Author: Cat Cooley
Fall Activities for Kids: 8 You Need to Try
Move out of the way, summer! The season of pumpkins, apple cider, and spooky movies is here! With school back in session, it’s time to prep for weekend adventures and entertainment for the kids, but that can get expensive. Here are eight fun fall activities for kids that they’ll love and won’t make your bank account cry.
Celebrate “National Pancake” Day
Start or end your day with comfort breakfast food! It’s quick and easy to make, and the kids will love it! From regular to vegan, there’s something for every type of pancake lover! You can also skip the cooking and let someone else do it. Visit your favorite breakfast restaurant as another way to celebrate National Pancake Day.
Grab an on-sale sprinkler
Hit those after-the-season sales to grab a cheap sprinkler or other water activity. This way, you’ll be prepared for the next hot day before fall weather truly arrives.
Video Game Party
Invite your kid’s new classmates over for an exciting memory building experience they won’t forget. No matter what the weather is like outside, GameTrucks are always the perfect temperature inside. With hundreds of games to choose from, classics and new releases, your kid will love deepening their friendship with new and old friends. Call your local GameTruck today to book your fall party!
Laser Tag
Blast away boredom with laser tag! From capture the flag to last man standing, your kids and their friends will have a fantastic time, while you (and maybe some friends) can get a much-needed break. Call your local GameTruck today!
Celebrate “Talk like a Pirate” Day
Have a family challenge to see who can talk like a pirate the longest. Fill your day with pirate-themed activities from watching movies, reading books, coloring, and dressing up as them.
Nature painting
Unleash the inner artist and nature enthusiast with this idea! You’ll need paint and canvas from the store. Gather up rocks, leaves, sticks, and other outdoor objects. Once you’ve got all of your materials, get painting! Use your leaves as paintbrushes.
Forget the canvas at the store? Not a problem! Grab some rocks to decorate!
Visit a Used Book Store
Pick up a new book to celebrate “Read a Book Day” on September 6th and “International Literacy Day” on September 8th. Reading with your kids is a wonderful way to build their vocabulary and reading skills.
Help around the neighborhood
Help your kids get real-life experience by assisting others in the neighborhood. Does someone need leaves raked up or their lawn mowed? This could be an excellent opportunity for volunteering or to make a little bit of money.
Even though the chapter of summer is closing, the fun doesn’t have to stop. Get ready for an incredible autumn season here on the GameTruck, full of excitement and memories, with these fall activities for kids! Subscribe to our email newsletter to ensure you never miss out on our newest family fun guide blogs!
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Five Fun After School Activities
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!
Video Game Safety: 8 Ways to Be Safe this School Year
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…
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
Subscription Games – games that are streamed and accessed through an account.
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
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!
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