5 tips for going to a cricket match with kids

1. Go with friends
We’d been invited to NatWest T20 Blast to watch Surrey vs Essex yesterday from the family zone at the stadium, and it looked like some families there had come in groups, ensuring the kids had several friends to sit with. Pretty essential!

2. Prepare for summer
It turns out summer has arrived in Kennington. When we left Fulham yesterday it was pouring down with rain, but over at The Kia Oval it was a totally different story. I had failed to pack sun hats and sun cream, which made it difficult to stay in our seats for too long.

3. Buy supporter flags
Big Girl spotted the Surrey County Cricket flags even before sitting down in her seat, and was quite upset we didn’t have one. A flag makes everyone excited about sports!

4. Bring treats
Cricket could seem a bit slow compared to some other sports, and families sitting around us had brought chocolate and snacks and were chatting away. The atmosphere was very different from what I expected, and looking back, I think a day out with cricket would be best for families with children aged 7 and over.

5. Choose events with family entertainment
Yesterday was a family day at the NatWest T20 Blast, and I spotted several children with face paint and we’d heard the mascot was going to be around. In the break, there was a singer in the food village outside the stadium, and a group of men dressed up as tourists were dancing and entertaining the crowds.

Making sports fun!

Tags: Cricket, Kennington, Kia Oval, Review, Spectator sports, Sports, T20