Talk to Continental Tyres (main sponsors of the FA Women's Super League) about what makes a great family day out - £200 Love2shop voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

For the past few years, Continental Tyres have been an Official Sponsor of The FA Women's Super League (WSL). To promote the WSL as a great family day out this summer they've asked us to find out what Mumsnetters believe make the best family days out.

Here's what they say: "With the summer holidays now in full swing it is always hard to think of what to do that will engage the whole family. At a WSL match there are loads of family friendly activities around the matches making it a great day out at the weekend or after school activity on a week day for the entire family. At selected matches across England, there are free interactive fan zones run in association with Continental Tyres allowing everyone to enjoy family friendly activities from testing their skills on a speed goal to face painting and meeting the stars of the WSL for themselves. Entry to matches is also well below what you'd expect to pay to see top class football - with many matches being £6 for adults and £3 for concessions."

Have you and your family ever been to watch a WSL or women's football match? If so, please tell us all about it. Did your DCs enjoy it? Did you take part in any of the family friendly activities?

If not, please share your thoughts on great family days out. Would you go to a Women's Super League Match with your family? Why? Why not? What activities would you like to see at these match days? How do you keep the LOs entertained on day trips out?

Please share your thoughts on this thread. Everyone who adds a comment to the thread will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will receive a £200 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[dahville]

No, we've never been to a game. To be honest I didn't know if Cardiff had a team but my husband just confirmed that they do!

Now that my son is a bit older (he'd 2) and goes to football training every week (Little Kickers) we would definitely consider going, especially if my mum was visiting as she loves football (she enjoyed the women's matches much more during the Olympics than the men's matches - she said it was better football!)

Things that make any day a good day out are easy access to toilet facilities that are family friendly, enough concession stands that you don't need to queue up for ages, opportunity for the kids to do something interactive, and areas to take the kids if they get a bit restless during the match.

[mrscumberbatch]

We have never been to a game but neither myself nor DP are into football at all. If DD took it up as a hobby then we might attend.

Best days out for us are always reasonably priced with plenty to do or see. And options when it comes to catering (ie: canteens, restaurant nearby or picnic facilities.)

[afromom]

Our lives pretty much revolve around football! DS is football mad and we have been to see some games, highlight was the GB Olympics matches that we watched (men's). However we did follow the women's matches on the TV and enjoyed watching the Women's Euro 2914 matches on TV this year too!
We would love to go to a WSL match, and since the Olympics I have said to DS that we will try to go to a couple of matches each year.

When it comes to family sports events I think we could learn a lot from the US. We went to watch a baseball match, which was great and very family orientated. The whine set up was very interactive with the crowd, with the large screens showing crowd members and huge scale Mexican waves going around the stadium. I think the sense if fun and I retraction in US sporting events keep people occupied. Also there were loads of activities for the kids to try out around the stadium, like pitching and hitting games, design your own hat, loads if food stands, including ones you could sit in to eat, if they get restless in the main stadium seating area.

I think it's mainly about having enough to keep the kids occupied, both in the seating area and around the stadium and making it a fun, interactive experience for everyone!

[afromom]

Obvious women's 2013 not 2914! Whoops!

[lolancurly]

When I was a teenager, I played football and I was pretty good I think at the time. I was asked to play locally for a ladies team but never did as got distracted by other things. My six year old daughter is a big fan of Chelsea football club and this love has been nurtured by her dad - she went up to London the day they did their parade and sat on his shoulders and sang along with all the other fans. My instinct is that she would not be keen to attend a women's game unless her dad was interested - personally I think he would be disparaging about it and possibly only be interested in the possibility of jiggling boobs. I might consider taking her myself.

[gazzalw]

Have you and your family ever been to watch a WSL or women's football match? If so, please tell us all about it. Did your DCs enjoy it? Did you take part in any of the family friendly activities?

To my shame, I've never even thought about taking our two even though I'm an ardent footie fan myself. We should though as there's a family loyalty (although not mine!) to Arsenal who, I'm led to believe, have the best women's side in England - or so I've been told! I wonder how expensive it is - possibly the way to get them into the Emirates Stadium which none of us have ever visited?

