What Size Cooler Do I Need? Pick the Perfect Size for Snack Attacks

May 29, 2023/0 Comments/in Tips and Tricks/by Janice Friedman

When it comes to outdoor adventures, picnics, or road trips, having a trusty cooler by your side is a must. A well-stocked cooler ensures that you have refreshing drinks and tasty snacks readily available, keeping hunger and thirst at bay. However, choosing the right cooler size can be a daunting task. Opting for a cooler that’s too small leaves you with limited food options, while a larger one may prove bulky and impractical to carry around. So, the question arises: “What size cooler do I need?” In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of picking the perfect cooler size to satisfy those snack attacks while considering factors such as capacity, portability, and your specific needs. With our handy tips and suggestions, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and ensure your adventures are filled with delicious treats and cool refreshments.

As I headed out to see the game, I thought it would be nice to have a cool drink and a sandwich or two by my side. I stopped at the store, and as I picked up some drinks, I noticed the coolers they had placed next to the refrigerators. I thought, “A cooler would be nice to have so my drinks stay cold, but what size cooler do I need?”

Quick Navigation

What Size Cooler Do I Need?

The Answer Rests in the Details

The Determination

The Effect of the Right Cooler

Usability

Preference

On to the Game!

What Size Cooler Do I Need?

Long story short, they had small coolers, huge coolers, soft coolers, and backpack coolers. So many choices I didn’t know what to grab. I took a minute to decide and ended up picking a medium-sized cooler for the game.

In my situation, I had a few friends who were going to see the game with me. I knew they would need a cool place for their drinks as well. Even with the ice and the drinks, I was able to hoist the cooler into the back of my truck and head out to the game.

Sitting in the parking lot outside the game, I realized that my original decision may have been flawed. My cooler worked perfectly for this game, but would it be just as perfect for the other events I would attend?

I knew there were a few events I would be walking around. I couldn’t carry my new cooler around with me at those events. What size cooler do I need for those events? Since a cooler lasts, I wanted the perfect cooler for any outing. Like many things, the determination of the cooler rests on the details.

And the simple answer you want to know is: The cooler size you need depends on what you’re doing, where you’re going, and who you’ll be with.

The Answer Rests in the Details

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A cooler is made for many occasions. Considering this fact, we know that many variables apply when deciding what cooler to buy.

Coolers made out of fabric are mobile but don’t last as long as other coolers. Large coolers lack this mobility but have the versatility of a large space. Treated right, these coolers last for a long time. A medium-sized cooler is more mobile than a large cooler but wouldn’t fit all of the things you need for a large event.

So choosing the cooler based on your specific situation is ideal. When you ask yourself, “What cooler do I need?” Think of your needs and how the cooler you buy satisfies them.

The longevity of the cooler

Effective mobility

People, places, and things

The Determination

Based on these variables, you can make your determination. “What size cooler do I need if I am moving a lot?” you may ask. You need a small mobile cooler. What size cooler do I need if I have quite a bit of people to support? You need a large cooler.

Store your cooler in safe places if you get one with lighter material. If your cooler needs to be able to handle some wear and tear, then get a cooler made with stronger material. Make your determination based on the needs that you have for your cooler.

The Effect of the Right Cooler

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The right coolers have a big effect on the enjoyment you have at your events. The effect is felt by everyone around you. We all enjoy having a cool drink by our side, especially at the events we attend. And you don’t have to worry about your food going bad along the way.

You don’t have to run to the store as often since you have all of the storage you need. The event goes smoothly, and you travel easily with all of the items that you need to keep cool along the way. A cooler isn’t essential for every attendee of an event, but one can be very useful for a group or party.

A cooler allows for some extra fun to be had in the time you spend out and about. They can save you money by preventing the need for stops at the store or food stand every time you need food or drink.

Usability

The uses are vast with the right cooler. You can take your cooler to the park with a nice picnic inside. You can enjoy the game with some ice-cold drinks and even a small lunch by your side.

Or you can keep everything you need with you as you travel around in your vehicle. And you can enjoy your time at a festival with a mobile cooler.

You can even use a cooler for medicines that have to stay cool. No matter where you go, you may want to have a cooler by your side.

Ultimately the decision rests on the variables at play. Although, it may be of your own preference to go against the most logical of answers. Sure, it’s difficult to carry a huge cooler around with you, but determination and strong muscles can allow you to have that preference.

Plus, if you’re moving around that much, get one with wheels!

Preference

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It can seem so simple of a decision, but the necessity of the choice makes it an important one. When I made my decision, I made it based on the factors involved, but I also made it based on my preference. We all live our own lives and so thus have our own biases, beliefs, and preferences.

To live the best of our life is to make the most out of our choices. Logical decisions in a situation like this may not be your preference. The goal is to be happy, healthy, and fed. So make the choice that works for you.

