Summer Family Fun + Games!

What do you get when you mix fun + marshmallows + ginger ale + and mustard? Something disgusting, but... you know what's not disgusting? Having a great Summer!

Summer shouldn't be solely about gaming, even though we recommend that it be on the activity list... but there are other things to enjoy. Get crafty, game on, and have some fun... under the sun! I'll kick this post off with a dose of gaming... crank up the speakers and enjoy!

Arts & Crafts don't have to be the same old same old... there are plenty of Printables from Play Nintendo that your children can enjoy. Check these out (many more where these came from):

Pikmin coloring pages:

Powered up activities:

Pikmin...in color!:

Up and away! Paper Mario Airplane:

Print & play with Peach activity book:

Printable Mario & Luigi Masks (Adult required):

Print & Play Princess Peach Crown: (Adult required):

DK dress-up fun! (Adult required):

Paper Pikmin (Adult required):

Stage Craft (Adult required):

Kicking it with Mario:

Wario 'stache mask (Adult assistance required):

If you serve up these activities to your kids once per day, you're looking at nearly a month or so worth of arts and crafts for them to enjoy. Grab crayons or coloring pencils, scissors, print... and dig in! Whether these activities are done at home, vacation or staycation... they're a perfect fit.

 Fun and Affordable Summer Activities for Families in Orlando, Florida 

Orlando, Florida, is renowned for its world-class theme parks, but there’s so much more to explore, especially for families looking for fun and affordable summer activities (even though those usually traveling to Orlando are here for the theme parks). On the most affordable note though, here are some top picks that won’t break the bank:

Crayola Experience Orlando

Located at The Florida Mall, the Crayola Experience is a vibrant, interactive attraction where creativity knows no bounds. Families can enjoy hands-on activities, from making personalized crayons to exploring the color playground. It’s a colorful adventure that kids and adults alike will love.

Fun Spot America Theme Parks

Fun Spot America offers a variety of thrilling rides and attractions, including multi-level go-kart tracks, a wooden roller coaster, and a splash pad. The best part? Admission is free for non-riders, and parking is also complimentary. It’s a perfect spot for a day of excitement without the hefty price tag.

WonderWorks Orlando

This “amusement park for the mind” features over 100 interactive exhibits that blend education and entertainment. From a ropes course to a 6D motion ride, WonderWorks offers endless fun for the whole family. It’s an affordable way to spend a day exploring and learning.

Lake Eola Park

In the heart of downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park is a serene escape with plenty of activities for families. Enjoy a picnic by the lake, feed the swans, or take a leisurely paddleboat ride. The park also hosts free concerts and events throughout the summer, making it a great spot for budget-friendly fun.

Leu Gardens

For nature lovers, Leu Gardens offers 50 acres of beautiful gardens and landscapes. Admission is free on the first Monday of each month, providing an affordable way to explore the diverse plant collections and enjoy a peacefulday outdoors.

Central Florida Springs

Cool off from the summer heat by visiting one of Central Florida’s natural springs. Places like Wekiwa Springs and Blue Spring State Park offer refreshing swimming spots, kayaking, and scenic trails. Admission fees are minimal, making it a cost-effective family outing.

Orlando Science Center

The Orlando Science Center is a fantastic destination for curious minds. With interactive exhibits, live science demonstrations, and a planetarium, it’s both educational and entertaining. The center often offers discounted admission days, so keep an eye out for deals.

Disney Springs

While visiting the major theme parks can be pricey, Disney Springs offers a taste of Disney magic without the high cost. Stroll through the shops, enjoy live entertainment, and indulge in delicious treats. It’s a fun way to experience the Disney atmosphere on a budget. 

By the way, you can do something additional with this. You can resort hop... just take a free boat, bus, or monorail to the various Disney resorts and immerse yourself without an official resort stay. You can enjoy the atmosphere, the foods, as well as the desserts while being outside only during your transportation.

Big Tree Park & N Mills Ave

Not only do you have a park in this area, but it's right next to North Mills Avenue. This particular road isn't exactly a place presented to tourist, but it's a strip full of restaurants that also contains bars for those looking for that sort of thing.

