If your kids are fanatical about video games such as Fortnite or Apex Legends, there are lots of real-life experiences you can take them to that are similar to video games in real life. These activities can be great for birthday parties or family outings. Have you tried any of these with the gamers in your life?
Escape Rooms
This relatively new phenomenon has locations popping up in major cities all over the world. Your team is locked in a themed room and must escape within an hour. To escape your team must solve puzzles, riddles and mazes to find clues, keys or buttons that open up additional rooms in order to escape. Escape room experiences are great for gamers as they are often themed similarly to video game genres such as outer-space, fantasy, and horror.
Escape rooms are filled with puzzles similar to the types you would find in many video games, but experiencing them in person lets you work as a team and develop leadership skills. It’s great to see your kids demonstrate problem-solving skills and even better when you can demonstrate your own knowledge by helping them out!
The unique thing about escape rooms is that you can really only do each one once, so most locations feature several rooms for you to return to and try out. If you or your kids are inquisitive enough and enjoy these, you’ll soon find yourselves trying to try out every escape room in your area.
Laser Tag
If your kids love combat based games they will get a lot of enjoyment out of laser tag. Laser tag is a safe way for your children to experience these games in real life. Gamers will love this as laser tag arenas are often inspired by science fiction shooter games such as the Halo.
The great thing about laser tag is that it encourages exercise and allows children to learn to work as a team.
Some laser tag centres have weekly league events where your kids can sign up to play as part of a team or as an individual. It’s a great way to get exercise and enjoy a hobby similar to video games, but with far more running around.
Local Tourist Attractions
Many local tourist attractions such as zoos, aquariums or theme parks will often include some kind of birthday party package. Depending on what you have near you, your kids might be able to live out Red Dead Redemption in a gold rush town, or The Legend of Zelda in a medieval fair. There might even be some kind of safari or behind the scenes options at your local zoo!
Go-Karting
For kids who love racing games such as Mario-Kart, consider taking them to a Go-Karting venue. A lot of kids find driving fascinating and are always excited by the prospect of operating something with a real motor. It encourages your kids to develop hand-eye coordination and teaches them how to have a healthy and fair competition.
Paintball
If your kids are a little older, paintball can be a great family experience or birthday party idea. It is reminiscent of many games kids love such as Fortnite and Call of Duty. If your kids are younger, some locations have kid-friendly versions of paintball that don’t hurt as much. But if your kids are much younger you are probably better off having a party at home or at a play centre. A day of paintball is a great way to get your kids to put down the controller and to trick them into running around outside!
Mia Rose says
These are fun activities that encourage kids to be social and active with their friends and family. It is good for them to get out and do things.