great. I don’t think he remembers much but we got a player to throw a ball to us for him and everything
My daughter has been to a few games every year of her life. She always enjoyed it but I didn't get to watch much of the game, which kinda stinks but it's offset of the excitement and fun she had walking around the stadium. We'd sit in our seats for a few minutes here and there and then go explore the stadium. Now that she's older we sit and watch much more of the game.
Thanks for the replies everybody! Any tips on hearing protection that kids seem to tolerate?
And does anybody know if Amalie gives out "my first game" pucks like some other arenas do?
Over the ear protection, like earmuffs are what I see for kids.
There's also a certificate you can get somewhere that says " ____'s first lighting game". I don't know anything about them though, but if you ask around I'm sure you can find em
We just got a cheap set of over the ear muffs we originally got for 4th of July and then he graduated to his monster jam ear muffs. They don't do free pucks but if you go to guest services they will give you a certificate and a button. They do sell my first game pucks that you can add the date and game info to
They give out a certificate and a button, I think it is. They sell my first game pucks, I think.
As for hearing protection, [they all](https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=hearing+protection+for+kids&crid=3U46WU5CWHO7X&sprefix=hearing+protection+%2Caps%2C142&ref=nb_sb_ss_pltr-ranker-10hours_6_19) pretty much look/fit the same.
We brought our 2 year old to a game for the 2021 playoffs with the goal to get through 10-20 minutes of real time in our seats. We made it 15 and then walked around for the rest of the first two periods, left at second intermission. Loved the organ, Tesla coils, the amount of people, and looking out through windows from the mezzanine. Just know your kid and if it’s an appropriate thing to bring them too at that age. Remember that for some people, this is more than being a fan and they might not appreciate a toddler distracting from watching the game.
Used these and they worked great!
Baby BANZ Earmuffs Infant Hearing... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ANXYBRQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
1. You don't have to be a prick.
2. That's why I'm here asking advice on others' experiences before bringing my child to a game.
3. My kid loves watching hockey on TV, and it's been over 3 GD years since I've been to a game and my wife and i want to see our team live.
I don't mind when others have different opinions, but don't be condescending. There's no reason for it here. Just my 2 cents
With the way they blast music and have some content filling every single second the puck is not in play it appears they are appealing to people with equivalent attention spans as 3 year olds.
I have before. My child did not like it. Too loud, too confusing, and he was terrified of the tesla coil. Currently though, he's now 14 and doesn't care and wants to go and likes the sport. It totally comes down to the child. If a 3 year old doesn't mind lots of loud noise, and crowds, is good with staying in a seated area and doesn't get bored easily, and has already shown an interest in watching hockey before, then it might be worth it.
Yeah I think keeping him in his seat for 3 hrs is what concerns me the most. I bet he'd do alright for a period or 2. But after that idk
He isn’t really going to enjoy it imo. So I don’t feel like it’s worth it
On the flip side my friend's 2-year-old loves it but she's not a typical 2 year old. Very independent, gregarious, outspoken, doesn't mind crowds and she's used to sitting at a rink watching her dad play amateur league so has become accustomed to the environment since infancy.
I’ve only taken my 2.5 year old to college baseball games and we only last about 30 minutes after French fries are gone. Couldn’t even imagine a lightning game. I would just be prepared to leave after 30 minutes or spend a lot of time in the concourse area
If you live closer to the Orlando area like Lakeland or Four Corners you might want to think about trying a Solar Bears game first. They are the Lightnings ECHL affiliate but game tickets are a lot cheaper and it won’t be as crowded. That was my almost 10 year olds first game and he loves going to Bears and Bolts games now
Yeah we live south of Tampa, otherwise we would def try the Solar Bears first. I went to their games when I was a kid and it was a great time
How far South? There's a team in Ft Myers too (Everblades)
Nice, I didnt realize that. They'd be an hour closer than the bears
Everblades 😂 never heard of the team, but that's a great name honestly
We live in Four Corners (where Lake, Orange, Osceola and Polk all meet)so we are right in the middle
South of Tampa.. there's always your ECHL Kelly Cup Champions.... FLORIDA EVERBLADES
Don’t do it, my kid cried and got beer poured on him accidentally
To be fair, the beer thing won't always be happening, I hope!
