Introduction:

Soccer tournaments are an exciting whirlwind of cheers, goals, and camaraderie. But what do you do during those breaks between games? Soccer tournaments are not just about the thrill of the game—they’re also an opportunity for families and teammates to bond and create lasting memories. In between cheering for your young athlete on the field, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your time and have some fun with these fun activities in between the games. Here’s some ideas for parents and teams on what to do at soccer tournaments between games.

Team Meal:

Turn those tournament breaks into a delightful team picnic. Organize the team picnic beforehand and pack a cooler with the kids’ favorite snacks and refreshments, spread out a blanket, set up the team EZ Ups and enjoy a relaxing meal together. It’s a perfect opportunity to refuel and recharge for the next match while basking in the sun and fresh air. Creating a communal space for food and camaraderie can turn the tournament into a social event. A team meal provides an excellent activity that creates an opportunity to bond with other families, share recipes, and have a fun potluck.  If the weather is not good, then think about a venue that can support the team (but be aware that most of the venues around tournaments fill up quickly or don’t take reservations, so finding the right place to host this activity can be tough if you don’t plan it out early).

Meet and Greet with Teammates:

Use the downtime between games to foster team camaraderie. Organize a meet and greet activity between teammates and their families. This is a fantastic opportunity to build connections, share tips, and strengthen the sense of community within the team.  For teams going to their first tournaments, this is an amazing activity.  You can do it any number of ways, but sharing information is going to be a winner!

DIY Team Gear Crafting:

Get creative and make DIY team gear to showcase your support. Bring plain t-shirts, hats, or banners and let your artistic side shine. This is not only a fun way to spend time but also a fantastic bonding activity for parents and siblings.  This requires a little planning as you have to get supplies, but can be super fun.  Often easier for the girls teams as they can do bracelets, decorate water bottles, headbands, and other crafts.

Soccer Trivia Challenge:

Test your family’s soccer knowledge with a trivia challenge. Create a list of questions related to famous players, memorable matches, game rules, and the history of the sport. Divide the players and families into teams and see who can score the most points and crown the soccer trivia champion.  You can also just get a fun soccer trivia book to make it easy.

Relaxation Zone:

Tournaments can be intense, so consider creating a relaxation zone for players and parents to unwind. Provide comfortable seating, shade, and perhaps even some light massage tools. This space allows players and parents to recharge and build connections with others, fostering a supportive community.  You can use the break to engage in some light stretching or relaxation exercises. Bring a yoga mat and encourage others to join in for a group stretching session. It’s a fantastic way to stay active, alleviate any stress, and prepare for the intensity of the upcoming games.  Whether you’re coming off the field from a comfortable victory or a devastating loss, it is so important to keep your mind right during soccer tournaments. Yoga can help you re-center, keep focused, unwind, and recharge while you’re waiting for your game.  It’s also a great way to stay warm between games and tend to any aches or pains before they become full-blown injuries.  

Watch Games:

Take advantage of the rest time by encouraging kids to watch the other games that are still going on. These are great teaching moments because you can reference game situations in real time. Have the kids watch other players in their position and point out what they are doing well, what they could improve on, or have them focus on broader concepts like game strategy and communication. If you use a VEO or Trace, then you can have some ipads and have the players watch themselves.  This activity is great with positive constructive criticism about how they play the game and also share some fun laughs.

Board Games:

Who doesn’t love board games? Depending on what you pick, you can spend an entire afternoon playing some fun games.  A couple that are really great games for this time are Telestrations, Code Names, Uno, or just regular card games.  You can check out our reviews of Telestrations, Code Names and Uno if you are not familiar with them.  You should probably leave Risk and Monopoly at home, just for the sake of keeping the team together and losing pieces, but there are a lot of great games out there. Each player could also teach teammates their family’s favorite card game, play charades, heads-up, or any of your other fun activity or game. 

Conclusion:

Soccer tournaments are a blend of intense competition and fun. Tournaments are not just about the action on the field; they’re also an opportunity for teams and families to come together and create lasting memories. By incorporating these fun activities between games, you can enhance the overall experience and ensure that everyone, both young athletes and their cheering squads, leaves with a sense of fulfillment and camaraderie. With these activities, you can turn the downtime between games into an unforgettable experience for players and parents. So, gear up, get ready, and make the most of the soccer tournament season!

Please check out our entire Modern Soccer Parent section of the website here. We have other articles on Tournament Brackets and general considerations for Tournaments. As well as a primer on attending your first tournament.

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