The New York Knicks winning the championship is something generations of people want to share with their kids, but going to the parade with a child is going to be a little tricky because of certain restrictions. So parents should plan ahead and know exactly what they’re getting into before they head downtown.

The Knicks hadn't won the championship in over 50 years, so Millennials, Gen Z and some Gen X fans who have followed the team for years will be able to attend the parade for the first time. Over a million people are expected to show up and line the streets, and the Police Department of New York City has put a lot of restrictions in place to keep people safe.

For context, I’ve lived in New York City for a decade and I’m married to a die-hard Knicks fan, so I will be going to the parade. But, I’m also a mom so I’m going to be bringing my 1-year-old. So, if you have questions beyond what this article answers feel free to leave a comment and I’ll try to offer as much advice as I can!

Can You Bring Kids to the Knicks Parade?

The parade is open to all ages and the New York City mayor’s office says on the website that it is family-friendly. But, know that there are no dedicated restrooms for the event and it will be crowded and could rain.

One thing that my husband and I are doing ahead of time is figuring out where we're going to try to stand and then finding a restaurant or business nearby and designating it our meet-up spot. It's possible service could be spotty because of everyone trying to use their phones in one space, so if we get separated or I need to leave the area with our son, he knows where to find us when the parade is over.

What Time to Get to the Knicks Parade

Entrance to the pens is going to open at 6 a.m. and the NYPD advises that people get there early. But, if you have young kids, getting there at 6 a.m. means you also have four hours to kill before the parade even starts and that’s if it starts at its scheduled time of 10 a.m. and isn’t delayed. If your kid can handle that, great! But, if they can’t, you might want to plan to head down later, even if it means getting a worse viewing spot.

The mayor’s advised people to get to the parade two hours early.

Can You Bring a Stroller to the Knicks Parade?

You cannot bring a stroller to the Knicks parade, the NYPD told Newsweek. It’s one of the prohibited items. While this may be frustrating to parents, strollers can be difficult to maneuver in a big crowd. So, if your child needs to be carried, it’s better to use a carrier. I’ll be using my Tushbaby hip seat with the snug carrier. I’m going to use it instead of a traditional carrier because it gives me both the hands free ability of a carrier but also if my son gets fussy being in the carrier part, I can take that off and just have him sit on the hip seat part.

Plus, there’s another advantage to it that I’m using as a sort of hack because of the restrictions the NYPD put on the parade, which I’ll explain below.

Can You Bring a Bag to the Knicks Parade?

You cannot bring a bag to the Knicks parade. Everyone is being screened before entering the viewing area and they aren’t going to let people in with bags. Which, can also be a problem for parents who need diapers, wipes, bottles, burp cloths, pacifiers, snacks or any of the 100 other things that parents pack up on a daily basis just to leave the house.

The benefit of the Tushbaby is that it has a front pocket where the hip seat is. I tested it out and I was able to get a couple diapers, some wipes, and a snack or two for my son in it. It also has a water bottle holder, so I can bring water for my son, and a side pocket where I can keep my phone, credit cards and keys.

It was really either that or I’d have to wear cargo pants.

Other prohibited items are:

• Glass or metal water bottles NOTE: plastic water bottles will be allowed
• Bats/batons
• Bicycles or scooters
• Chairs
• Coolers
• Drones
• Backpacks
• Pets
• Strollers
• Umbrellas
• Weapons
  

Knicks Parade Route

The parade will start near Battery Park and travel north along Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes. It’ll end at City Hall where the team will join New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for a celebration and to get keys to the city.

Crowds are going to likely be heavy everywhere since it’s a relatively short parade route and tons of people are expected. But, if you’re with kids, you might have fewer people closer to Battery Park than near City Hall, where people will be trying to see the celebration.

How to Watch the Knicks Parade

If it’s too overwhelming to bring your kid to the parade, you can watch it from the comfort of your own home. Coverage will begin at 9 a.m. on CBS, and can also be watched on Disney+ with Live coverage.

Like I said, I’m going to be bringing my son to the parade. He’s a New Yorker, and I want to have these memories with him, even if he won’t have them. But, I also have no illusions about the challenges of bringing him.

It means that I may need to really plan ahead in terms of what I need to bring for him, and I may need to stay on the periphery of the action or leave early if it’s just too much. Ultimately, if you bring your kid to the parade is a decision that parents need to make on their own, but having all of the information ahead of time is the best way to make a decision.

Have other questions? Curious what I’m going to be doing with my 1-year-old? Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email at j.fink@newsweek.com!