By Mitch Rice
If you’re nervous about taking your kids to their first live show or event, you shouldn’t be. There are a lot of benefits to taking kids to live events, whether it’s a dinner show, a play, concert, musical, or something like a circus.
Remember how excited you felt when you were a child about live events? Your children will experience the same.
Live performances help kids develop empathy. They’re watching something unfold, whatever that may be, so they’re putting themselves in the shoes of the character for a period of time.
During live performances, kids have a safe space to experience things they might not otherwise. They also gain exposure to new people and environments, which is critical for healthy development.
Going to live shows helps kids learn how to be present and stay in the moment. It helps them practice mindfulness in a way that’s attainable to them.
While all this can sound great, there are some challenges that come with taking kids to a performance, especially if it’s their first activity like this. You don’t want them to lose focus or get upset and ruin the show for everyone else, so with that in mind, the following are some tips.
Go With Something Family-Friendly
It sounds obvious, but some shows are more family-friendly than others, even when, on the surface, they might seem similar. For your child’s very first live entertainment, and especially if they’re on the younger or rowdier side, you should go with something that’s designed with kids in mind. A themed dinner show or a play specifically for young children can be a good introduction to see how things go.
You want an environment that’s going to be on the noisier side if you aren’t sure how your child will do.
You also don’t want them to be overstimulated at first, so keep that in mind.
You want a good balance between enough of a raucous environment that it might drown out any noise your child makes, but not so loud that it’s scary.
Do some research to figure out the details of a show before you buy tickets. You can read reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, and if you have questions that you can’t find the answers to, call the venue directly.
Even if something is kid-friendly or family-friendly, does that necessarily mean it will be interesting to your child and entertaining for them?
Kids have different attention spans depending on their age. Think about what’s most likely to grab and hold their attention for an extended period of time. If there are a lot of lulls or slow points, it’s probably not best for kids.
Kids tend to do best at live performances where there’s action they can follow along with, fun songs and bright colors, and costumes. Special effects also tend to do well in the eyes of young audience members.
Think About the Logistics
There are plenty of logistics to consider before taking kids to a live show of any kind.
First, who’s the artist if it’s not something like a play or circus?
Are you familiar with the lyrics if it’s a concert, and are they something you’re comfortable with your kids hearing?
What’s the venue like? Theaters are a great option, but places that seem more like a nightlife venue obviously aren’t as much unless your kids are quite a bit older.
You’ll have to choose seats, which is a big consideration too. You want seating that’s going to put you front and center if possible because that’s going to hold kids’ attention most easily.
If you think your child might need to go to the bathroom, get snacks or take a break every once and a while, look for seats on the aisle and near an exit.
Depending on your child’s height, a booster seat might be good to bring along so they can fully see everything that’s happening.
To figure out the specifics of the event, it’s another good situation to call the venue. You can find out how long the program is and whether there’s an intermission. You should also ask about policies for leaving the theater during the show and returning.
Events without assigned seating aren’t necessarily the best option for kids, especially younger ones who could get lost in the crowd.
Most shows have multiple times available, so choose one that’s going to work for your child’s schedule. For example, a matinee may be better than an evening show. Ticket prices are often lower for afternoon shows too.
Safety
If the show could be loud in any way, you should bring earmuffs or earplugs to protect your child’s ears. Write your phone number in sharpie on your child’s arm in case they get separated, and let them know where a meetup spot is in the venue if anything happens.
Prepare Your Child
In advance of your event, you should start preparing your child for what to expect during the performance. If it’s a play based on a story, you can read that to them, so they’ll understand what they’re going to see. If there’s a movie they could watch, that’s great too.
If you’re going to a musical performance, prepare them by having them listen to the artist.
Talk to your child about behavior expectations during the show and what it means to have good audience manners.
You can go over things specific to shows, like when it’s appropriate to clap or ask questions.
The Day Of
Before a live show, make sure your child is well-rested and has eaten. Don’t give too many drinks ahead of time, though, to reduce bathroom trips. You should arrive at the venue early so you can show your child around the theater and get them settled into their seat.
You might want to bring a quiet activity they can engage with while you wait for the show to start.
Finally, if your child does get upset for any reason, leave the theater right away. You shouldn’t let your child stay in the theater if they’re being disruptive. You may have to leave the show altogether depending on how it goes, and that’s something you should consider beforehand.
