It’s that time of year again: the pilgrimage to the sacred temple of paper and cardboard shaped into the form of family entertainment, by which I mean PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia. For some reason, you’ve decided to take children. What a bold and brave choice!
PAX Unplugged is my PAX: this year will be my sixth visit. And each year, I’ve taken my son, from when he was about negative three weeks old still in my wife’s belly to last year. We’ve only missed the forbidden year and the year the vaccines weren’t available for kids. We’ve learned a lot about what works each trip. We’ve also learned what has not, my son teaching me these lessons with his “big feelings”.
We’ve been mostly successful: last year we had very few tears, no big meltdowns, and we did it with a 1 year old. That being said, the combination of the increased crowds from last year along with the logistical complexity of managing a more mobile two year old means my son and I are mostly solo in 2024, with everyone else from last year staying home. We are picking up a grandma though!
What you will find below is the compilation of my notes I write to myself every year, trying to learn from our success and mistakes. I hope you find them useful for your family. If you do, or if you have a tip to add, please send them to bryaneikwood@gmail.com. I would love to hear your experience. I will be updating this page through the end of PAX as I remember things or as people pass on tips.
Navigation
Top Tips
Water bottles: Have everyone carry one and fill them frequently.
The convention center is hot. The outside is cold. Dress in several thin layers that you can shed throughout the day.
Learn about the AFK room if you have a child that needs quiet time. (See Child Specific Needs section)
Your kids won’t want to stop to eat. Pack a whole bag of food with a small cooler bag for cheese, fruit, yogurt, etc.
Shopping is for Sundays.
Buy cheap pins online before the convention to trade.
What’s in my backpack for 2024?
Water bottles for each person.
Snacks my kid will eat without question, with enough to feed each person at least one full meal of just snacks.
A portable charger.
A few decks (this year: Lorcana and Pokemon).
A small bag of dice.
Pins to trade I bought online.
Locking pin backs and an Allen wrench.
A change of clothes for each child plus a plastic or wet/dry bag (in case of accidents).
Diapers and wipes (no young children equals no diapers for me, but I’ll keep the wipes.)
A roll of toilet paper.
Three small toys for the 2 year old. (See above re: lack of toddler.)
Small first aid kit
iPad with RPG books and character sheets
My old Wild Bill mug for soda refills
What’s on my phone for 2024?
The PAX Nav App to get the schedule, map, list of vendors, and updates.
Twitter (unfortunately) for watching lines and announcements I just can’t. Please, PAX Development Gods, chose literally any other social media service. I see you are on Bluesky now. I hope this has as much functionality as the Twitter feed.
The Panera App
At least 3 games my son will play during lines
The Discord app so I can keep up with friends and the Club PA and PAX feeds.
A link to pinnypals.com.
Hours and Navigation
PAX Unplugged is a Friday, Saturday, Sunday convention. Friday and Saturday run to midnight, Sunday ends at 6 pm. It’s very easy to go way past the kid’s bedtime on Friday and Saturday. Sunday has typically been marketed as a kid friendly day.
UPDATE: There are two entrances: Broad Street and Market Street entrance. The Market Street enterence is on the south side of the building that has the Reading Terminal Market, and you walk over the skybridge to the market to get to the convention.
The convention is encouraging primary use of the Broad Street entrance. This has the Will Call. Also, the Market Street has a broken escalator at this point.
After 11:00 am, there is often a reentry entrance located at the corner of Arch and 12th (by the Panera and the Reading Terminal Market).
The event typically spans multiple levels of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and the exact spaces change year to year, though the large Expo hall is always the large space on the second floor.
The lower levels of the hall are discontinuous, as streets run below the center, and the number of entrances are limited. In practical terms, this means if you are going from one lower level area to another, you’ll often have to go to the second floor, walk to a different elevator or escalator, and drop back down.
Before you walk in, look at the map on the phone app or website and make sure you know these places
The Expo Hall- this is the main hall and where the majority of shopping and playing games will be.
