Siblings on the Soccer Sidelines: Making It a Family Event (Without Losing Your Sanity)

Anna Tisell
Oct 20
2 min read

Two young siblings sitting under a sun tent watching a soccer game with an iPad — soccer family sideline setup.

If you’ve ever tried to wrangle a toddler while cheering for a striker — welcome, you’re one of us.

Having siblings on the soccer sidelines is a whole sport in itself. Between “I’m boooored,” mud puddles, and requests for snacks every 4.2 minutes… sometimes it feels like you need more stamina than the players on the field.

But here’s the truth:

It can be fun.
They can learn something from being there.
And sometimes, survival mode is okay.

Let me give you a real example.

My Favorite Hack: The “Sideline Tent & Show” Setup

This weekend, my 5-year-old sat through his 11-year-old brother’s 70-minute game — in the rain.

How?

I draped my raincoat over his chair like a tent, handed him my phone with Power Rangers on Netfli and slipped him an orange snack under the tarp like room service.

No complaints. No meltdown. No “How much longer?”

Did I entertain him with sensory bins and Pinterest-worthy busy bags? Nope.

Did I survive without losing my mind? Yes. And that’s the goal.

Why Having Siblings on the Soccer Sidelines Is Actually Good for Them

Even if they’re watching cartoons half the time…

They’re absorbing team culture.
They’re learning to wait their turn.
They’re cheering for someone else for once.

And sometimes — they even start copying what they see. I’ve watched my 7-year-old run pretend warm-ups because he saw the older boys doing it. That’s free training right there.

3 Realistic Tips for Managing Siblings on the Soccer Sidelines

1. Pack Like You’re Going Camping, Not Soccer

Blanket or chair
Snack stash (anything that doesn’t crunch during penalty kicks)
Headphones or tablet backup

2. Give Them a “Job”

Even little ones can:

Hold the umbrella over you like a sideline knight
Be the “Goal Counter”
Deliver halftime snacks like team butler

Kids behave differently when they feel important.

3. Screen Time = Survival Time (No Guilt Allowed)

Let’s be honest: a phone can be the difference between peace and chaos.You’re not neglecting them — you’re preserving the experience for everyone.*