The last thing I need is more stuff. And when my birthday rolled around this month and my husband asked me what I wanted, I told him I wanted to go to a Carolina Mudcats game.

We'd been before, but never with my four-year-old. She's a huge sports fan and I knew she'd love it. Hubby splurged on the $9 tickets so we could sit in the shade and we headed over there Sunday for the 2 p.m. game.

It was great. The weather was fantastic. My daughter was enthralled. And the trip out there is a lot faster now that I-540 and the 64 Bypass are open. It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The Carolina Mudcats have a host of family-friendly programs and offerings during their homegames, starting with fireworks after every Friday night home game and tickets for as little as $5 if you get them in advance. And if you call ahead, kids 6 and under get in free with their own seat.

The team has weekly deals, including Monday's package deal where $40 gets you four tickets, four hot dogs and four drinks. Tuesday is $1 hot dog night (they're normally $3). And on Thursdays, beer and Pepsi products are $1 each.

We left before the game ended Sunday, but if we'd stayed, my daughter could have run the bases. At the end of every 2 p.m. Sunday home game, kids line up in the concourse to run the bases. Muddy, the Mudcat's mascots, hangs out at second base to cheer everybody along. And parents can stand between third base and home plate to take pictures. If your child is too young to run, parents are welcome to help them along. Sometimes as many 600 or 700 kids run onto the field. The last two 2 p.m. Sunday games are Aug. 16 and Aug. 23.

Other special events at the Mudcats ...

July 31: Celebrate Muddy's birthday with some of his mascot friends, including Mr. and Mrs. Wolf from N.C. State. There will be birthday cake. And families get a free ticket in exchange for school supplies, which will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County.

Aug. 22 to 23: It's back to school weekend. Kids ages 14 and under can get a free Mudcats lunch box at the 6:15 p.m. game on Aug. 22. The Mudcats are still sorting out some of the details, but on Aug. 23, there will be a pregame picnic with the players and Muddy and an xBox giveaway, among other activities.

Sept. 4 through Sept. 6: The Mudcats celebrate Labor Day and their fans during their last home weekend. Activities include fireworks on Sept. 4 and Sept. 6.

And whatever day you go, be sure to get a scoop of the homemade ice cream served up by Jackson Dairy Farm of Dunn. A small bowl is $3.50, but it's more than worth it.

Click here for more information about the Mudcats, tickets and special events.

Looking for other things to do with our kids? Go to www.trianglemom2mom.com/play and check back here every Thursday.