The AFK/Chill Out room room- this is a quiet space typically run by Take This, and is essential to help the overstimulated child (or adult) relax. On the 2024 map, this is on the lower level, room 109.
The Info Booth- this is most likely where your child will end up if separated and found by an Enforcer.
Figure out a place to meet if separated. On the Expo hall, there are usually large signs or characters hanging from the ceiling. Last year, we all agreed to meet under the big Pikachu, because that can be seen by just about everyone.
Introduce your child to the Enforcers, the lovely volunteers that keep the show running. Tell them to go to an Enforcer if they get lost.
Food and Water
My greatest successes and greatest failures around PAX are both around food. Staying hydrated and fed is probably the most important and most difficult part of the convention. Here’s some tips.
Carry a water bottle. There are water bottle filling stations all over the center. Keep hydrated.
My kid will play until he drops, and will never say he is hungry because that means the games stop. A backpack of snacks was the answer: and as the snacks went away, it made room for purchases. Don’t underestimate how hungry they will be. It’s a lot of walking, it’s hot, and they are excited.
Every food option takes longer than you’d expect. If your kid is saying they are hungry, you’re too late. If you want to leave the convention area for food, expect at least 30 to 45 minutes between you deciding to eat and you taking your first bite.
Do not be lured by the siren call of the Starbucks that’s adjacent to the convention. Only pain awaits those who brave those doors.
There are several options for food. I’ve listed the four below that probably have served me the most calories the years I visited.
Reading Terminal Market
If you ask the question “Where should I eat?” this is where 100% of people will send you. Imagine a room full of food trucks catering to every taste. Like a perpetual indoor farmer’s market, but just the food.
Pros: Near the convention center, many options. You’ll probably find something you’re kid likes.
Cons: very crowded during usual meal times, sometimes understaffed for convention traffic. The amount of choices can be overwhelming. They close at 6 pm. Not very stroller friendly.
Convention Food
There is a food court on the third floor of the convention center and usually vendors in the Expo hall. Think pizza, burgers, hot dogs, pretzels.
Pros: It’s right there in the convention center.
Cons: Limited options for healthy food or for those with special dietary needs. Crowded and expensive for the quality.
Panera
Panera is often a staple for my family when we take road trips. Hot meals, everyone already knows what they like, the food isn’t too unhealthy. This became the default as there is a Panera right across the street. You’re going to want to learn to mobile order.
Pros: it’s right across the street. No one complains about weird food.
Cons: Very busy. The workers get very overwhelmed on convention days due to staffing not meeting volume. (Please do not blame the staff for this. I have seen them try their best.) I would highly suggest placing mobile orders at least 30 mins before you want to eat.
Trader Joe’s
Going here every morning before the convention was one of my smarter ideas. Pack up a small cooler with cheeses, yogurts, hummus (or whatever your kid eats.) Let the kid pick out some snacks (granola bars, fruits, trail mixes.) High protein filling stuff.
Pros: Right across the street from the convention center. Good for picking up snacks and drinks.
Cons: Not many ready to eat options, and there are no good options for reheating in the convention center itself.
What to Wear
This has always been a little tricky. It’s cold in Philly in December, but the convention itself gets warm. This provides some challenges in dressing for the day.
Outside time is limited. If you want to get in the convention right at 10 am, you’ll probably want to head for the line before 930. If you’re a little more flexible with your time, you can aim to arrive at 10:30 and only have to spend a few minutes outside.
I like multiple thin layers. A short sleeved t-shirt, a longed-sleeved t-shirt, a thin hoodie, and on the colder days, a light jacket. That, with cloth gloves and a hat, was enough to get me and the kid warm enough to walk to the center and get inside, and allows some flexibility on what to wear inside. Thin layers pack well in the bottom of a backpack.
Last year they had a coat check. For 5 or 10 dollars, they would check your stuff. We used it on the coldest days.
