Baseball was my favorite sport as a child and I loved a day at the ballpark. However, visiting the ballpark with my two young and very different kids is not easy. My 3rd grader loves baseball from first pitch to last. My 1st grader is happy until his hot dog is eaten and water has spilled all over his shirt…so 1 ½ innings.
This is why I am so excited about the New York Mets game plan for Sunday home games in 2018. “Family Sundays with the Mets” includes 2 hours of pre-game kid-focused activities, a promotional giveaway, and an appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Met. At the end of the game, kids 12 and under are even invited to run the bases in the Mr. Met Dash. An entire day at the ballpark filled with family friendly fun? Sounds like a hit for kids and parents.
Pre-Game Activities at Citi Field
We had tickets for Sunday, May 20th – NY Mets Vs. Arizona D-backs. Arizona was in 1st place in the NL West but the Mets were looking to sweep the weekend series. We were pumped for this matchup! Outfitted in our Mets gear, we hopped the 7 train to Citi Field in Queens, a 45 minute trip from Madison Square Park.
Two hours before Sunday game time, Mets Plaza in front of the main entrance is full of carnival games, skills games, inflatables, face painting, arts and crafts, balloon artists, and other kids activities. It is a music-blasting party atmosphere. In other words, my “I want to go home” six year old was immediately engaged.
Smart play, Mets!
Arriving early, among the first 15,000 fans, ensures you one of the cool giveaways (a plastic bat for this game). Plan now for these upcoming key games and cool giveaways: June 3rd vs Cubs (an on trend fanny pack) or June 10th vs Yankees (Jeurys Familia Fathead) or June 24th vs Dodgers (Mets Cap).
My kids enjoyed EVERY game of the pre-game activities! They practiced their hockey shot and tested their pitching strength. They played basketball toss, magic ball, tic tac toe, ring toss, and wiffle ball. We got a family photo with Mrs. Met. “Is that a girl?” my little one kept asking. We watched a Tae Kwon Do class give a demonstration. Of note, the area never felt crowded, which made the whole experience pleasant.
Kidz Tips
- Tickets start at $15/person (children 32″ and under are free!)
- Arrive early to sample all the games and snap your photos at the Home Run Apple in front of Citi Field
- Take the 7 train or LIRR to Mets/Willets Point Station
- Utilize the Uber Pickup zone on 126th St
Inside The Ballpark & Fan Fest
After a fun filled hour of outside play, we were ready for the ballpark. The kids were swinging their free plastic bats. We grabbed Nathan’s trusty hot dogs, nachos, and ice cream before heading to our seats on the 1st base side on field level (section 109). We settled into our seats, ate our food, and watched the 1st inning. Every seat at Citi Field offers a great view of the game. Still, my younger one was ready to go home by the top of the 2nd.
This was the right moment to visit Good Humor Fan Fest on the field level beyond center field. Walk across the concourse, over Shea Bridge, and enter this food court and kids playground area.
Games include a dry dunk tank with the opposing team’s “fan” (my sporty 9 year old dunked him to much applause), wiffle ball batting practice, and tee ball in a mini Citi Field. You can get a photo with Mr. Met and Mrs. Met again. Several Kids Club representatives are here to help you (read more below).
Fan Fest is open until the mid-7th inning, and we hung out here for four full innings. There is a large tv screen so you can keep your eyes on the game. FYI , Shea Bridge is a fantastic viewing area for the game and a perfect meet-up location if you have friends attending the same game but sitting elsewhere as we did. Restaurants in this area include Papa Rosso, Blue Smoke, Box Frites, and Shake Shack. The kids had pizza and flavored icees while my husband and I tried spicy fried chicken sandwiches at David Chang’s Fuku outpost. We could stay here all day!
Kidz Tips
- Diaper changing tables are in all concourse restrooms
- There are 15 Family Restrooms
- Visit the Mamava Station for nursing moms on Empire Suite Level
- $7.00 Kids’ Meal including a Nathan’s hot dog, popcorn, juice box, and prize is available at the concession stand behind Section 121 on the Field Level
- Go to the Bullpen Gate on 126th St after the game to line up for the Mr. Mets Dash
Family Sundays with the Mets is a Home-run
We are happy to call Family Sundays a win! After Fan Fest, we went back to our seats for the 7th inning. Just in time to watch the Mets seal the game with back to back homers! The longest we’d lasted at a baseball game before this was 4 innings at Camden Yards and Yankee Stadium was a huge bust. Very impressive because we were exhausted from the day’s activities. Unfortunately, we didn’t hold out for the Mr. Mets Dash, but my older son knew a school friend in attendance with his little league team who did the dash. He loved that experience, of course. We will definitely be back for a day at Citi Field.
Mr. Met’s Kids Club
Family Sunday activities are for all ticket holders. But, there are extra perks if you sign up for one of the Mr. Met Kids Club membership packages. This is a great deal for your little Mets Fans! We are signing up as we had a great day and want to go to a Brooklyn Cyclones game next.
- All-Star Membership – $35 Four (4) complimentary tickets* located in Promenade Outfield seating that can be used for a select game
- MVP Membership – $55 Four (4) complimentary tickets located in Baseline Box seating on the Field Level that can be used for a select game
Each membership includes:
- 2 BOGO ticket offers
- 1 complimentary scoreboard message
- 4 complimentary Brooklyn Cyclones tickets
- Access to Mr. Met’s Kids Club ticket offers
- “Passport” with barcode and lanyard for check-in. Passport allows fast pass access to the Mr. Met Dash. In addition, earn prizes (autographed player cards, Kids Club hat or jersey) by checking-in at the game with Passport.
- Drawstring Bag, Pencil Case, Bookmark, Door Tag, Pair of Wristbands
Note: Kidz Central Station was offered promotional tickets by the Mets organization. This did not affect the author’s review.