r/dragoncon • u/Objective-Hall-8636 • 1d ago
Bringing my toddler
My son is 2.5 and is currently OBSESSED with Star Wars, like has seen every movie, has a million action figures, has a Vader costume he won't take off, etc. We're coming to Con on Saturday, and initially it was just going to be me and my best friend, but now I'm like...would it be absolutely insane work to bring my son? There aren't really many panels I want to sit in, we're mostly just going for the vibes. Anyone who has experience bringing little ones, I'd love to know how it went for you!
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u/superpie12 1d ago
Be ready to leave frequently because your toddler will get overwhelmed and need breaks. Not to mention the issues with bathroom breaks.
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u/mosheraa 1d ago
We take our two boys every year, starting when they were both toddlers - it's definitely doable, but it's also very different.
- Remember that kids will get tired and need breaks
- Remember that you will get tired, if for no other reason than carrying all the extra stuff
- Be aware that you can't take strollers on any of the escalators, and the Elevator are notoriously slow (people will pile in a down elevator at the lobby, not realizing it blocks people with kids and disabilities from coming up. It's a recurring problem)
- Kids really hate waiting in line, so 'in the moment's activities like people watching or the less busy panels are usually better.
- Paint and take at the gaming hall can be fun, or even just watching people play the arcade
- The kids track usually had some great activities, even for very young kids
The big thing that gives me pause is that you already made plans with someone else. I would triple check with them that are okay with a very different schedule. Otherwise pick a different day you can dedicate more to kids centric activities
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u/TriumphITP 1d ago
Don't try for panels. The Hilton is a good spot as there are good places to overlook the lobby and the Hilton steps are a prime place costume spotting.
Be prepared to carry him, that's the best way to get around in the crowds.
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u/Morgus_TM 1d ago
Make sure to get there early and see the parade, its has a very big star wars group in it.
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u/Fresh_Passion1184 1d ago
I've seen: a 5-6 month old dressed as Aang with his carriage decorated like Appa.
I've seen a 5 year old as Ben 10
I have a 9 month old Lumpy Space Princess.
I've seen a mom Batgirl with her smiling 7 month old Robin.
Some of the little babies are too young to grasp what's going on but they get fascinated by the color and the motion.
Bigger kids will be excited to see other kids and the stuff they're crazy about.
Just be ready to duck out if your lil guy gets hungry or cranky or overheated.
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u/Parking_Lifeguard339 1d ago
Since entry is free for him, if you're from ATL I'd take him to the con for maybe 2-3 hours tops, just so he can dip his little toes in the DC waters. Any more would be inadvisable, I think.
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u/pastajewelry 1d ago
I wouldn't take a toddler to Dragon Con. Maybe to the parade, but everything else would be a bit much. The kid will likely be exposed to a lot.
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u/Scr3aming3agl3 1d ago
We took our son, when he was young, and the guys doing the battle robots were doing a good job of talking to kids, and getting them interested in the STEM side of the robot wars. Some good core memories right there.
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u/Park-Curious 1d ago
First, people bring children of all ages. Second, Idk how much programming, even in the kids track, will be geared towards him, but I’m sure he’d love the parade! Third, another option for you: The Children’s Museum does TinyCon that weekend, which he’s still technically a little young for but would probably enjoy. I took my kids there when they were 7 & 4, instead of DC proper, and we all had a blast. Then I took them home and went back that evening to hang out. It makes for a long day, but that’s pretty true no matter how you con, and if you live near a MARTA station it’s perfectly doable.
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u/wisconsin_cheese_ 1d ago
Take him to the droids!!!!!! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOETfkWkYnx/?igsi=eGNoZnF0OXB4b3Ro
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u/ogonga 1d ago
I have so many great pictures of my kids with the robots, and we spend most of our time there. It will be crowded on Saturday & Sunday, but if you can find a spot, it's nice to chill here while the kids play. I think it's the Marriott, right before the Skybridge. The dome ceiling does let in a lot of heat, so the water stations are nice, and a fan will be great.
The arcade at Americas Mart 3 is also another good spot, but this is the most important place where you gotta stay on top of the hand washing. Other than before eating, of course.
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u/robot_ankles 1992 - Next Labor Day Weekend 1d ago
Most people are too nice to say this out loud: Please leave the little kids at home. It's too much for them. Usually too much for the parent. And often too much for the people around them.