Conclusion

Choosing the right size cooler is essential to ensure that you have the perfect companion for your snack attacks during outdoor adventures. By considering factors such as capacity, portability, and your specific needs, you can make an informed decision and find the ideal cooler that fits your requirements. Whether it’s a small, mobile cooler for on-the-go activities, a large cooler for group gatherings, or a versatile fabric cooler for flexibility, each option offers unique benefits and caters to different situations.

The right cooler has a significant impact on the enjoyment of your events, providing refreshing drinks and keeping your food cool and fresh. It eliminates the need for frequent store runs, saves you money, and allows you to focus on the fun without worrying about hunger or thirst. Moreover, coolers can serve multiple purposes, from picnics in the park to keeping medications cool while traveling.

Ultimately, the decision of what size cooler to choose rests on a combination of logical considerations and personal preferences. It’s important to find a balance between practicality and individual needs to ensure a seamless experience. So, next time you embark on an adventure, armed with the perfect-sized cooler, you’ll be ready to tackle any snack attack that comes your way. Stay cool, enjoy your outings, and make lasting memories with the help of your trusty cooler!

On to the Game!

What size cooler do I need? The most effective and preferential one I can find. And the same goes for you. Whether it’s a fabric cooler, small cooler, large cooler, handheld cooler, or some other cooler in the family, it will do its job based on what it’s made for. So choose wisely.

Now it’s time to load up and head out to the game. Have fun, and stay cool! Did we help you pick the right cooler? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured image source: Unsplash

How To Winterize An Above Ground Pool

May 26, 2023/1 Comment/in Outdoors, Tips and Tricks/by Janice Friedman

Imagine the crisp air, the scent of fallen leaves, and the anticipation of cozy winter evenings by the fireplace. As the seasons change and the colder months approach, it’s time to turn your attention to a task often overlooked: winterizing your above-ground pool. While it may seem like a daunting undertaking, mastering the art of winterizing your pool is essential for its long-term health and peace of mind. In this article, we will guide you through the intricacies of winterizing an above-ground pool, revealing expert tips and techniques that will not only protect your investment but also ensure a seamless reopening come spring. So, grab your warmest sweater, and let’s embark on a journey to uncover the secrets of a perfectly winterized pool.

Proper Pool Care

If you’re lucky enough to own a pool, you should know how to take proper care of it. When you know how to winterize an above-ground pool, you can save it from the damaging effect of cold air and other elements. Freezing can cause any pool to become useless by the time spring rolls around.

There are right ways and wrong ways to winterize an outdoor, above-ground pool. Therefore, it’s important to follow a step-by-step procedure if you want a functioning pool at the end of winter. That’s not a task to rush through, or you might waste all your efforts.

There might be several misconceptions surrounding the concept of winterizing a pool, so you should be able to clear those up. You can then look at the correct procedure before getting started on your pool winterizing project.

Learning How to Winterize an Above-Ground Pool Protects Your Property

Learning how to winterize an above-ground pool not only safeguards your investment but also protects your entire property. By properly winterizing your pool, you prevent potential damage caused by freezing temperatures, ice expansion, and snow accumulation. This proactive approach ensures that your pool’s structure remains intact, preventing cracks, leaks, and other costly repairs. Moreover, winterizing your pool helps maintain the overall aesthetic appeal of your property. With a securely covered pool, you eliminate the risk of debris, leaves, or branches falling into the water, which can create a messy and unsightly appearance. By dedicating time and effort to winterize your above-ground pool, you not only protect your pool but also preserve the beauty and value of your property as a whole.

So, what are the damages and dangers if you leave your pool exposed to the cold winter air? Knowing this will motivate you to learn how to winterize an above-ground pool:

Clean water to protect the pool

It’s a misconception that you need to drain the water from the pool completely. With no water inside, your tools and pipes won’t be likely to freeze, right? However, it’s now a fact that having clean water in your above-ground pool is a better way to preserve its function.

Before we start with how to winterize a pool, you should know about the chemicals that go into the water first. These include chlorine shock, algaecide, and stain avoidance chemicals.

As the name suggests, algaecide prevents pool algae from growing and blooming. After you dissolve this in the pool water, you’ll use chlorine shock to help the algaecide along. That will improve water clarity and also speed up the destroying process of algae growth.

Finally, you may apply stain avoidance to do away with any stains that might spoil the appearance of the pool. It’s also necessary for maintaining hygiene, as the stains can harden and become permanent if you leave them for the winter.

All these chemicals are suitable for securing your above-ground swimming pool during the winter season. They serve to stabilize the pool water, ensuring that the latter stays in a similar condition before you shut it down.

Knowing how much water to drain

You don’t have to drain all the water inside. The pipes system is among the most important components of any pool. If this system is frozen, you can face a lot of damage.

Naturally, you’d avoid paying for the expensive repairs come springtime. That’s why you should drain the pool to below the level of the skimmer or the filtration system.

Fortunately, most modern pool systems have a detachable pump and filtration system. That makes the steps in how to winterize an above-ground pool much easier, as you may imagine. All you have to do is remove the skimmer and pump, make sure they’re dry, and store them separately.

