It’s Football Season! 5 Ways to Score Family Fun

For many Atlanta families, autumn is all about the Fs: Fall, Football and Family Fun. Whether your family roots for a high school or college game, the atmosphere for fall football feels like a festival. Due to the pandemic, some games may allow only a limited number of fans. Even if you can’t make it to a game, there are still lots of ways to root for your favorite team at home. Buy some noise-makers and confetti, and try these ideas for maximizing your family’s fun:

Fun Fan Game Day Signs

All you need is posters, crayons, markers, glue and construction paper. Let kids create signs that have the team’s name and mascot on them. This will familiarize the family with the team’s colors and mascot, and even educate your children on the university’s background.

Fan Sing-a-Song

Learn the university’s fight song! You can also learn the team’s chants.

Fan Family Fashion Show

Purchase team fan gear, then get your children to create their favorite two outfits. Or go through your closets and pull out clothing in your team’s colors. Once everyone has selected their clothing, play some music, gather everyone in the living room and strut your stuff!

Have a Tailgate Party at Home

Have your own tailgate picnic – outdoors or in. Though some families grill an elaborate feast, you don’t have to – sandwiches and chips or a takeout meal will do. But consider adding a special touch. How about Team Pretzel Rods – pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate and decorated with sprinkles in your team’s colors? A few more fun ideas:

S’mores Popcorn Snack Mix
This easy-to-mix treat is made with just four ingredients: popcorn, granola bars, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.
Source: bettycrocker.com

Mini Football Buffalo Chicken Calzones
Separate dough into eight biscuits; cut each crosswise in half for a total of 16 biscuit rounds. Add a rounded tablespoon of chicken mixture. Fold biscuit over filling, and place on cookie sheet to bake for 16-19 minutes. Squeeze one line of cream cheese crosswise and 4 lines lengthwise to make laces of football on top of each calzone.
Source: pillsbury.com

Football Marshmallow Pops
Kids will love helping with these easy, yet impressive, treats! Insert straws into marshmallows and dip in chocolate candy melts. Dip in green-tinted coconut and let harden, then add details with white chocolate melts or purchased frosting in a tube.
Source: kidfriendlythingstodo.com

Plan Your Halftime Activities

During half time, cut a couple of holes in an old sheet and see who can toss a football through the holes. Play a game of touch football in the back yard, or test the family with a sports trivia quiz (try Kahoot! or FunTrivia). Challenge kids to create a family cheer or put on a halftime show.

Dawn Montgomery-Greene contributed to this article.