We all know Comic-Con is a mecca of nerdom and in recent years I’ve noticed a lot more of those nerds are bringing their families along for the adventure. Who hasn’t been stuck behind a stroller while walking the floor dressed as a Wookie? Or been sitting in Hall H next to a kid who would rather be napping than listening to Seth Rogan talk about his Sausage Party? My point is, there’s a lot of parents taking their kids to Comic-Con to baptize them in the glow of geekdom and it seems like studios and production companies are finally taking notice.
And SDCC has its own way of welcoming families with an incredibly generous child badge policy. Children age 12 and under are free with a paying adult! Children do not need to register for a Comic-Con Member ID to receive a complimentary badge. You may register two children (12 and under) per paid adult attendee. Adults will be required to provide emergency contact information for any child registrants age 12 and under. Please visit the Attendee Registration Area when you arrive on site for more information.
This year there are several family friendly options for parents who want to still enjoy Comic-Con but also want a place so their kids can play or learn. I’ve done some digging and found a few that sound cool. Since it looks like we are taking Chan to Comic-Con this year I’m sure you’ll see us at a few of these.
1. Children’s Book Council (CBC) Graphic Novel Committee Panels
The CBC and the Graphic Novel Committee are teaming up with the San Diego Public Library to present a day-long set of panels aimed at exploring the role comics play in promoting education and literacy for all ages. Library professionals and educators are invited to learn creative and exciting ways to incorporate comics and graphic novels into their work. This is mainly for librarians and educators, but parents who want to integrate comic book reading into their children’s education can also learn from panels like Developing an Essential Kids’ Graphic Novel Collection to how to handle comic book bans in school. Admission is free but reservations are required.
2. Sprout Channel Presents Kody Kapow
NBCU’s Sprout/Universal Kids is kicking their way to San Diego Comic-Con with an adventure for kids/families surrounding the launch of the new original adventure series, Kody Kapow. Sprout will take all attendees on a transformative journey to channel their inner superhero as the event is filled with high energy martial arts and immersive lesson-building experiences such as a dynamic kid-friendly interactive obstacle course, foam pit with sharable slow-motion video, video game to test focus and martial arts skills and more. This interactive experience is being held outside the convention center in Petco Park on Thurs-Sat 9am-5pm and 9am-5pm on Sunday. KODY KAPOW Premieres on Sprout on July 15 at 10am ET/7am PT.
3. Amazon Prime Video Tick experience
Amazon has created an immersive Tick experience that kids and grown-ups will enjoy. “Citizens” will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in world of The Tick at Amazon Prime Video’s Tick Takeover, a movie set level design experience positioned directly across from the San Diego Convention Center on MLK Promenade (on the corner of 1st and J streets). With fully built out buildings from “The City,” a twenty-foot tall animatronic Tick head, and “Easter eggs” harkening back to the show, The Tick Takeover is poised to give fans the journey of a lifetime. Additional details include a unique queueing experience, challenge-based scavenger hunt and the Amazon Prime Member Lounge. The Tick Takeover will be at the Corner of J Street and 1st.
4. Comic Con organizers also see the value of parents and family being able to attend the con. So they’ve partnered with Kiddiecorp, a full service childcare organization that offers high quality children’s programs and youth services to conventions, trade shows and special events. Their website says they have a long-time partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has helped to establish KiddieCorp as a premier provider of event children’s program services. They have arts and crafts, games, music and kids are encourages to come dressed in their favorite costumes. Kiddiecorp is for children ages 6 months to 12 years old. However the deadline for applying to this year’s Kiddiecorp was on June 20th. But remember you can apply every year so make sure you check the website before you make plans for next year.
5. Hasbro (Booth #3213)
If you have little ones, this is a booth that you can’t miss. Hasbro is once again returning to Comic-Con and bringing fun for your family with it. From sharing in the magic of friendship with MY LITTLE PONY to meeting some of the designers behind the iconic TRANSFORMERS brand, San Diego Comic Con attendees will have a chance to interact with their favorite Hasbro brands in new and engaging ways. Hasbro is releasing My Little Pony: The Movie on October 6th and to celebrate they will have an eight-foot tall statue of Songbird Serenade, a new character voiced by singer-songwriter Sia. Fans can also dive into Seaquestria with a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity or get “Ponified” at the Hasbro booth at special “Ponification Stations” where make-up artists will apply Cutie Marks and “ponified” hair and nails for fans of all ages. Amazing!