Those who already know how to winterize an above-ground pool will also be aware of the importance of air pillows. It’s an additional item that we place beneath the winter cover of our pool. The air pillow goes in the middle of the above-ground pool. Its main function is to center any rain, ice, or snow pressure.

If these elements have too much pressure, they will move toward the air pillow instead of damaging the pool. That way, even if you want to drain most of the pool water, a closely-fitting cover will still prevent most of the damage.

The maintenance of swimming pools

A swimming pool of any kind is a great luxury, but this also means that you have to make a lot of effort in its maintenance. If you’re not aware of how to winterize an above-ground pool properly, be prepared to pay through the nose.

Think of your swimming pool as an investment. It can give you a lot of return for the money you spent on construction and water. However, if you don’t want this investment to fail, knowing how to drain its pipes and secure it from damage is a must.

The cold weather can freeze up certain areas of the pool. Additionally, it can also attract twigs, leaves, and other forms of debris into the pool. If you don’t winterize properly, you could end up with a choked and dirty pool that’s unfit for immediate use.

Once you know how to winterize an above-ground pool correctly, you likely won’t have to pay for repairing much damage in the warmer weather. Plus, you can reopen an undamaged pool more easily when the right season rolls around.

Storing the whole pool

Some above-ground pools are not necessarily installed inside the ground but stand above it. This type of pool is more economical and easier to protect during the winter. All you have to do is pull off the detachable parts and store away the whole pool in a large indoor area. Make sure you follow the storage instructions on the package: don’t just wing it.

When Is the Right Time to Winterize Your Above Ground Pool?

The closing time of your above-ground pool will vary according to the temperature in your area. If you want to cut it as close as possible, you should wait until the temperature goes below 65 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius.

The reasoning behind this is that algae need heat for growing, just like most plants. When the temperature is low, it’s more likely that your pool water is free of infestations.

That’s why we should leave the pool open until the cold season officially starts. An open pool will also give you time for cleaning, testing, and balancing the pool’s pH before closing it for the winter.

Some areas might see a rise in temperatures above 65 degrees during winter. If this happens in your locality, you can use the warm period to test the pool water chemistry. If it’s off, you can try balancing it again.

This testing and balancing will help to clean the water and keep it clear for the spring.

The Step-By-Step Process

We now come to the actual process of how to winterize an above-ground pool. The following steps will make things easier to understand and follow:

Step 1: Remove some parts of the pool

First of all, you need to remove some parts of the pool. You can wrap them up and store them in a shed or any other sheltered place. It will ensure that they won’t rust during the winter season. The first two parts you need to screw off are the step ladder and the filtration system.

Next, remove the pipes. Wash these thoroughly, as they contain a lot of residue and gunk. Finally, dry off all these parts before securing them at a reasonable temperature.

Step 2: Make it hygienic by adjusting the contents

Next, you have to adjust the water inside the pool. That means balancing the levels of alkalinity, water pH, and calcium hardness. Every pool has different levels for these substances, though they’re all necessary. You’ll have to increase or lower the levels as required.

The general rule of thumb here is that the calcium hardness should be between 180 and 220. The pH level should ideally be between 7.2 and 7.4. Alkalinity levels should be at least 80 ppm and 120 ppm at the maximum.

To prevent the growth of algae as much as possible, it’s essential to measure all these levels precisely. After this, cover the pool as neatly and tightly as you can. This will help to enhance the performance of these substances, which in turn will maintain the hygiene of your pool.

Step 3: Clean it up

The next step in the process is to clean up your pool. When in use during the warmer months, the pool would naturally have some debris inside it. These include large particles, such as leaves (both fresh and dry). You’ll have to remove these from the pool’s surface as they have organic particles.

After the leaves, try to remove any foreign objects from your above-ground pool. That also includes the tiniest amount of algae.

Step 4: Reduce the water level

While you shouldn’t completely drain the pool, it’s necessary to reduce the water level. At the very least, the pool’s water level should be beneath the filtration system or skimmer line.

This precaution will ensure that there’s no water splashing into the skimmer’s mouth. If there is any water there during a freezing winter, you’ll probably find some frozen water damage in the system afterward.

Step 5: Cover the pool

With the water balanced out and below a certain level, it’s now safe to close up your above-ground pool. Make sure the cover is tight and neat, or a winter wind could blow it out. Cover clips will come in handy for securing the cover to the pool sides.

You should also inspect your pool cover before putting it on. When in storage, covers like these can develop holes. If this is the case, you can use patches for avoiding any snowmelt or rain damage.

If the rips and tears are too much, you might have to invest in a new pool cover. This additional cost would still be lower than expensive repairs for your pool.

An air pillow is also a worthy investment here. It will help to centralize your cover and keep any snow, rain, or ice away from the pool. If the winter is cold enough to form ice, that air pillow will function as an ice equalizer.

