Taking a young child to a concert can be a fun experience, but there are some important factors for parents to consider before buying those tickets. Concerts are often loud, crowded, and contain late hours—all things that require stamina and attentiveness that toddlers may not have. That said, many 3 year olds can enjoy and handle certain types of concerts, as long as accommodations are made and expectations are managed. Here is a closer look at the key questions parents should ask when deciding if their 3 year old is ready for their first show.
How loud will the concert be?
One of the biggest considerations is how loud the concert will be. Young children have sensitive ears that can be damaged by excessive noise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), loud sounds above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss over time in people of all ages. For reference, a normal conversation is about 60 dB, while a rock concert can reach 120 dB or higher.
Unfortunately, many concerts easily exceed the 85 dB threshold. So parents need to check the expected decibel level and make sure their child wears hearing protection like ear plugs. Bringing noise-blocking headphones designed for kids is also a smart move. If the concert is exceptionally loud, having the child wear the headphones or limiting time in front of the speakers is best.
Guidelines for Concert Noise Levels by Age
Age | Recommended Maximum Noise Level |
---|---|
0-2 years | No loud concerts or events |
3-8 years | 80-90 dB for no more than 2 hours |
9-12 years | 90-100 dB for no more than 2 hours |
As the table shows, babies and toddlers under age 2 should avoid extremely loud concerts altogether. From ages 3-8, limiting concert noise exposure to 80-90 decibels for no more than 2 hours is best. After that age, the limits increase slightly.
What’s the concert schedule and venue?
The timing and venue of the event are also key factors. Concerts that go past a 3 year old’s normal bedtime are not recommended. Likewise, venues with assigned seating are preferable to open general admission areas where kids could get more easily separated from parents. Outdoor daytime concerts often work well for little ones. But late night, jam-packed arena shows with drunk tailgaters in parking lots create a more adult environment not suitable for preschoolers.
If you are going to try bringing a 3 year old to an evening or nighttime concert, picking a seated show that ends by 8 or 9 pm is best. Make sure the venue has kid friendly policies too. Calling ahead about rules on ear protection, admission for children, strollers, and seating options can help identify any potential issues.
Ideal Concert Features for Ages 3-6
- Daytime or early evening timing (ends before 8 pm)
- Seated venue with kids ticket policy
- Performer engagement (dancing, lights, interaction)
- Under 90 minute duration
- Lower noise levels (80 dB average or below)
Outdoor concerts, family music festivals, and kids’ performers like The Wiggles offer these ideal features. But even some symphony performances could work for short attention spans if music is upbeat. The key is keeping the 3 year old engaged and not overwhelmed.
What type of music is the concert?
The genre and style of music also matters. Just because a 3 year old likes singing along to the “Wheels on the Bus” or Baby Shark doesn’t mean they can sit through a 2 hour intense rock or rap concert. Little kids generally do best with upbeat, interactive performers at first. Disney movie music, children’s musicians, classic rock artists, and pop stars with dancing often appeal most to the preschool set.
On the other hand, genres like heavy metal, gangsta rap, punk, or hard rock tend to have language, themes and decibel levels unsuitable for small children. Of course, all kids have different tastes and levels of auditory sensitivity. So parents can gauge what concert content their 3 year old can handle based on personality, behavior and musical interests.
Music Genres Typically Best for 3 Year Olds
- Kid’s music (The Wiggles, Raffi)
- Broadway, Disney tunes
- Pop, dance pop
- Classic rock
- Folk
- Jazz, big band
Music Genres to Usually Avoid for 3 Year Olds
- Heavy metal, punk
- Gangsta rap, trap
- Hardcore hip hop
- EDM, raves
- Grunge
Getting a sense of set lists, lyrics, and musical styles ahead of time can provide insight on age-appropriateness. While kids have varying tastes, mellower tunes are safer bets.
Does the child sit still and wear headphones?
Every child has a different personality and temperament that plays into concert behavior. Some 3 year olds are remarkably poised, patient, and able to follow direction in stimulating environments. Others are more impulsive, squirmy, and struggle with sitting still or wearing headphones as needed. Parents know their kids best in terms of ability to handle commotion.
In particular, assess if your 3 year old can sit relatively quietly for 30-60 minutes and leave headphones on for an extended time. Concerts require long stretches of stillness duplicated nowhere else. Frequent bathroom trips, snack needs, chatter, crying, wandering, and tantrums should all be minimal. Realistically gauge if your child can comply with these behaviors based on past activities and outings.
