BubbleSoccer Extravaganza this Spring!

It’s spring, so it’s warming up here in Jacksonville! Of course, our GameTruck video game parties are a lot of fun, but it is important for children to get outside and start playing. Here is an in-depth look at one of the other exciting experiences from GameTruck that will get your children away from the screen and into the beautiful Florida sunshine.

What is BubbleSoccer?

BubbleSoccer, also known as BubbleFootball or BubbleBall, is a game just like soccer except played with inflatable bubbles that surround the players. It is played either inside or outside. The ball covers the upper body and leaves the legs exposed, so the players can run and jump. At GameTruck, we transform your yard or local park into a 25’x50’ BubbleSoccer Arena with five players on each team. Just like soccer, the object is to get the ball into the goal. Unlike soccer, players have fun bouncing off their friends and rolling around on the ground.

How Did it Start?

BubbleSoccer started in 2011 in Norway on a comedy sports show called Golden Goal. It didn’t really take off until 2014 when a video of an Italian BubbleSoccer game was uploaded on YouTube. You can see from the video, it’s just as fun to watch as it is to play! After the video, BubbleSoccer started popping up all over the world from parks to college campuses and indoor soccer fields!

Is it Safe?

This is the number one question that we get from parents. BubbleSoccer is a contact sport; therefore, safety is our #1 priority. While there are risks involved, our trained GameCoaches supervise the event to make sure everyone is having a safe and fun time. There are rules against illegal tackles like tripping, grabbing, and kicking. Also, players are only allowed to try to knock down the player with the ball. Our bubbles come in three different sizes, so there is a right fit for everyone.

What are the Rules?

The game is played with rules similar to Soccer. The object of the game is to score more goals than your opponent. However, some of the more complex rules of soccer, like offside rules, are removed to make the game easier to play. To keep the players safe, there are rules against illegal hits. A player cannot know down another player without the ball, and a player cannot prevent another player from getting up.

Schedule Your Game of BubbleSoccer Today!

GameTruck Jacksonville can create a safe, unforgettable BubbleSoccer experience. Our trained GameCoaches will supervise your event, so parents can have fun watching! Call us today at (866) 253-3191 for a free quote or fill out our online form for pricing and availability.

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!