Back at the Hotel
Spending time at the hotel has not been a big part of our PAX, but there are two important lessons I found.
Some of these hotels get completely booked, and some of them don’t have great water heaters. If you try to take a shower at 8 to 9 am in the morning, you might not have hot water. Your kid might like taking a cold shower. Mine, emphatically, did not. I still hear about it two years later.
There sometimes is this temptation to buy a game or plan an activity for “after the kids go to bed.” Don’t. Use that time for sleeping.
What to Bring (and Not to Bring)
Being very conscious of what you’re bringing to the show will save you a backache as well as unnecessary trips to the hotel.
Bring
A backpack full of food and water (see above)
Diaper bag of usual needs for babies/toddlers
A portable phone/tablet charger. There’s not a lot of charging options.
A few decks if you’re into CCGs. You can probably find a game or two.
Entertainment for the kids. I know this is a weird thing to say at a gaming convention, but there are lines and times where you’ll want them to watch/play/read something self contained.
Pinny Arcade stuff- see section below for details if you’re into pin trading.
Small first aid kit. It’s crowded and boo boos happen.
A baby carrier or stroller for the youngest children. I’ve done kids on backs and kids in strollers. Especially on Saturdays, the Expo Halls in nearly impassable in places with a stroller. And yet, my back thanked me.
Don’t Bring
A lot of games. You can buy or borrow whatever you want.
A lot of extra water. There were several refill stations nearby.
Bags that are not backpacks. Your arms/shoulders will thank you.
A bunch of RPG books. They are too heavy. First, it’s unlikely you’ll have a lot of time to play. Second, usually there are books to use at the official events.
Child Specific Needs
Every child is different, and depending on the situation, your child might need something extra.
Breastfeeding (written by my wife who has a Masters of Public Health, published research on breastfeeding, and personal experience)
There are a few limited options for breastfeeding. If you are comfortable breastfeeding in public, you are welcome to do so in any of the spaces, but the AFK room is a quiet space you may want to take advantage of. According to the convention website, there are two private breastfeeding pods (Mamava): one on the second floor near the escalators to the food court and one on the first floor near the Broad and Arch entrance. These pods typically also have electrical outlets if needed for pumping parents. They lock and offer comfort and privacy. Outside of these pods, there are not many private options.
Overstimulation
PAX is loud and crowded, especially in the Expo hall. If your child experiences overstimulation be prepared with your headphones, toys, or other coping tools.
The AFK room by Take This is your friend. This is a quiet room where people can retire from the grind and feel a bit normal. They usually have quiet activities like coloring. I would suggest to use it prophylactically: you wouldn’t want to take a screaming child there out of respect for other families. Last year, just knowing it existed helped my family calm down at times.
Mobility Accommodations
The event offers medical badges to help people with mobility issues skip lines. You’ll need to e-mail paxquestions@reedexpo.com to discuss your child’s need.
Shopping
There are options to buy just about any game or game accessory you can imagine. Your child will want all of them. Have a plan, a budget, and a conversation beforehand. Your wallet and arms will thank you.
I save shopping for Sundays. First, you get a better idea of what to buy. Second, the dealers want to get rid of inventory and will often offer discounts.
The exceptions here are popular Pinny Arcade pins and newly released CCGs
Most games for sale have a copy in the games library. Play it there before buying (which is also a tactic for stopping your kids from begging to buy every game they see).
Pin Trading
If you don’t know about pin trading before this convention, you will after. Like Disney, PAX has its own pin trading ecosystem, and finding the pins is a bit of a scavenger hunt for the convention. In general, there are three sets of pins, ones you can buy at the merch booths or show booths, ones you have to earn by completing game demos, and ones you have to trade for by either PAX employees or finding them on the pin boards.
The pin boards are the easiest options for most kids (they don’t have to interact with strangers, no one is trying to negotiate, the pressure is lower.) There are usually three boards: one by each of the merch booths and one at the Child’s Play booth.
While trading with other attendees is a bit of a free for all, these have trading limits and the pins must be official Penny Arcade pins.
