Fall in the North Carolina mountains and especially a home game day for the Appalachian State Mountaineers is one of those classic outings that combine energy, tradition, tailgating fun, and family time! With a few insider tips and a little planning, you can turn a football outing into a full-blown day of fun with your children. Here’s a guide to make sharing Mountaineer pride with your kids easy, intentional and joyful!

Getting There & Parking – the First Big Move

From the Triad, heading to Kidd Brewer Stadium on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone means you’ll want to set yourself up for smooth sailing.

Purchase a parking pass ahead of time. Many game-day lots and decks require registration or permit parking. For example, the official 2025 fan guide notes that certain “Yosef Club” parking lots open to passholders and non-passholders have designated lots and pass fees.
Allow extra travel time. Boone is in the mountains, game-day traffic builds up. Plan to leave earlier than you think.
A good rule of thumb: arrive about 2 hours before kickoff—not only for parking and tailgating, but to get settled and relaxed with your family before things get busy.

Why is this important for a family with young children? Because you’ll want buffer time for potty breaks, stroller transitions (if you bring one), snack stops, and adjusting kids to the new environment—without rushing or panic. A calm arrival sets the tone for the day.

Tailgating (Yes, You Can Make It Kid-Friendly!)

Once you’ve parked and picked a spot, tailgating becomes the prelude to the main event—and it’s a golden opportunity to give your kids something extra fun. Here are a few ideas:

Bring a festive lunch: sandwiches, wraps, fruit, easy finger foods. Set up under a pop-up tent or folding chairs or just in a lot with a little blanket.
Toss a football around—let your kids run around a little, stretch their legs before the game.
Bring a cornhole set– kids love tossing bean bags or other portable game. This helps burn energy and keeps them engaged.
Bring a blanket or ground cover, sunscreen/hats (if sun is strong), and a small cooler. Check tailgate rules ahead of time.
Grab the kids a little souvenir/gear from the campus store right at the tailgate time while you’re still relaxed—makes the stadium-entry visit easier.

Tailgating isn’t just for adults. With a little planning, it becomes a kid-friendly pre-game party that sets the fun mood!

Game Entry & Pre-Kickoff Routine

When it’s time to head toward the stadium, having a little plan helps for children. Here are a few key steps:

Visit the stadium store on your way in—this is a great time for your kids to pick out some gear or a little souvenir: maybe a mini foam finger, a T-shirt or hat in the Mountaineers’ colors. Make it part of the experience.
Walk into the stadium about 30 minutes before kickoff. Why? To find restrooms, get a snack or drink, find your seats calmly before the game noise builds.
If you’re sitting in bleachers, bring padded seats for comfort—especially helpful for little ones who don’t want to sit for long.
If it’s a cold day, bring blankets, hand warmers, warm hats and gloves. Kids (and you!) will appreciate the extra comfort.
Make a quick “orientation” stop when you enter: show the kids where the family-friendly restrooms are, point out snack/ concession areas, note exit routes in case you need a break. Doing this 30 minutes before kickoff means less stress once the game is underway.

Choosing Your Seats: Bleachers vs. In-Zone

Where you sit influences your family experience. Here’s a breakdown:

Bleachers: often more affordable, but less enclosed, less cloak of comfort. If you choose bleachers: padded seats are a good idea, dress for the elements, show kids the path to the restrooms/concessions ahead of time.
In-Zone seats: If you’re able to get seats in the “in-zone”, often there are extra perks: For example, allow kids and families to go inside to warm up and buffets or popcorn/ drinks.
If you are in the in-zone and it’s cold, the ability to step inside for a break with your kids is a huge plus.
Make sure your seating choice allows for whatever your family needs: snack breaks, restrooms easily reachable, maybe a stroller-friendly route if you bring one.

Game Day with Young Kids: Tips & Tricks

Having preschoolers or toddlers at a football game means adapting the outing for their stamina, comfort, and enjoyment. Here are some additional kid-friendly tips:

Petite fans: Bring something small they can do quietly (e.g., coloring page on Mountaineers theme, small toy, or a “scavenger” game: look for the mascot, find the cheerleaders, count how many times the scoreboard flashes).
Ear protection: The stadium environment can be loud (cheers, music, announcements). If your child is sensitive, bring ear-protectors or earbuds.
Dress in layers: Mountain weather can be unpredictable. Kids might get cold mid-game. Layers + blanket help.
Comfort break plan: Identify restrooms ahead of time. Many stadiums including Kidd Brewer have permanent restrooms plus additional portable toilets under bleachers/concourse.
Stroller/hiking carrier: For young children you might bring a sturdy stroller or hiking-style carrier (especially if you plan to walk around tailgate lots). Make sure your path from lot to stadium is stroller-friendly (check lot/parking deck).
Exit plan: For younger kids, the full game might be too long. A smart move: plan to leave at half time or early fourth quarter—so you avoid major exit traffic and can head somewhere comfortable for the rest of the day. (More on this below.)
Celebration moment: If the Mountaineers score a touchdown, celebrate with your kid: wave, cheer, point out the scoreboard. Make the “game” fun rather than just “sit and watch”.

