Spring Training in Phoenix With Kids. Baseball is in my genes. My kids have sat through 9 innings their whole loves. I definitely hesitated to take them to spring training when they were younger, but now we hit up as many games as possible.
Here’s a few tips for going to a game with kids:
- Cover the kids in sunscreen before the game and bring it with you. Re-apply.
- Baseball hat to keep the sun out of their eyes.
- Bring their glove for catching balls
- Baseball and Sharpie for autographs. I grab a Cactus League ball with the year on it each season.
- Water! Stadiums allow sealed water bottles. I freeze ours ahead of time so everyone has cool water.
- Snacks. Most stadiums allow snacks in individually wrapped packages or small quantities. I bring a protein bar and munching snacks they can nibble on throughout the game. I don’t love hauling it around but it saves money and I have a picky eater.
- I save ice cream, popcorn or treats for late game bribes or if anyone gets hot or cranky.
- Buy your tickets early. Long gone are the days of grabbing lawn seats last minute.
- Arrive early if you think your kids can handle it. You never know what players will be coming and going. Great chance to grab autographs!
- Check out the stadiums website and see if they have any things for kids to do.
- I saw water misting fans for sale at multiple stadiums. This would be an excellent way to cool off.
- Not cheap, but most stadiums have a great team shop. So of your team trains here, spoil the kids with souvenirs.
Spring Training in Phoenix With Kids
Tempe Diablo Stadium
They have a great lawn for kids to move around on. Great new markets with good kid friendly snacks.
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
The kids zone has a Wiffle Ball field and pitching games. The grass is great for running around.
Hohokam Stadium
Sit on the large berm with seating next to both bullpens for all the action. Then check out the Stomper’s Kids Zone for kids to play, or grab a scavenger hunt and runaround the stadium to get the wiggles out.
American Family Fields of Phoenix
This stadium recently upgraded their berm and added games behind center-field. They also have food vendors (it was ice cream and cookies the day we visited) who will be there as well. This particular lawn has some areas for throwing the ball that will not interfere with the game.
Sloan Park
Wiffle Ball field and the area surrounding it has lots of room for the kids to run around. You can have an announcement posted on the Chicago Cubs board as well.
Peoria Stadium
The stadium has the Junior Rangers kids club where ages 5-12 can head to Peoria Cove to find a ship-themed play area with a splash pad, slides and climbing apparatus, plus a mini-baseball.
Goodyear Ballpark
Check the schedule for giveaway days. Added in 2024 on the grass are corn hole boards, jenga, checkers and three new baseball themed inflatables – T-ball, double land Skeeball and a free-throw challenge – for kids of all ages and a just-their-size kids Wiffle ball field on the first base concourse.
Camelback Ranch-Glendale
Giant bobble head figures, full wrap around concourse is good to take the kids on a walk, the berm is large, and a few games in the outfield.
Surprise Stadium
While there aren’t many kid friendly options here, they are adding events related to baseball. You can find out more information here.
Scottsdale Stadium
Besides the berm where kids can run around, there is a pitching game and a batting cage for kids to enjoy. Combine the game with a visit to check out the new splash pad and playground at Civic Center before or after the game.
