Wondering what to bring to a major league baseball game with kids? This is something I get asked a lot. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that being properly prepared for a big-league baseball game with your kids will make the day a lot more fun.
After 10 years attending MLB games, I’ve learned a thing or two about what to have on-hand. Most of the changes I’ve made have to do with the fact that I now have four kids, but they also reflect my years of experience since I first started attending Brandon’s MLB games in 2011.
I’m proud to say that I now have this down to a science, and to kick off the 2022 season, I want to share with you what I bring to every MLB game with my kiddos.
20 Things to Bring to MLB Baseball Games for Kids
Whether you are attending your child's first baseball game, or you aren’t sure exactly what you’ll need in the stadium with a toddler, here’s the ultimate list of what to bring to a baseball game with kids. Based on the specific circumstance, you may decide you don’t need all of the items on the list for every game, so use it as a guide and at the very least, review it every time you’re about to head to the stadium.
- A Clear Stadium Bag
MLB stadiums have strict bag policies, and most stadiums require you to carry clear bags only. Before packing anything, make sure you start by putting it in the right bag.
Try this clear stadium backpack or this clear crossbody bag for something that meets all stadium requirements and looks great.
- Your Favorite Team’s Branded Gear
Going to a baseball game with kids is all about having fun and showing off your team spirit! When planning what to bring to an MLB game with kids, your team's branded gear should be one of the first things you have ready.
We try to buy our support gear ahead of time, usually by one week, so that we know we’ll be game-day ready.
When it comes to team gear, you have loads of options. You could opt for a branded baseball T-shirt of your favorite player, a complete commemorative game jacket, or you could wear something fun like a tie-dye baseball T-shirt.
- The Right Pens for Autographs
You never know when your kids might run into their favorite player! Don’t forget to bring a suitable pen for baseball autographs and a sharpie for jersey and photograph autographs. An autograph will make your child’s day, and you don’t want to miss the opportunity when it arrives.
- A Baseball Glove
My kids are always hoping to catch a foul ball. For the kids, this is a highlight of any baseball game. Even though we’ve only caught one ball in 11 seasons, we still love to try every game! So, when planning what to bring to a baseball game with kids, don’t forget your baseball glove.
- Your Kids Favorite Snacks
No baseball game with kids would be complete without plenty of snacks. Be prepared and bring your their favorite snacks in case the stadium doesn't sell them. We ALWAYS bring a bag of Dum Dums because they double up as a wonderful 20-minute calming activity for the kids.
Although we love ballpark food, it’s also not known to be the healthiest food out there. If you want to maintain healthy eating habits with your kids, think about bringing along a few healthy snacks, too.
- A Credit Card or Cashless Payment Options
Many stadiums are transitioning to cashless payments, so it’s always a good idea to bring along payment options other than cash. You’ll need this to buy things like a souvenir hat, a baseball for autographs, or a classic stadium snack to share.
- Baby Wipes
Never forget baby wipes when planning what to bring to a baseball game with kids. Your hands will get super sticky from cotton candy, lemonade, and all the other fun game-day treats. Plus, antibacterial wipes are also great for wiping down the seats before you settle in.
- A Change Of Clothes
You’ll be glad to have a change of clothes for your kids in case of any accidents. Believe me, accidents do happen!
- Band-Aids
On the topic of accidents, don’t forget to bring some bandaids to an MLB game. They hardly take up any space and will make everything better when you need one.
- Warm Jackets
If you’re going to a baseball game with kids, remember that the weather can change on a dime. Be prepared for your kids to get hot and cold throughout the game. Don’t forget to bring jackets for your kids - you will be thankful to have the layers! And if you see rain in the forecast, grab a suitable rain jacket.
- A Fully-Charged Power Bank
When taking your kids to their first baseball game, you’ll be very busy snapping pictures and uploading social media posts. The last thing you want is for your phone to drain before the game is over.
To top it off, most stadiums don’t have the best wifi. You usually have to rely on cellular data, which can be a total battery killer.
Bringing a reliable power bank to your baseball game can be an absolute lifesaver.
- Sunscreen
Trust me, you don’t want to spend the day in a row of exposed, sunny seats without quality sunscreen to protect your little ones. When planning what to bring to a baseball game, this is essential. Even if the forecast isn’t looking particularly sunny, having sunscreen on-hand is always a good idea.
- A Water Bottle
You can buy water at the stadium, but it’s always best to come prepared. You will want to have a big bottle of water to stay hydrated during any baseball game - especially for those hot afternoon games. Bringing along a big, reusable water bottle is an eco-friendly and convenient option.
- Back-up Entertainment
An action-packed game day should offer plenty of fun for your kids. However, game days can be long for little ones, so being prepared with back-up entertainment (like portable games, toys, or coloring books) is always a good idea. This is especially important for restless toddlers who may not have the attention span you would hope for at their first baseball game.
