As a mom to six children, I am always on the lookout for fun events, different experiences, and a good time for myself as well as the kids. Sure, there are museums, parks, and pools, but sometimes Mama wants to be entertained too! I’ve always loved live performances and being close to the LGBTQ community (I have one nonbinary child and a trans son); I’ve never questioned whether or not a drag show would be entertaining. Could I take my kids, ages 8, 10, and 12, to a show with me and not worry about whether it was appropriate or not? I decided I would just do it and see. 

After searching online for an all-ages show (many of them in Portland are 21+), we found one on a Sunday at Battle Creek Cellars in downtown Portland. Tickets were $30, which included a mimosa upon arrival. Still, they were amazing and gave me discounted tickets for the kids, and they got a fancy glass of OJ instead of the mimosa, which I very happily gulped. They had several options for food; we sprung for the popcorn, and the kids were delighted. They were running a bit behind, but the show was well worth the wait.

There were five drag queens and one drag king. Each of them performed 2-3 numbers in incredible dresses and the most amazing makeup and wigs you could imagine. The songs they ‘sang’ were fun and appropriate, and the amount of energy they had was unreal. My kids smiled and laughed the entire time, about two hours, and the drag queens (and king) were so sweet and attentive to them. A few times, swear words were used, but honestly, it didn’t bother me in the slightest. My kids have heard them all and know they’re only to be used by adults, and they didn’t bat an eye (what does that actually say about me that they didn’t think anything of it? Ha!). 

The kids’ favorite part of all? Giving their dollar bills to the performers during their favorite parts of their number. The queens were sassy and hilarious and gave the kids winks or silly faces each time. 

The whole experience was a big, giant YES. I’m asked every weekend if we are going to drag brunch. They tell their friends about it all the time. My 10-year-old even wrote about it in her Monday morning journal the day after. Never once did I question the appropriateness of it or whether or not my kids were out of place.

Here are a couple of things to do or consider before taking your kids to a drag show:

Talk to your kids about what to expect. If your kids don’t know anything about drag shows or what drag queens are, have a conversation beforehand. You won’t be able to explain things during the show (it’s too loud), and it’ll take away from the experience. Check out The Hips on the Drag Queens Go Swish, Swish, Swish from the library and read it a couple of times the week of the show. 

Don’t forget the $1 bills. Head to the bank and take out about $20 per person in $1 bills to tip the performers throughout the show. Remind the kids not to give them all out in the first half of the show because it is a drag (see what I did there?) to have to run to the ATM next door and then again to Safeway two blocks away to get more ones…not that I would know….

Dress up! Wear loud prints. Apply that face glitter. Don the heels. Help your kids find fun outfits, and even let them wear makeup. They will feel like part of the gang and have so much fun.