Step 6: Remove the filters

The final step in winterizing your pool is to remove the filters or the pump and filter system. Take off these parts, hose them down properly, and leave them out to dry. It’s best if you can leave them like this overnight.

Once these parts dry out completely, you can put the system back together. Finally, store it away for the season in a dry, sheltered place.

Time to Take Care of Your Above-Ground Pool

In conclusion, winterizing an above-ground pool is a crucial step to protect your investment and ensure its longevity. By following the necessary steps outlined in this article, you can safeguard your pool against harsh winter elements and prevent costly damage. Remember to drain and clean the pool, balance the water chemistry, remove all accessories, and cover it securely. Additionally, regular maintenance throughout the winter months will help you maintain the pool’s condition and make the reopening process smoother in the spring. By taking these precautions and implementing the suggested winterization techniques, you can enjoy a hassle-free pool opening next summer and continue to make lasting memories in your above-ground pool for years to come.

Now that you know how to winterize an above-ground pool, you’ll be all set for the cold season! Proper winterizing will help to extend the life of your swimming pool and ensure that you’ll have many more seasons to cherish. Stay on your toes about winterizing and enjoy the fruits of your efforts when spring finally comes around.

Do you have any additional information for those learning how to winterize an above-ground pool? Let us know in the comments section.

Featured Image: Public Domain, by Jonathan Hogue via Wikimedia Commons

18 Tips on How to Be Funny

May 20, 2023/0 Comments/in Tips and Tricks/by Janice Friedman

What is funny or comedic is both a universal constant across all humanity, and yet paradoxically, it is also a historically contextual form. We can find the humor in the plays of the Greek playwright Aristophanes or England’s Shakespeare, yet their comedies do not speak of the present, and we could easily say the opposite is true. Even now, things that we considered funny twenty years ago are now considered unfunny.

Put simply, comedy evolves reflexively upon itself to find out what is funny and comedic within society at large, and it is a craft that has been developed and refined for as long as humanity itself.

Being funny is an art. No one is born with the “funny gene.” In fact, comedians spend years honing their craft. The same skills can be learned by anyone, even someone just looking to be a little funnier in the breakroom.

Laughter is a universal language that can bring people together, break the ice, and brighten even the dullest of moments. Being funny is a skill that many aspire to master, but for some, it may seem like an elusive talent reserved for the naturally witty. The good news is that humor can be learned and refined, and anyone can tap into their comedic potential.

Whether you want to crack jokes at social gatherings, deliver humorous presentations, or simply add a touch of levity to your everyday interactions, this article presents 18 valuable tips on how to be funny. From understanding the fundamental principles of comedy to developing your unique comedic style, these insights will help you unleash your inner comedian and bring joy to those around you.

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“Genres” of Comedy

Anecdotal: Greek: anecdote: unpublished. Personal stories that may be true/partly true but embellished

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Anti-humor: indirect humor in which the joke teller delivers a joke which is intentionally not funny

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Black/Dark Comedy: comedy involving disturbing subjects like death, drugs, war, or other taboo subjects

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Blue comedy: typically sexual in nature, using profane language, sometimes using gender or race-based humor

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Character comedy: derives humor from a persona invented by a performer. Often drawing from stereotypes

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Cringe comedy: a comedy of embarrassment; the humor derives from inappropriate actions at inappropriate times. Usually popular in tv and film

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Deadpan comedy: Not really a genre per se, but a method of telling jokes without changing emotions or facial expression

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And that’s not all

Heritage comedy: genre in which a comedian speaks on humourous traits/stereotypes about their own cultural heritage.

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Improvisational comedy: unplanned comic routines, popular in TV

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Insult comedy: a form consisting of offensive insults at the audience or other performers.

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Mockumentary: parody using the conventions of a documentary. Used extensively in TV and Film

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Musical comedy: humor derived from music with lyrics

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Observational: pokes fun at everyday life, inflating the importance of the trivial or the silliness of something that a society accepts as normal

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And there’s more!

One-line joke: joke delivered in a single; usually pithy, concise

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Physical comedy: similar to slapstick, uses physical movements and gestures, influenced by clowning

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Prop comedy: relies on props, everyday objects used in humorous ways

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Shock humor: uses shock value to a strong negative as well as comedic emotion

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Surreal comedy: a form of comedy based on bizarre juxtapositions, absurd situations, nonsense logic

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Topical comedy/Satire: relies on headlining/important news/current events. Popular on TV

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Wit/word Play: a form based on clever, subtle manipulation of languages (through puns and being crude)

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Practice Makes Perfect

You may not be the most hilarious person on your first attempt, but if you keep going, you’ll eventually get there. Give yourself permission to fail. Learn to take yourself less seriously. Being funny is an art form, and it requires a lot of time and work!

Conclusion

In conclusion, humor is a powerful tool that can bring joy, forge connections, and leave a lasting impact on those around you. By incorporating the 18 tips discussed in this article, you can unlock your comedic potential and become a master of laughter.