Splash Pads and Playgrounds

Orlando is home to numerous splash pads and playgrounds that are perfect for cooling off and having fun. Many local parks offer these amenities for free, making them an excellent option for families looking to enjoy the outdoors without spending a lot. Lake Lorna Doone Park is one example of a park with a Splashpad, but... there is more than one option + some resorts have splash pads or mini waterparks.

Dezerland Park Orlando

Dezerland Park is Florida’s largest indoor attraction, offering a wide range of activities for families. Enjoy thrilling go-karting, explore the extensive Orlando Auto Museum, play boutique bowling, immerse yourself in The Pinball Palace, bounce at Jump Start Trampoline, and engage in black light combat with gel blasters in Toxic Blast. With so many unique attractions under one roof, Dezerland Park guarantees a day full of fun and excitement for everyone. Dezerland Deals.

Orlando offers a wealth of affordable activities for families to enjoy during the summer. From interactive museums and natural springs to vibrant parks and free events, there’s something for everyone. So pack your bags, gather the family, and get ready to explore all that Orlando has to offer without breaking the bank. Even if you plan to only go to the parks a portion of the time... you can utilize these other options as fun fillers. Dezerland gives you a place to get out of the sun, rain, and it's open at night. Now let's jump into portable gaming!

 Why Handheld Gaming Devices Are Perfect for a Summer Vacation 

Summer vacations are all about the relaxation, adventure, and making the most of your free time between travel. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, traveling to a new destination, or simply enjoying a staycation, handheld gaming devices like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and MSI Claw can enhance your summer experience.

Handheld gaming devices are designed to be portable, making them ideal for travel. The Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and MSI Claw are compact and lightweight, allowing you to easily slip them into your backpack or carry-on luggage. This means you can enjoy your favorite games whether you’re on a plane, at the beach, or at a fly resort. 

So you get the portability + convenience, the ability to connect to a resort TV if you want to use a bigger screen, you can jump online if you have internet access as well. By the way, even if you don't have internet access... you can still enjoy multiplayer on all three of these devices. Off top, you will be able to play multiplayer offline the easiest on the Nintendo Switch, you don't have to worry about using internet/hotspot or Ad-Hoc between two devices. 

If there are more than two gamers, the ease of connecting is even better with the Nintendo Switch and some games give you the ability to play together by way of only one person owning the game. Nevertheless, if you only have one handheld device on deck, and 4 controllers are available... you can still enjoy multiplayer action on these devices (preferably on a big screen). 

So take advantage of the versatility during your travels, fun it up, eat well, create some great memories and... game on!

 + Sophima 

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Can the Steam Deck outgrow the Nintendo Switch? Yes it can! Here's why!

This might seem random (and it is), but... the Steam Deck has become a bigger curiosity when talking to fellow gamers. Either some are simply curious about it and want to learn more... or they're literally trying to find a store that sells it so they can snag one. I've talked to numerous gamers with Steam Deck on the brain, and after speaking about several pluses, most are sold on the investment. This wasn't for the sake of me selling anything but... there are pluses to having one. I still say... it's based on what you're looking for though (and i'll continue to say that).

The reason why the Steam Deck has the potential to outgrow the Nintendo Switch, is something I've mentioned before... and that's the Steam platform. It's been around longer than the Nintendo eShop, the Steam Deck won't have a cut off point in regards to the Steam store (same as traditional laptops + desktops). Same account, different systems. 

The company itself would likely have to shut it's doors, but... that still wouldn't prevent the device from functioning. 

The same would apply to the Switch, but... as far as which would still have access to their respective online store... that would be the Steam Deck (unless Nintendo keeps the door open for the long haul to make it debatable). 

One might say it's possible for Nintendo to follow in Valve's footsteps, but... do you really see Nintendo placing potential sales at risk by allowing Switch access to the eShop for the life of future consoles? (C'mon Son!)

This doesn't count Nintendo out as far as future consoles go, but if and when Steam is able to get the price of the device down further... that would increase the incentive to buy. Especially for those who want games Nintendo doesn't have access to and... could careless about owning the First Party titles. The price hasn't stopped a number of gamers from asking me where to buy (after giving them the benefits of owning one). 

