Take the Kids to a Minor League Stadium
Minor-league stadiums and ice rinks are usually less expensive, less hassle and geared toward keeping the kids happy.
We love our professional sports teams around here, but sometimes their minor league counterparts offer a low-hassle, low-cost alternative for families, with plenty of promotions, giveaways and activities to keep the kids entertained.
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Iron Pigs
Lehigh Valley, PA
Ironpigsbaseball.com
This Phillies minor-league team, founded in 2008, has plenty of theme games to choose from, including Star Wars, Harry Potter and a princess night.
On Dog Days, four-legged fans are welcome at the stadium in a designated seating area. Register for a chance to have your kid yell “Play ball!” to start the game and get two free tickets. Ticket prices range from $11 to $28.
Reading Phillies
Reading, PA
Fightins.com
A trip to the Reading Phillies means seats as cheap as $5, free parking that’s an easy walk to the stadium, plenty of promotions, from fireworks to free t-shirts, and enough in-game entertainment to engage the non-baseball fans. They offer birthday parties and picnics if you want to bring a whole gang with you.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders
Moosic, PA
SWBrailriders.com
This minor-league Yankees team is a little farther drive, but offers plenty of promotions to tempt you, including Family Buck Night with $1 concession items for two hours before the game as well as Copa de la Diversion, a series of events that celebrate Hispanic culture. They also offer birthday parties and summer training camps. Prices range from $11 to $15 with special discounts for groups and $5 parking.
Trenton Thunder
Trenton, NJ
Trentonthunder.com
This Yankees minor-league team offers a picnic area for families and plenty of promotions, including Kids Run the Bases after every Sunday game. Kids can also join Boomer’s Kids Club for more special offers. Tickets are $11 to $15 with free admission for children 3 and under.
Wilmington Blue Rocks
Wilmington, DE
Bluerocks.com
The Blue Rocks’ Outstanding Students Program honors students who are nominated by their schools for their academic achievement. Each student gets a ticket and a hot dog and their family can buy additional tickets, which range from $8–$13.
If you want to live baseball all summer long, sign up to be a host family for one of the Blue Rocks players for the season.
MINOR LEAGUE HOCKEY
Hershey Bears
Hershey, PA
HersheyBears.com
Come September, hockey is in the air. At the minor-league ice hockey rink in Hershey, you can go early to see pre-game youth scrimmages.
Sign up before the game so the kids can meet Coco, the team mascot, and get an autographed photo and gift. Children under 2 get in free as long as they sit in someone’s lap. Ticket prices vary but range from $20-$50.
Reading Royals Hockey
Reading, PA
Royalshockey.com
The minor-league hockey franchise offers birthday parties and special theme nights, including Scout Night, Mental Health Awareness Night and an Autism Awareness sensory-friendly game with subdued music and lighting and quiet spaces. Tickets start at $60.
