Taking your kids to a Kane County Cougars baseball game is a great way to kick off summer family activities and is the perfect family activity over summer break! These are the best 10 Reasons To Take Your Kids to A Minor League Baseball Game this summer and attend a Minor League baseball game with the family.

this post is sponsored by the Kane County Cougars

Can you believe summer is officially a few weeks away? Trust me, as a homeeducator, I am counting down the days (and so are my daughters). We are all dreaming of slow mornings, sunny afternoons at the pool, roasting marshmallows at dusk and tackling our family summer bucket list with all the fun summer activities my children have been asking to do all year long.

Over Memorial Day weekend we jumped right into our family summer bucket list of family fun activities. Our first official summer activity as a family was one of our favorite activities. We all attended a Kane County Cougars Minor League Baseball Game in the suburbs of Chicago. The Kane County Cougars winning team creates great excitement in my community in Chicagoland. 

Kane County Cougars Baseball Game

A Must Add to the Family Summer Bucket List

The famous quote, "If you build it, he will come!", from the movie "Field of Dreams", is used repeatedly in professional baseball. But what does it really mean? I personally think it can mean if something is there, people will be attracted to it. Right? Sometimes families just need a place to go and have an opportunity to do something everyone loves. And everyone loves baseball!

The perfect place to go is the Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva, Illinois. NWF is home to the Kane County Cougars, a Class A minor league baseball team; an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the only MLB-affiliated minor league team in the Chicagoland area. Northwestern Medicine Field wasn’t just built, but has been around for almost 25 years and families do come and enjoy Northwestern Medicine Field. In fact, attending a Minor League baseball game is one of the best family activities during the summer here in the Chicagoland area.

Why do fans attend Minor League Baseball Games? 

Here are 10 Reasons To Take Your Kids to A Minor League Baseball Game this summer

< | DON'T FORGET TO PIN THIS FOR #KCCOUGAR BASEBALL PLANNING ! >

The most obvious reason is because we adore the Kane County Cougars, so I am not even going to add this in my list of 10 Reasons To Take Your Kids to A Minor League Baseball Game. Did you know that over 150 former Kane County Cougars team members reached the Major Leagues? The close environment of the 25 Kane County Cougars team players enables everyone to have the best experience.

BUDGET FRIENDLY TICKETS

The available seats at NWF are: Lawn, Reserved, Box Seats and Strike Zone Premier Seats. On the day of the baseball game, tickets are priced at $5, $5, $15 and $19.75, respectively. Tickets can be purchaesd online in advance or at the gate. There is also the option to purchase FULL or PARTIAL season ticket packages. A full season (which is 70 games) can be purchased or packages of 5 game, 10 game and 20 games are available. Each package provides great flexibility and benefits for single ticket and family ticket purchases.

TIP: Partial season ticket packages make great gifts! 

Cougars Baseball is more fun in groups!

In addition to these budget friendly ticket prices, there are Party Suites, Super Suites, Outdoor Rooftop Deck(s) Seats, and Outfield Deck(s) seats. These suite and deck options are available for rental for group outings only. These areas are perfect for family reunions, employee parties, client celebrations, summer camps, youth group outings, scout troop outings, etc.

Parking cost $10 for general parking and $15 for preferred parking.

TIP: Purchase parking passes ahead of time

LOCATION

Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva, Illinois is in the far western suburbs of Chicago and is easily assessible. NMF provide local residents with a unique venue to enjoy 365 days a year with year round rental space far beyond the Kane County Cougars minor league baseball season’s end.

The NMF stadium allows fans to hear and see everything. Every seat in NMF is super close to the field. All fans have a really great view of the field and can watch the game without binoculars. There is new protective netting in place providing peace of mind for families with children. 

KANE COUNTY COUGAR FREEBIES

The Kane County Cougars host numerous on-field promotions each week. There are so many amazing sponsors who host these promotions, you really have to attend games to benefit! There are FREE t-shirts, bobbleheads, and happy birthday singing. Also, my family LOVES the on-field contests and games. THEY ARE HILARIOUS! Sunday Fundays are the day to lineup and get your favorite team autograph and meet the players and take photos. There are also various raffles to participate and coupons to pick up at the end of the night.