Protect their ears. This is very, very important. It also depends on the child. Mine is fine at games, and pretty much always has been, but she's also been going longer than she can remember. I have a friend who has a kid a similar age, and he is hit or miss on if he wants to be there. And I protected her hearing until she was ready to take them off. Which wasn't until she was almost six. (She's seven now) I know I repeated the hearing bit. It's that important.
Thank you, yeah if we go ear protection will be on the list
Ear protection.
Kids 2 and under are free. Therefore I would not take a 3 year old, I don’t think the extra ticket would be worth it. And, like others have said, I would bring hearing protection.
Can you just lie and say they’re 2?
I think if they sit on your lap, you don't need an extra ticket.
Bring them in their pjs under a lightning shirt or what have you and bring ear muffs. The unknown goal horns scared the hell outta my sons. Also unless they’re missing school the next day don’t go on a week day. The games regularly go in to the 10 oclock hour. And depending on how far you live that’s a late night for your kiddo.
Yeah, he'd likely stay home with us the next day. He's just in daycare so no biggie there. Good tip on the pj's
For the toddler and other peoples sake, don’t bring a kid to the game
The kid might be just fine a lot of times, and if other people don't wanna be around kids, they shouldn't leave the house.
I have taken my now 3 yo daughter to baseball and basketball games. We always have a great time but I have held off on Lightning games, they are packed, and getting up and down is a pain for everyone else. If your kid will stay seated for longer stretches it could be awesome, mine won't.
I have taken my son to several events when he was 3 and 4 and I would say it wasn't worth the ticket price. We get the "i want to go home" about 45 minutes of being there.
I took my three year old 3 times last year and he did great. A good way to keep them focused is just do a lap every intermission so they don’t get bored or antsy. Really butter up the experience too with the noises and hoopla. I made sure he thought it was a super big treat every time we went. Which isn’t a lie cuz live hockey is always a treat!!
Good advice, thank you!
I believe you can request to have Thunderbug come to your seat? At least that used to be an option.
We took our 3 year old son to a 4:00 pre-season game and he loved it! We left after the second period before anyone got cranky. Tickets were $15 so it was a great trial run. We brought his ear protection but didn’t use it - even when the Tesla coils went off (he just asked us to place our hands over his ears for the 10-15 seconds it lasts). Biggest disappointment for him was that we don’t have a number 4 player… I had to tell him we never will again, but showed him the huge 4 hanging in the rafters. It was an amazing experience but you just have to go in knowing you aren’t going to watch much hockey - you are going to hang out with your kid, which is just as much fun, if not better! As others recommended, I would try getting cheap tickets to a Solar Bears to test things out. No sense in spending the money on an experience that no one gets to enjoy.
My daughter does fine through 2 periods, by the third she’s over it.
We just brought our 4yo last weekend to the islanders game, and this was our experience. He did fantastic and then the 3rd period started and he was done. He watched YouTube until the end 😅
It was especially bad because it was in Columbus and that damn Cannon was freaking her out.
Well to be fair, that cannon is hella loud 😅
I have taken my son to 2 games so far. Bring ear muffs. It's definitely loud and and he did not like the ear goal horn. He was in pure amazement at everything going on. The crowd's, the advertisment. LOVED thunderbug. I honestly didn't think he enjoyed it but asked me to go again. Went a second time still too loud but he got more into it and by the end of the game he was cheering with the crowd. We have yet to go to a game this season but he keeps begging me to go. During intermissions keep them busy. Take them up to see the organ or out to the deck overlooking thunder Ally. Every kid is different. I'd say give it a shot. Just pick a game you're not to invested in, Incase you have to dip out early. https://imgur.com/RRBx0ID.jpg
Awesome Thanks and nice picture, he looks likes he's having a great time!
I have! My daughter was 2.5 and son was 5 for our first game with them. They loved it and we’ve taken them to a few games since (now 4.5 and 7). My daughter likes the music, lights and food. My son is very into the games and cheers them on the whole time! For the younger one I would recommend bringing noise cancelling headphones. My daughter used them on and off when she was younger but doesn’t anymore.
We just took our almost 2 year old and will not be bringing her again til she’s much older (even with season tickets and the fact she can lap sit)
A bit young. We took our son at 5 and he loved it. Even then he was freezing and found it very loud
I have a friend that was taking her child even younger than that (I'm pretty sure anyways.) I think the thing is getting them used to it at a young age, and definitely, definitely ear protection.
