I’m so glad that I live in the digital age. It might sound odd, but with my mom brain, I struggle to remember all of the small details. I don’t want to forget the memories I made with my family. I want to cherish them forever. From family vacations to GameTruck birthday parties, I don’t want to lose a single memory. This is one of the biggest reasons why I’m so thankful for my phone. 

Pictures help us relive memories and reignite our emotions. (This is why I can’t bring myself to delete a single picture of my kids 🙂 While photography seems to come naturally for some people, it doesn’t for me. It’s been a creative journey for me, but here are four tips that made the difference for me that you can try to take your photography to the next level!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

• Rule of Thirds
  • In this photography rule, an image is broken up into nine squares. This can also be called “framing”. In this approach, try to get the best parts of your image where these lines intersect. This will give your photo a natural feel and gently guide the eyes to where you want them to go. Try lining your subject up on these lines to achieve this effect. 
  • To set this up on your iPhone, go to your settings, select apps – choose camera, and then select “grid lines”. This will allow you to use the Rule of Thirds with every picture you take to help you get awesome photos! 
    
    
    
• Natural Light
  • Lighting can make all the difference in a picture, and Natural is best. A flash rarely looks good on anyone. Natural lighting compliments most people and subjects. It is also the best option if you’d like to edit the photo later. 
  • Being mindful of the lighting also allows you to be creative. It can help convey the mood and the overall tone of the picture. You can try different angles in natural light, candles, sunsets, and so much more! 
    
    
    
• Avoid Digital Zoom
  • Avoided at all costs on a smartphone! By using digital zoom, you’ll get a grainy, poor resolution image. Digital zoom also magnifies any shaking or movement in the hands. 
  • If you need to zoom, move closer to get that awesome picture of your kid in their little league uniform or blasting away opponents at a GameTruck laser tag party!
    
    
    
• Use HDR
  • Many smartphones are now equipped with High Dynamic Range or HDR. It adds detail from both dark and light areas of the picture for a balanced exposure. This is a great option to use if your picture has a dark ground and a bright sky. Turning this feature on in your settings will help balance your pictures out. 

Summer, to me, has always been a season of new adventures and journeys. Taking nice pictures and videos will help you and your family always remember the memories you’ve made over the years together.

So, at your next GameTruck event, try one or all of these tips to take your photography skills to the next level!

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As a kid I never really understood how much planning my mom did each summer for our family. I never saw all the hard, behind-the-scene work she did to make to make each summer season a blast. It wasn’t until I became a mom that I learned. While summer is a never-ending-fun-fest for kids, it can be a stressful season for us moms as we scramble to find things for the kiddos to do while still being mindful of the bank account. That’s why a local vacation is perfect! Entertain the kids and yourself, keep your sanity, and build family memories all at a great price! Here are a few ideas to try this year from your friends at GameTruck.

Do some Nature classes!

National parks are a great summer idea especially if there’s one in your area. Many times they will offer free or very affordable classes and experiences. Kids can learn about various nature topics up close and personal from petting snakes to learning about foliage to the importance of conservation.

Try something unique to your town for a local vacation!

Is your community, village, town, or county known for something? If you if you’ve never tried it, then do it together as a family. For example one place that my family lived in had historic murals painted on the flood walls that depicted Ohio history. The artwork highlighted things that were unique and special to that Rivertown. In another place our town was home to Ohio’s oldest brewery, so as a family we ate there for the first time one summer. Maybe you live in a city that is known for a historic sporting stadium? See if you can attend a local game there. Maybe your county is known for its natural parks or monuments? Take a family trip to go see them.

Go to a Children’s museum for a local vacation

Children’s museums are a great opportunity for students to explore and express their creativity in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). They offer opportunities for sensory development and growth for children. Kids will have a blast playing and learning at the same time with other children. Most children’s museums are very affordable with all day passes and offer activities from painting to water tables to imaginative play.

Start a new family evening or once a week tradition!

Start a tradition that is unique and special to your family. For example with my family when Pokémon go was a big thing, we would go on family walks in the historic district of our town to catch Pokémon. It was an awesome time! The kids got to learn about local history, get exercise, and play Pokémon go with each other. Our family still talks about that summer to this day!

Celebrate art and music as part of your local vacation!

Check with your local community center to see what types of events that are going to be offered this season. Support local artists, musicians, and fans. Sometimes communities will put on free concerts for families to attend. Others will do artist alleys where families can tour paintings and drawings from local artists. These types of activities can introduce kids to different types of creative expression at a free or very affordable cost.

Local vacations are an awesome way to connect with your family and create new memories at a price that makes even the wallet smile. Try one, all, or customize this list for your family this summer to grow closer together with new experiences!

Need Father’s Day ideas ASAP? The Road-trip Captain. Loudest Parent Cheerleader. Fruit Snack Dispenser. Monster Patrol Commander. Unofficial Game Referee. Dad fulfills so many roles within the family, and they have a special place in our hearts. With all that he does, you want to create an awesome, memorable day to show him just how much you love and appreciate him, but maybe you’re struggling with what to do? Are you needing a cool new idea to surprise him? Here are five ideas from your friends at Game Truck to remind dad just how much he means to you.

1. Escape Room

Wanting to test dad‘s deductive skills? Then an escape room is for you! With so many different themes and missions, escape rooms can appeal to people of all interests. From spy themes to pirates to spooky, many venues offer various types of rooms for about $20-$25 a person. Escape rooms are a great way to build funny and fun memories while working on your teamwork skills as a family. If you’re more competitive, you can race the clock to see how fast you can beat the room and if you can beat the record.

2. Ax Throwing

Unleash the wild fun with this idea! Who doesn’t love throwing wooden sticks with blades at a target? Take dad to an ax throwing venue. This idea would pair great with dinner either before or afterwards. 

3. GameTruck Party for Dads

Wanting a low-stress, no-clean up celebration idea that speaks to Dad? Try a GameTruck party! With over 200 games, he will find one that speaks to him. From new releases to retro, we offer excitement for up to 18 people at a time! This is a great party idea for big or multiple families to play together and create memories with dad doing something he loves with no clean up or stress for Mom. Click here to schedule your GameTruck Party. 

4. A Memory Journal

This idea requires a little bit more prep time, but it’s sure to be a heartfelt gift for dad. Have your kids, friends, and/or family great things that they appreciate about him. Be sure to leave a special note from yourself in there as well. Things to include in your journal could be letters, pictures, drawings, or small mementos. This journal will help dad feel loved and appreciated and make a great lifelong gift for him to cherish.

5. The Dad Dundies

Is Dad an Office man? Then this idea will be perfect for him! Get a couple of families together to host the Dad Dundies! The categories can be based on inside jokes from each family. Have the kids help create these great awards that have inside jokes or stories related to your family. When he receives his trophy be sure to share the funny story or joke with everyone  for some fun times and laughter together.

1. Additional Note: Trophies can be drawn on paper, items created by kids, or for a more realistic feel, Amazon sells cheap gold statue awards online that are unmarked.

Dads come in all shapes and sizes and hold a special place in our hearts. No matter how you choose to celebrate Father’s Day this year, let him know he is loved and appreciated. If you choose to do something on this list, tag us on social media at GameTruck!

Check out GameTruck for your next party!

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