Port Charlotte Spring Training

For a lot of young boys, the ballpark is a magical place. There is so much to do and see and very little has to do with actually watching a game on the field. But since the game is often secondary to the rest of the ballpark experience, it can often be hard to get keep them interested for a full nine innings. Some stadiums, like Charlotte Sports Park, the spring training home of the Tampa Rays in Port Charlotte, offer special play areas for kids. This playground, built by Landscape Structures, offers kids a variety of activities to keep them learning while they play!

Landscape Structures is partnered with University of Minnesota’s Institute of Childhood Development to research how PLAY helps develop the whole child by creating leaders, encourage collaboration, and teaching about the values of persistence and problem-solving. Playgrounds are a place for play and learning, and children can learn how to lead, work together, and be social. These playgrounds benefit people of all ages and abilities.

At our local Landscape Structures playground, my son served up imaginary hot dogs and popcorn during the 7th inning stretch.

He ran, jumped, and climbed. He made friends with other children who were happy to spend a day at the ballpark.

If you want to have your children be inspired while they play, visit shapedbyplay.com. Learn more from this video which celebrates the future as kids play and develop skills that will shape them as adults.

And when they get tired of climbing around, here is a fun ballpark bingo game they can play with up to four of their friends or siblings. Not only will it give them an activity to do, it will give them an incentive to watch the action on the field which will let you enjoy the game as well.