Our family loves attending a Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks game! We really aren’t that into baseball, and it’s still a great time.
My husband and I went before we had kids and have continued going with our kids. The RedHawks do a great job making sure there is something for everyone — especially families and kids of all ages.
You can find the schedule of the kid-focused promotional games, fireworks games, and details about their Kid’s Club, birthday party packages, Hawkeye’s Bookworms Reading Program, and more they do for kids on their website.
Here are some things our family does to make a RedHawks game a bit more enjoyable with a couple of kids in tow.
Attending a RedHawks Game with Kids
1. Select Seats Strategically
We always go for the aisle.
With how many times we have to make bathroom runs, get snacks, or go for walks to keep littles entertained, we always try to get seats along the aisle.
Sun vs. Shade
Depending on the time of the game and the predicted temperature, the setting sun may affect your comfort level. We usually go for sections E-H. If you want more shade, the higher rows get shady first and can be the best spot for shade.
Field Proximity
But, being closer to the field can keep kids entertained because they are closer to the action. Just off-center from behind home plate, and especially along the first baseline usually sees the best action (even during low-scoring games).
2. We Prefer Day Games
Day games usually work better for our kids, especially in toddler years. Also, day games interfere less with bedtimes, nap times, and mealtimes.
3. For Night Games, We Plan to Leave Early and Drive Separately
Our kids are pretty used to their bedtime routines and they don’t make it the whole game so we usually leave early, especially when they are toddler-age. We set this expectation before we buy tickets, to avoid any fits when it is time to leave.
With our kids’ age gap (currently six and two), my husband and I drive separately so one parent and our older son can stay a bit longer while the other two go home and get to bed.
To avoid paying double in parking, we park at least one vehicle farther away at the Fargodome, which is usually an available free parking option and walk a bit farther, but get to stay longer.
4. Save the Playground for the End of the Game
We do not go to the playground until we absolutely must. That’s because once our kids go there, they want to stay there! We only go the the playground when our younger kid cannot sit still one more minute to try extend our time at the ballpark a bit longer.
5. What to Bring/What Not to Bring
- Sunscreen – we like to apply it in the parking lot.
- Layers and rain gear depending on the forecast.
- Infant carrier. We never brought the kids as infants, but if we did, I think in an infant carrier would be optimal.
- There is a clear bag policy, but according to the website, an exception will be made for diaper bags after inspection. That includes anything you need to feed the babies, of course.
- For little toddlers, they have allowed us to bring in some age-appropriate refreshments (a.k.a snacks) not available at concessions — Cheerios, applesauce, puffs, yogurt melts, water in their sippy cups, things like that. But other than food appropriate for diaper-clad children, no outside food is allowed.
- Strollers are NOT allowed on the concourse, but can be checked in at guest relations in case you are walking to the game.
- Infant car seats can be brought, but require a ticket. Otherwise kids two and under are FREE.
6. Safety Tips
Have an adult buddy system. My husband and I prefer the 1:1 adult to kid ratio in our family for safety reasons. That’s because there is the risk of balls, bats and other flying objects that are occasionally in the stands throughout the game. (There’s a net to reduce the risk of objects coming from the field, but the risk is still there.)
My husband and I communicate pretty frequently about who is the primary one paying attention to the game (and potentially flying stuff) and we sit between the kids in case we need to cover them.
Plan Your Visit!
Our family really enjoys going to a FM RedHawks game. We think they do a great job providing an accessibly priced family activity for our community.
This is what works for our family, and I hope to spread the word so more families can have some fun at a RedHawks game.
I’m probably missing some great tips — and I hope you share them in the comments below so we can all get some new ideas!
And for more local activities, check out our Explore with Kids series.
