As the temperatures drop, sitting for hours on end at kids' sporting events can get uncomfortable. Here's what a mom of 2 brings along to every game.
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Life on the sidelines of my kids' games is better when experienced in a warm camp chair with coffee in hand.
Grace Jidoun/Insider
Parents of young athletes spend considerable time attending weekly practices and games.
The right gear makes life as a chauffeur and spectator much easier and more comfortable.
I am the mom of two boys who play sports, and these are the products I swear by.
My garage has a plastic tub labeled "sports stuff" at the ready. It's not baseball bats or soccer balls for my kids, although I have bins for those. It's the gear I need to keep myself happy and warm during the winter kids' sports season. This time of year, my life becomes a whirlwind of shuttling my boys across town to far-flung fields and courts. Between my two boys, I have four weeknight practices and two weekend games.
It's wonderful I see my children's faces beam with pride after a win. Moments like this make it all worth it. But after one too many nights shivering on cold bleachers watching drills, I knew I needed some gear for myself. I researched and came up with a short list of products that met two criteria: the item must keep me comfortable and be easy to tow from car to court. Here's the essential gear parents need for their kids' winter sporting events:
A portable camp chair
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Sitting on benches for hours can make anyone cranky, especially during late-night practices when the metal gets extremely cold. I have a basic camp chair, which does the trick, but I dream of upgrading to a rocker. The GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker is made from lightweight steel and glides back and forth to get that excess energy out, whether it's from nerves or boredom. When it's time to leave, simply fold it flat and fling it over your shoulder.
A way to keep a large cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate warm
Grace Jidoun/Insider
While I use the ThermoFlask for cold beverages, my Yeti is reserved for hot drinks, including coffee, essential to my happiness during morning games. Instead of a screw top, the Yeti has a magnetic slide top that makes for smooth and easy sipping. The tumbler fits most camp chair cup holders, and Yeti will engrave it with a cute design of your choice for a small fee.
A hand warmer that doubles as a device charger
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Even on the low setting, this reusable hand warmer does the trick. While there are other handwarming options, from disposable heat packs to straight-up gloves, I like this product's dual-functionality as a charger for my iPhone. It also acts as a mini power bank for many other electronic devices.
A warm place to sit
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A cushion is perhaps the most necessary piece in your entire arsenal, but not all are created equal. This heated chair pad works in most camp chairs or can be placed on bleachers or cement to keep you comfy and warm for up to three hours when the battery is fully charged. It boasts four heat settings, including "pulse," which automatically switches between low to high.
A cozy waterproof blanket for rainy games
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I live in California, and truth be told, if it's 60 degrees, I'm freezing. With fuzzy sherpa on one side and soft microfleece on the other, this throw blanket provides the right amount of warmth. But there's more: There are three layers of waterproof technology in the fabric. That's because it's designed for dogs to prevent accidents from soaking through, but no one needs to know that. If you are warm and dry during a rainy morning game, that's all that counts.
A bubble of protection
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This is not compact or collapsible, but it is thoughtful. A clear umbrella signals to fellow parents and spectators that I don't want to block others' views and that I am a team player. Plus, it has a full bubble canopy, which shields me from the wind just as much as rain.
A jumbo water bottle that stays cold
Grace Jidoun/Insider
Athletes are encouraged to stay hydrated as they play, but watching a game requires extra water too. I've often needed water to wash out a kid's skinned knee or clean my hands if the bathroom at the field happens to be locked. My entire family uses these stainless steel 40-ouncers from ThermoFlask with two lid options (chug or straw) to please all sipping styles. The ThermoFlask and the more expensive Hydro Flask have been left in my car for hours in 100-degree weather, and the water has miraculously stayed cold.
A wagon to lug everything from car to field
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A collapsible wagon will save your back. I've had this model for four years, and it's still going strong, easily rolling over dirt, grass, mud, and bumpy pavement. At 22.6-pounds, it's one of the lighter-weight wagons on the market, so lifting it into my car is a snap once it's folded.
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