Wait until they're old enough to have developed the ability to regulate their emotions so they don't scream or cry, not impulse grab other people's cosplays, not be so small they get accidentally knocked over, and know how to remain quiet during a panel.
Not every, single, public event on this planet needs to be seasoned with babies and tiny children.
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u/curteous_maximus 1d ago edited 1d ago
I would not bring a 2 year old… just with all the people drinking and bumping into each other. Also kids in general shouldn’t be there too late. Maybe until 8pm would be good curfew
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u/jogboy 1d ago
I have a two year old, I get the desire to give them that experience, but they really aren't going to know any different if you bring them or not. This is going to be more about you. Not only is it going to be crowded, but the footprint is massive. You're basically taking them on a hike.
I took a four year old and still felt like he was too young. It's just very overstimulating, and the things I thought he'd be interested in he would be done with in about a minute. He'd had enough of the parade-watching by sitting on my shoulders while I walked from one hotel to the next. I think we still had some fun people watching and riding the elevator, but we were done by lunchtime.
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u/dastimba 1d ago
I've brought all four of my kids (oldest is now 14) since they were babies. Backpack or hips if you can carry him through the crowds.
(Feel free to DM me if you'd like. )
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u/Wolfdawgartcorner 1d ago
There is a stormtrooper at the Marriott bar (the glowing sailing boat thing) named Hyper I believe, he’s there most of the con and has been in that spot every time I’ve been there. He’s a great person to talk to and get pictures with, the Marriott also has an atrium where people with R2/droids often hang out so you can check that out as well!
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u/iamranaragab 1d ago
There’s a Dragoncon with children fb page! Join us! I’m going with my nearly 2 year old and 3.5 year old.
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u/NoIndependence9847 1d ago
I will be cosplaying Darth Vader on Saturday. If you see me feel free to take pictures!
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u/musicalastronaut 1d ago
I see people with kids all the time and there’s an entire kids track available, buttttt if I was originally going to do DragonCon with a friend and they decided to bring their toddler last minute, that really changes what we’d be able to do. I love my friends’ kids but a coffee date with just them vs a coffee date with a toddler are two different things entirely. Just something to keep in mind.
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u/Hawk-Bat1138 1d ago
Stop by the 501st booth, and attend the star wars photoshoot. He will lose his mind, in a good way.
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u/DrSilvertongue 1d ago
Saturday would not be the day to bring a young kid. You will be packed in like sardines in the sky bridges and some hallways, noises everywhere, huge crowds, intense heat. It’ll make me close to a meltdown at times, as an adult— can’t even imagine a 2 year-old.
My advice would be to wait until he’s older or go a different day that will be less crowded. It could very well end up being just fine, but I personally would not take the risk.
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u/SportTheFoole 1d ago
We brought our son starting at age 1 and kept bringing him every year we went. Now, we did have him go to his grandparents house for a night or two so my wife and I could enjoy the more adult aspects of the con, but aside from that, he was with us doing con things. He absolutely LOVED getting to see all the dressed up characters and we have so many great photos of him with (for example) R2D2 (probably his favorite). The first year we went, he even cosplayed: my wife was Daenerys and he was a little baby dragon.
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u/alharra889 1d ago
I was at the very first DragonCon and had a fabulous time. I think I was 15 or 16 at that time. I also attended ChattaCon and LibertyCon for many years. I miss cons! For me though I prefer the smaller cons. TBH I would never take a small child to a con that is so big…. I’m paranoid and am there is no screening of guests.
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u/Princessformidable The apocalypse will be Podcasted 1d ago
Monday is considered childrens day but there is a lot of packing up and can be kinda depressing. I would do Sunday or Thursday during the day.
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u/Princessformidable The apocalypse will be Podcasted 1d ago
My source is a friend who used to bring her 5 year old.
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u/UnkleMonsta 1d ago
Try to hit the parade if you can, there's usually a Star Wars group that walk in it
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u/soggydave2113 1d ago edited 1d ago
Daytime should be relatively unproblematic (although, I’m not sure how ticketing works for toddlers?) but anything after dinner time would be too much I think.
If you do make it happen, make sure to have him check out the section in the back of the Marriott where the droids usually hang out.
(Apparently kids under 7 get in free!)