A child's early concerts are adventures. When my 11-year-old daughter opened her birthday card and saw the pair of Kanye West tickets, I loved her reaction: she appreciated doing something instead of receiving another Littlest Pet Shop toy for her shelf. Not only did we bond over a shared love for the songs, we created a memory that will last long past the opening of another Toys R Us trinket. Concert-going allows your children to experience something you love as a grown-up and exposes them to the value of the arts.

Besides the obvious—steer clear of mosh pits—here are some factors to weigh when taking your son or daughter to a live show.

Choose the right artist
Consider the artist or group you are taking your child to see. Ask yourself: will the dancing, imagery and lyrics be age appropriate? Will the music be lively and sustain his/her attention?

My daughter wasn't too familiar with the Godfather of Soul, but when I took her to see James Brown, the energy of the dancing, the glittery costumes and general feel-good atmosphere of the evening kept her thoroughly entertained.

Part of making the right choice is knowing what you're getting into. Your tween may love Christina Aguilera's tunes, but you might not approve of her midriff. If possible, listen to the artist, surf her websites and watch her videos beforehand to gain insight into her language and messages. Better yet, search for reviews of the tour online. Check with the promoter about the opening act as it could be inappropriate too. And of course, make sure there aren't any age restrictions; concerts these days are often for those of drinking age.

Consider the venue
The concerts I invite my daughter to have been held at family-friendly venues such as Ontario Place, the Air Canada Centre and the Ex - all large, professional operations in Toronto. When with a child, position yourself wisely. Make sure she can see the stage clearly. Avoid being too close to the speakers for fear of hearing damage and consider ear plugs. Experts say that sounds over 100 decibels can damage a child's hearing and concerts can hit 110 to 120 decibels. To ensure safety during his five-year-old son's first Rush concert, for example, Nashville blogger Nick Bradbury bought a good set of earplugs (and yes, his son loved the show). Steer clear of overcrowded areas. Outdoor shows tend to be less loud, but on the other hand, you're more likely to be exposed to alcohol and possibly drug use.

Buy a seated ticket; don't go the general admission route. It's often dark and there could be thousands of people, so make sure your little one feels secure. Due to the crowds and unfamiliar atmosphere, I would advise close supervision and definitely designate an easily identifiable meeting spot in case you get separated.

Do a time check
Take into account the start time of the concert. The time indicated on your ticket is usually when the venue's doors open, not when the headliner hits the stage, so you could be in for a past-bedtime night. If your child is overtired, neither of you will enjoy it. Call and find out when the show is scheduled to end. When I took my 11-year-old daughter to a Black Eyed Peas concert last summer, I made her take an afternoon nap because I knew we'd be out past 10:30 p.m.

Discuss the next day
Talk with your child and learn from the experience. Find out what she enjoyed or didn't enjoy about the experience. Too loud? Too long? Too far away? Be prepared to discuss any inappropriate language or gestures used by the performers or the other concertgoers - and to relive a fun experience together, too!

For other entertainment ideas, don't miss our new release movie reviews.