It also helps if the child already associates concerts with fun. For example, if they enjoy music videos, sing favorite songs, or dance to playlists at home, they may better engage at live shows. Previous positive experiences seeing live kids’ performers also bodes well for concert readiness.
Signs a 3 Year Old May Be Ready for Concerts
- Sits through 30+ minute kids’ movies
- Complies with wearing headphones
- Enjoys singing, dancing, music videos
- Has attended live children’s shows before
- Follows directions and stays seated when told
On the other hand, if your headstrong toddler refuses to wear headphones, cries when music is played loudly, or has meltdowns when confined–concert-going is likely unrealistic. Pay attention to temperament clues.
Can you meet the child’s needs?
To keep any 3 year old content at a concert requires catering to short attention spans and physical needs. Parents should come armed with snacks, diversionary toys/books, changes of clothes and whatever comfort items settle the child. Budgeting extra time for bathroom trips and allowing little legs to stand and shake it out periodically is key too.
Moreover, assigning one adult to dedicate all attention to the 3 year old (not watching the concert themselves) is ideal. Taking along two parents or guardians allows concert enjoyment to be shared. But dividing one adult’s focus between the music and the kid rarely works.
If leaving the concert early or foregoing the entire show would ruin the experience for parents, then just Wait Until your child is older to introduce big public events. But embracing the mindset of putting your child’s needs first and tuning into their cues can make concerts manageable. Just prepare your bags and mental energy accordingly.
Must-Have Items for a 3 Year Old Concert Companion
- Child-size ear protection – ear plugs and/or noise reducing headphones
- Bottles of water, milk, or juice
- Non-messy snacks – crackers, cereal, dried fruit
- Diapers/pull-ups and several changes of clothes
- Comfort items – stuffed animal, blanket
- Toys, books, coloring items
Packing as though you were going on a long airplane trip is advisable. If a child has what they need and knows a caregiver will tend to all requests, concerts can work out surprisingly well.
Will you have good seats?
Seat location plays a role too in creating a 3 year old-friendly concert experience. Foremost, having seats versus general admission tickets makes it easier to contain a child. Floor tickets require waiting in lines and jostling through crowds that overwhelm little ones.
Opt for seated sections near exits and bathrooms, not front and center by loud speakers. Aisle seats on the end of rows are ideal in case frequent trips are needed out of the seating area. If lapsitting, choose seats with space for kids to stand or sit in front of parents as well. Getting seats in the rear or elevated balcony section often provides more room to roam while still seeing the show.
If buying tickets far ahead, it may be hard to predict your child’s needs or height on concert day. So focus on moveable seating when possible. Then arrive early to claim family-friendly spots up high or near the back where there is more space and less noise but the music and spectacle can still shine through.
Best Seat Features for a 3 Year Old Concertgoer
- Aisle seats with space to stand
- Near bathrooms and exit routes
- Elevated or farther back sections
- adjustable seating to accommodate kids’ heights
Have you prepared your child?
Getting a 3 year old mentally and physically ready for the concert experience also ensures greater enjoyment. Young kids understand best through repetition, routine, and concrete examples. So take time before the show to explain what a concert is by:
- Playing videos of live performances so they recognize the scene
- Pretending to go to a concert at home with singing, dancing, costumes and instruments
- Reading books about going to live shows
- Listening to the performer’s music together
- Practicing wearing ear protection in noise
- Roleplaying good concert etiquette like sitting still and listening
The more familiar a 3 year old becomes with the concept of a concert beforehand, the less anxiety and uncertainty they will feel. Framing the show as an exciting reward for good listening skills gives them incentive too. Starting routines like naps, bathroom trips, and on-time arrivals earlier also helps launch concert day smoothly.
5 Books to Read about Concerts Before Attending One
- Maestro Mouse Gets Ready for the Concert by April Stevens
- Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss
- Mole Music by David McPhail
- Loud Emily by Alexis O’Neill
- Berlioz the Bear by Jan Brett
Preparing a first-time concertgoer through every sense, from listening to watching to roleplaying, allows them to know what to expect. This reduces anxiety and ushers in excitement on the big day.
Conclusion
Attending a concert requires arguably more planning and work than any other family outing. But the extra effort pays off when 3 year olds get to partake in magical shared experiences with music, lights, and entertainment. As long as parents carefully evaluate age-appropriateness, seats, schedule, noise levels, preparation, and the child’s needs, concerts can absolutely succeed with young ages. Arm yourself with tools like ear protection, distractions, seating options, and an open mind. Then rock on!