Just because the temperature is dropping doesn’t mean there aren’t fantastic sporting events going on all over the city. With multiple football, basketball and hockey teams, along with a number of colleges with athletic programs, New York City offers a myriad of games to attend with the whole family. Teams will often schedule special promotions in hopes that kids and families will visit, so we found the best games for the whole family to attend over the next few months.
New York Islanders
To celebrate the new Star Wars movie premiering in December, the Islanders are giving a Star Wars beanie hat to the first 10,000 guests at their game on December 13 against the Washington Capitals. Get there early so everyone can get one! The Brooklyn-based team also has two kid-friendly promotions in January. First, the first 10,000 guests at the game against the Florida Panthers on January 11 will receive a figurine and playing card of star forward John Tavares. Finally, the first 3,000 kids at the January 21 game against the Los Angeles Kings will receive a bobble head of Sparky the Dragon, the Islanders mascot.
New Jersey Devils
Bobble head fans will want to visit the Prudential Center on December 22, when the team will give away a collectible of team captain Andy Greene before their game against the Philadelphia Flyers. See some of the NHL’s young talent like Taylor Hall just over the Hudson River!
Brooklyn Nets
On January 8, just in time for kids to return to school, the Nets are giving away team lunch boxes to the first 3,000 kids in attendance before their game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Just a week later, on January 15, the Nets will again go the bobble head route with one of their new star point guard and former New York Knicks star Jeremy Lin. Selected kids at all Nets home games get to welcome players to the court on a high-five line too!
Long Island Nets and Westchester Knicks
Part of the NBA Development League, these teams are just outside the city but offer great basketball at a less expensive price, and the players are much more accessible. You get a chance to see the next stars of the NBA up close. The Long Island Nets, which often feature Brooklyn Nets’ first round draft pick Chris McCullough, promise autograph signings with at least two of the team’s players after every game. The Knicks D-League team in Westchester will have two promotions that your kids will love. Be there on January 7 – it’s Princess and Pirates Night, where kids are encouraged to dress up as their favorite princess or pirate for the game. The team will don special uniforms for that game which will be auctioned off to raise money for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.
Keep an eye on your favorite team’s schedule, as they will often announce special giveaways and promotions a few days before a game. Whether your kids love monster slam dunks or wicked slap shots, make sure you catch the best kid’s promotions this winter.