If not, please share your thoughts on great family days out. Would you go to a Women's Super League Match with your family? Why? Why not? What activities would you like to see at these match days? How do you keep the LOs entertained on day trips out?

Yes, I would in theory but I think they need to be publicised a lot more... I really don't tend to remember about the Women's Super League and as DW isn't really a major footie fan she doesn't ever flag it up either! I would consider it in theory particularly if it's more cost-effective than going to the Premier League games which are exorbitantly expensive as a family day out...

I almost think football grounds need to have 'chill' family rooms - we took DD (7) to her first match and she was restless and bored and cold. It might have been easier to watch the match inside in the haven that a 'chill family room' could be (or possibly not!)

Variety and forward-planning are the key to a successful day out and not being out too late that they get over-tired!

[petalsandstars]

I have never been to a football match but would consider a family oriented day out to one.

Good family activities for us with young children are bouncy castles and face painting, my 2 year old loves to kick a football about and join in. Playground type equipment is also a good bet for encouraging running round to let off steam amd soft play too. Again a broader choice of food than just fried fast food is a winner for me but ice cream is fab on a day out as a treat.

[StrangeGlue]

I haven't been but that's because I've actually never seen it advertised near me. I enjoyed the Olympic women's footie so would go - plus the price is great!

[Elainey1609]

Ave been to a couple of football matches I personally have been to see England and Chelsea but will admit to them being way to expensive
Have taken to see Carlton though a couple of time when they have family days and the tickets are £5
They loved it I think the experience is something all children should experience
Daughter loves football so took her to see women's football at the Olympics she loved it

Best family day out is one that is reasonably cheap and fun for all ages
Very interactive although I always bring a couple of my own activities as I know they have a short attention span
Educational or keeping little ones active is always a plus
That allows you to bring picnic or own snacks with a decent picnic area
Somewhere that also has a nice place for the adults to sit and have a rest while still mowing children are safe

[whattodoo]

I've never been to WSL. But it sounds great, if I could be sure DD could see well.
A great day out for us includes good weather, affordable, not having to take too much stuff with us.
We love the outdoors when the weather is good. A swing and a slide always goes down well, plus something 'interesting' eg interactive science experiments.
We're not averse to eating out, but not terribly keen on fast food.

[letsgetreadytoramble]

I've never been to a WSL match, but I'm always looking for reasonably priced family activities to do at the weekend, and this sounds like it would suit us well - the sport side of things would keep my DH and teenage DSS happy, while the other activities would be great for my toddler.

A good day out for us has to be (very) reasonably priced, have something to suit different age ranges and enough going on to keep everyone entertained for a few hours. There also needs to be food available and somewhere to go if it rains.

[MakeTeaNotWar]

I've never been to a football match - the idea of large crowds and packed public transport puts me off, I imagine it to be hellish with the DCs. Having said that, perhaps I ought to give it a go. A great family day out shouldn't cost the earth, be too overcrowded, have lots of clean loos and reasonably priced food - not junk

[jojane]

we are not sports fans so never been to a game.

a good family day out needs -
lots of toilets dotted around
reasonable prices
reasonably priced food and drinks
pinic areas
play areas for small children

[WowOoo]

I've never been to watch women's football but might consider it if the price and place was right.

There should be some things to entertain children - just a small activity area would be enough.
Decent food for the kids and adults.

Most important thing is for it to be affordable.

[MissRee]

Have you and your family ever been to watch a WSL or women's football match? If so, please tell us all about it. Did your DCs enjoy it? Did you take part in any of the family friendly activities?

No, we've never been to a WSL match or women's football match. My cousin plays regularly in a girls' team though.

If not, please share your thoughts on great family days out. Would you go to a Women's Super League Match with your family? Why? Why not? What activities would you like to see at these match days? How do you keep the LOs entertained on day trips out?

I've never even thought about taking the kids to a football match (men or womens) to be honest. I would though, especially if, as you say, there are lots of activities for the kids to do.

[asuwere]

Never been to any football matches - DH not into football so kids aren't either really.

Great family days out need to be reasonably priced. Either with a decent entry price or free and activities fairly priced - not both though! Hate paying to get into an event then have to pay again for each activity.
Reasonable food available - not just hot dogs and coke (and not expensive!) plus picnic areas.
Play park
Toilets!
My kids often like just free play rather than structured activities - so just a few footballs and a goal set up and they can work it out themselves.