Leaving Smart & Where to Go After

As mentioned above, leaving before the final whistle can be a strategic move for families. Here’s how to wrap up:

Plan to depart at half time (or shortly after) if you want to beat the biggest traffic surge and head to an early dinner.
After the game, head to a family-friendly restaurant for a post-game meal—this continues the outing rather than ending it abruptly. For instance, one recommended spot is Mellow Mushroom, which is listed as a family-friendly option in the Boone after the game.
If your child is tired, here’s a tip: Have car snacks ready, maybe a tablet or something for the ride home. Make the ride part of a calm wind-down.
Reflect on the outing: ask your child what their favorite moment was (e.g., the tailgate cornhole toss, the mascot, the scoreboard). This helps them process and remember the fun.

Unique Tips & Bonus Ideas

Pre-game photo spots: Take a family photo in front of the stadium (Kidd Brewer) or along the campus walk—the fall colors in Boone are spectacular. Let the kids pick their “team gear” shirt or hat in advance so you’re photo-ready.
Create a mini “game itinerary”: For your preschooler, map out “tailgate → walk to stadium → find seats → watch first quarter → snack break at half time → leave”. Having the visual plan helps kids anticipate what’s next.
Bring a “first game” badge: If this is your child’s first game, bring a small badge or sticker that says “First Mountaineers Game” or “My First College Football Game!” This makes it extra special.
Explore Boone a little: If you arrive very early, you could stop in downtown Boone for 30 minutes: maybe a quick ice-cream or walk through the shops before heading to tailgate!
Weather check: Boone can be cooler than the Triad, especially late afternoon/early evening. If kickoff is 3:30-4:00 p.m., by the 2nd half it might be breezy or chilly—so pack accordingly.
Meet the mascot: If the Mountaineers mascot (or cheerleaders) make appearances, let your child have a moment for a photo or high-five. These little interactions are often the memory-makers.
Pack for comfort: Travel pillow, light blanket for the car ride home. If your child falls asleep in the car, you want them comfy.
Budget for souvenir smartly: Kids will want something from the stadium store—set a budget (for example, one small item) so they get it without overspending.
Prep for exit traffic: Even if you leave at half time, know your exit route. Perhaps park in a lot that has an easier exit.

Sample Family Game-Day Timeline

Here’s a rough schedule you could follow (for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff) to keep the day flowing and friendly to preschoolers:

12:30 p.m. – Depart home (Triad to Boone)
2:00 p.m. – Arrive in Boone; park in your pre-booked lot; set up tailgate space, lunch, games.
2:45 p.m. – Pack up tailgate, walk toward stadium; visit stadium store for gear.
3:00 p.m. – Enter stadium, visit restrooms, concessions; find seats.
3:30–4:00 p.m. – Kickoff! Enjoy first quarter, point out interesting things to your child: scoreboard, band, mascot, crowd.
≈4:15 p.m. – Half time: snack break, restroom again, check on child’s comfort.
4:20 p.m. – Head to car (beat the bulk exit) or stay for a little of third quarter if your child is doing great.
4:30–5:00 p.m. – Depart stadium, maybe stop at Mellow Mushroom for pizza and family time.
6:30–7:00 p.m. – Arrive home or lodging; unwind, talk about favorite moments.

Final Thoughts

Heading up to Boone for a Mountaineers home game family weekend can be more than just a football experience—it can be a full, memorable family outing. With some advance planning (parking pass, early arrival, tailgate fun, padded seats/blankets for comfort, strategic exiting) you’ll set yourselves up for success rather than stress!

So mark your calendar, pick a game, gather your gear (festive lunch, football, cornhole, padded seats, comfy blankets), and make it a family outing to remember. The cheers, the crowd, the mountains, and the memory of “our first App State football game” will stick with your little ones.

Enjoy the Mountaineers game day—and here’s to many fun family adventures!

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