Remember, being funny is not about being perfect or always delivering the perfect punchline. It’s about embracing your unique sense of humor, being authentic, and connecting with others through laughter. It’s a skill that can be developed and refined over time with practice and experimentation.

So, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, try new comedic techniques, and learn from the masters of comedy. Embrace the power of observation, timing, wordplay, and storytelling. Tailor your humor to your audience, stay current with pop culture, and above all, have fun with it!

Whether you’re cracking jokes at a social gathering, delivering a presentation, or simply engaging in everyday conversations, incorporating humor into your interactions will make them memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved.

So, go ahead, unleash your inner comedian, and spread laughter wherever you go. Remember, the world can always use a little more humor, and by mastering the art of being funny, you have the power to brighten someone’s day and leave a positive and lasting impression.

In the end, being funny is not just about making people laugh; it’s about creating connections, fostering positivity, and bringing happiness into the lives of others. So, go forth, armed with these 18 tips, and let the laughter begin!

How to Host a Murder Mystery Party Just in Time for Halloween

May 20, 2023/1 Comment/in Party Games, Tips and Tricks/by Janice Friedman

Are you ready to learn how to host a murder mystery party? Everyone loves to dig into a fun whodunnit type of story. There’s something incredibly exciting about seeing a problem, digging up clues, and putting the pieces together to solve the case. Whether we indulge in these sorts of mysteries by watching movies, reading books, listening to podcasts, or even hearing about the adventures in other people’s lives, there’s one place everyone can take a crack at it:

A murder mystery party.

These get-togethers can be excellent parties for any group of people, be it coworkers, family, a club, or even people who enjoy roleplaying. After all, what’s not to love about getting to put on your acting hat, pretending to be someone else for an evening, and getting to star in your detective role? Similarly, what could be a better choice for the Halloween season?

If that sounds like an excellent idea to you, there’s no better time to get started on the planning than now. But where do you learn how to host a murder mystery party? By reading our guide below!

Decide on Your Guests

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While we’re talking about how to host a murder mystery party, we can’t forget about the guests. You can’t have a murder mystery party without any guests! Ideally, your invitation pool will include people who like to roleplay a little or don’t mind putting themselves out there to interact with others.

The guests you invite will decide several things, such as the tone of the party (friends vs. coworkers vs. family), the space you need, and how many players your game can accommodate. Like other parties, your guest list can also determine when you should schedule it, so you can optimize your players.

Pick a Theme!

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While the idea of a murder mystery party may bring to mind specific images (dinner theater, anyone?), you can actually enjoy a variety of different themes. From classic murder mysteries to fantasy settings to sci-fi to the Old West, you have no shortage of choices. Your guest list will come in handy here, as you can pick a theme that your guests will enjoy playing.

At this stage, it’s also helpful to determine if you want your party to be dinner based or just a free for all in the evening. This decision will determine your layout later on, and it’s an essential part of how to host a murder mystery party.

If you’re uncertain about what themes you can go with, never fear! You can find numerous companies that sell murder mystery kits across different genres—which brings us to our next step!

Choose Your Story

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We’ve mentioned murder mystery kits just above, so let’s talk a little bit more about them here. These kits essentially have everything you need to tell your story. They include the premise, character information, the identity of the murderer, possible scenes to help pace the party, and the clues your guests will need to solve the case.

Alternatively, you can take a crack at writing the story yourself! Building a concept from scratch can be a bit of a challenge. You’ll need to ensure there are enough clues to figure out who the culprit is without making it glaringly obvious and ending the game early.

There’s no one right way to choose your story. Kits are perfect for people who want time to plan the other aspects, while writing the game on your own can be a fun and creative outlet. Plus it lets you customize the story for your guests!

Assigning Characters

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Once you have your story and your guest list settled, you’ll want to think about casting the “roles” of the mystery. There are plenty of ways you can go about this, such as:

Picking out characters that match the personalities of your guests so it’s easy for them to play their role
Giving your guests characters with opposing personalities to challenge them
Letting your guests pick out the characters they’re interested in playing

While you can finalize the cast list close to the party date, stay aware that this is a task, you’ll need to do to make your party successful!

Choosing a Location

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You can’t have a party without a venue. When selecting your location, think about how many players you’ll have, if you need extra space for food, and what your party budget can afford to rent out if necessary.

Even with small guest counts, people should have enough room to confer in private discussions without revealing their hands to everyone in the room. Locations that match the theme of the party can also add to the atmosphere!

So long as you plan it right, any location can host a murder mystery. It could be your home, outdoors, or a recreation hall—though you might earn bonus points if you can rent a haunted mansion for the evening.

Planning Decorations

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Even if your location doesn’t match up entirely with your theme, there’s no reason to fret! Some decorations and a bit of imagination can go a long way when the game is afoot. Some considerations to make when planning your decorations are:

Your budget
The theme of your party
What you’re allowed to do if you’re renting a place
How much time you’ll need to set up/tear down before and after the party
Any props or clues needed for the mystery

If you plan to have tables, several smaller ones are better than one large one to provide your guests with some places to have private conversations while in character.

