TOP 5 MLB KIDS CLUBS

Baseball is getting back into the swing of things so it is time for the annual ageekdaddy.com ranking of my favorite MLB Kids Clubs this season. The pandemic has thrown a monkey wrench into the normal routine of many aspects of life, but Major League Baseball is coming back with an abbreviated season that will be soon be played in stadiums without fans. Joining the kids club for your favorite pro baseball team can be a fun way for young fans to stay connected with the sport during this unique season.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic there have been some changes to MLB kids clubs in 2020. Some teams like the St. Louis Cardinals have decided to cancel their kids club programs this year. Others like the Detroit Tigers are focusing on e-mail newsletters and providing their members with swag. Then there are teams like the San Francisco Giants that are putting more of a focus on providing summer baseball themed activities that entertain and educate children who are staying close to home due to the pandemic.

This dad blogger was somewhat disappointed that teams weren't incorporating more virtual meet and greets with players and coaches as well doing autograph and promotional item giveaways to make up for the cancelled live events and perks that are a big component for many of these kids club programs.  Also it would have been nice to have seen update their swag packs with children's sized masks sporting a team's logo or mascot on it. Especially because many of these kids club programs aren't free to join. That being said maybe some of the teams that haven't cancelled kids club will modify benefits now that their staffs are getting back to work and the 2020 season finally gets going.

With young fans not able to go to stadiums to watch games, kids clubs can be a great way for young fans to stay connected with their favorite team. Who doesn't get excited about getting a package full of fun stuff in the mail. Many of these kids clubs have some great gear that children can enjoy while watching a ball game on television or listening to a radio broadcast. Newsletters are also nice to let kids feel like they have an inside scoop on what is going on with players and team mascots.

I've researched all of this year's MLB Kids Club and compiled a list of five of my favorite ones for 2020. A Geek Daddy has selected these Kids Clubs based upon factors that include price/value, coolness/wow factor, originality, quality of materials/swag, and branding for the program. Ranked from fifth place to Number One we have:

5. DETROIT TIGERS

Many of the teams that are continuing to send out kids club swag packs with their memberships tend to have similar content this year. They tend to include a jersey or t-shirt, sling bag, and a pair of decorated socks. Our hometown team has one of the nicer looking of these swag packs, so the Detroit Tigers slipped into fifth place in this year's ranking of the top 5 MLB kids club programs.

4. SEATTLE MARINERS

The Mariners have one of the best FREE kids club deals that includes team newsletters and some fun swag for children to get. You normally need to pick up the swag at the ballpark during a game though and I don't see them mailing it out at no charge now. So that perk may have gone away. We'll give them a pass on that though because their $25 membership package is a good deal. It is full of cool items that help make it fun for young fans to cheer on the team from home as the Seattle Mariners play through the pandemic. What kid wouldn't like to add a Mariners ballcap, bobblehead and sunglasses into their summer fun!

3. MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Speaking of fun stuff to enjoy while cheering on a team from home, the Brewers Kids Crew has some great swag with that in mind. It included headphones for listening to a game being streamed online or broadcast on the radio. A wall flag for decorating a bedroom is sure to be a hit! Plus a t-shirt to show your team pride is included as well. This is a swag pack that is sure to delight young Brewers fans!

2. CINCINNATI REDS

The Reds Heads are consistently included in this annual ranking because they have an emphasis on affordability, quality and wow factor when it comes to Cincinnati's kids club. This year is no different with its swag pack that includes a backpack, bobblehead, collectible trading pins, and jersey.

1. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Instead of having a focus on swag, the Giants are providing FREE virtual experiences for young fans. Their Junior Giants at Home program provides kids with a no cost online summer camp experience where AmeriCorps ambassadors provide online age specific baseball skills training sessions that also include video tutorials and messsages from team manager Gabe Kapler and his coaching staff. Also included are segments on character development and bullying prevention.

The San Francisco Giants also are promoting a variety of activities on their website to promote summer learning from home. They are heavily promoting Major League Baseball's summer slugger program, a baseball themed digital education course that is free to families aimed to help elementary school aged children who may be lagging behind because of pandemic related school cancellations. The Giants also have their own free geometry learning session for teens easily accessible on their team website. Plus the team's kids section is chock full of entertaining activity sheets that include trivia, puzzles, games and coloring pages which are free to download.

