3/16/15: Calling All Kids to Fenway Park

Fenway Park is getting even more Family Friendly by cool programs for children to get more children to the game.  The "Calling All Kids," program by Hood allows free membership in the Red Sox Kid Nation and free tickets to 25,000 kids.  Plus there is a Kids Concourse, and Wally's Clubhouse which we enjoyed last year.

For the first time, entry-level membership in Red Sox Kid Nation will be free, and every child in the program can attend a game for free.  Membership is for children 14 and under. Fans can begin signing up for the membership on redsox.com/kidnation.  Also, all high school and college students 15 and over with a student ID can purchase tickets for only $9 for every regular season home game. 

The Red Sox have created "Gate K (for Kids)," a kid-friendly entrance located adjacent to Gate B leading into the new Kids Concourse.  The right field area of the Big Concourse will be revamped with games, entertainment, Aramark concessions, and amenities.  Also in the Kids Concourse, the club will create "Wally's Clubhouse" from the 3rd through 7th innings in the Champions Club presented by ALEX AND ANI, below the Royal Rooters Club. 

Building on the success of last year's partnership between the Highland Street Foundation, the City of Boston, and the Red Sox, "Out of the Park" will return in 2015.  The free event for families at a city park emulates Fenway Park's Yawkey Way atmosphere while fans watch a Red Sox road game on a giant screen.  The date and park will be announced in the future.  

For young fans who wish to choose additional amenities, a paid membership will also be available. It includes an extra-early entrance into Fenway Park to watch batting practice, a youth-sized Red Sox jersey, a Red Sox player backpack, a discount at the Yawkey Way Store, and Kid Nation email newsletters. 

 "Gate K (for Kids)" will be an entrance dedicated to children and families near Gate B at the corner of Van Ness and Ipswich Streets.  The entrance leads to the Kids Concourse.  Kids Concourse A revamped Kids Concourse is a roomy area of the original Big Concourse behind the right field corner with new attractions for young fans, including a six-foot nine-inch-tall Wally bobblehead, an interactive video wall that allows first-time fans to take photos and electronically sign their name to the video wall, and a Kid Nation welcome station.  The festive area will feature a balloon artist, stilt walker, and face painter.  

The Kids Concourse will also be the new home for old ballpark favorites such as the historic bullpen cart used in the 60's and 70's, the Red Sox Mickey Mouse statue, and the Wally Bench. Aramark, the Fenway Park concessionaire, will create kid-themed offerings in the upper level of the Kids Concourse.  A $5 kids meal features a mini hot dog, cotton candy, and a small juice. Also, new souvenirs include a Wally ice-cream tray, cotton candy that comes with a novelty bat, and a glove-shaped tray with nachos or chicken fingers. 

Other affordable, bite-size menu items include mini pigs-in-a-blanket, corn dogs, fried Oreo mini churro bites, and fried apples. Healthy options include fruit cups with grapes, sliced apples, and chopped watermelon, depending on the season, along with string cheeses.  Aramark will also surprise kids at random with free ice cream during the season. 

 Wally's Clubhouse Inside the Kids Concourse is so much fun to visit.  My kids loved it last year.  It is open from the 3rd to the 7th inning.  Wally visits in the third inning, and children can participate in interactive games and activities such as "Simon Says" and "Red Light/Green Light."  

Boys and girls can also enjoy craft tables, a safe play area for toddlers with toys and a slide, a beanbag toss, video games, and a balloon artist and face painter.  Kids Crew Overseeing interaction with children in the Kids Concourse and Wally's Clubhouse will be the new Red Sox Kids Crew, a staff who greet kids as they enter Gate K, lead children in games, and provide families with assistance and information about kid-friendly activities. 

Kids can also play video games.

The key is this is FREE!  You are not paying extra to play these games unlike other parks where you need to buy tickets.

There was a Magician that Lauren really enjoyed.

There is even a Toddler Play Area.

So take your kids out to the ballgame!

As a part of the #RedSoxParents I look forward to sharing more cool ways the Red Sox are welcoming families to Fenway Park and hosting other cool events.

Come on Spring and Go Sox!

Disclosure:  I am part of the RedSoxParents program.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.