Okay, so, let’s talk about this whole staying-out-of-the-sun thing during soccer games. I’ve been to my fair share of matches, baking under that sun, and let me tell you, it’s no joke. You’d think, “Oh, it’s just a bit of sun,” but after a few hours, you’re fried like an egg. Not fun. I wanted something that was easy to set up and not super expensive.
So, I started looking into it. I mean, there’s got to be a better way, right? Turns out, there are tons of these “shade” things out there. Who knew? But they all seemed kind of complicated or way too pricey for what they are.
Then, one day, I was at this game, and I saw this other dad with this setup – it was just four poles and a piece of fabric stretched over the top. Simple, right? I went over and started chatting with him. Turns out, he built the thing himself. He told me it was a breeze to put together and take apart. It took me ten minutes to set up.
I was intrigued, I mean my kids are on the field every weekend, and the thought of having a permanent spot in the shade sounded amazing. So, I started doing some digging. And I found out that some people are actually setting up tents for these games. I mean, like, full-on custom tents. It was way over the top for what I needed, but it got me thinking.
My Shade Setup
I decided to go the DIY route, similar to that dad I met. I went and got four sturdy metal poles from the hardware store. Then, I grabbed a large, durable tarp, you know, the kind that can handle a bit of wind and doesn’t rip easily.
I had to make holes in the corners of the tarp and put some metal rings in there, it was a little tricky but I made it. The first time I tried setting it up at a game, it took a bit of fiddling, but I got the hang of it. Now, I can set it up in no time. It works great and provides a good amount of shade. I also bought a large umbrella from a discount store, which works well when I am alone.
It’s not fancy, but it does the job. I’m not melting in the sun anymore, and the kids have a place to cool down between plays. Plus, I feel pretty good about not having to slather on tons of sunscreen every time. I still use sunscreen, of course, especially on the kids, but it’s not as intense as before.
- Stay hydrated: Even in the shade, it’s easy to get dehydrated, especially when you’re running around.
- Take breaks: I always make sure the kids take breaks in the shade. It helps them cool down and avoid getting heat exhaustion.
- Wear light clothing: This helps a lot, too. Dark colors just absorb the heat.
All in all, it was a pretty simple project, but it’s made a huge difference. If you’re spending a lot of time at outdoor games, I definitely recommend looking into some kind of shade solution. It’s worth it, trust me.