While I still HATE the Giants for beating the Tigers in the 2012 World Series. Yes I hold a grudge! The team has absolutely earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for their Junior Giants at Home efforts! They are putting other teams to shame in how they're interacting with kids during this public health crisis.

I wanted to give an honorable mention to one other team that like the Giants is focusing their kids club this year on educational efforts. The San Diego Padres have a wonderful resource center of summer activities and educational learning opportunities on their website that is updated weekly. Whether or not your local team is promoting it, I highly recommend parents with 8 - 11 year old kids at home check out the MLB Summer Slugger program to help avoid the summer slide and reinforce some lessons that might not have been as focused on as they should have with the pandemic school closings.

There you have it, my 2020 listing of the Top 5 Kids Clubs sponsored by Major League Baseball teams. Now it is time to play ball! Enjoy the season everyone!

Top 5 Kids Clubs in Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is back in the full swing of things for another season so that means it is time for A Geek Daddy's annual look at the best "Kids Clubs" that teams have to offer this year.  Of the 30 MLB teams, 25 have programs to encourage children to become fans of the team and develop an interest in the sport of baseball.  The programs vary from team to team in both the price charged to participate (ranging from FREE to $50+) and the benefits provided.  They can include perks such as team apparel and branded merchandise, special experiences at the ballpark, and a kids focused team newsletter among other things.  Some of the Kids Clubs are really nice and are legitimately aimed to enhance the fan experience and a child's enjoyment of the game.  Other programs aren't much of a value and seem to be run as just another way to try to get a few more bucks out of a fans' wallets.

I personally like the Kids Club concept as a way for fan dads and moms to share a passion for their favorite MLB team with sons and daughters in a fun way.  Also as every parent knows, children are often more interested in exploring a stadium, snacking on junk food, and getting a souvenir compared to watching a game during a family outing to the ballpark.  A Kids Club membership can provide a great memento from attending a game that won't bust your bank account.  In some cases these programs even make a visit to see a team play live at their stadium affordable when it might not otherwise have been for a family.

A Geek Daddy has taken a look at each of the current programs offered by MLB teams and ranked the Top 5 KID CLUBS for 2017 in my opinion based upon these factors -  price/value, coolness/wow factor, originality, quality of materials/swag, special events, and branding for the program.  So going from fifth place to the best we have:

5.  Houston Astros  -- Buddies Kids Club $25

The Astros are one of the hottest teams in baseball staring off the 2017 season and they also have one of the more impressive Kids Clubs in the American League.  As you'll notice the National League dominates the rest of our list.  Sponsored by Coca Cola, Houston's program has a combination of perks that will help get kids to the ballpark to watch a game, exclusive benefits when they get there and some cool swag to take home with them all for a family budget friendly price tag.

Each Astro Buddy receives four complimentary game tickets.  Plus once they are at Minute Maid Park they can participate in exclusive opportunities such as player autograph signings, batting practice viewings, pregame parades, baseball clinics, and get first access on the field to kids run the bases.  They're also invited to a special behind-the-scenes day event.  Membership in the Astros Buddies Kids Club includes a branded backpack, baseball cap, membership card, lanyard, and socks.

4. New York Met -- Mr. Met's Kids Club $33

With the inflated prices of living in the Big Apple, Mets fans can get a good deal with this Kids Club for youth under the age of 14.  The package includes four promenade outfield outfield seats redeemable for select games throughout the season plus four complimentary tickets to see the Met's minor league affiliate the Brooklyn Cyclones play at their stadium located next to the Coney Island board walk.  Plus every time a Kids Club member attends a game at Citi Field and checks in at the Mr. Met Kiosk they can earn prizes throughout the season including an autographed player card and a Mr. Met's Kids Club baseball cap.

A really nice aspect of the program, is every member is provided an opportunity to submit a score board message that can be displayed on the Citi Field scoreboard while they are attending a Met's game for FREE as part of their membership.  Plus they get fast access to the Mr. Met Dash that takes place on the field after Sunday games by showing their membership card.  To help members cheer on the team while the Met's are playing, the Kids Club also has a membership kit designed to bring along to the game with them.  It includes a draw string backpack, inflatable thunder sticks, a silicon wrist band, a book mark, a squishy miniature baseball, and a membership card on a Mets branded lanyard.

