Best age to start taking young son to games?

I want to introduce my 5 year old son to Oakwell a bit this season, but he's only half interested and I'd worry he'd get bored a few minutes in. I don't want to have to leave at half time because I've got a young lad bouncing off the walls in boredom and ruining the match for everyone around us.

He loves playing football and I know he'll be a fan one day, but I'm not sure when to trial it. How long did you wait before taking your kids?

 

I was taken by my dad about 6 year old and used to fall asleep at matches. Take him to a match this season see what he reckons to it, it's no biggie if he doesn't take to it straight away as some kids prefer playing to watching.

Sooner or later he'll get the bug and then you'll have him following you to Oakwell for the next 20 year

 

About 7 ish i reckon. I loved footy at that age and would sneek downstairs to watch match of the day behind the settee. Sure dad knew but never said a word.

 

I was about 5. Spent the first year or so messing around at the top of the Kop. Probably took a few toy soldiers along knowing me. Eventually the bug bit though.

 

Best bit about it was half time when you could leg it down to the front of the Ponty and have a kickabout with your mates using a bottle.

 

I was 11 my first game. I took my son when he was 10 to his 1st game and he did start getting fidgety b4 the end. Hes 13 now and loves every minute. Most under 10s i see at matches these days seem to just be playing on phones or tablets and dont even watch the games. Seem a bit pointless taking them tbh......

 

Went to a few matches under the age of 10, but was probably 11 or 12 before I really got into it. By 13/14 I was hooked, and that hasn’t changed since!

 

I'd say young enough not be be swayed by the big clubs on match of the day. I was mad Arsenal until my dad took me at the age of 9. I didn't think I was for turning as Arsenal had just won the F.A Cup and League Cup in 93 and beat Parma in the Cup Winners Cup in 94. I still favoured Arsenal until probably the league cup game when we lost 3-0 in 95/96 and then it started to hurt a little when I saw we'd lost when the results came up on the vidi-printer on grandstand.

Had my dad waited another year or two I think I'd be staunch Arsenal even now.

 

My first match was at 5 years old, not that I remember it, only really started to take an interest at 7-8 years old.

My eldests first match was at 5 too, but he was a mascot, he didn't go again till he was 9.

 

My lad started going around 6/7 years old, stopped going after our 2 Wembley trips. Not been back since.

 

I took my lad when he was 3 or 4. See how it went. This season will be his 3rd season ticket. He’s absolutely mad about Barnsley. He’s 6 now. As soon as he’s at his seat he starts singing all the songs and doesn’t stop.

 

My dad took me to every home game from being 4, but I don’t think I ever really wanted to go until I was about 7/8

 

The bairn in front of me when I was in the East stand went from being a baby. If you want to enjoy the match uninterrupted I'd wait but if you're prepared to pay him a lot of attention then he may well enjoy it

I kept trying mine with matches but he only really got into it age 10 and actually asked to go to matches.

 

6 but take plenty of bribery money for food

 

Took my young 'un around 6 years old. Had the attention span of a flea and was generally bored stiff or restless 20 mins in. Countless trips to the bogs ..... burger stand etc ..... it was hard work for a couple of years. By the time the Cardiff Wembley match happened he was OK ...... he had a few seasons off and has been a regular for the last several years, even commuting from Uni in Newcastle for matches. Now 20, he accompanies me to most matches, including a lot away. He generally behaves himself now, watches 90 mins and needs the bog for different reasons.

One things for sure - time flies. Taking your son to footie will age you in an instant!! Enjoy the years.

 

I've never had a vank at a football game. There's time I suppose.

 

Take him to the friendly tomorrow and the cup matches, see how he gets on.

 

I was six I think.

 

I was 5, took my son when he was 4 & his son at 4!

 

Depends how old you are. Whatever age you are, I reckon that's the right one.