Baseball Games for Kids: Tips for Enjoying the Ballpark
Spending a day outside eating hot dogs and root, root, rooting for the home team is one of America's favorite pastimes. But tailoring baseball games for kids (between flagging down the pretzel vendor and fighting with your folding stroller) can seem like a challenge.
Luckily, we created this "kids baseball games" survival guide, which helps combat short attention spans and prevent midgame meltdowns. The fan sitting next to you will thank you.
Pre-Game Checklist:
Even if you're used to traveling with kids, there are a few special things to bring to baseball games for kids to ensure your little ones enjoy the experience. What's more, a little extra planning before you even enter the ballpark could make your day that much easier.
1. Does your kid need a ticket? Do you have a ticket?
Do babies need tickets to baseball games? Usually not, if your kid is under 2 years old. But keep in mind this means your toddler will have to sit on your lap the entire game, so it might be worth it to buy an extra seat anyway.
Once you figure out how many tickets you need, remember to...you know, buy them. That includes for yourself. We recommend buying them before you go to the park, and you might find what you need by clicking on your favorite team below:
2. Snag aisle seats if you can
This is especially helpful if you have a kid who has trouble sitting still, or one that's in the middle of potty training. Being on the aisle means you can get up as much as you want without disturbing other baseball fans, which means less stress for everybody involved.
3. Are you bringing a stroller?
Good news, parents! Most major league ballparks do allow baby strollers.
The bad news? Many require you to leave them at a stroller parking area. Some might allow you to bring a lightweight folding stroller to the stands, so long as it can fit under your seat. Check out your ballpark's website in advance to see what the policy is so you can figure out a plan that's best for you.
4. Bring a booster seat
Kids have a short attention span as it is, but if they can't see the action on the field, there's no way they're going to watch for long.
Bring a booster or a cushion to elevate them in their seat, and consider a pair of binoculars too—at the very least, you can distract them by getting them to spy on passing planes or explore sights on the other side of the ballpark.
Things to Do at a Baseball Game
Okay. You've found your seats. You've settled in. And you've distracted your kids with hot dogs and cotton candy as long as you can. So what do you do if they're still not enthralled by the action on the field? We suggest trying one of these fun baseball game activities for kids:
1. Place bets on your favorite players.
Have each kid pick two players from the home team, someone they think will score the first base hit for the team and someone they think will score the first home run. Once a player has been selected, no one else can pick them.
The kid whose player gets the first hit gets a concession-stand treat, as does the kid whose player gets a home run. Using snacks as a motivator is a surefire way to keep kids engaged for a while.
2. Try to get on the ballpark's Jumbotron or the TV broadcast.
This may just be one of our favorite things to do at a baseball game anyway! Deck the kids out in face paint and team apparel, and have them dance to the music when the fan cam swivels around the stadium. Kids generally think it's pretty cool to see themselves on the Jumbotron.
3. Hunt for the mascot.
With their bright colors and goofy antics, mascots seem like they were created to entertain small children. The MLB has some of the most-famous mascots in existence, including Mascot Hall of Fame inductee the Phillie Phanatic. When kids start to get antsy, have them search for the team's mascot in the crowd.
4. Play I Spy.
The classic car game can be repurposed for the ballpark, and it's especially good for entertaining preschoolers because it's such an easy game. Since you'll be surrounded by super fans decked out in all sorts of zany team gear, kids will have fun with this one.
5. Teach kids how to keep score.
This is a great way for slightly older kids (probably at least 6) to gain a greater understanding of the sport, which will help them enjoy it throughout their lives. Plus it sneaks in a little learning, as kids have to count and use deductive reasoning skills.
6. Ride the Carnival Rides
Ok, this might be something you can only do at the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park, which boasts a Ferris wheel and a carousel. But many ballparks are starting to cater to families by creating areas specifically devoted to kids.
Other notable parks include the Washington Nationals' Nationals Park and the San Francisco Giants' AT&T Park. At Nationals Park, you can find the Exxon Strike Zone, Playstation Pavilion, kids' play area, and Geico Racing Presidents. At AT&T Park, look for the Coca-Cola slide, batting cages, and Playstation 3 kiosks.
7. Hang out at a minor league game instead.
Going to an MLB game can get expensive. According to a 2015 CNBC article, on average, it costs a family of four about $200 to attend a game.
If you want to save some cash, take them to a minor-league game first. Minor-league games not only are cheaper, they're also big on crowd entertainment. Typical games include everything from fireworks to kids' races.
RELATED READS:
The 10 Best Baseball Stadiums to Visit We ranked each stadium based on history, team prestige, views from the seats, and snack offerings.
Cheer for The Ballpark Food Vendor, Baseball's Real All-Star Our editor—once a food vendor himself—explains how to make these unsung heroes your best friend.
The Best Hot Dogs in America: A Regional Guide Know your regional hot-dog varieties with this guide, which highlights everything between Washington DC's half-smoke and Seattle's cream-cheese dog.