TIP: Sign up for FREE ticket on your birthday

Follow the Cougars on all their social media channels for access to exclusive contests, promotions, special offers and discounts.

KANE COUNTY COUGARS SOCIAL MEDIA CLUBHOUSE: | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |

KIDS ZONE

The KIDS ZONE play area is located past the right field group areas. So when you children need to run around a bit, just walk over to the KIDS ZONE. My children have loved the KIDS ZONE for over a decade now. I still have some crafts they created there from years ago!  This KIDS ZONE area has an inflatable bounce house and inflatable obstacle course, an inflatable slide and two moon walks. There is a small swingset area for toddlers and younger children. Children can also try their hand at speed pitch, t-ball and soccer kick as well as basketball and skeeball.

ENTERTAINMENT and FIREWORKS

The Kane County Cougars Ball Park is always bustling with activity! Beginning June 15th, the Ballpark Concert Series begins. The first concert series lineup features a Beatles Tribute Band and your game ticket includes admission tothe concert! All pre-game concerts take place in the Music Garden and begin at 4:45 pm. This year there will be EIGHT Ballpark Concerts.

Fireworks show are post-game for every Friday and Saturday evening home game, weather permitting. There may also be a few fireworks surprises throughout home games to enjoy.

On Special Theme Nights, the Kane County Cougars host special appearances by all the most beloved characters. We attended a baseball game with Pokemon and friends in attendance and Charmander chased my daughter. It was hilarious!

In addition to favorite character visits, like Don & Leo from Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, there will be visits from the Jesse White Tumblers, Tyler's Amazing Balancing Act and there are always photo opportunities with Ozzie and Annie.

PROMOTIONS and PACKAGES

The Kane County Cougars team have come up with some really fun and unique themed days and nights throughout the KCC season! There is so much FREE FUN to be had at a #KCCCougars game! Don’t worry about your kids not having enough to entertain them! They won’t know where to begin to have fun first! Plan to watch a Kane County Cougars game with your family kids and be sure to visit on a Sunday so you can take advantage of all of the fun available on Sunday Fundays & Kids Eat Free!

Another great day to see a KKC game is on Friday evenings. A great way to kick off the weekend with the Family Four-Packs which include four reserved tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a bag of peanuts, all for $39. 

In addition to these two awesome days to visit, there is so much FREE fun in and around the arena. Balloon artists, magicians and face painters are at various spots to entertain the little people.

After home games, children can run the bases after the game (As long as the weather permits). My children have run the bases at Kane County Cougars a few times and it is always one of the highlights of the evening.

Weekly Specials at Kane County Cougars Games

Micros Mondays & $5 Monday

All premium and craft beers are half-price. Reserved and lawn tickets can be purchased for $5.

Taco Tuesdays

Tacos and margaritas are half-price on Tuesdays

Half-Price hump Day

Hal price specials on tickets and concessions

Thirsty Thursday

$1 select beers, small sodas and hot dogs

Family Four-Pack Fireworks Friday

Family Four-Packs include four reserved tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a bag of peanuts for $39

Saturday Suds

1 reserved ticket and 2 20 oz. domestic beers or 1 all you can drink soda in a 32 oz. cup for $17

Sunday Funday & Kids Eat Free

Kids Eat Free on Sunday Funday and discounts in the KidZone

Finally, in addition to all these amazing specials that run through the entire KCC season, there are weekly promotions for families who arrive when the gates opens. The FIRST 1500 children will receive a FREE pass to local activites from KCC sponsors. Check online to find out if the Family Four-Pack Fireworks Friday game you are attending has a PROMOTION scheduled before heading to the ball park.

