Chicago White Sox Cater to Kids Everyday of the Season with Kids Day

Baseball parks across the country cleverly cater to children with everything from sugary candies and drinks to colorful, creative souvenirs and whimsical images dancing across scoreboards. At U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, however, the White Sox go one step further by dedicating several games per season entirely to their youngest fanatics. Kids Days at the south side ballpark occur about 6 to 7 times a year and normally take place before, during and after Sunday afternoon games.

Even before the park opens, kids are treated to inflated bouncy houses and slides located at gates 4 and 5 outside of the friendly confines. Then, from 11:45 am to 12:15 pm, kids 13 and under are given the opportunity to obtain autographs and photographs of their favorite players. At several points along the infield, young fans can line up to meet and greet their baseball heroes.

Next, youngsters and their parents are invited to march along the outer track of the baseball field in a unique pre-game parade. During the game, the fun continues along the roomy concrete concourse where magicians perform amusing tricks, silly clowns create balloon creatures, animals and hats and caricature artists replicate adorable young faces.

When Kids Days fall on special occasions or holidays like Easter, for example, activities reflect the situation. On Easter Sunday, an egg hunt takes place and on Mother's Day, craft tables are set up on the outfield concourse so that children can make one of a kind cards for mom with paints, glitter, glue and markers provided by the park.

Finally, at the conclusion of the game, weather permitting, kids are allowed to enter the ball field and run the bases, just like their favorite major leaguers!