Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or just want to watch the Patriots and Seahawks battle in relative peace, these plays will help keep kids happy — and might just make you MVP.
Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl
Long a crowd favorite for the younger set (and certain grown-ups), Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XI brings cuteness overload to the day. (Want to build kids’ excitement between now and Feb. 1? Click through the slideshow of the starting lineup, then make what could be your most important game-day decisions: Puppy Bowl XI fantasy draft!) Beyond the canine athletes (all shelter pups), highlights include kitten cheerleaders and behind-the-scenes action. Puppy Bowl XI, 3 p.m. Feb. 1 on Animal Planet. www.animalplanet.com.
Hear Katy “Roar”
In terms of starstruck kiddos, the only thing bigger than Idina Menzel’s national anthem will be Katy Perry’s roar-worthy halftime show. For older kids, the glitzy break in the action also will feature Lenny Kravitz (from a little film franchise called “The Hunger Games”). Young spectators won’t want to miss a second of Perry’s girl power performance in a live setting where — as history has taught us — anything can happen.
Shirtless fans? Bingo!
Here’s a semi-quiet diversion. (Word on ESPN is that some folks like to actually see and hear the game.) A number of websites have free, printable Super Bowl bingo cards; these sweet ones courtesy of creativity blog Play Party Pin are family-friendly. Searching the screen for shirtless fans and anticipating soft drink commercials will help keep boredom at bay.
The icing on the football
It’s easy enough to find a football-shaped cookie cutter and even easier to chill some sugar-cookie dough (we won’t tell if it’s not from scratch). Let your little cookie artists go nuts decorating their own edible ellipse; you can even let them declare for the Seahawks or the Patriots by choosing frosting colors. Fumbles? Highly likely. Keep this setup far from the sofa.
Calling all cheerleaders
All you need for team jersey-making is a craft station with T-shirts and puffy paints — but you can really up your game with homemade (and easy) pom-poms. Toilet paper rolls? Check. Tissue paper? Check. Occupied kiddos for at least three plays? Check. Watch a full tutorial from Otterhop at www.instructables.com.
Face painting for the win
Whether you’re working with your favorite team colors or just slathering on some super-fierce reflective strips, face-painting is a favorite of tailgaters — and the younger set. We like the Snazaroo Ultimate Party Pack face painting kit, with lots of colors and two glitter gels ($25 at Michaels, with online coupons usually available).
Pin the football between the goalposts
Even the least crafty parents can assemble this game, and even the littlest sports fans can play. 1. Cut out some footballs. 2. Cut out some goalposts. 3. Tape the posts in your designated end zone. 4. Blindfold the kids. 5. Dole out football-shaped treats as prizes. $10.99 for a 1-pound bag of foil-covered chocolate footballs, nuts.com; $6 for 12 football suckers, candywarehouse.com.
The Super Bowl kicks off at 3:30 p.m. today on NBC.
What’s on?
Don’t want to watch the big game on Sunday? Let’s spin the dial and see what will be on the other channels during the Super Bowl:
“The Walking Dead”: Sick of watching such violence amond the living? Check out AMC for all your zombie needs.
Puppy Bowl XI: These pups can score touchdowns too. Animal Planet will have a gridiron full of dogs during the game.
“The Dukes of Hazzard”: This couple of good ol’ boys will be putting on their own marathon on Country Music Television.
“Key &Peele”: Sketch comedy duo, who love to poke fun at the pompous NFL, will be front and center on Comedy Central.
“Total Divas”: Didn’t get enough diva action during Super Bowl Media Day? Turn over to E! for this reality show.
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