Youth soccer is typically a spring and fall sport, which means dealing with cool and/or rainy weather is the norm. But the weather can be HOT at the end and beginning of those seasons, respectively, so soccer parents must be prepared for all the elements. Let me tell you, now that I'm a bona fide soccer mom, staying cool while your kids are on the soccer field is no easy feat.
I'm sure there's a reason why there never seem to be trees around youth soccer fields, but heck if I know what it is. What I do know is that a couple of hours sitting under the unrelenting sun in 90-degree heat can leave anyone cranky and craving an ice bath.
Tips for staying cool while your kids are on the soccer field
- Find shade. There never seem to be any trees around, but bringing a canopy or umbrella to sit under will help immensely!
- Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. This will help you stay cool and comfortable in the heat.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the game. Avoid sugary drinks, which can dehydrate you.
- Take breaks. If you're feeling hot or tired, take a break from the sidelines and go for a walk or sit in the shade. Don't be afraid to sit in the car with the air conditioning on full blast if you need it!
- Use a fan or mister. A fan or mister can help you cool down on a hot day.
- Bring sunscreen. Protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays by applying sunscreen before and during the game.
- Be mindful of your emotions. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game, but try to stay calm and positive. Yelling and getting upset will only make you hotter.
These tips will help you stay cool and comfortable while you watch your child play soccer. But, the world being what it is, there are also plenty of gadgets that will help make afternoons in the blistering sun more bearable.
18 Products to Help You Cool Down During Soccer Games
Let's start with the basics. If you want to stay cool while watching your kids' soccer game, you'll need to stay hydrated. This can be harder to do if you're attending an all-day soccer tournament, so an easy-to-carry cooler, like this cute Insulated Cooler Backpack, will be your best friend.
Fill it up with water and drink liberally!
My friend told me she saw people in Rome walking around wearing Portable Neck Fans. If they're good enough for the Italians (or at least Italian tourists), a Portable Neck Fan is good enough for this soccer mom!
According to the description, the fan will run from anywhere between 3-16 continuous hours based on the air flow you require, making it the perfect sideline accessory for those long hot soccer tournaments. From my own personal experience, I only needed to charge it once at the beginning of the season because there were only a few insufferably hot days.
The makers of this Wearable Waist Fan recommend pairing it with a portable neck fan for full-body cooling. Considering I'm writing this post in the dead of winter when it's negative degrees outside, I'm shivering just thinking about wearing two fans!
There are a million portable neck fans for adults, but smaller versions are available for younger siblings who will also be watching the games! These portable neck fans for kids are smaller and come in fun, kid-friendly colors.
My daughter absolutely loves wearing hers while watching her brother's soccer matches.
Is this cute, or is this cute?
Little kids will love wearing this fan around on those brutally hot days. If you're lucky, it might even keep them entertained for a few minutes!
This fan is available in purple, green, or pink. It's battery-powered, so as long as you pack some extra batteries you won't have to worry about charging it mid-day.
If you want something that will cool you down while watching soccer, and that'll also give your skin a little boost, check out this Hydrate & Cool Body Spray. According to reviews, the citrus scent is lovely and the cooling sensation lasts a few minutes.
Whether you're not ready to commit to wearing a fan or you want something a little more discreet, this Handheld Mini Fan may be the answer. It's actually a cool little gadget.
The battery-operated handheld fan will keep you cool for nearly an entire day. It also doubles as a backup power charger and a flashlight!
Keeping the top of your head covered from UV Rays is always a good idea, but this Cooling Cap does double duty: It will also help you beat the heat. When activated with water, the hat will cool you down up to 30 degrees below your body temperature and help you stay cool for up to two hours!
This hat, from MISSION, is available in multiple colors so you might even be able to find one to match your child's team!
Desperate times call for desperate measures. I'm not saying I WANT to wear an Ice Vest to a soccer match, but I'm not above it, either. There have been times we've been at tournaments with nary a shade tree in sight, and I'd give anything to take a bath in a pool of ice. This would suffice quite nicely.
It's going to be so hot at our soccer tournament this weekend that I'm going to stock up on cooling headbands. At less than $5 a piece, they're an easy way to ensure my kiddo stays cool on the field. For parents and other spectators, staying cool while your kids are on the soccer field will be a cinch with one of these. When dry, they wick sweat and provide an SPF barrier. When wet, they can provide cool relief for hours.
My kids are obsessed with these cooling patches – it's the first thing they ask for whenever they don't feel well. Instead of a wet washcloth, these patches help provide cooling relief that typically lasts for a couple of hours. While perfect for illness, I also keep these packed in my soccer bag.
Those kids work hard on the field and these patches are a great way to help them cool down after a game without too much fuss. While the patches work better after refrigeration, it's not a requirement.
Of course, parents on the sidelines can use these to keep cool, too, so long as you don't mind a little blue patch sticking to your forehead!
Since soccer fields never seem to have any shade, you might as well bring the shade with you! Investing in a Chair with Canopy will help you stay cool while your kid is playing soccer!
This chair can support up to 350 pounds and folds quickly into its carry bag. Carry bags are a must for long days at the soccer field, as nobody wants to make multiple trips to the car! (I'm forever jealous of all of you who bring wagons to the pitch. I can't really justify it, but dang, would it ever help with some of the gear!
The wisest parents at tournaments are the ones who REALLY come prepared for the sun. Sadly, that has never been me.
But I'm thinking this is the year we'll invest in a portable sun shelter like this, which will provide some relief from the sun, especially between games. It's also great for the littles who are stuck on the sidelines for hours on end. In addition to providing shade, this sun shelter offers SPF-50 UV protection.
If you've already got a chair you love, a Chair Umbrella is an easy upgrade that will provide some relief from the sun. It's super easy to clamp onto most chairs, though I must warn you: It isn't the best option on a windy day! Speaking from personal experience, the thin metal pole doesn't stand up to the wind very well. But, for combatting the sun? It's fabulous!
This battery-operated Handheld Misting Fan puts you in control of the water. Just pull the lever when you need some extra cooling action.
This is another fantastic option if you're looking for ways to keep little siblings entertained (and cool)!
My interest in fishing increased tenfold since I found this unique Hat with Fan, considered fishing gear. The fan is SOLAR-POWERED, which'll actually make use of those sweltering rays. The wide brim will also help keep the sun off your face.
Let's take this one off the boats and onto the soccer field, shall we?! It's genius!
Ice towels are another item I've added to my soccer mom bag. They're as much for those of us on the sidelines as they are for my little soccer player who often needs a quick way to cool down after games. To use, douse in whatever water you have on hand!
I know Stanley's are all the rage, but my heart belongs to Owala. This 32 oz. water bottle keeps my water ice cold for hours. It has a built-in straw. It's leak-proof, so I can throw it into my soccer mom bag without worrying about spills.
The ONLY thing I don't love is that this particular size is a little too large to fit in my car's cup holder. But, the larger size is perfect for long days at soccer tournaments.
While there are so many products that will help you stay cool while watching soccer, these are some of my personal favorites!
