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Foxboro - Each summer, thousands of fans flock to Gillette Stadium to see their beloved New England Patriots get into game shape for the coming season, and a hefty number of them are parents with their youngsters in tow.

This year, the team is marketing "day-cations," which ties the lure of the team to family-oriented attractions at Patriot Place.

The team has for several years offered visitors the Patriots Experience, an interactive football-themed playground next to the West Suite Clubhouse parking lot, where they can test their kicking, passing and tackling skills on obstacle courses and enjoy games, music, face painting and appearances by the Patriots Cheerleaders.

To that, the team this year has added a number of family-oriented enticements at the Patriot Place retail and entertainment center: storytimes at CBS Scene, zumba and other exercise classes in Patriot Place Plaza, a "Reebok Boot Camp" workout in front of the Reebok store, free admission to movies at Showcase Cinema de Lux for kids who present a book

report, free Family Wii and Rock Band games at GameStop, reptiles shows, soccer clinics, petting zoos and more. "You can truly have a vacation here," Patriot Place General Manager Brian Earley said. "If your wife's not excited about football, she can shop, go to a salon or have an exquisite lunch at Davio's."

Earley said the return of quarterback Tom Brady from last year’s knee injury has generated even more interest in training camp this summer, and the opening of The Hall at Patriot Place has enticed fans to linger longer when they visit.

This past Tuesday, more than 9,000 fans came to see the Patriots train and enjoy the other attractions at the sports, retail and entertainment complex along Route 1.

"It's fantastic that the Patriots do this for the community and that it's free," said Alison Moreau of Attleboro as she watched her son enjoy Patriots Experience in the hot, humid weather. "My son loves the obstacle course, and I like the shops."

"It’s a really good activity for kids," said Jacklin Everson of Attleboro, who took her Foxboro YMCA camp to the play area. "They get to be part of the sports community, jump around and be out in the sun."

"Parents love the practice, but my boys like this part better," Lisa McKenna of Wakefield said of Patriots Experience.

Holly Ferriera of Norton, who’s been coming to training camp for five years, noted that the Patriots have added a climbing wall and a new bicycle obstacle course. "It's a nice, fun thing for families to do together," she said.

Charlie Kidwell, 8, of Arlington, watched the Pats practice with his dad ,Peter, and said, "it was great seeing Tom Brady again."

"I can't believe I got my hat signed by (Patriots linebacker) Pierre Woods," he added.

Patriots training camp runs through Aug. 18. For a Patriot Place event schedule go to www.patriot-place.com/daycation.

Many events depend on the weather, so check the Web site ahead of time.

Tara Vocino is a Wheaton College student interning at The Sun Chronicle this summer. She can be reached at vocino_tara@wheatonma.edu.