Kid-Friendly Tailgate Ideas: Fun Games & Activities for Every Age
How to Keep Little Football Fans Happy
🏈🎉Tailgating isn’t just for the adults – it’s the perfect opportunity to get the kids involved and keep them entertained while the grown-ups are grilling and gearing up for the game. Whether you’re tailgating in the stadium parking lot or in your own backyard, there are endless ways to make the day unforgettable for your little ones.
Here’s a roundup of some super fun, kid-friendly tailgate activities that will get the whole crew excited. Plus, we’ve included some creative ideas to help you keep things fresh and fun for every age group!
1. Scavenger Hunt Adventure 🔍
A tailgate scavenger hunt is one of the easiest ways to keep kids entertained while also encouraging teamwork and exploration! Customize your list based on the theme of your tailgate – whether it's football-related or just general outdoor fun. Here are some kid-approved ideas:
Football Fan Scavenger Hunt: Hide small football-related items around the tailgate spot – mini footballs, pom-poms, player cards, team logos – and let the kids run wild trying to find them all! You can even add a twist by making it a timed event.
Nature Scavenger Hunt: If you’re tailgating outdoors, create a nature-inspired hunt with things like "find a red leaf" or "spot a bird with a bright feather." This works perfectly in the fall when the leaves are changing colors.
The best part? You can easily adapt it to any space and make it as simple or elaborate as you like!
2. Mini Obstacle Course Challenge 🏃♂️
Get those energy levels up with a mini obstacle course designed for kids! You can use cones, inflatable tunnels, pool noodles, and even blankets to create the course. Not only will it get the kids moving, but they'll love the challenge. Here are some ideas to get you started:
The Football Dash: Set up a zigzag run around cones, add a "pass the ball" station, and have them finish with a “touchdown” at the finish line!
Team Relay Race: Divide the kids into two teams, and let them compete in a relay race where each team member completes a section of the obstacle course.
Set up a few fun prizes, like mini trophies or team-themed stickers, to reward the kids for their efforts.
3. Face Painting Fun 🎨
Face painting is a classic tailgate activity, and it’s guaranteed to put smiles on little faces! You can offer a few options based on the game’s theme – think team logos, football helmets, or fun designs like stars, hearts, and animals.
If you're hosting the tailgate at home, you could even create a mini “face painting station” with a table, brushes, and a mirror for the kids to enjoy!
Here are a couple of playful design ideas:
Team pride: Have the kids wear their team’s colors by painting their faces to show support!
Fun animals: Create cute critters like lions, tigers, or even a team mascot.
The more colorful, the better!
4. DIY Tailgate Crafts 🖍
Crafting is another great way to keep kids entertained, and it’s the perfect downtime activity. Grab a few simple supplies, and let the kids get creative with a DIY craft station. Here are some ideas for easy and fun crafts:
Decorate Your Own Mini Football: Buy some small, inflatable footballs and provide markers and stickers for the kids to decorate their own mini team balls.
Team Spirit Headbands: Provide plain headbands and let the kids customize them with fabric markers, glitter, and pom-poms. They can proudly wear their creations during the game!
Craft time can be the perfect way to cool down, and it doubles as a souvenir to remember the day.
5. Balloon Pop Football Challenge 🎈
This tailgate favorite is sure to get everyone in on the action! Fill a few large balloons with small prizes (stickers, candy, mini toys) and tie them to a fence or secure them on the ground. Players take turns tossing mini footballs – foam ones with a pointed tip work best – to try to pop the balloons.
For younger kids, make it a gentle toss just for fun; for older ones, turn it into a friendly competition to see who can pop the most.
Pro Tip: Slightly overinflate balloons so they’re easier to pop, or hide a pushpin behind each balloon for an instant “burst” when hit.
6. Team Trivia or Bingo 🤔
Who said trivia is just for adults? Create a kid-friendly version of team trivia or bingo that includes simple questions or images related to football, the teams, or fun facts. For trivia, ask questions like:
“What’s your team’s mascot?”
“What’s the color of the football field?”
For Bingo, make your cards with fun things you might see at a tailgate (e.g., “someone wearing a team jersey,” “football touchdown,” “face painting station”). The first one to get a full row shouts "Bingo!" and wins a prize.
7. Football Toss Challenge 🎯
This classic game never gets old! Set up a target, such as a hula hoop or a large cardboard cutout with holes (you can even draw team logos), and have the kids toss mini footballs through the holes. For a little extra fun, you could make it a competitive game with different point values depending on the size of the hole or distance.
8. Dance Party! 💃
At some point, all the excitement will need to come to a halt, and there’s no better way than with a tailgate dance-off! Put on some fun tunes (maybe even a few classic football-themed songs) and let the kids show off their best moves. You could even turn it into a mini talent show, where each child gets a chance to dance in front of the crowd.
Wrap-Up: Create Memorable Moments! 📸
Tailgating with kids doesn’t just have to be about sitting around – make it a day filled with action, creativity, and excitement! From scavenger hunts to mini obstacle courses, there’s no shortage of ways to keep the little ones busy. Don’t forget to snap photos so you can look back on these precious memories for years to come.
Pro Tip: Use SignUp to organize, recruit volunteers, and ensure your tailgate has everything you need to make it a win for everyone involved!
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About the Author
Carlyn Morris
Content Contributor
Carlyn is a lifestyle writer for SignUp’s Idea Center, covering travel, special events, and modern-day tips for everyday living. More about Carlyn →
