The school bell has finally rung to welcome a new academic year. While the kids are busy during the week, what about the weekends? Do you need family-focused activities? Then this is for you! Just because school is here doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. A season change shouldn’t stop the creation of family memories. Whether you’re spontaneous or a planner, this list has affordable ideas for both types of people. 

• Chili Cook-off – Kids Help Make
  • Gather your friends and family for a fun dinner or lunch together! Break out your best chili recipe for a chili cook-off. Have your kids help you prepare and cook the meal. This delicious idea will help kids learn valuable life skills such as cooking, washing dishes, following a recipe, and serving others. 
  • Additional note: instead of a competition, you could ask everyone to make a different type of chili. Someone could make a hot chili while another makes a sweet chili that way, everyone is bound to have one that they will like.

• Host a cookout or fall party!
  • Host a cookout or fall party – imagine being able to have adult conversations in peace and quiet. Imagine us “old people” beating the kids in laser tag or having your kid teach you about their favorite new video game they’ve been dying to get. This is a GameTruck party. We offer more than just video games, gelly ball, and laser tag; we strive to build belonging and community through memorable play. Let us help you host a fantastic cookout or fall party that everyone will love! 

• Art Project – Pumpkin Art or Wreath Making
  • Help your kids get crafty this season with different art projects! From pumpkin art to wreath making to candle making, there are many crafts to prepare for fall. Pumpkin art is an excellent idea for when you need a cheap, unplanned activity for the kids to do. All you need are pumpkins of any size and paint supplies. You’ll have cute decorations unique to your family when they’re done. 

• Play Video Games
  • If your child is a gamer, this idea will make their week! Embrace your inner nerd and pick up a controller. Have your child teach you how to play their favorite game. Allow them to assume the role of a teacher as they show you how to play the game. Gaming with your child builds memories both in and outside the video game and can generate fun conversations with your kid. Even if you’re not the best gamer, they will appreciate the effort and bonding time over something they love with you. 

• Thrifted Costume 
  • Have some family fun with thrifty at your favorite second-hand stores. This idea is great for creating fun memories, affordability, and spontaneous Ness. Before you start, decide on a budget. How much is each person allowed to spend on their costume? Next, decide if you want to do special categories like the 80s or leave it open for imagination. Then head to your favorite stores. Be sure to take lots of pictures to post on social media to have friends and family vote for the costume they think is the best and the silliest. 

Just because school is back in session does not mean the fun has to stop. Dedicate a weekend or multiple ones to trying something on this list!

Have your next party with GameTruck here! Checkout more fun activities for your family on GameTruck!

For many parents the world of gaming can be daunting, uncharted territory. It’s constantly changing and evolving. As a parent, you want your child to have fun doing the things they love while being safe. Every family has their own unique set of values and culture. Review this list and decide which ones are right for you. So whether you’re hosting a GameTruck party or simply having some much needed quiet time while the kids game, here are eight different ways to encourage video game safety and fun.

Make it a Family Activity

One way you can play with and protect your child online is by gaming with them. Make it a family event! Have them teach you how to play!

Look Into Parental Controls

From scammers to harmful content, take advantage of these controls to help protect your kids from a wide range of online threats. Do not give it out. Make it unique and not something easily guessed by those who know you.

Research Games before your Child Plays Them

Every family has different values. While certain games may be acceptable in your child’s friend’s house, they may contain offensive elements or themes. Always research to ensure that a game aligns with your standards to maximize video game safety for your child.

Know who they are watching.

If your child watches any streamers, know who they are as they may promote content on or off the platform that is not suitable for children.

Know what “multiplayer” means. 

This term means that players interact with one another. This feature may or may not be monitored for violations of community guidelines. Encourage your child to report abusive / inappropriate behavior in the reporting area of the game.

Monitor “trash talk”. 

Be vigilant for cyberbullying. Encourage your child to speak out if they or another player are not being treated right especially if there is a report feature in the game. Encourage them to block any player that makes them feel uncomfortable. Let them know they can always talk to you about things that happen online.

Know how to read an ESRB rating.

You want to protect your kid as they game, but with so many out there, it can be hard to know if one is right for your family. One easy way to gather information about a game is to look at their ESRB rating. It’ll tell you 3 important things…

• The big top box states the reason it got this rating. These reasons can include things like gore, gambling, substances, and much more. This section highlights anything that might be a concern for parents.
• The small bottom box lists “interactive Elements”. These are things that may be helpful for the parent to know before making a decision; however, these interactive elements do not play a role in determining a game’s ESRB rating. This section can include sharing location, in-game purchases, player interactions, and more.
• The Letter signals the suggested age range for players.

Understand the different types of video games. 

There are several different types. Educate yourself about the different platforms your child likes to game on. Here are just a few types of gaming platforms…

1. Free-to-Play – ad-supported games that are free but include paid upgrades and add-ons (such as extra lives and tools), frequently found on mobile devices
2. Subscription Games – games that are streamed and accessed through an account.
3. Social Networking Games – connected with and played within social sites (often through Facebook), pulls user information from profiles and offers paid upgrades and add-ons
4. Digital Downloads – game downloaded directly to a console or computer (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii have their own online marketplaces)

Gaming with family and friends can be a great way to build meaningful connections and memories, but video game safety should always be a priority. Implement this list to enhance your family’s safety while having a great time online!

We’ve all heard of Minecraft. The game of pixelated cubes where kids build and explore the world, braving monsters and the elements to survive. But did you know that this game can be a great tool to help your child learn? It can! Many classrooms worldwide have started to use this fun game to help engage students in active learning, so whether your family is playing this at a Minecraft-themed GameTruck party or at home, this game can be a helpful educational tool. Learning should be fun and exciting. What better way than a video game your kid loves? 

If you’ve never played Minecraft before, try playing it with your child. You can be an active member in their academic development by simply having fun playing a video game with them. Here are three skills that Minecraft helps teach kids. 

Math

How many minutes until nightfall? Is there a way to divide our resources fairly among all the players? How do we build a town that’ll house everyone? These are all example math questions that kids have asked without realizing they’re learning. To be successful in Minecraft, they must practically apply general math principles. In an educational study of teachers using Minecraft for math instruction, 71% of teachers saw “improvement in student numeracy and computational thinking.” A Los Angeles teacher told ID Tech that his Minecraft Math program helped students grow 65%, going from 18% to 83% during end-of-the-year retesting. 

History

Who wants to memorize a long list of historical dates, places, and facts? Very few people! This is where Minecraft can step in to save the day! You can import in-game, fully reconstructed versions of famous places and landmarks for kids to tour. They can engage in learning from anywhere in the world, creating fun memories with their friends as they learn history. Minecraft presents a fun alternative to memorizing historical lists by encouraging students to be hands-on with history through gaming. 

Soft Skills

One way we as parents can prepare our kids for their future careers is by teaching them “soft skills.” They are useful for almost any profession. Soft skills include teamwork, problem-solving, creative thinking, and communication. Minecraft can help kids develop these soft skills in a fun, virtual environment. 

In a recent educational study of teachers who used Minecraft in the classroom, 98% of teachers said problem-solving was the top skill students took away from playing Minecraft in the classroom. From devising a plan to fend off monsters to building a secure farming compound, the numerous learning opportunities present themselves in engaging ways. Developing and nurturing soft skills are another educational benefit to playing Minecraft. 

With all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why teachers and parents use this video game as an educational tool. If you’ve never played before, consider giving it a try with your kids on your next free day! You may not be a teacher, but you can help them engage in active learning by having fun with them playing Minecraft. Give it a try! Book your Minecraft party with GameTruck today!