Is an NBA Game Worth It for Kids? What It’s Really Like for UK Families

If you’re planning a US trip and wondering “is an NBA game worth it for kids?”, this guide is for UK families trying to decide whether it’s worth including alongside theme parks and busy itineraries.

It’s a slightly different question than most travel decisions. You’re not just asking what to do — you’re trying to work out whether the experience will actually work for your child.

Quick Answer: Is an NBA Game Worth It with Kids?

From our experience, yes — taking kids to an NBA game is absolutely worth it, particularly for school‑aged children.

It’s not just about the basketball. It’s:

• the atmosphere

• the entertainment

• the food and breaks in play

• and the overall experience

That’s what makes it feel memorable — even for kids who aren’t big sports fans.

We went to see the Orlando Magic as part of our Florida trip with children aged 8, 9 and 10 year olds, and it ended up being one of the unexpected highlights of the holiday.

It gave us a completely different type of day — less intense than theme parks, but still exciting — and worked really well as a change of pace in a busy itinerary.

If you’re trying to picture how something like this fits into a wider trip, 2‑Week Florida Family Itinerary: Everglades, Florida Keys and Theme Parks shows how we combined it with parks, downtime and travel.

In this guide, we cover:

• what an NBA game is actually like for kids

• whether it’s suitable for a first-time family visit to the USA

• and what parents need to know before booking

Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend experiences we’ve personally done or would choose again as a family.

Our Experience Visiting an NBA Game with Kids

We fitted the game into a busy Florida itinerary that included theme parks, water parks, and days out — and that’s exactly why it worked so well. It felt completely different to everything else we’d been doing.

From the moment we arrived at 7pm, it had that big-event feel. The arena was busy, lively, and full of energy, and the kids were immediately drawn into it. Even before the game started, there was so much going on — music, entertainment, and just a real buzz around the place.

Once the game got going, they were completely hooked.

The kids loved:

• Watching the slam dunks and fast-paced play

• Getting involved in the atmosphere — shouting, cheering, and reacting to the game

• Feeling part of something bigger than just “watching a sport”

It’s one of those experiences where you don’t need to fully understand the rules to enjoy it — which is ideal for kids.

Parking, Transport & Getting There

We chose to drive to the arena, which was straightforward but not without its downsides.

We paid around $11 to park fairly close to the stadium, which was good value, but the traffic getting in and out was quite heavy — especially after the game finished at around 9pm. With tired kids, that’s definitely something to factor in.

On reflection, there was actually a better option. You can:

• Park for free further out

• Take the free “Game Day” train into the arena

Looking back, this would probably have been the easier and less stressful option, particularly with children. It’s one of those things we’d definitely do differently next time.

Food, Merchandise & Costs

Like most US sporting events, the food and merchandise are all part of the experience — and the kids absolutely loved it.

We kept things simple and leaned into it a bit:

• Hot dogs and snacks

• A souvenir refillable drink cup

• Soaking up the “game day” atmosphere

One of the best decisions we made was buying our son a blue Orlando Magic basketball for around $30. It felt like much better value than the official shirts, which were closer to $100, and it became something he could actually use and enjoy after the trip — rather than just a souvenir. It’s a good reminder that you don’t have to spend heavily to make it feel special for kids.

What Kids Actually Enjoy About an NBA Game

From our experience, it wasn’t just the game itself that made it so enjoyable.

For kids, the whole experience is what stands out:

• The loud, exciting atmosphere

• The music and entertainment during breaks

• The chance to eat “treat” food

• The excitement of seeing something new and different

Our kids loved shouting at the players, reacting to big moments, and just being part of the crowd. It felt very interactive compared to other sporting events. Even kids who aren’t huge basketball fans can still have a brilliant time.

Is It Better Than Theme Parks?

It’s not really a direct comparison — and that’s why it works so well.

After days of:

• Walking around theme parks

• Standing in queues

• Following busy itineraries

This felt like a completely different kind of evening.

It was more relaxed in some ways, but still exciting and engaging. A great way to break up your trip and add variety.

Tips for Visiting an NBA Game with Kids

A few things we learned from our visit that are worth knowing:

• Consider public transport or game day trains to avoid traffic

• Arrive a bit early to enjoy the atmosphere

• Don’t feel pressured to buy expensive merchandise

• Budget for food — it’s part of the experience

• Expect a late finish, especially with younger kids

We were staying around 15–20 minutes from the arena (without traffic), which made it easy to get there. If you’re deciding where to base yourself, see Where to Stay in Orlando with Kids for a breakdown of the best locations.

Final Verdict – Is an NBA Game Worth It for Kids?

For us, the answer is a clear yes. Taking our 8, 9 and 10 year old's to see the Orlando Magic added something completely different to our Florida trip.

It wasn’t just about basketball — it was about:

• The atmosphere

• The shared experience

• The excitement of doing something new

It’s one of those things that might not be at the top of your list when planning a Florida holiday — but it’s absolutely worth considering. And based on our experience, it’s something kids will remember just as much as the theme parks.

Other sports you can consider as part of your Orlando trip: Orlando City Lions: MLS Soccer Tickets

FAQs: Taking Kids to an NBA Game

What age are NBA games suitable for?

From our experience, NBA games work best for school‑aged children (around 7+).

At that age, they:

• understand enough of what’s happening

• enjoy the atmosphere and entertainment

• and can cope with the length of the game

Younger children can still go, but the experience is long and noisy, which can be harder to manage.

How long is an NBA game for kids?

An NBA game typically lasts around 2 to 2.5 hours, including breaks.

What makes it work for kids is that:

• there are regular timeouts and entertainment

• it isn’t constant action

• and there’s plenty going on beyond the game itself

From our experience, the variety keeps kids engaged more than expected.

Are NBA games too loud or overwhelming for children?

They can be — especially for younger children.

Expect:

• loud music

• crowd noise

• flashing lights and big screens

That said, for school-aged kids, this is often part of the fun. It feels more like a live show than a traditional sports match.

If your child is sensitive to noise, it’s something to plan for.

Is an NBA game worth it if your child isn’t into basketball?

Yes — and this surprised us.

It’s not just about the sport. The experience includes:

• entertainment during breaks

• crowd interaction

• food and atmosphere

Our child wasn’t a huge basketball fan, but still really enjoyed it.

How much do NBA tickets cost for families?

Prices vary depending on:

• the team

• where you sit

• and when you book

For many families, this is an added cost on top of an already expensive trip, so it’s worth deciding whether it fits your priorities.

From our experience, it felt like good value as a one-off experience, rather than something you’d do repeatedly. We paid approximately £30 a ticket in 2026.

Latest prices and games can be found on the Orlando Magic website.

plan your TRIP TO orlando

If you’re planning your family trip to Orlando, these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.