The saving grace for Nintendo is it's first party line up for die hard fans, and... one that we forget... which are the physical copies of games. When it comes to online support and access to eShop, that can vanish, but just like previous Nintendo consoles/handhelds, if you have the cartridge and your system works... you can play it. So when it comes to the physical games... Nintendo has the upperhand (these can be passed on to your kids without account/internet access), when it comes to digital... I give it to Valve. Also, you will be able to access new games on your Steam Deck... years from now, if it still works and iFixIt still repairs them. Technically, repair companies can fix a system regardless, as long as they have parts that fit.

The good thing is... these are two portable/versitile handhelds that are different enough to deliver more options for our enjoyment. Nintendo dominated for quite some time (with beloved handhelds still floating around + remakes), and now a new competitor is here + others, especially for those who gave up traditional/stationary consoles altogether. Some people aren't home that often and don't wish to carry around a console they need to connect to the telly in order to enjoy. There are some minimalists who don't even have televisions, while others just can't afford one.

Financial struggles also emerged as a topic, especially in terms of certain gamers looking at expenses and feeling as if they really need to watch out for spending too much due to financial insecurities (so the decision to buy is restricted to either or).

Financial insecurities actually opened the door to this conversation for a number of gamers who are fresh out of high school, they've been out of college for a few years (dealing with debt) and still don't qualify for entry-level positions, or they have a budget and want to invest in something that stretches beyond the shelf life of a traditional system. On that note... a lack of money increases the desire for some to spend more wisely (nothing wrong with budgeting either way... but) the cost of Nintendo's first party games comes up in terms of which system is more affordable for the long haul.

Nintendo eShop serves up deals (I've snagged multiple myself)... so I defintely wouldn't say that it doesn't, but when it comes to first party titles... they're going to remain at a premium price. Always have. This doesn't condemn the first party titles from Nintendo (there are some great ones), but a number of gamers are literally gaming exclusively from the discount bin outside of the times they save up for that one game they really want. On that note, if they don't realistically see themselves buying first party games from Nintendo... and they need a system that does more than gaming for the long haul... Steam Deck appears to be that solution because it's also computer. This sealed the deal for a number of the gamers that brought this topic to mind.

Both give you access to Hulu + YouTube, but Steam Deck gives you access to everything else as well + gaming + the ability to switch to desktop (remember this is a Linux operating system). I have no loyalty to either company, this is all about what benefits gamers and our needs. A gamer who needs a free video editing software, free image editing software, free office suite, and more... get these things in Steam Deck. Place the Steam Deck on the Dock and use a monitor and speakers for movies, and signing into an online work platform shouldn't be a stretch via Microsoft 360. Again, this doesn't make the Switch a bad option, but a number of gamers are adapting to the situation in order to enjoy gaming and grinding!

For struggling gamers who desire to get a Steam Deck/PC set up for a studio apartment, I recommend something... similar to the following:

39.4" Foldable Desk (No Assembly Required) | $69.99

22 Inch Monitors (2-Pack) 1920 x 1080p | $119.97

These desktop speakers also have speakers on the side | $13.99 or...

Logitech Z313 2.1 speeakers + Subwoofer | $59.99

Amazon Wireless Keyboard & Mouse | $20.69

Steam Deck Dock | $46.99

Put it together, and you have what you see in the image above.

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Hangout Spots For Gamers... in Orlando!

I was asked recently about hangout spots in Orlando that may appeal to gamers, so it's the perfect opportunity to recommend some and turn up the in-person interaction with fellow gamers.

One location that immediately comes to mind is... The Pinball Palace at Dezerland. This location has a lounge where you can kick it with friends and play various games on Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo, retro consoles, and ofcourse... pinball + Pool! This lounge also has a bar with an assortment of drinks. Outside of couch co-op games, I'd probably go and play pinball or pool. https://pinballatdezerland.com/

Dezerland is near the corner of International Drive & Oak Ridge Road (It's directly across the street from McDonalds, and the word 'Dezerland' are in huge letters). *There is also full arcade just past the bowling area at Dezerland as well.

