This summer is turning out to be an interesting jump start to the season of Halloween. In southern, California we have a a couple of major conventions scheduled that promise to satiate your hunger of everything haunting. It’s an exciting time for those of us who wish that October could last all year long. It’s also an equally exciting time for families- the school year comes to an end while family vacations that have been in the works are finally starting to come to fruition.
Sure, not everyone has some elaborate exotic vacation planned. Kids are eager to spend their days playing outside with days at the beach, socializing by the pool or sleeping in followed by many hours in front of their tv (or computers) playing their favorite video games.
No matter what your family is looking forward to this summer, consider taking a trip to one of these conventions. Taking your family to any convention does require a little bit of planning. Especially if you’ve never been to this type of fan convention.
Day Trip or Weekend Excursion?
Decide on whether you want to venture out for one day of the con or make a weekend out of it. Doing a couple days at a convention can alleviate the stress of “trying to see it all” which can be nearly impossible with a family. Kids get tired, they get cranky and then they get hangry. No one wants to hear a kid scream and throw a fit right in the middle of the big reveal during the Horror Nights panel. Plan on taking breaks often for snacks and simply to sit down while resting your feet. Get the schedule of events ahead of time to see which panels you simply cannot miss. Remember that most (not all) toddlers or small children will not be interested in sitting through anything that involves watching people talk. It’s helpful to switch off between partners but if you simply need to see “Devising Demons” then everyone will thank you if you can find a seat close to a quick exit. And bring snacks!
Snack Attack
Speaking of snacks-food at any convention center is expensive…theme park expensive. Most of the time it isn’t great quality either. So you’ll be waiting in unfathomably long lines for lackluster food that requires taking a second mortgage out on the house. Keep it simple. Sandwiches that don’t require refrigeration, fruit, chips or rice cakes anything that is light but filling while fitting in a backpack will do the trick. Don’t forget water! You’ll be doing a lot of walking so it’s important to keep hydrated.
For families with small children it’s advisable to not bring in a behemoth of a stroller. The convention floor can be crowded and isn’t designed for a triple wide, 4 wheel drive child limousine. If you must, a small stroller will suffice. Bonus points for you if you decide to “wear” your baby. I have done countless conventions with a small baby or toddler in a carrier. This is your family event which means that it’s important to enjoy this as a family. Kids can’t experience all that there is to see if they are strapped into their huge stroller with obstructed views.
Warn Your Kids!
Prepare you kids for what they will be seeing.
Convention goers love to cosplay and if your child is uneasy around people in makeup or outrageous costumes then make it a point to talk to them ahead of time. Don’t wait until a zombie lumbers towards them resulting in a total 3 mile island meltdown. Start by letting them watch a demonstration on how zombies get into makeup and character. Better yet, follow that up with making them up to be a zombie! Make it a family affair-zombie family cosplay!
*A side note about cosplayers from a cosplayer-it’s ok to ask for pictures. The key word being “ASK“. We work very hard on our costumes and makeup. If you’d like a picture, we want you to get the best picture that you can get! No one wants an unflattering picture of an otherwise great Elvira cosplay who is dumping the crumbs of a doritos bag into her mouth. Seriously, no one wants that. Be prepared for the attendee to decline but don’t take it personally. Maybe they are rushing to a panel or sitting down for lunch with their kids or in line for the bathroom. Hey, it happens!
Spending Money!
Since you have saved money on food for your day or weekend trip, you can put some money towards some fun mementos. These conventions have local and out of area artisans that are selling their wares. It’s a great opportunity to purchase hand made and/or unique items that you can’t pick up from your neighborhood Target store. Shop wisely but don’t wait too long to get that print of Frankenstein and his bride. It might not be there at the end of the con. (I have been devastated on a few occasions because when I went back, money in hand, the thing I just couldn’t stop thinking about was sold out. There have been tears and not from just my 4 year old.)
Buy Now!
Tickets for these halloween/horror conventions have already gone on sale. If you purchase them early, many have sweet discounts. That means even more spending money for your family! Enjoy your family convention experience. When I see your family in full zombie apocalypse regalia, mom toting a backpack full of pb&j sandwiches, dad wearing the baby while the happy family is taking a simple moment to sit and people watch, you’ll know it’s me when I give the nod of approval. Maybe I’ll high five you or maybe not; I don’t want to knock off the rotting flesh.
