Author: Cat Cooley
Get Your Kids Outside and Enjoy Springtime!
Kids can’t stay inside and play video games all the time. Okay… so they technically CAN, if we’d let them, but we know that they shouldn’t. But how do we get our kids outside and enjoying springtime? GameTruck San Jose made this list that is sure to get your kids outside and moving.
Make it a Group Activity
Call some friends and take them to the park. If you have space, bring their friends over to play in the yard. Outdoor group socialization is important for child development. It is necessary for children to play together for physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. Children learn valuable skills when they play together like problem-solving, creative-thinking, and cooperation with others. If you gather your child’s friends together for outdoor play, they will be much more willing to play outside. Also, their friends’ parents will thank you for encouraging their kids to play outside – and for giving them a break! If you’re in San Jose, take them for a giant game of Monopoly in Discovery Meadow.
Teach Them Some Old Games
Teaching children about the favorite games that you played as a child creates a connection between the two of you. It is also a fantastic way to get you involved in playing with them outside, and it’s always amusing for parents to reminisce about their own childhood! Your child might already play some of these games at recess or daycare, but let them know it was once your favorite, too.
Schedule An Event
Scheduling an event can be another great way to get your children’s friends together and engage them in some outdoor play. Here’s a cool idea for a DIY treasure hunt. The treasure hunt taps into all those skills that outdoor play encourages: co-operation, problem-solving, and creative thinking. Or, create an event your children will always remember. GameTruck San Jose can turn any outdoor space, like a park or yard, into an awesome gaming party. That way, your child and their friends can game and play outside. It’s win-win!
Start a Competition
“Bet you can’t catch me!” A little competition may motivate your children to get moving outside. While not every child is competitive, if your child likes a contest, use it to your advantage. Games like horse, cornhole, and horseshoes, are enjoyable, and they also require little exertion on the parent’s part.
Bring Indoor Activities Outside
Put down a blanket and get out a book! Just being outside in the sun helps keep children healthy by producing much needed vitamin D. Indoor games brought outside will take on a unique spin on an old classic when played outdoors. For example, with a little spray paint, you can make your own outdoor twister board. Another activity to take to the backyard is painting. Set-up a huge canvas that will allow your child to have a ton of fun and get messy, but since the painting is done outside, clean-up will be easy; just get out the hose! Once the paint dries, put the canvas up somewhere inside, so everyone can admire their masterpiece.
Get Outdoors with GameTruck San Jose
Looking for something more exciting than these tried and true activities? Combine an outdoor day at the park with your children’s favorite video games. Just confirm the availability with your local park ahead of time, and GameTruck San Jose can bring the party to you. Request a free quote here or call us at (866) 253-3191 today!
5 Outdoor Activities for Your Children in Atlanta
If your kid loves video games as we do, they probably want to just sit inside and play video games – and honestly, we would too! It’s important for your child’s health to find a balance between being inside and going outside for exercise. So, get your kids outside and get them moving. Check out these cool places around Atlanta where your child can explore, have fun, and learn.
Centennial Olympic Park
The Centennial Olympic Park serves as Georgia’s lasting legacy of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, and it breathes new life into the surrounding residential and commercial areas. It also anchors many other popular Atlanta attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and College Football Hall of Fame.
The 22-acres of green space makes this park ideal for children’s outdoor activities. Take your kids on the Audio Walking Tour that features trivia, history, music, and interviews – just download the app onto your phone. Or, let your kids play in the Fountain of Rings and stay for the four unique daily water shows.
Chattahoochee Nature Reserve
Experience the beauty and wonder of Georgia’s nature. The Chattahoochee Nature Reserve is a nature lover’s dream. There are six hiking trails that feature plenty of plant and wildlife. Also, there are three gardens to walk: Native, Unity, and Butterfly. If you really want your kids to enjoy the outdoors, Chattahoochee Nature Reserve’s Camp Kingfisher day-camp arranges an unforgettable summer of hiking, swimming, canoeing, and learning!
GameTruck Atlanta LaserTag
Is your child a first-person shooter fanatic – Far Cry, Call of Duty, Fortnite? Then they love the thrill of working as a team. They’re an expert at tactics. They thrive on competition. Well, GameTruck Atlanta can put them IN the game! Don’t worry, safety is the #1 priority.
We take care of all the details. Any yard, park, or playground turns into a fierce battleground for up to 10 players. That tree? It now provides cover from enemy fire. This unique experience recreates the thrill of video games while getting your children off the couch. Talk about a win-win!
Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park is only a 30-minute drive outside of the city. This place has everything! Here’s a list of their coolest outdoor activities: Farmyard, pet the animals, learn about their behavior, and watch goats do tricks. Great Locomotive Minature Golf, a train-inspired 18-hole miniature golf course. It’s sure to be a hit! Geyser Tower, a wet adventure of rope suspension bridges, tunnels, and platforms surrounding a huge geyser. Don’t forget to bring a towel!
