B.Y.O. food and beverages: The hot dog at the snack stand is never as good as the idea of it. Consider a rolling cooler (again, planning for a long walk from parking) for long afternoons.

For short games, a soft, sling-on-your-shoulder model — like our pick, the AO Canvas Series 24-Pack Soft Cooler — might do. Mr. Klika throws in pita bread, hummus, and deli meats so he doesn’t even have to make sandwiches in the morning (on hot days, the ice packs feel refreshing on the face, too.) Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, nuts, fruit, hard-boiled eggs, and sweet potatoes will also feed you and your young athlete without weighing you down. Also, don’t forget filled water bottles: we recommend the Hydro Flask 21oz Standard Mouth to keep you hydrated.

Employ ninja sunblock tricks: Apply sunblock every two hours. Kids often push back, but they’re more apt to put it on if they see you put it on yourself, Dr. Cohen said. He recommended using physical sunblock with zinc or titanium dioxide, which, unlike the chemical kind, blocks both UVA and UVB and works immediately. One of our picks, the CVS Health Clear Zinc Sun Lotion SPF 50, is a water-resistant physical-chemical combo formula that we found rubs in more easily than the competition. You’re less likely to miss spots with a lotion, so start the day with a generous layer of it and reserve sticks and sprays for between-game reapplications that older children can do themselves. Remember to use zinc lip protection, too.

What to do

Pay attention: Before I started writing this story, I’d bring a laptop to games. I don’t anymore. The expert consensus is that you don’t have to be at every game, but when you’re there, you should “be present,” said Rebecca Rialon Berry, Ph.D., psychologist at N.Y.U. Langone’s Child Study Center. “Minimize side conversations and tech use,” she said.

However, if you’re going crazy by the third inning of the second game (because after all, you’re human), Mr. Klika suggests listening to podcasts or audiobooks — this way, you can still keep an eye on what’s going on. Wirecutter’s pick for a pair of truly wireless earbuds (as in, there’s no cable connecting each earbud,) the Jabra Elite 65t, lets you hear both your podcast and the game.

Be chill: Cheer the effort (“Way to hustle!”), not just the outcome (“Great catch!”), said Gregory Chertok, a New York City-based sports psychology consultant at Telos Sport Psychology Coaching. Putting weight on something kids can’t control can lead to anxiety — for everyone.

Also: Let coaches coach and refs ref. Yelling instructions from the sidelines can confuse your child. “Mistakes will be made,” said Jack Wayland, head coach with Wise VA Rush Soccer, but you should let them go. You’re embarrassing your child otherwise, according to a 2011 study published in the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. Kids also mimic your behavior. So encourage good plays, even on the other team, and as Mr. Wayland said, “If you’re not staying positive, then stay in the car.”