When my oldest daughter started soccer this year, I had no idea how much fun our first season would be. Between cheering her on from the sidelines, watching her confidence grow, and spending weekends at the soccer field, it quickly became one of our favorite family activities.
As a first-time soccer mom, I also learned that being prepared can make game days so much easier. From unpredictable Pacific Northwest weather to keeping siblings happy on the sidelines, I picked up a few essentials along the way. Today, I’m sharing the soccer mom must-haves that helped our family survive—and enjoy—our first soccer season.
My Soccer Mom Essentials
Bogg Bag
My Bogg Bag comes to every soccer practice and game. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I always pack extra clothes, snacks, and other essentials because the weather can change so quickly. I love that it’s roomy, easy to clean, and open enough that I can quickly find whatever I need without digging through a crowded bag.
Owala Water Bottle
My daughter loves her Owala water bottle, and honestly, I can see why. At first, I didn’t understand the hype, but these bottles are really well designed. They keep drinks cold, come in fun colors, and have a convenient carry handle that’s easy for little hands to use. My favorite feature is the unique lid that lets you sip through a built-in straw or tilt the bottle to drink. If you’re looking for a great water bottle for sports and activities, these are definitely worth trying.
Foldable Chair
A foldable chair is one of my soccer season essentials. Whether you’re sitting through practice or cheering from the sidelines during a game, having a comfortable place to sit makes a huge difference. I love the chair I linked because it’s easy to bring along, quick to set up, and makes those long afternoons at the soccer field much more enjoyable.
Tirrinia Waterproof Stadium Blanket
A packable stadium blanket is one of my favorite soccer mom essentials. You never know what kind of weather you’ll get, especially here in the Pacific Northwest, and it’s nice to have something warm on chilly mornings. I love this Tirrinia blanket because it folds up easily, has a carrying handle, and doesn’t take up much room in my bag. It’s warm, comfortable, and perfect for wrapping up with younger siblings while cheering from the sidelines.
Sun Bum Sunscreen
Sun Bum is my go-to sunscreen for soccer season. I love that it smells great, comes in higher SPF options for kids, and is made with ingredients that make me feel good about using it on my family. Since we’re often spending hours outside between practices and games, I always keep a bottle in my soccer bag so we’re ready for sunny days on the field.
Umbrella
If you live somewhere with unpredictable weather, an umbrella is a soccer season must-have. I’ve learned to keep one in my bag at all times because you never know when a cloudy morning will turn into a rainy practice. Having an umbrella on hand makes it much easier to stay comfortable while cheering from the sidelines.
Michael Kors Raincoat for Mom
A good raincoat is one of the best investments I’ve made for outdoor activities. I love my Michael Kors raincoat because it’s lightweight, comfortable, and easy to throw on when the weather changes. I originally bought it for our family trip to Ireland, but it’s become a staple for soccer season too. It’s nice to have a raincoat that keeps you dry while still looking put together on the sidelines.
Anker Portable Charger
My Anker portable charger is one of those items I never leave home without. We originally bought it for our Disneyland trip because we were constantly using our phones for photos, mobile ordering, and checking wait times, and it quickly became one of our favorite travel essentials. I love that it comes in fun colors, is high quality, and keeps our devices charged all day long. Now it always has a spot in my soccer bag so I never have to worry about my phone dying while taking photos, checking schedules, or cheering on my daughter from the sidelines.
Planning an upcoming Disneyland trip? Be sure to check out my Disneyland tips and tricks blog posts, where I share our favorite planning tips, must-have travel essentials, dining recommendations, and everything that helps make a family Disney vacation a little easier.
Soccer Gear Every New Soccer Family Needs
Soccer Cleats
These are the exact soccer cleats my daughter wears, and she absolutely loves them. In fact, she’ll often put them on hours before a game because she’s so excited to wear them. They’re comfortable, durable, and the fun design makes her feel confident and excited to get out on the field. Watching her lace them up before practice has quickly become one of my favorite parts of soccer season.
Shin Guards
As someone who never played soccer growing up, I had no idea how important shin guards were until I started watching the games. After seeing how much running, kicking, and competition happens on the field, I’m so grateful these kids have that extra protection. We love these Adidas shin guards because they’re comfortable, easy to wear, and give my daughter the confidence to really get in there and go after the ball.
Soccer Ball
One thing I quickly learned as a first-time soccer mom is that soccer balls come in different sizes! Since my daughter is in first grade, a size 3 soccer ball has been a great fit for her. If you’re unsure which size to buy, your child’s coach or team will usually tell you what’s recommended for their age group.
Soccer Socks
Soccer socks were another item I didn’t realize were so important until our first season. These long socks help keep shin guards in place and add an extra layer of comfort and protection during games and practices. We always make sure to have a clean pair ready to go, and they’ve become an essential part of my daughter’s soccer gear.
My Pacific Northwest Soccer Mom Tip
Living in the Pacific Northwest means you should always prepare for multiple types of weather. I’ve learned to bring layers, a blanket, sunscreen, and rain gear to almost every game because conditions can change quickly. It’s much easier to have it and not need it than to be stuck freezing on the sidelines.
Soccer Snack Mom Idea ⚽🫐
One of my favorite parts of soccer season was taking turns bringing snacks for the team after each game. Since our team was called the Blueberries, I wanted to do something fun that was easy, affordable, and a little more special than handing out snacks individually.
I used some leftover blue ribbon from our Dorothy-themed birthday party decorations and tied together a bag of SunChips, a pack of gummies, and a blue Gatorade for each player. It turned a simple snack into a cute little gift and only took a few extra minutes to put together.
The kids were so excited to grab theirs after the game, and several parents commented on how cute they looked. It was such an easy detail, but it made snack day feel a little more memorable.
If you’re the soccer snack mom this week, consider matching your snacks to your team’s colors or mascot. It’s a simple way to make the kids smile and celebrate a great game together. 💙🫐
Mom Tip: Check your leftover party supplies before buying anything new! I already had this blue ribbon from a previous party, which made this snack idea both cute and budget-friendly.
Tips for Keeping Siblings Happy at Soccer Practice
As much as we loved soccer season, practice time was honestly the hardest part for our family. My daughter’s practice was from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. once a week, which is a tough time when you also have a five-year-old and a one-year-old. By the end of the day, everyone was tired, hungry, and ready for bed. I quickly learned that being prepared made a huge difference, so these are a few things that helped keep siblings happy and made soccer practice much more enjoyable for everyone.
If you have younger siblings tagging along, a little preparation goes a long way.
Pack Extra Snacks
Bring Small Activities
Don’t Forget Water Bottles
Have a Blanket in the Car
Arrive Early When Possible
Wrapping Up Our First Soccer Season
My daughter’s first soccer season was one we’ll never forget. Her team, the Blueberries, wore the cutest blue jerseys and quickly became one of her favorite parts of the week. While they only won one out of six games, the growth I saw from the team throughout the season was incredible. My daughter even scored a couple of goals, which was so exciting to watch!
More than anything, I loved seeing her make new friends, work hard, learn new skills, and gain confidence on the field. She had an absolute blast, and we’re already planning to sign her up again in the fall. Watching these kids grow and support each other was such a positive experience, and I’m so proud of everything they accomplished this season.
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