Family Fun at TCU

Is there anything better than a fall football game at TCU? What a fantastic way to spend a Saturday.

When we were younger and without children it was all about the tailgating. Friends, food and drink before, after and perhaps occasionally during the game (don’t judge). Things changed though when we started having children. For some reason our kids didn’t love hanging out with our friends, eating 7 layer dip and knocking back some cold ones. Fortunately, TCU has made it very simple for the whole family to enjoy those pre-game hours together.

At every home game, starting three hours before kick-off, there is a huge Fan Fest taking place on the East side of Amon G. Carter Stadium. Frog Garden on the Kelly Center lawn features, inflatables, face painting, and crafts for the kiddos, and live music, beer and wine, a huge Go Vision board with other games from around the country as well as Rudy’s BBQ.

TCU vs WVU football in Fort Worth, Texas on October 7, 2017. (Photo by/Ellman Photography)

Frog Alley (in front of Schollmaier Arena this year) has vendors with games where you can win prizes like food coupons, t-shirts, towels and more. There’s also usually some live music happening over there too, as well as some food trucks. Two and a half hours before kick-off, the entire TCU football team and coaching staff do the Frog Walk through Frog Alley. This is a great opportunity to get to see the players and coaches up close. You might even get a high-five from Coach P. Then, 45 minutes before kick-off The TCU Marching Band will do a quick performance before heading into the stadium.

Photo courtesy of TCU Athletics

Fifteen minutes prior to kick-off, your kids can do something very unique in the world of college sports. They can be a Bleacher Creature and run the field. Every child who wants to be a Bleacher Creature is welcome to join the crowd at the Southeast stairwell where they will be given a purple jersey and run onto the field ahead of the team. We don’t know of any other program that does something like this for the young fans. It’s an amazing tradition that every kid can be a part of.

TCU vs WVU football in Fort Worth, Texas on October 7, 2017. (Photo by/Ellman Photography)

There’s fun to be had for adults too. If you download the Riff-Ram App, you will have the opportunity to purchase Game Day Experiences that give you access to some behind the scenes activities. For example, you can walk the field before the game or at halftime, you can get a picture with the TCU Showgirls, blow the Frog Horn, do the Frog Walk with the team, sit in the radio booth for a quarter or attend the postgame press conference. These experiences are all very affordable and grant you otherwise unattainable access to the team and stadium.

In fact, everything about a TCU football game is pretty darn affordable. From very reasonable ticket and concession prices, to free remote parking and shuttle service, there aren’t many other places an entire family can have a fun-filled day for a comparable outlay.

If you don’t have Saturday plans already, come on out to the best spot in town and we will likely see you there.