Kid-Friendly Activities to Celebrate the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit

The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching at the end of April. Downtown Detroit is already starting to build the stage and feature fun events throughout the month. Football fans throughout the country saw how much spirit Detroit Lions fans have, and the Motor City is excited to host this annual event for the first time ever.

We’ve put together a list of tips for families when they’re having fun at the NFL Draft events and activities. We’ve also found other activities that you and your family can check out in other metro Detroit areas if you’re not attending the actual draft.

This article was published on April 10, 2024 by Metro Parent’s audience development coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The post included her research and fact-checking expertise to provide the best information on things for families to do to celebrate the 2024 NFL Draft, aligning with Metro Parent’s mission to provide the top parenting resources for local families. Questions? Please reach out to kari@metrooparent.com.

Quick details about the 2024 NFL Draft

• Address: Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit
• Cost: Free; adults must register with NFL OnePass
• Hours: Noon-10 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, April 25-27, 2024
• Getting there: If you’re coming from DTW, take 1-94 East. If you’re coming from northern Oakland County, take 1-75 South. If you’re coming from southern Oakland County, take I-696 East and M-10 South. If you’re coming from Macomb County, take 1-94 West and then I-75 South. If you’re coming from Ann Arbor, take M-14 East or 1-94 East. If you’re coming from the downriver area or Toledo, take I-75 N.

The NFL Draft Experience

• Round 1 will be at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. Rounds 2-3 will be at 7 p.m. Friday, April 26. Rounds 4-7 will be at noon Saturday, April 27.
• Attractions include the Draft Stage, Look Like a Pro, Autograph Stage, Taste of Detroit, Bud Light Backyard Bar, Pepsi Team Helmets, Invisalign NFL Draft Photo Frames, NFL Locker Room, Super Bowl Rings, The Vince Lombardi Trophy and NFL Shop presented by Visa.
• Games include 40-Yard Dash, Hail Mary and Vertical Jump.
• Corner Ballpark will include kid-friendly activities such as Field Goal Challenge, Gear Up and Go and Play Football Field. There will also be food trucks there – Da Bomb Taco Truck, Grobbel Food Truck, Curt Got Crabs, Chicken on a Stick and Aj Authentic Jamaican. The hours for Corner Ballpark are 3-10 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.

Tips for attending the 2024 NFL Draft with kids

• Strollers are permitted but will be screened by x-ray and physically inspected. All items must be removed from the stroller at security to do so.
• Reusable water bottles are allowed but must be empty at entry.
• Small cameras and binoculars are allowed, however, professional-grade cameras and recording equipment are not (unless you have been permitted beforehand).
• There is a clear bag policy and bags should not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Small bags will be checked. Large bags can be put in lockers, but there is no guarantee since they’re on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Check out the street closure map before the draft to determine which roads to avoid.
• If you’re looking to do public transportation, take your family on the People Mover, the QLine or the bus. You can also rent scooters or MoGo bikes, located throughout the city.

Other kid-friendly NFL Draft events and activities

• The On The Clock Tour is coming to an end. The portable countdown clock will be at Lasky Recreation Center from 1-5 p.m. April 13 and at the Detroit Zoo from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 20. Stop by to take a picture with the clock and take home some free goodies, including an NFL draft necklace, Detroit stickers and a Detroit-themed coloring page.
• Check out the unique art installation project, DCLEATED, in which local artists designed life-sized football All cleats are located around the city of Detroit and will be auctioned off after the draft. Some of the locations include Huntington Place, DMC Children’s Hospital, Capitol Park and Ford Field.
• The Detroit Public Libraries will be hosting kid-friendly events to celebrate. Check out NFL Draft Week Football Activities at the Main Branch April 26-27 and Detroit Lions Day at the Library! at Redford Branch April 27.

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