Planning the Menu

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Are you planning on serving dinner at your party? How about snacks or drinks? Murder mysteries can take several hours, depending on the players, so some refreshments are usually excellent to have around. Having designated areas for food will give your guests a chance to encounter each other while in character as well!

If you have a kit that has a story focused around different phases where new clues enter the game, you can split up your food into courses, such as cocktail hour, dinner, dessert, etc. Keeping track of your guest list and RSVPs will ensure you have enough food prepared for everyone.

Sending Invitations

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No murder mystery party would be complete without invitations! As with any other party invite, you’ll need to have the essentials on it: the date, time, and location, as well as a way to RSVP and other essential details.

The invitation is the prime place to note if you’ll have a dress code for the party. People can have a lot of fun if they dress in character, but for other groups, it can be a lot of pressure. Pick what’s best for your guests, and dressing up can be a lot of fun if you host your murder mystery around Halloween!

Make Name Tags

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Acting in character is some of the enjoyment of murder mysteries, but it’s not always easy to remember all the character names—especially if you have a lot of guests. Name tags are essential for your guests to have. So you should prepare them in advance. The style you decide to go with can complement your party, or it can just be convenient to make.

Plan Your Timetable

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Having a structure for the evening will help the game move forward. If your party is going to be in a rented area or paired along with mealtimes, having a schedule is essential. For murder mystery kits that have mealtimes in mind, there is usually a recommendation of when to introduce new clues, break for eating, and bring in new elements of the game.

At the end of the evening, it’s always fun to have a time when everyone explains what happened during the game from their perspective. Plenty of events can occur while guests are busy doing other things, so this “wrap-up” at the end is a recommended part of your timetable!

Laying Out the Rules

As the party approaches, you’ll also want to lay out the rules so all your guests can learn them. Your guides can include many different aspects. But some important ones to consider are:

How players can win
If there is any dress code
“Combat” systems (for games that have them)
Who are hosts that can help with game questions
What areas are off limits (especially if you are renting a location)

To ensure you can run the game properly, you should also use the time when planning the rules to review the game scenario, understand everyone’s characters, and know who the murder is.

Prepare to Host

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Once you have all the preparation work done, you should get yourself ready to be a host. (If you find yourself interested in playing, you might want to see if someone will feel interested in hosting for you!) When guests arrive, you should be there to pass out nametags, acquaint guests with each other, and explain the rules once everyone comes.

As the game goes on, your role as the host will be to check on players, serve food if you have it, and introduce the new phases of the game as they happen. Don’t be afraid to review your timetable and bring everyone together as you need to move the game along. From there, your job is to have fun with everyone else!

Wrapping Up

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the leaves start to turn, the Halloween season brings with it an air of mystery and intrigue. What better way to embrace the spirit of the season than by hosting a thrilling Murder Mystery Party? It’s an opportunity for you and your guests to step into the shoes of detectives, suspects, and sleuths, unraveling a captivating whodunit that will keep everyone on their toes.

Throughout this article, we’ve guided you through the essential steps to successfully host a Murder Mystery Party. From choosing the right theme and setting the stage to selecting intriguing characters and creating an immersive experience, you now possess the tools to craft an unforgettable event.

By bringing together friends, family, or colleagues to participate in a Murder Mystery Party, you create an atmosphere of excitement and collaboration. It’s an opportunity for everyone to unleash their inner detective, showcases their acting skills, and engage in a night of thrilling suspense.

Not only does a Murder Mystery Party offer a unique and memorable Halloween experience, but it also fosters camaraderie and interaction among your guests. As they work together to solve the mystery, bonds are strengthened, and laughter fills the air.

So, as Halloween approaches, gather your friends, prepare your costumes, and dive into the world of mystery and intrigue. With careful planning and attention to detail, your Murder Mystery Party is sure to be a resounding success.

Remember, the key to a great party lies in the atmosphere you create, the enthusiasm you bring, and the joy of shared experiences. So go ahead, embrace the mystery, and watch as your guests become fully immersed in an unforgettable night of intrigue.

As the curtain falls on this article, we hope it has inspired you to embrace the art of hosting a Murder Mystery Party just in time for Halloween. So, let the games begin, and may your evening be filled with laughter, suspense, and an unforgettable twist. Happy hosting!

Now that you’ve made it to the end of our guide, you now know how to host a murder mystery party! The earlier you start planning, the better, so don’t be afraid to get started!

How To Throw A Dart Like A Pro

May 19, 2023/0 Comments/in Darts, Tips and Tricks/by Janice Friedman

Throwing a dart with pinpoint accuracy is a skill that not only requires technique but also focuses and practice. Whether you’re a casual player looking to improve your pub game or an aspiring professional dart player, understanding the fundamentals of a proper throw is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of throwing a dart like a pro, covering everything from grip and stance to release and follow-through. By implementing the techniques and tips provided in this article, you’ll be well on your way to hitting those elusive bullseyes consistently. So, grab your darts, step up to the oche, and let’s dive into the world of professional dart throwing, where precision and finesse reign supreme.

