Monster Jam With Kids: Tips, Pit Party Advice, and Our Sparkle Smash Surprise

Monster Jam might not seem like the first place you’d bring a princess — but one pink unicorn monster truck completely changed our daughter’s mind.

Let me set the scene.

Sister is our princess. She loves getting her hair done, painting her nails, and going on shopping trips that make Daddy reach for his credit card. She’s been to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique more times than is probably healthy. She is, in every sense of the word, a girly girl.

She also has two brothers. And one of them is absolutely obsessed with monster trucks.

Monster trucks are loud. They’re dirty. They are pretty much the exact opposite of Sister.

So when we bought tickets to Monster Jam, we honestly weren’t sure how this was going to go. Sister is our artistic free spirit — the one happily curled up somewhere cozy with a craft project and a bracelet kit. Monster trucks weren’t exactly on her wish list.

But Mama had a secret up her sleeve.

That secret involved sparkles, unicorns, and a whole lot of pink.

Enter: Sparkle Smash

Her name is Sparkle Smash, and she is a bright pink unicorn-themed monster truck.

The moment Sister spotted her, everything changed.

Suddenly Monster Jam didn’t feel quite so “boyish.” Sister got excited. She got in line to meet the driver. She got her shirt signed. And by the end of the night, our princess walked out smiling and declared that Monster Jam was “actually really fun.”

Turns out even princesses can love monster trucks — especially when there’s a sparkly unicorn involved.

What Is Monster Jam?

If you’re new to the world of Monster Jam, here’s the quick rundown.

It’s a live motorsports event where giant monster trucks race, perform tricks, and compete in freestyle competitions. Drivers launch into massive jumps, donuts, wheelies, and gravity-defying stunts that shake the entire arena.

Many shows also include motorcycle-style stunt riders, which can end up being a fan favorite.

For kids who love vehicles, it’s basically the ultimate show. Just ask Little Brother.

One heads-up: it is very loud. Ear protection for younger kids is a good idea — more on that below.

Our Two Monster Jam Experiences

Savannah, Georgia

Our first Monster Jam was during a weekend trip to Savannah last September.

Savannah is beautiful, full of fascinating history and stunning architecture — which the adults loved. The kids? A little less so.

So we planned Monster Jam for day two as something special for Little Brother to look forward to.

It worked perfectly.

We spent the first day exploring the historic district, and ended the trip with roaring engines and giant jumps. Having something that was 100% his interest helped balance the weekend for everyone.

The Savannah show was also where Sister fell head over heels for Bailey Circuit, driven by Bailey Shea. When that truck pulled off an incredible backflip stunt, Sister was completely hooked.

She still talks about it.

Hampton, Virginia

Our most recent Monster Jam was in Hampton, Virginia, during a visit to the grandparents.

We turned it into a fun day trip, and it ended up being a great mix of family time and something exciting for the kids.

This was the show where Sparkle Smash stole Sister’s heart.

Little Brother had his eye on meeting the Grave Digger driver, but the line was extremely long, so he met Megalodon instead — his second choice — and was just as happy.

One of Sister’s other unexpected highlights? A little dog that appears during the show. She remembered it from our Savannah visit, and this time she actually got to pet it.

For her, that moment might have been just as exciting as the trucks themselves.

Sometimes the little things end up being the biggest.

The Pit Party: Arrive Early

If your event offers a Pit Party, it’s absolutely worth it.

The Pit Party lets fans walk around the trucks up close, take photos, and meet the drivers before the main show begins.

In Savannah, we arrived early and moved through a couple of driver lines pretty quickly.

In Hampton, we arrived a little later — and paid for it. We waited nearly 30 minutes just to meet the Sparkle Smash driver. The Grave Digger line was so long we skipped it entirely.

The lesson: if meeting specific drivers matters to your kids, get there as early as you can.

The pre-show is also a great chance to see the trucks up close before the main event. Standing next to them really puts the size in perspective for kids.

Note: the pre-show is typically not available for evening shows, so check your event details ahead of time.

Trucks Kids Love at Monster Jam

It’s fun to look up the trucks ahead of time so kids can decide who they’re rooting for before you even walk in the door.

Here are a few fan favorites from our crew:

Sparkle Smash — The pink unicorn truck that converted our princess. If you have a kid who needs a hook, this might be it.

Grave Digger — One of the most iconic Monster Jam trucks of all time. Expect a long line at the Pit Party.

Megalodon — A shark-themed truck and a solid backup plan when the Grave Digger line is impossibly long.

El Toro Loco — Bright orange with giant bull horns and a wild face. Hard to miss, and a crowd favorite during freestyle.

Bailey Circuit — Sister’s pick after watching it land an incredible backflip in Savannah. A star.

Tips for Taking Kids to Monster Jam

• Bring ear protection. Between the trucks and the stunt riders, the noise level is intense. Headphones or earplugs are a great idea for younger kids.

• Arrive early for the Pit Party. The earlier you get there, the shorter the lines. Popular trucks like Grave Digger fill up fast.

• Research trucks ahead of time. Letting kids pick their favorites before the event builds excitement and gives them something to look forward to.

• Find the truck that clicks for your reluctant kid. Sparkle Smash was the key for our princess. There’s a truck for everyone — it sometimes just takes a little digging.

• Check whether pre-show access is available. Evening shows often don’t include the pre-show, so confirm before you plan around it.

Why Monster Jam Works for Family Trips

One thing we’ve discovered is that Monster Jam with kids can be a surprisingly good way to balance a family trip.

When you’re traveling with kids of different ages and interests, not every activity is going to land equally.

In Savannah, the historical sightseeing was fascinating for us but a lot for the kids to sit through. Ending the trip with Monster Jam gave everyone something to celebrate — and sent the kids home happy.

It also has a way of surprising you.

You think you know exactly who’s going to love it and who’s just along for the ride.

And then your princess is front and center, cheering for a pink unicorn truck and asking when she can come back.

Now the Kids Want the World Finals

Apparently two Monster Jam events wasn’t enough.

The kids have already decided our Alaska trip this summer needs a “quick detour” through Salt Lake City for Monster Jam World Finals.

Whether that actually happens is still very much up for debate.

But the fact that Sister is part of that campaign — our princess, our Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique regular, our sparkle-and-crafts girl — says everything.

She wants to go back.

And honestly… we probably will.

Have You Been to Monster Jam?

We’d love to hear about your experience.

Did your kids have a favorite truck? Did you have a reluctant attendee who ended up having the time of their life?

Drop a comment below — we’re always happy to talk Monster Jam.