Concert with a toddler.

[PeapodBurgundy]

Just booked tickets to a concert. Aside from getting ear defenders, are there any tips from others who've gone to similar events with little ones? He'll be just turned 2 when we go, it's indoors, seated and next to an exit just in case.

(DISCLAIMER: I'm not taking him because I can't/don't want to get childcare, it's a very innovative and entertaining performance group that he watches a lot of on YouTube, and that I think he'll really enjoy. We have a hotel booked a fifteen/twenty minute walk from the venue, and are perfectly prepared to leave if things go pear shaped. We checked before booking and he's permitted in the venue so long as he's with an adult at all times and has his own ticket).

Not sure exactly what you're asking here. Are you taking him because you think he'll enjoy the concert or taking him because you can't get a babysitter. If it's the latter I don't think it's very wise as most toddlers at just turned two won't sit through a concert. Unless it's aimed specifically at small children then I can't see it being much fun for anyone.

I'd practice wearing the ear defenders every few days for a few weeks having fun with how they change noises. The difference in sound and annoyance of wearing the plastic headband might benefit from careful handling!

Aside from that I think it's a case of being totally relaxed and having a 'we'll see how it goes' approach and acceptance if you have to leave after 20 minutes.

I'm taking my baby to concerts. It's going well so far but she's only seven months which I think presents fewer challenges than a toddler!

I've just said above, it's not a childcare issue. We're taking him because we think he'll enjoy it (he's the reason we're going rather than for our own bebefit). It's not aimed at small children, but many children of all ages attend their concerts, including their own children who tour with them. He won't need to sit for the duration, we've booked seats with space for him to dance withour disturbing anyone else.

I was just wondering if there's anything I might not have thought of that would be worth knowing from those who've taken little ones to concerts before.

Sorry I re-read your post and you said it's not a childcare issue. I apologise. I am not really au fait with taking small children to concerts and didn't realise it was a thing these days. . So ignore me!

INeedNewShoes We'd planned on practicing with them between now and May when we go. He already has to wear ear plugs with a band around for swimming twice a week, so it won't be a completely alien feeling to him.

We booked the hotel for that reason, so we don't have to wait around for the train, then spend the journey managing him if he decides he doesn't like it.

Vivienne I've not been to a concert myself since I was in my teens, ans this is the first non-child orientated thing I'll be taking him to. I may well have rocks in my head

We're planning as well as you ever can with a toddler, and hoping he'll enjoy it as much as we think he will rather than it descending into the night from hell!

Practicing wearing the ear defenders is a good idea.

Will he be okay in a huge crowd?
If it's at a big arena it will be very very busy and if he is just turned two I would be tempted to take one of those wrist straps.

I took one of mine to Take That at just under five because he was desperate to go. Unfortunately for us the band were late on due to technical issues and he fell asleep ten minutes in and was very annoyed when he woke up.

I hope you have a lovely time.

I absolutely believe that going to music events can be exciting and enriching for young children. My DD has enjoyed it so far. She's heard a classical orchestra play on two occasions and has been to amplified gigs as I'm in a band. She's generally been in wonderment, content or asleep!

He’s too young for it to have any value. They don’t have the concentration span, you can’t “pause” it either while they have a snack/drink/meltdown. Better watching it on you tube for a few more years. You’ll probably just piss off people who’ve paid too & who don’t want disturbed by a toddler.

ParkingWarSaga We've booked seats in a box so for the most part he'll be contained. We'll take his backpack reigns with us though. He's happy to be carried when needed at the moment, but might not be by May. It's a 7.30pm start, and he doesn't usually fall asleep until about 11pm at the moment (naturally knockternal, but I'm slowly but surely training him into sleeping at reasonable hours )

Jubejube1 I know of several other children going (people commenting on the band's Facebook page), he will be one of MANY. Music has value from being in the woumb, so he's certainly not too you to gain from the experience. As I said in my original post, we're prepared to leave if he doesn't like it, and have made provisions to do so. As loud as todlers are, I highly doubt he's going to manage to disturbe anyone over the noise of the music.

*womb

Oh in a box I would be less worried. He can move about, you can get out of there without disturbing others, he can fall asleep and it's not an issue and he will be back from the crowds and noise a bit.

Mine have gone to see shows from 18 months, although kids shows Tweenies was a pop concert at a huge arena. By three were watching musicals because a friend worked there and proper concerts by four. Now much older have seen tons of bands.

If there is a support act and you are in a box can you miss the support act?

I want to know who it is now

He's been to the theatre a few times, and surprised me with how well he sits every time (obviously not sat perfectly for the full duration, but certainly not cause a bother to anyone), and we attempted to go and see Paddington at the cinema the other week (we made it through about 3/4 before he wanted to get up and walk about, so we left at that point).

There are no support acts listed, but it's an indi tour, so not surprising really. It's Walk Off The Earth we're seeing.

Ah blimey he has got cool taste I thought you were going to say Steps or something. OK I think they are doing more theatre and smaller concert hall type venues. With a box, reins, ear defenders and obviously you are willing to leave if he can't cope I think it's fine.

He also goes mad for LMFAO, but he can whistle if he thinks I'm sitting through that performance

It's a small venue; one which I actually attended with my class when I was teaching for a music festival, so it's not like a massive arena. There won't be alcohol either, so I don't anticipate it being rowdy in that sense either.

Resurrecting and old one, but the concert was last night so I thought I'd check back in. We arrived bang on 7.30 just as the support act were starting their first song. He was entranced from the moment we got in. He had an absolute whale of a time, danced, sang and Boomwhacked his way through the entire concert. He got touchingly excited when the band came out who he recognised out of context when we weren't sure he would. He kept his ear defenders on for all but the quieter songs, which we were happy to compromise at. He chose a t-shirt, and got his picture taken sat on the shoulders of the support band at the end. All in all we had a really special night out, he's zonked out with an entire double sofa bed to himself in the hotel room, and now we have a day at the discovery museum to look forward to. 🤩

Glad you all had a fab time 😊

One from a proud Mammy

Cute 😊