To some, playing darts is a good way to have a little fun at the bar on a Friday or Saturday night. To others, playing darts is pretty serious business. In either case, knowing how to throw a dart is a pretty handy skill to have. The skills from the first scenario will prevent you from injuring a fellow bar patron. In the other scenario, being a skilled dart player could equal winning thousands of dollars. While you may not have dreams of going pro, it’s still nice to learn how to throw a dart-like one.

Grip a Dart Like a Pro

Image via Pixabay

Before you send that dart flying through the air on its journey, you need to have a good grip on the dart. While there are many grips used by dart players, there are a few important rules to always keep in mind.

First, you should use at least three fingers. This is often the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Some players will use four or five fingers for added stability when throwing. The only downside to adding more fingers to your grip is having to coordinate all fingers at once when releasing to ensure an accurate flight path.

Another important aspect of your grip is the strength used to hold the dart. You want a light but firm grip on the dart. If you have white fingertips or white knuckles when gripping your dart, you are probably holding on too tight and it may be difficult to release the dart on target. Conversely, if you find the dart wobbling in your fingers as you go through the throwing motion then you may need to consider strengthening your grip to stabilize the dart.

Finally, any fingers that are not used in your grip should be positioned well away from the dart. This also includes your palm and other areas of the hand. A simple grip is an effective grip. Nothing is more frustrating than releasing a dart perfectly only to have an errant finger knock your shot off target ever-so-slightly.

Grip It and Take Your Shot

Once you have found a comfortable, effective grip, you are ready to take your shot. Aiming your shot is, obviously, the most important aspect of shooting. Your motion could be perfect, but if you are not aiming correctly, then you will not get the results you want. Position yourself sideways with one foot in front of the other. If you throw right-handed, then you will want to have your right foot forward. Hold the dart at eye level to help you line up and visualize your shot.

Many dart players will lean forward. The further forward you lean, the closer you are to the dart board and the less distance your dart has to travel. Leaning forward too much, however, can cause strain on the back and negatively affect your aim. A small forward lean is best. Leaning back is not advised at all. This creates more distance between you and the dart board while also making your body less stable during the throwing motion.

As you throw, it is important to keep your body as still as possible and let your arm do the work. Don’t lift your leg or shift from side to side, as this will alter your balance and cause you to miss shots. The same rule applies to your torso. Keep your upper body as still as possible and allow your throwing arm to generate power. Twisting your body to generate power can cause you to lose accuracy and is unnecessary for the distance needed when playing darts.

Develop Your Personal Style

While there are some fundamental rules to darts, there is room for your own style. Try different grips and stances to see which works best for you. Experiment with your grip strength and the power you use to throw the dart. Change the amount of lean you put into your stance and see what works best for you.

Learning how to throw a dart is not an exact science. The only way to master the skill is to practice and then practice some more. Once you have settled on your own style, then you may want to start playing more competitively. Try joining a local dart league or challenge some friends to a game where the loser pays for nachos. Learning how to throw a dart is one thing, but throwing a dart under pressure is an entirely different skill. Good luck out there!

Conclusion

Mastering the art of throwing a dart like a pro requires dedication, practice, and attention to detail. By following the step-by-step guide provided in this article and incorporating the proper techniques into your throws, you can significantly enhance your accuracy and consistency on the dartboard. Remember to focus on your grip, stance, and alignment, as well as the release and follow-through of your throw. Regular practice will help develop muscle memory and fine-tune your dart-throwing skills, ultimately leading to improved performance and greater success in your dart games. Embrace the challenge, stay patient, and keep refining your technique. With time and effort, you can join the ranks of skilled dart players and enjoy the satisfaction of hitting bullseyes like a true pro. So, gather your friends, set up the dartboard, and let the precision and excitement of dart throwing elevate your game to a whole new level.

Featured Image via Pixabay

How To Clean A Baseball Cap

May 18, 2023/1 Comment/in Tips and Tricks/by Janice Friedman

How to Clean a Baseball Cap

What was once your favorite cap to wear out on the town is now a stained, dusty, and dirty shell of the stylish cap it once was. What do you do? Many people will bid farewell to their favorite cap and toss it in favor of a new one.

What if there was a way to give life back to your baseball cap and avoid having to buy new ones? This is definitely the more economical option and might be the only option if the hat you have is a collectible or limited edition hat that may be incredibly expensive or downright impossible to replace.

