Bringing toddler to a ballpark???

[spk926]

DH and I are pretty sure we're going to the MLB futures game at Target Field on Sunday. It's at 4pm, so after DD's nap and we would bring her.

What do I need to know and bring? Do I bring a stroller? My only options are our BOB, City Mini and Chicco Liteway. I shouldn't bring the Ergo, right? What toys do I bring? Talk me through this! If it goes well we'd like to go to a few games with her this summer.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't bring the stroller. Its going to be super crowded and its a pain in the ass. Its much easier to wear her.

[jene]

We have season tickets and have taken A to a number of games already. You can check a stroller at guest services (around sections 111-112)

Sorry I can't help with the other questions, A just sleeps through the games right now

[karinothing]

The first time we took DS to a ball game he was terrified of the fireworks/crowds but he was younger than a year.

Now when we go he is fine till about the 4th inning (he will sit on our laps and watch everyone). Then we make sure to sit on teh club level so we can head into the AC and he can run around. I don't bring toys there is enough for him to look at. Our ballpark also has a kids zone so that helps.

[spk926]

Jul 11, 2014 10:27:43 GMT -5 jene said:

We have season tickets and have taken A to a number of games already. You can check a stroller at guest services (around sections 111-112)

Sorry I can't help with the other questions, A just sleeps through the games right now

Do you know if Target field has a kids area for them to play/run or anything?

Also, do you know if I wear her in the Ergo will they make me take her out while we go through security when entering the ball park?

Obviously I've never been! DH has but he doesn't pay attention to these things and has no clue. I don't want to bring too much crap (which is typical me) but then again I want to have everything that would be helpful and be used!

[tela]

we just took our girls to a MLB game and it was...not good. it was also 4 o'clock. but DD1 is 2 1/2 now so she wants to go go go.

last year when she was about your DD's age, it wasn't too bad. she played in a row and did pretty good. We just made sure to sit in the shade, give us/her some room and brought snacks. I don't think we brought any toys but that's prob a good idea.

We didn't bring the stroller, my DH just carried her and it was ok. this year, I used my beco for DD2 and again DH held DD1. I saw a lot of people with strollers there. You just had to leave the stroller at the top of the seats with the usher. DD1 tried to just run away this year. after that we bought one of those backpack leash things...I don't care if I get judged anymore! lol.

[cinco]

I have always brought an Ergo vs. a stroller. We bring a glove and a first aid kit b/c we have shit luck at ball parks. DD2 has been dropped (DH will never live that one down), DS has fallen in b/w bleachers , balls have come at our heads. It must be really fun or we are nuts b/c we keep on going, lol.

[tela]

Jul 11, 2014 10:32:29 GMT -5 spk926 said:

Jul 11, 2014 10:27:43 GMT -5 jene said:

We have season tickets and have taken A to a number of games already. You can check a stroller at guest services (around sections 111-112)

Sorry I can't help with the other questions, A just sleeps through the games right now

Do you know if Target field has a kids area for them to play/run or anything?

Also, do you know if I wear her in the Ergo will they make me take her out while we go through security when entering the ball park?

Obviously I've never been! DH has but he doesn't pay attention to these things and has no clue. I don't want to bring too much crap (which is typical me) but then again I want to have everything that would be helpful and be used!

at our park, they did not make me take her out of the carrier when going through security.

[Deleted]

We have brought our umbrella stroller and stashed it under our seats and we have worn him. You don't have to take the kid out going through security (at Camden yards at least).

We get there, walk leisurely to our seats, get some snacks, let him play in the kids area, and then sit down. He needs his own seat now since he's older than 2 so we put him in between us and he stands and dances and yells and cheers. He usually lasts longer than I do ;-).

For us, tickets are so cheap that the stands are alway full of kids of all ages so we are not worried about him acting like a kid, kwim?

Oh see if they have a first game certificate! Camden yards does one at guest services, it's really cute.

[Deleted]

Oh and we rarely bring toys besides the basic ones already in the diaper bag. The stadium is enough of a distraction.

Have fun! DS has been to a ton of games, it's a lot of fun.

[redheadk]

Not MLB, but I took DD to a Texas A&M football game last fall, around 15 months or so I guess. I wore her from where we parked to our seats (it's a pretty good walk). We didn't use any toys while there, too much to see! We did go down under the stands and let her run on the ramps for a bit but she otherwise stayed in the seat with me. She even took a nap all through the 3rd quarter, which was shocking.

I wouldn't overthink it too much, it's such a new experience for them and there is so much to see that we needed very little while there.

[Ashley&Scott]

She's 18 months right? I would take the Ergo for sure. Also the diaper bag with a few small toys/books & some snacks. 

[spk926]

Jul 11, 2014 10:45:24 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

She's 18 months right? I would take the Ergo for sure. Also the diaper bag with a few small toys/books & some snacks. 

Yeah, 18 months. Okay that's what I was thinking - thanks!

[jene]

Jul 11, 2014 10:32:29 GMT -5 spk926 said:

Jul 11, 2014 10:27:43 GMT -5 jene said:

We have season tickets and have taken A to a number of games already. You can check a stroller at guest services (around sections 111-112)

Sorry I can't help with the other questions, A just sleeps through the games right now

Do you know if Target field has a kids area for them to play/run or anything?

Also, do you know if I wear her in the Ergo will they make me take her out while we go through security when entering the ball park?

Obviously I've never been! DH has but he doesn't pay attention to these things and has no clue. I don't want to bring too much crap (which is typical me) but then again I want to have everything that would be helpful and be used!

Kids area: I haven't run across anything yet
I know they are tightening security for the all star events, but we have worn A through security and no one said anything to us (we used the moby and the tula)
Also, there is a family lane when you are getting in, it is not marked as such, but it is the handicap accessible lane.  If you bring a stroller, they will just wave you through and use the wand instead of making everyone go through the metal detector.  We didn't know about it until one of the employees mentioned it to us.

Guest Services will also give your DD a first game certificate if you ask for one.  

[Cicero]

I don't know if Target Field does this, but at our ballpark you can stop by guest services and have a my first Reds game certificate printed with the child's name on it. Just an FYI in case you want to see if they do something similar.

ETA: Never mind, I see that someone already covered this.

[jene]

Oh, one other thing, there is also a nursing room at guest services (if you are/were nursing or plan to if you have future kiddos)