Learn from your kids!

Let your kids help your ballparks (and other businesses) be more successful.

Having children changed what I do, where I go and my perception of everything. When my 3 boys were all under the age of 4, "Parents with Toddlers" parking was the greatest thing I ever encountered.

Here are some things that I have learned by being a mom and ideas to go along with them.

• The Dum Dum lollipop is like gold. 
• Parking.....for strollers. If you can't guarantee that everyone with small kids can park close then supply a spot to safely abandon strollers. Valet park and label them. 
• Small children cannot make it through 9 innings. Create a fun reason for kids to get out of their seats in the 3rd inning. Do the limbo, hula hoops or duck duck goose with your mascot. 
• Kids love to make art and want parents to display it. Have coloring pages and an art station at the ballpark OR email coloring pages. Use your mascots, logos, even upcoming promotional images. Kids will color, craft and parents will display the art in their homes. 
• My kids love when they know something that I don’t. Create a secret handshake for your kids club. 
• Bathrooms: I went to Legoland and each stall was wrapped with a different lego character. Their sinks were lower. If you can’t do that, supply stools. Lastly, make sure you clean your changing tables!!!! 
• Create places and reasons for parents to take photos of & with their kids. My kids are constantly looking back at pictures and asking to repeat fun activities. 
• Create a reason for your fans to exit through your store if possible put a mascot in there post game. This is the final chance for a purchase and parents are used to this. I can’t get out of the grocery store without mints from the checkout. 
• Kids love to celebrate and make a big deal about things. Be the coolest place to celebrate a birthday even if their party isn’t there. Have a button or balloon or special opportunity to meet a mascot. Celebrate first games, lost teeth, A’s in school……just celebrate. It’s fun!!

The most important thing to understand about kids is they love being kids. The world hasn’t made them skeptical. Give them something to believe in. Create ballpark magic, traditions, deliver excitement, and have fun. They are natural fans. When you do this you capture a new fan for life and their parents too if you hadn’t captured them already.