Planning a Family Friendly Tailgate

Smart ideas for making pre-game festivities a favorite fall activity.

Make football a family affair this fall with a tailgate party before the big game. Tailgating can be your ticket to fun with the right menu, a few games and tips on putting everything together (and putting everything away) easily.

Create you menu around easy-to-make, easy-to-transport, and easy-to-serve items such as mini-ham sandwiches, chicken fingers with honey mustard sauce, chips, pretzels, nuts and fresh fruit that doesn’t brown easily such as grapes and watermelon. Check out our recipe section for some of your snackable favorites, just remember to choose foods that won’t spoil easily in the heat and can be packed and served conveniently. Of course, you can always pack a few finger foods to compliment the traditional dogs, brats or burgers if you take along a portable grill. Don’t forget lots to drink. The first days of fall football can be hot! Pack plenty of sodas and bottled water plus juice boxes for the little ones. As you ice down the food and drinks, keep a separate bag of ice aside to drop in the drinks once you’re at the game.

As you’re putting together the coolers of food, consider the other supplies you’ll need such as paper towels, plates, cups, and utensils for both serving and eating. You’ll want to pack several garbage bags, paper towels and extra water for cleaning up as well as dousing any burning charcoal on the grill before you go into the game.

Take along tunes with a portable radio or tune into pre-game broadcasts. That way you won’t run the engine or have to turn the car radio up for everyone around the tailgate to hear. Many late model cars have electrical outlets specifically for such purposes but you can always rely on a battery powered radio. You could even bring along a portable TV to catch all of the pre-game festivities or tune into other teams you follow. If you have a CD player, consider making a mix tape of music the whole family can enjoy instead of listening to a particular radio station that might not appeal to all tastes.

Once the scene is set, let the fun begin. Bring along a Frisbee or, better yet, a football to toss around. Set out folding chairs or blankets on the ground for seating and eating. And, think of the younger ones by supplying such toys and games as jump rope or a bean bag toss. To help kids get into the spirit, try face painting with the colors of your team while you’re tailgating.

Once everyone has eaten and enjoyed the afternoon, go ahead and clean up your area. You’ll be too tired to think about it once you come out of the stadium. Put out any fires, pack any leftover food in plastic bags in the coolers, and pick up all of your trash. Then secure everything in the car, make sure you have your tickets and head on in for four quarters of football. It’s the perfect fall day for the whole family.