3.  St. Louis Cardinals -- Cardinals Kids Club  $30

The St. Louis Cardinals always do an outstanding job with their Kids Club program and this year is no different.  In addition to a pair of tickets to attend a Cardinal's home game it offers many of the same things as the other programs we've referenced including first-in-line access for Kids Run the Bases and a free Pitch Speed session at Busch Stadium's Family Pavilion.  Where the team really stands out though is the incredible Members-Only Autograph Party they throw at the stadium.  Plus once again the Cardinal's are providing some of the nicest branded merchandise in Major League Baseball in their membership packs.  Members receive a Fredbird mascot action figure toy, a duffel bag, baseball cap, lapel pin, and membership card with lanyard.

2. Cincinnati Reds -- Reds Heads  $30

The Reds have one of the best Kids Club programs in Major League baseball and have fallen somewhere on our list every year because of the originality of their efforts, the uniqueness and quality of their branding and the really great swag they include in their membership packs.  This year is they continue to provide great deals for their members. In addition to providing 2 free tickets to attend a Reds game they also encourage members to go to attractions such as Newport Aquarium, the city's Museum Center and the Cincinnati Zoo with special Kids Club offers.  While at the ballpark, members also have special access to ballpark experiences like player autograph sessions and chance to take the field.  Plus they get priority placement in line for the postgame Run the Bases.

The Reds always make an effort to provide their members with top-notch swag and that tradition continues with this year's assortment of items inside their membership pack.  Reds Heads receive a really nice jersey, a quality backpack, an exclusive bobblehead of the club mascot, an authentic Kids Club branded baseball, an activity book and a membership card along with a lanyard to display it.

This year the Reds have also introduced a new program for parents to share their love of the team with newborns called the Rookie Club.  Red's Rookies receive a hooded towel, gapper plus cuddle-up, a baby fan club branded picture frame and a diaper bag tag.  Plus parents can take baby to his or her first Reds game with the included 2 tickets for mom and dad (of course babies always have free admission) to attend one of the select home games which also include the family joining in on the field for a Reds Rookies parade.  The program also includes access to a parent/baby photo session with a Reds player and mascot.  Joining the Reds Rookie Club is just $20 dollars.

1. Arizona Diamondbacks -- D-backs Kids Club  FREE

The Diamondbacks have gotten off to one of the hottest starts this baseball season and really want fans to come out to cheer on the team as they compete for a playoff berth.  Children who are registered with Arizona's Kids Club can show their membership card each time they attend a game at Chase Field to receive prizes that range from a D-backs hat to a spot in their baseball academy camp.

Thinking this isn't that great of deal because you still need to buy tickets to go to the game?  Guess what! Kids Club members get FREE tickets for every Sunday home game!  So by signing up for a FREE program your child gets complimentary tickets and gifts from the Arizona Diamondback throughout the season. Plus members get VIP front of the line access to Kids Run the Bases after games as well.

Another plus for this program is that the Diamondbacks have teamed up with Delta Dental of Arizona to utilize the Kids Club to bring awareness to young fans about the dangers of spit tobacco.  So in addition to promoting the team and the game of baseball, the D-Backs Kids Club is also encouraging healthy living.  D-backs players and the team's bobcat mascot, D. Baxter, provide informative presentations and materials to Kids Club members to get this message across in a campaign called the NO CHEW CREW.  Plus there are rewards for the members who make a NO CHEW PLEDGE.

A tip of the cap to the D-back for a job well done with your Kids Club this year.  Good luck on your efforts to win a World Series title in 2017 to go along with your Kids Club top ranking from A Geek Daddy!

Cheering on your favorite sporting team can be a great bonding experience for parents and kids plus a fun way to spend time together as a family.  MLB Kids Clubs can be a nice way to introduce your children to the team you cheer for and encourage them to join you as a fan.  What team are you rooting for this year?

Of course we've only highlighted a handful of the Kids Clubs that are available to join.  Check out your favorite team's website and see if you like what they have to offer.  Unfortunately, the Tigers didn't make our list this year but we'll still be cheering them on while enjoying the baseball season.