[Lilyloo]

We have never been to a Wsl game. However dp and ds do have a premier league season ticket so it could be something we could look into.
I would worry that the dd's would get bored as they aren't that into football. There would have to be some other activities about to keep them busy if they got restless. The price is very good though and would definitely be a cost effective day out.
This summer has been quite difficult as ds is almost 12 and the girls are 5 and 8. Finding activities that covers all their ages has been hard. For me a great day out would be able to provide appropriate things for varied ages.
Cost is a major factor as a family of 5 can be expensive to go out for the day.
After that weather can factor , having a mixture of indoor / outdoor choices is good.
Good quality and cost effective food or the ability to bring your own food is good as that really bumps the price.
We have visited a place that provided kennels for dogs. That was fantastic as we we camping and it is very hard to find things to do especially when the weather is bad if you have your furry friends with you.
Providing independent activities helps to , as if I have to take the 3 dc out on my own its impossible to give them all help if needed , or plenty of staff on hand to help.
Nice clean and an abundance of toilets are another thing that helps. Nothing worse than getting involved in something when your little one decides they need the toilet , then you all have to stop and trek to find a toilet cue moaning from the other kids.

[iwantavuvezela]

Never been to WLG but could think about it. I have only been once to a football match, it was a longvtimecafo.v however I do enjoy family days at cricket, pretty relaxed, time to chat etc.

For us a good family day is weather dependent ... On a lovely warm day it could be a day at the beach, the park for a picnic, a farm, national trust property.
If weather not that good we love dipping into the various London museums which offer endless activities for children, a cafe for coffees etc.

Other than that meeting upvwithvfriends, having lunch together, catching up whilst the children play is always something I look forward to.

[trikken]

Not sure that football would keep my kids entertained, they aren't really into watching sports and neither are dh and I. A good family day out is something that keeps everyone entertained and is suitable for all age ranges and not too expensive. Plus having facilities for children and babies is a must eg baby cjangibg and feeding rooms available and the ability to take a pushchair around (surprising how many places deemed for a good family day out dont have this and it puts a downer on whatever it is you decided to do.) We like just going to the beach or feeding the ducks ending with a picnic so that doesnt cost much.

[trikken]

Baby changing that is. Not whatever that word I put was.

[TiredFeet]

Never been to a wsl match but at those prices I guess I might consider taking my children when they're older if they are interested in football.

A good family day out for me would include all activities being included in the entry price, its frustrating paying an entry price and then discovering there's an extra cost to do most of the best bits.

At a football match, if taking children, it would be good if there was space for them to run around and play at half time and after/before. Also decent clean toilets are a must for me.

[aristocat]

Have you and your family ever been to watch a WSL or women's football match? If so, please tell us all about it. Did your DCs enjoy it? Did you take part in any of the family friendly activities?


No, sadly we have never been to womens football however we have watched on the TV. We love all sports and it is definitely something that would interest us as a family.
My DH and DS attend mens football matches quite often and this would be something different.

A good family day out for me would be something to keep the children busy. It needs to be a good price, indoor/outdoor depending on the weather, have toilet access.
As others have said meeting players, kick about at half-time, and other activities as well as the match would all help ensure return visits.

WSL is not advertised very well is it?

[RiceorChips]

We are football fans though have never been to a womens match (only mens).
Since having DS we haven't been to see a match at all, though intend to go as a family when he is older (he's only 10 months).

A good family day out should include:

• somewhere to go indoors in case it rains
  
• toilets / baby changing facilities
  
• reasonably priced & a good range of food
  
• plenty of space for the kids to run around though plenty of seating for the parents
  
• activities for children of all ages
  
• parking
  
• fun and educational

[RubySparks]

Went to a lot of football matches as a student in Aberdeen when they had a cup winning side, that was a lot of fun! Used to play football unofficially with mix of boys and girls when I was young, didn't know of any girls football teams then (1970s/80s). Also plate door an office five-side ladies team in my 20s, much too old for that now!

Son is more interested in rugby so never been as a family to football but with the right atmosphere that could be a good day out. My children are teenage so trickier to know what would get them involved, maybe some celebrity involvement?