6. At booth #4133, Nickelodeon is offering three decades worth of fun for kids of all ages at the Nickelodeon booth. Fans can buy a Nick Box with one-of-a-kind collectibles from their favorite Nick shows. The booth will also feature a TMNT backdrop where fans can customize a customize t-shirt on the spot with characters and art from their choice of seven fan-favorite Nick shows: SpongeBob SquarePants, TMNT, Hey Arnold!, Rocko’s Modern Life, The Loud House, Rugrats and Danny Phantom.
Snoppy & Belle designs created by Christian Siriano
Snoopy & Belle designs by Betsey Johnson
7. Snoopy & Belle Fashion Show
If your little ones love Snoopy then you have to stop by the Snoopy & Belle Fashion Pop-up store! Dozens of the world’s most acclaimed apparel designers—including tokidoki’s Simone Legno—have created one-of-a-kind designs for Snoopy and his fashionista sister Belle for the “Snoopy & Belle In Fashion” traveling exhibit, debuting at a custom pop-up store in the Gaslamp district during San Diego Comic-Con 2017. The San Diego stop will feature a capsule collection of 26 dolls selected from the overall exhibit of more than 65 designs. The pop-up is open Thursday, July 20 – Sunday, July 23rd from 11-9pm at will be at 226 5th Avenue.
8. Stan Lee & Friends: A Celebrity Tribute to the Comic Legend
No nerd parent would be legit if they didn’t take time to introduce their kids to the legend that is Stan Lee. Legion M is hosting a special event in Convention Center Room 6DE (12:30 on Saturday) featuring Felicia Day, Adam Savage and Max Anderson (Stan Lee’s manager) for an intimate discussion about Lee’s life and career. During the panel, Legion M will premiere footage from their virtual reality project, ICONS: Face to Face. The project features trailblazers who have shaped the entertainment industry. Then you can grab lunch after and talk with your kids about the incredible influence Stan Lee has had on pop culture, the movie industry and the con itself.
9. Visit Artist Alley
The very essence and core of Comic Con are the comics. So why not take your little one on a stroll down artists alley to visit the creators of superheroes and creatures. You might stumble upon the next DC or Marvel in the making. Or even better, get a one-of-a-kind drawing of your child.
What kid (or adult) doesn’t love Nintendo? I practically grew up in front of a Nintendo console so it will always have a special place in my heart. The Nintendo Gaming Lounge inside the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina hotel ballroom will be a Nintendo paradise – perfect for taking amazing photos and playing some great games starring some of Nintendo’s most recognizable characters And you don’t to have an SDCC pass to enjoy the lounge. Since Splatoon 2 launches during San Diego Comic-Con this year (July 21), fans will be able to take part in some extra-fresh Splatoon 2 activities. Nintendo also always has an amazing booth inside the convention center and this year they’ll be featuring the new Nintendo Switch along with games like Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey, and Flip Wars.
11. Legendary Heroes Youth Art Show
If your kids have a knack for drawing then you’ll want to take them to the Youth Art Show. It features the work of artist from ages 4-17 at Ryan’s Coffee on Main Street. It’s held from 4pm-8pm on Friday July 21st. Check out this Facebook page for details.
12. Kong: Skull Island
Want to know more about Kong and Skull Island? You can really get to know him in this interactive experience behind the Omni Hotel on MLK Promenade. Universal and Legendary invite fans to visit a Monarch Containment Zone which houses the gigantic bones of Kong’s ancestors. The MonsterVerse will be alive and well as you enter the Lwi Temple to uncover ancient secrets of Skull Island, and maybe even have a close encounter with Kong himself. This one sounds like it’s going to be so much fun! It’s open Thursday through Sunday from 8:30am-7pm.
13. Turn your kid into a pinball wizard at the first ever SDCC Pinball Lounge! The lounge features a set of Star Wars–themed pinball machines, the Pinball Lounge will be open from Thursday, July 20 through Sunday, July 23 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Pacific Ballroom 14-16, in the convention facility adjacent to the North Tower. Maybe even enter the pinball tourney if you’re feeling it.