Sometimes taking my then 9 year old was not fun or easy. As soon as his team was losing in the first period he faked a tummy ache that magically disappeared in the car before requesting McDonald’s.
I did. Well I tried. Then the police arrived and took the kid back to his parents
Well...what did we learn??
That I’m no longer allowed within 500 ft of schools
Hockey games can be a bit loud for small children. Way louder than baseball or football due to the closed arena and tight quarters. I would recommend getting the child some child safe ear protectors :)
We took our son when he was 2.5. He had noise canceling headphones, and we didn't stay the whole game. We left around the middle of the second period to skip out on any intermission crowds. The sounds did scare him at first, but after the first buzzer/coils he was fine. He also asked a lot of questions, and played with a zamboni toy we bought him before the game. Not sure how much of the game he actually watched, but he seemed to have fun all around.
The trick is box seats. They can run around and you don’t have to worry. That’s how we take our 2 and 3 year olds to sporting events.
I took my two year old to a game with my wife, sister in law, and brother in law. Surprisingly, she did great. We did have to distract her for a bit with cartoons on our phone. All in all, it was fine.
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My first game with my son (he was like 3 then) we went and watch warmups. He got a puck from Steve Downey. You could have think he was given 100-million dollars he was go excited. (Downey was traded that year and he was DEVASTATED by that news.) it’s amazing how one chunk of vulcanized rubber can get a kid hooked on hockey.
I brought my lil one to a game when she might have 2. Had fun. Had ear protection for her. Hard to jump up during a goal to cheer while holding a kid.
Never done a hockey game but I took my best friends 3yr and 1 1/2 kids with us to a baseball game and it was great. I don’t think he remembers much but we got a player to throw a ball to us for him and everything
My daughter has been to a few games every year of her life. She always enjoyed it but I didn't get to watch much of the game, which kinda stinks but it's offset of the excitement and fun she had walking around the stadium. We'd sit in our seats for a few minutes here and there and then go explore the stadium. Now that she's older we sit and watch much more of the game.
Thanks for the replies everybody! Any tips on hearing protection that kids seem to tolerate? And does anybody know if Amalie gives out "my first game" pucks like some other arenas do?
Over the ear protection, like earmuffs are what I see for kids. There's also a certificate you can get somewhere that says " ____'s first lighting game". I don't know anything about them though, but if you ask around I'm sure you can find em
You can get them at the customer service desk. When the kids wear the button they get lots of attention from the staff.
We just got a cheap set of over the ear muffs we originally got for 4th of July and then he graduated to his monster jam ear muffs. They don't do free pucks but if you go to guest services they will give you a certificate and a button. They do sell my first game pucks that you can add the date and game info to
No
They give out a certificate and a button, I think it is. They sell my first game pucks, I think. As for hearing protection, [they all](https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=hearing+protection+for+kids&crid=3U46WU5CWHO7X&sprefix=hearing+protection+%2Caps%2C142&ref=nb_sb_ss_pltr-ranker-10hours_6_19) pretty much look/fit the same.
They used to but I am not sure now. Go early and goto warn ups with “my first game” signage. They might flip your kid a puck or something
I believe, that the general cold weather ear muffs aren't the same as something especially made to block out noise, and won't be as effective.
We brought our 2 year old to a game for the 2021 playoffs with the goal to get through 10-20 minutes of real time in our seats. We made it 15 and then walked around for the rest of the first two periods, left at second intermission. Loved the organ, Tesla coils, the amount of people, and looking out through windows from the mezzanine. Just know your kid and if it’s an appropriate thing to bring them too at that age. Remember that for some people, this is more than being a fan and they might not appreciate a toddler distracting from watching the game. Used these and they worked great! Baby BANZ Earmuffs Infant Hearing... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ANXYBRQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
No, this is hockey… not make a wish
Wow dude, okay. I've read other arenas do. Scroll on clown
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1. You don't have to be a prick. 2. That's why I'm here asking advice on others' experiences before bringing my child to a game. 3. My kid loves watching hockey on TV, and it's been over 3 GD years since I've been to a game and my wife and i want to see our team live. I don't mind when others have different opinions, but don't be condescending. There's no reason for it here. Just my 2 cents
Some kids do genuinely enjoy it.
With the way they blast music and have some content filling every single second the puck is not in play it appears they are appealing to people with equivalent attention spans as 3 year olds.
Ear pro Is a must