Friendship is a cornerstone of the human experience. They add so much to our lives, but with the craziness of life and parenthood, it can be overwhelming or hard. It can be lonely. 

At GameTruck, we understand the importance of friendship and building community. It’s what we strive to do with each one of our parties. From helping kids make new friends to maintaining current friendships, we believe everyone should have a place to belong. That’s why we’re celebrating friendship day, and here’s how you can celebrate it with those in your life! 

Create a Friendship Book

Give your friend a personal gift this year with a friendship book. You can create them online through programs like Shutterfly or by hand. Either way is sure to make your friends smile as they reflect on all the fun memories you have shared.

Do a self Evaluation.

What type of friend have you been this year? The type of friend do you want to be? What are some goals that you have for the friendships in your life? Think about these questions and do a self-evaluation. Focus on what areas you can grow as an individual and how you can grow your friendships. 

Social media post

This is the new hallmark card. Show your love and appreciation for your friend with a social media post highlighting your friendship.

Social Media Clean up

Reflect on friendship and what it means to you. Do you need to clean up your social media “friends” list? Do you have many acquaintances on your social media that you don’t really know? Maybe it’s time to clean up your social media and devote it to your family and close friends. 

Reply to your messages.

In the craziness of life, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and behind when responding to messages from friends. Dedicate some time to responding to emails, calls, or texts from friends. Take a moment to pause and reconnect with those in your life. 

Ask Transformative Questions. 

Next time you’re hanging out with your friend, make a point to ask transformative questions. These types of questions go beyond the basic, day-to-day questions such as “how are you doing” or “how was your day?” 

Transformative questions focus on getting to know that person on a deeper level. These types of questions are thought-provoking and aim at creating deeper emotional connections. 

Write a letter

Who doesn’t love receiving positive mail in their box? It’s way better than bills! 

Hand-written notes convey a personal touch and connection. Receiving one is a pleasant surprise bound to brighten your friend’s day.

Make new friends

Are you in a season of life where it’s time to meet some new people? Celebrate this friendship day by making a new friend! 

Take a break to see friends.

Dedicate a day or a weekend to your friends. Whether old or new, take a break and invest in your relationship with them. It’s good for your emotional and mental health to reconnect and deepen your friendships with those in your life.

No matter how old we get, friends are essential. Parenthood can be lonely and isolating. Pause and take some time to invest in the friends that are in your life this friendship day. You’ll be happy you did. 

To learn more about creating lasting friendships and building community, check out our article on “Friends are made shoulder to shoulder.“

To take your friendship celebrations to the next level, consider hosting a GameTruck party and creating unforgettable memories with your friends.

Looking for a fun and exciting way to spend a Sunday in Portland, Oregon? Attend Kyron’s Car show! Whether you want to show off your car or spectate with your kids, this event is awesome! Inspired by a family trip to a car show with Kyron, every year The Kyron Horman Foundation hosts this show in honor of Kyron Horman, a little boy who went missing in 2010 from school. You can read more about his story here.

The Mission of The Kyron Horman Foundation: Helping Families of Missing Children

Founded by his dad, Kaine, the foundation strives to help families of missing children. Their mission is to help bring missing children home to their families. From helping families partner with law enforcement to creating public awareness campaigns to providing counsel, The Kyron Horman Foundation comes alongside families in their darkest hours as they live through a parent’s worst nightmare. The foundation is a volunteer nonprofit where all donations go directly to helping bring kids home to their families. 

GameTruck’s Support: Proudly Sponsoring Kyron’s Car Show

This is why GameTruck is a proud supporter of the Kyron Car Show and has been since 2015. 

1. Free, free, free!
   • This awesome event is free for all spectators, and this includes parking! The event will feature live music, raffles, food, and fun for the whole family!
   • If you’re looking to register your car, it’s very affordable at only $20 with all money going to support The Kyron Horman Foundation in their mission of coming alongside families of missing children. 
2. You can be a winner with 90+ available awards!
   • With so many fun categories, you can vote for your favorite! Some categories include decades, classics, under construction, student, and so many others! Did you know that there is also a GameTruck Choice Award? There is! Will you be the one to win it? Pre-register your car now and check out the list of available award categories! 
3. It’s about hope.
   • Even though it’s been 12 years, no one has given up hope. Join the owners of over 300 vehicles and bikes to support families like Kyron’s. 

Looking for more ways to support the Kyron Horman Foundation? Head over to their website to learn more about how you can help. One easy way you can make a difference is by attending the Kyron Car Show. Have a fun Sunday morning with your family while supporting a worthy cause. Be sure to share on social media so others can get involved too!

Be sure to checkout more blog like Spend Some Quality Time with Your Kids. Watch The Cuphead Show!

Looking for essential safety tips for kids during your family vacation? While we often picture vacation as the pinnacle of relaxation, it can quickly become stressful and overwhelming with kids. We prepare lists and pack for many people, and just like we plan ahead for lodging, food, and fun, safety is also on our radar. Here are five vacation safety tips from your friends at GameTruck. 

Tip 1: Make Sure to have a plan if you get separated.

Even with intense preparation, a parent’s worst nightmare can become a reality: losing your child. One of the best things to help prevent this situation is having a conversation(s) about what to do if they get separated from you. 

Before you enter your destination, ensure that everyone knows what color and types of clothing the family is wearing. If someone gets lost, you will be able to give information to others. 

Additionally, teach children that if they do get lost to stop, breathe, and look. They need to stop moving, take big breaths, and look around in a circle for you. 

Tip 2: Consider a SafetyTat.

A SafetyTat is a temporary, water-resistant tattoo with important information on it. If a child gets lost, they may not know or forget your information due to fear. A SafetyTat is pre-printed with your contact information. It also can include vital information like “non-verbal” needed for a friendly adult trying to assist your child. Allergies can also be printed onto a SafetyTat.  

Tip 3: Wear bright clothing. 

The easiest way to stand out is to be memorable. The same applies to this safety principle; plus, you can turn it into a fun family activity. From matching family outfits to themed days, if someone gets separated, you’ll easily be able to spot them and give identifiable information to others. This can also remind kids not to follow someone who does not match the group, bringing to mind “stranger danger.” 

Plus, fun or matching outfits can make for some adorable vacation pictures. 

Tip 4: Use glow sticks. 

Who said safety couldn’t be fun? Glow sticks are the perfect item for nighttime safety. Kids will love wearing them as necklaces or bracelets while being illuminated for others to see them. Consider putting glow sticks on any items necessary for child care, like strollers, so those can be visible to others.

Tip 5: Do a disinfectant sweep of your lodging. 

While we’d like to trust that our accommodations were adequately cleaned before arriving, that may not always be the case. At GameTruck, we value safety by cleaning all areas and equipment properly before the next party. If you have questions about our cleaning procedures, contact your local GameTruck. 

No one wants to get sick during or from their party; the same is true for vacation. Consider doing a disinfectant sweep through your lodging to protect your family from any nasty germs that could ruin your vacation. 

Vacations are fun and relaxing yet require a lot of preparation in many areas. Use one or all of these safety tips for kids to rock your family vacation, keeping your kids safe while having fun! 

Check out our previous blog post on “5 vacation ideas you need to try” for more ideas on how to make your family vacation memorable and enjoyable!