About Padres KidsFest

Sunday home games for the Padres are always day games which makes them inherently more kid friendly, but Petco Park also turns into KidsFest where they bring kids games, face painting, balloon animals, mini games, and more to the stadium. It is the perfect time to a game with your little ones as all of Gallagher Square is transformed into a kid friendly romp fest. You can buy seat tickets (for day games stick to the third base line for shade), but if it is not too hot that day your best bet is to buy standing room tickets, show up early, and set up a blanket for a picnic on the hill in Gallagher Square. The kids can run around in the square where all the KidsFest action is while you watch the game either on the jumbo screen or peaking out over the Toyota Beach area. You are allowed to bring your own food but you are not allowed to bring bags unless they are for the kids – this is the workaround – pack it all into diaper bags even if your kid is 8.

Access to Gallagher Square starts two hours prior to the first pitch and that is the best time to do the KidsFest activities. Just remember, if you are getting standing room seats and posting up in Gallagher Square it can get hot, especially in the summer months. See our guide to standing room tickets at Padres games.

Things to do during KidsFest in Gallagher Square:

1. Play baseball at the Mini Diamond (open until seventh inning)

2. Play on the Nuna playground/jungle gym (open all game, first come first serve, show up early because there is usually a wait list)

3. Kids Run the Bases (line up at the end of the 7th inning, kids run the bases on the main field after the game ends)

4. Slide down the slides near the Mini Diamond

5. Get your face painted

6. Get a balloon sword and hit your parents with it (and hit strangers, and cry when it inevitably pops)

7. Jump in the bouncy houses, play basketball, practice pitching in Gallagher Square

8. Get Grand Ole BBQ and a beer on the Tony Gwynn Terrace (good view of the game from there)

Best Parts

  • Bring a picnic setup and watch the game from Picnic Hill
  • Parents sneak away to watch part of the game from the Tony Gwynn Terrace
  • Early start = early bedtime for the children

Behind The Counter

Gallagher Square’s renovation cost $20 million, funded by the Padres organization. It was completed in 2024.

Map

As Seen In

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