Dezerland Park Orlando
5250 International Dr, Orlando (FL) 32819

Player 1 Video Game Bar is similar to The Pinball Palace, but you have a lot more drinks + snack options, which some have a game theme to them.

Snacks are limited. The current options are Boneless Chocobo Tenders, Itsa-me, Mario! Mozzarella Sticks, and Raph's Pizza Pockets. These prices are reasonable for the snacks, especially when compared to the sodas, which are $6.00 per bottle (yikes). https://player1orlando.com/

Player 1 Video Game Bar
8562 Palm Pkwy, Orlando (FL) 32836

Gods & Monsters is a comic book shop that serves drinks in it's Fallout themed "Vault 5421" bar (featuring games like free Joystick arcade tables). It has all sorts of figurines, the atmosphere feels like the perfect after party location once Comic-Con comes to a close. Which is crazy because the Orlando Toy & Comic-Con is going on right now! I can't confirm if they have food or not (in the vault). https://godmonsters.com/

Gods & Monsters
5421 International Drive, Orlando (FL) 32819

Quickly Boba N Snow isn't a place with video games, but... this Asian Fusion restaurant shows gamers, and anime fans a lot of love. Gamers will actually take their Nintendo Switch systems to this restaurant to chill, chat, game, and grub. You can really get your grub on here, and the prices are reasonable. Those Korean corn dogs are next on my list, we would get them here and there from a new place near by (Mochinut), but... you can basically get two for the price of one (because Quickly's Korean corndogs are $4 compared to $7.50). https://www.yelp.com/biz/quickly-boba-n-snow-orlando

Quickly Boba N Snow
3214 E Colonial Dr, Orlando (FL) 32803

While these are options you may be interested in checking out, there are other game/card related shops you can meet at if you don't plan to lounge. Also, you can go to a number of places and turn it into a hangout spot for gamers, because it all boils down to where a number of gamers choose to frequent. Seek places with a great option for lounging, good food at a reasonable price, and keep it respectful so that the owners appreciate the constant presence of gamers. They might even be gamers themselves.

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To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade? The PS5 Pro Dilemma for Gaming Enthusiasts

Attention, gamers! The age-old question has resurfaced: should you take the plunge and upgrade to the latest and greatest gaming console? In this case, we're talking about the rumored PlayStation 5 Pro. For those whose current PS5 is on its last leg, the decision is a no-brainer – it's time for an upgrade. But what about the rest of us?

If you're a visual junkie akin to those PC gamers with deep pockets, the PS5 Pro's promised upgrades might just be the ticket to gaming nirvana. But for those who don't fall into either of those camps, it's time to do some soul-searching (in the most unserious kinda sorta playing but not really way possible).

How often do you actually play your games, or do they mostly collect dust? If you're constantly on the go, that shiny new console might end up being more of a pricey paperweight than a worthwhile investment. Instead, consider diverting those funds toward a versatile handheld gaming option – like the Steam Deck, which doubles as a work device for jet-setters. You can still access games from over a decade ago, but you can also break out a keyboard and mouse for far more than games like Diablo IV. Take a look at Aaronjoi's setup (everything you see here is connected to the Steam Deck via the dock):

No shade to Nintendo, but... Switch can't do this (it doesn't have to, but... still).

But let's not forget the gamers who religiously log in and level up. If you can't quite swing the PS5 Pro upgrade yet, don't fret! Gaming isn't going anywhere, and with some savvy saving, that sleek new console could be yours in due time. Just resist the urge to take out a loan – those interest rates are a real buzz-kill and just aren't worth it... because the good vibes will vanish quicker than a shinobi.

And for those eagerly awaiting the release of GTA 6, the ultimate question: would you rather experience it on your trusty PS5 or hold out for the rumored AI-upscaled visuals of the Pro when you can finally afford it? It's not a tough call if you keep it real with yourself. Where would you rather invest your money? Hobbies vary... and if gaming is yours without a doubt then tucking money in a jar will have you ready for that purchase when the time is right. Whichever path you choose, keep those controllers charged and... game on!

Sophima

 + Blu 

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