DELICIOUS FOOD

The food is excellent at Northwestern Medicine Field.  There are six concession areas in the NMF ballpark, so you never have to go walk to locate one.  The Cougars have a such wide variety of great food options available, even a taco cart!

The concession stands have a wide variety of the usual ballpark selections such as pulled pork sandwichs, chicken tenders and fries, cheeseburger, hamburger, veggie burger, corn dog and fries, bratwurst or pizza slice and of course, hot dogs. There is also mac-n-cheese cone and snacks such as nachos grande, cheese fries, soft pretzel, popcorn and ALL THE peanuts! There are refreshing treats like lemon chill and dove bars, ice cream, dip-n-dots and cookie ice cream sandwiches.  Affy Apples and churros too!

Fountain drinks are Pepsi products. There are premium draft beer options and domestic draft beer options. Bottle water is also available for purchase. The best feature according to my husband is the Cougars Craft Beer Cave. This tent is a restaurant-style walk-in cooler with about 50 ++ different craft beers.  

Wannemaker’s Grill has a great variety of grilled meats and sandwiches like BBQ Pork Chop, Rib eye sandwich, Italian sausage, an Italian combo, BBQ pork and Italian beef. Fontanini Sausage Cart even has a Chicken Casear Salad. The Gluten Free Grill offeres fabulous options such as GF hot dog, Chicken and Hummus Wrap or a GF Chicken Sandwich.

THEMED NIGHTS

Military Appreciation Night: June 6

Welcoming all Military personnel for a night of appreciation.

Anchorman Night: June 13

Channel 4 news team will commemorate the 2004 movie. The first 1500 fans in the gate and receive a Ron Burgundy Bobblehead.

Nickelodeon Night featuring the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: June 14

Wear a mask and head out to Northwestern Medicine Field. Meet and Greet Don & Leo from Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They will be walking the concourse and visiting Kidzone throughout the evening

The Office Night: June 27

Everyone's favorite TV show is back and on Thirsty Thursday! Bobblehead giveaway to the first 1500 fans

Animation Celebration: June 28

A night in celebration of some of Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks best films.

COMMUNITY

In 2013 the Kane County Cougars became the first Class A team to attract 10 million fans! The Kane County Cougars are your community. The Kane County Cougars Minor League baseball games will feature your children participating in the Cougars Reading Club, your Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and American Heritage Girls Troop. You will hear your children singing the National Anthem and you will see your children, teachers, local police officers or husband throwing out the first pitch.

The local Minor League Baseball Games hosted at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva, Illinois by the Kane County Cougars are not just baseball games. They are community gatherings. #KCCougars love their community and all their fans and it shows at every game they host!

CUSTOMER SERVICE

All of these wonderful aspects wouldn’t be able to occur if the Kane County Cougars didn’t have the best Customer Service in place. "If you build it, they will come!"

Fans attend Kane County Cougar Minor League Baseball games for the amazing community, the delicious food, the awesome themed nights, the between inning promotions, gate giveaways and sponsored promotions that keep fans entertained. The excitement and pleasure of a Minor League Baseball Game comes from the convenient location, budget friendly ticket prices, and the potential to watch a future Major Leaguer in action.

#YourCougars create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for all their fans by hosting diverse entertainment, freebies, games and various activities. You might even be able to catch a 100+ mph fastball if you sit in the right seat. If you need anything, there will be a customer service representative to answer any questions or help you with all your queries.

PROMO CODE for Kane County Cougars Tickets

SIMPLY USE THE ONLINE PROMO CODE: TIARAS

Skip The Line By Ordering Your Tickets Online



BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-FREE for reserved seat or lawn seat ticket at regular price. When ordering online, use promo code: TIARAS. Good for the 2019 regular season game. Limited to 10 tickets per transaction. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling the box office at 630-232-8811 or by visiting the Ticket Office located at Northwestern Medicine Field. The Ticket Office is currently open Monday-Friday from 9 AM until 5 PM.

The season has begun

Get out there and cheer on #YOURCOUGARS

Disclosure: images used with permission from the Kane County Cougars.