Zoo Atlanta
The first thing to know about Zoo Atlanta is its unreal origin story! Outside of Marietta in March of 1889, a traveling circus ran into financial problems which caused the workers to abandon the animals. People continued to visit them so frequently that a local businessman purchased all the animals at an auction and moved them to Grant Park.
Now, you can bring your family to walk around the 40 acres and see over 1,500 animals representing 220 species! There are also daily experiences including kid-friendly activities and wild encounters. So, not only is Zoo Atlanta a great place to be outside, but it’s also a great place for kids to learn.
Get Outdoors with GameTruck Atlanta
Been to all these cool spots already? Then let GameTruck Atlanta bring the party to you. We can get your children outdoors and moving with a fun WaterTag or LaserTag party. Request a free quote here or call us at (866) 253-3191 today!
Which Gaming Console is Right for You in 2019?
Gaming consoles are expensive, so the choice you make is important and a bit of an investment! Gamers should do their research before purchasing one. Lucky for you, we did it for you! Whether this is your first or 20th console, read on for the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular gaming consoles: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
PlayStation 4
The PlayStation 4 was released in November 2013. It has sold far more consoles than its two competitors. The standard console (PlayStation 4 Slim) sells for $299.99. The more expensive console (PlayStation 4 Pro) sells for $399.99. Both the PlayStation 4 Slim and the PlayStation 4 Pro have one terabyte of storage. Compared to the PlayStation 4 Slim, the PlayStation 4 Pro has higher resolution (4K–check if your TV is 4K before buying) and faster loading times, so the gameplay is far more realistic. It is, however, more expensive and heavier than the PlayStation 4 Slim. If you are a serious gamer who is willing to pay up for a more powerful console, the PlayStation 4 Pro is the way to go. If you are buying a console for children, an infrequent gamer, prefer a lighter console, or on a budget, the PlayStation 4 Slim is the console for you. The PlayStation 4 has far more game exclusives (meaning they are only available on PlayStation) than the Xbox One, including hits The Last Guardian, Days Gone, and Infamous Second Son. The PlayStation 4 has virtual reality goggles, which immerse you in the game more than a normal controller. The Xbox One and Nintendo Switch do not have virtual reality.
Xbox One
The Xbox One was released in November 2013 just like the PlayStation 4. The standard console (Xbox One S) sells for $299.99 but comes with a large selection of bundled games. The more expensive console (Xbox One X) sells for $499.99 and also has included games. Both the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X have one terabyte of storage. The Xbox One X’s resolution is 4K, but it has far more RAM (storage) and faster loading times than the PlayStation 4 Pro which earns its title as the most powerful gaming console on the market. It is also the only console to have a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray Player. The Xbox One X is the most expensive console money can buy. As with the PlayStation 4 Slim versus the PlayStation 4 Pro, people who regularly game and want a life-like experience, should pay up for the more expensive model. The Xbox One S is still a great option and more budget friendly. If you want to play your old Xbox 360 games, Xbox One is far more backward compatible than PlayStation 4. On the Xbox One, you are able to play games with gamers not using the Xbox One (such as an iPhone, computer, virtual reality goggles, or Nintendo Switch). If you own many games and movies and need more storage than the terabyte, there are more USB ports on the console than the PlayStation 4, thus more external storage opportunities.
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch was released in March 2017 making it the newest of the three consoles. The standard console sells for $299.99. It comes in two color styles: solid gray and neon blue and red. But the controllers, called Joycons, can actually be purchased separately in a multitude of color schemes! It has 32 gigabytes of storage, which is far less than the other two consoles. Unlike the first two consoles, it is portable and does not require a television, making it is very versatile. There are two ways to use the Nintendo Switch: either hold it in your hands or dock it at your television. The resolution is nowhere near the PlayStation or Xbox’s resolution. There is no disc port, instead, the games are on a cartridge. You can’t stream Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, either.
Still Unsure?
At the end of the day, all of these consoles are excellent choices. It really depends on your personal preference when making a purchase. If you still can’t decide which console to buy, both PlayStation and Xbox are likely to release the next generation of consoles in 2020. Thus, holding out to buy a console isn’t the worst idea. A generation of consoles usually lasts for 6 to 8 years so these new consoles will last you many years of gaming. The new Nintendo Switch may drop in the second half of 2019. In the case of buying a console, delaying the big decisions is a smart way to go!
Get Them All With GameTruck!
GameTruck Inland Empire has all three of the best consoles on the market so you can sample them at your next GameTruck event! Whether you have a birthday, corporate event, wedding, or friends’ night coming up, a GameTruck is a perfect addition. Servicing the Inland Empire community since 2011, owner Tony Jevne and his entire crew of GameCoaches would love to provide the entertainment for your next event. Book GameTruck Inland Empire today! Call 866-253-3191.