There will be a limited edition pin sold at one of the merch booths (usually the Merch Lite booth). These often sell out in the first few hours of each day.
If you have time to buy online before the show:
You can usually find pins online for about $5 per pin. These are great for the trading boards. (Not so much for other convention goers.) Buying at the convention runs about $7.50 per pin.
Invest in some locking pin backs. These lock the pin in place with a small Allen wrench, and will save you the angst of losing the one special pin that was your child’s greatest treasure. I think the 5.5mm x 9 mm is the size I usually buy.
Child Friendly Activities
Games Library and Tabletop Freeplay
This is likely going to be the centerpiece of the show for your child. You can borrow or buy just about any game you can imagine, and in a room full of tables, play to your heart’s simultaneous content and exhaustion. This is a great place to examine games before you buy, making sure they are in your child’s age range, and if they actually have fun playing it.
Classic Cardboard
This is a more low key version of the games library. It features older games, but many of them are child friendly. This became our safe space last year.
Oversized games
Some years (not every year) there have been oversized games like Jenga or Connect Four. Always a big hit with kids if they are around.
Pin Trading (see Pin Trading section for more details)
Pin trading boards are the best for kids: they are low pressure and the staff often helps with picking out good pins.
Dice Trading
A fairly cheap source of joy: get a random pile of dice from somewhere on the floor and bring to one of the events. Most of the adults find it quite charming to trade with a child, and are very generous with their trades.
Expectations
As Sir Elton Johnthan said “There is more to see that can ever be seen, more to do than could ever be done.” If it’s your first time, keep expectations to an absolute minimum. Expect to not hit every shop, to spend a lot of time playing their favorite game over and over when there’s a pile of unplayed games nearby, to hear about a lot of tired legs. It’s easy to try to rush through the events hoping to see everything, which is bad enough practice for an adult, but a recipe for disaster for a child. The convention will try to move you quickly: you’ll be the one having to resist.
Honestly, being forced to move at the pace of a four year old (at the time) was enlightening. I saw less than I wanted, but what I did see, I saw with open eyes, and those moments we shared I still remember with vibrancy.
Every child is different, but here’s what I was able to do with a four year old.
I found about 3 or 4 different games a day was manageable for a 4 year old. We played them each multiple times, but I think learning that many new games was about the limit.
I could only sit through 1 panel a day at most, with the assistance of games on my phone as a distraction. Remember, for many panels “These are Adults, using Adult language.” You have been warned.
If you want to watch these streamed while doing something else, like naptime, three of the theaters will be live streamed.
Tournaments are out of the question for the adults. They are a huge time commitment and an extreme source of boredom for any child forced to watch. (And a source of frustration for any spouse having to watch a child alone for a little too long, in an overstimulating environment.)
RPG sessions are tricky to navigate. If you have a large enough group of friends and family, you can request child friendly GMing or games and it usually works out. If you are having to be matched with other players, I would get buy in before the game from the other participants.
No matter what happens, your kids will have some of the best memories ever. Even if you feel like you’re doing it wrong.
Things I Learned Last Year
It’s quite a bit harder with two children, even though we had three adults to help. (Though I’m wondering how much of this was just due to the bigger crowds.)
Take a roll of toilet paper. Hearing “I got to go potty it’s an emergency!” and then hunting for a stall with toilet paper was not a good time.
I’m considering making Saturday a half day next year, and spend the extra time just playing games at the hotel or some other space that’s not nearly as busy.
You’ll play less games from home than you expect. Pack light.
If you’re going to bring a game, bring one your kid can play on their own. I brought some card games from home, and we played literally one, and that’s because they were games with reading that I would have to help with, and there were often times it was me and the kids alone.
Bring your Wild Bill’s cups: it’s much cheaper for a refill.
Updates
As I learn more about this year, I’ll keep a list of updates here for quick reference.
11/29: Updated information about the two entrances at Broad and Market Streets.