- A Suitable Camera
Sure, you will probably just use your phone to capture the special memories of a fun day at the major league stadium. However, if you are serious about getting a high-quality photo or video, don’t forget your camera. Just be aware that stadiums restrict the size of camera lenses, so check your stadium’s guidelines when bringing a camera.
No matter what gadget you use to snap your photos, don’t forget to bring a retractable selfie stick or a tripod to make sure those special family moments last forever.
- Headphones
Some stadiums can get very loud. If you’re taking a baby or toddler to their first baseball game, you may want to bring along a pair of noise-canceling headphones to keep their little ears and hearing protected.
- Bug Repellant
This might not be an essential item to bring to every baseball game, but you won’t want to be caught without it in case the mosquitos start to bite. If you’re visiting an outdoor stadium in summer, prepare yourself with bug repellant. Just remember that most stadiums don’t allow aerosol cans.
- Rain Protection
If you think there’s even a chance of rain, come to the baseball game prepared for it. I love these rain ponchos, as they are so light and easy to carry in your game-day bag, and you can just slip them over any clothes you’re wearing. Clear rain ponchos also let you still show off your team spirit while being protected from the rain.
- Hats and Sunglasses
Most MLB stadiums are open air, so prepare to face the elements when you attend a game. A hat is important for sun protection during long game days. Besides, your kids will probably want to wear their favorite team's baseball cap anyway!
Sunglasses can also make a big difference when watching a game. Squinting into the bright sun in order to see a small white ball is not fun for anyone.
- Digital Tickets
Finally, you can’t forget your tickets! Many MLB stadiums are transitioning to digital-only tickets, so make sure you have a screenshot of your tickets readily available on your phone.
When you’ve got a full bag of baseball game-day items and you’re trying to keep an eye on your excited kids, you’ll be grateful that you don’t have to dig through your bag or scroll through emails to find your tickets.
Top Tips for Going to a Baseball Game With Kids
Knowing what to bring to an MLB baseball game with kids is important, but there’s more to keep in mind when attending game day with your little ones in tow. Here are a few of my favorite tips for going to a baseball game with your kids.
Choose Child-Friendly Seats
Even with the excitement of a baseball game going on, young kids will have a hard time sitting still for the whole game. Many MLB stadiums have special children's park tickets available that offer plenty of fun activities for your kids and a chance for you all to take a break between innings.
Standard seat tickets are available for kids over the age of four. I recommend aisle or first-row seats to give your busy little ones the extra leg room to jump up and down, and to have an easy run to the bathroom whenever needed.
Embrace Ballpark Food
Ballpark food is an essential part of the game-day experience. Yes, I advise bringing your own snacks too, but come to a baseball game hungry! When your kids think about their first baseball game, the hotdogs, pretzels, nachos, and cotton candy might be some of their favorite memories.
Give Your Kids a Play-By-Play
Your kids will have a lot more fun at their first baseball game if they know what’s going on - and there’s a lot that goes on during baseball games!
Explain the game to your children as it happens. Let them know who’s pitching, who’s batting, and point out the videos on the jumbotron. Explain things like fly balls and foul balls, show them how the scoreboard works, and occasionally ask them for the score. This will help keep them engaged throughout the day.
Explore the Ballpark
The baseball game may be the main event, but it’s only part of the entire game-day experience. Many MLB stadiums are jam-packed with fun kids' activities. You might be able to meet your team's mascot, find children's playgrounds, snap a shot at a photo booth, or find an open space for a quick game of catch.
Check the Forecast
This may seem obvious, but the last thing you want is to arrive at an open-air stadium unprepared for the weather. Check the forecast a day or two in advance, and make sure to dress accordingly. If you and your kids are comfortable, the baseball game will be infinitely more enjoyable.
Know What Not to Bring
We’ve covered what to bring to an MLB baseball game with your kids, but you also need to make sure you don’t bring any prohibited items. These could be confiscated when entering the stadium, which could result in an unhappy start to game day.
Some common items that are usually prohibited at MLB stadium games include:
- Bags, backpacks, and purses larger than 16″ x 16″ x 8″
- Any drinks that aren't water or sports drinks
- Drones
- Any kind of wrapped presents or gifts
- 12” or longer camera lenses
- Laser pens
- Inflatables or beach balls
- Any kind of noisemakers, air horns, or bullhorns
- Hard-sided coolers
- Aerosol cans
- Baseball bats
- Toy guns or knives
Summary
Taking your children to their first major league baseball game is a memory you will all treasure for a lifetime. Knowing what to bring to a baseball game with kids and being properly prepared will make the game day so much more enjoyable for everyone involved.
After all, going to a baseball game is all about having fun and soaking up all the sights, smells, sounds, and actions that happen at a ballpark. Prepare yourself with this list of what to bring to a baseball game with kids, and your day might just become one of your favorite family memories.