A baseball cap is more than just a fashion accessory; it’s a symbol of personal style, and team loyalty, and a cherished part of many wardrobes. However, over time, these beloved caps can accumulate dirt, sweat, and stains, causing them to lose their charm and appeal. Fear not, though, as we’ve got you covered! In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of cleaning your baseball cap, ensuring that it remains in pristine condition, ready to be worn with pride. Whether it’s a vintage treasure, a fan-favorite team cap, or a cherished memento, mastering the art of cap cleaning will help you preserve its appearance, maintain hygiene, and extend its longevity. So grab your favorite cap, and let’s dive into the world of effective baseball cap-cleaning methods.

How Not to Wash a Baseball Cap

Before you roll up your sleeves and learn how to wash a baseball cap, you need to know some important things to avoid if you want to ensure your cap survives the cleaning process. The first thing to avoid is machinery. Your washing machine or dishwasher may seem like a convenient cleaning tool. But baseball caps are not down for either of these cleaning devices.

The threads may come loose, your cap could become warped, and the detergent used may not be rinsed away completely, which leaves a grimy film. A lot of people will recommend that you put your cap on the top rack of the dishwasher. But there is a better way to get a clean baseball cap.

Also, be sure to choose the right cleaning product. You will want to avoid anything with bleach in the ingredients. Instead, you will be using regular laundry detergent or dish detergent. Before you begin a thorough cleaning, be sure to spot-test a part of your cap with some detergent mixed in water. If you notice discoloration, then you should only use water to clean your cap.

Put In Some Elbow Grease

Now that you know that the washing machine and dishwasher are out of the question, that only leaves one method of cleaning. That’s right! You’re going to hand wash your baseball cap! Don’t worry; this is not a time-consuming task. Plus, if you really love your baseball cap, then you shouldn’t mind putting in a little bit of elbow grease to salvage it from a life in the garbage bin.

First, gather the tools you will need for cleaning. A large bucket is handy to have, but you can use your sink if needed. You’ll want to choose a detergent or dish soap which, ideally, you have already spotted and tested, as mentioned above. For scrubbing, choose an old toothbrush or a rag.

Finally, you will need a towel to dry your cap and something to sit the cap on for drying. Ideally, this drying “tool” will keep the cap elevated so air can reach all surfaces of the cap, inside and out. In a pinch, an old mason jar will do the trick.

Time to Get Scrubbing

You have your tools; you know what not to do. Now it’s time to actually begin the cleaning process. Put some detergent in your bucket and begin filling it with warm water. As the bucket fills, wet your toothbrush or rag and begin spot-treating some of the really stained or dirty areas on your cap. You want to be very gentle when scrubbing to protect the threads on your cap, which could break or loosen as a result of vigorous cleaning.

Once you have finished the initial spot treatment, place your cap in the bucket of warm water and detergent to soak for at least an hour. Throughout the soaking, you may want to check on the areas you have spot treated and scrub those areas a little more to help along the cleaning process.

Once you have soaked the cap and you’re satisfied with the stain removal, you can rinse the cap with cold water. A complete and thorough rinsing is necessary to ensure that you don’t have a leftover soap scum feeling after drying.

When the water runs clear and you don’t see any detergent left in the fibers of your cap, you can use a towel to pat down the excess water. Just like with scrubbing, you don’t want to be too rough on your cap. Definitely avoid wringing out your baseball cap if you want to maintain its shape and avoid warping. Once the excess water is towel-dried away, place the cap on an object to air dry.

Show Off Your New Baseball Cap

If there are some leftover stains, you may want to go through the cleaning process once again. Now that you know how to wash a baseball cap, you can keep those beloved hats looking great for a long time and save money on buying new caps.

In conclusion, keeping your baseball caps clean is essential for several reasons. Firstly, regular cleaning helps maintain their overall appearance, ensuring that they look presentable and fresh. By removing dirt, sweat, and stains, you can extend the lifespan of your caps, preventing them from deteriorating prematurely. Additionally, cleaning your baseball caps is crucial for maintaining good hygiene. Sweat and oils from your scalp can accumulate on the cap’s fabric, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth and unpleasant odors. By cleaning them regularly, you reduce the risk of skin irritations and ensure a more hygienic experience when wearing your caps.

Lastly, preserving the integrity of any logos or designs on the caps is important for their aesthetic appeal and value. By taking care of your caps through proper cleaning techniques, you can enjoy their functionality and visual appeal for years to come. Share this with your friends and help them to keep their headwear looking clean as well!

Travel Guide for Italy

September 4, 2022/0 Comments/in Tips and Tricks, travel/by Gwen Rich

If you are looking to take a trip to Europe anytime soon, you might consider taking a stop in Italy. In fact, better than a stop, take a trip to Italy! Backpacking through Europe, or sightseeing in the country side, we have the inside scoop on the best way for a foreigner to get an authentic and rewarding tour of Italy.

Rome

How can you take a trip to Italy without going to Rome? I think it might be impossible. Naturally, going to Rome is most common, here are some top tips for traveling in Rome.

First, experts say, if you can afford it, invest in some travel passes. Going to the most famous spots? The Vatican, the colosseum, or the Sistine chapel? This pass is awesome! Cut lines, get your very own tour guide, and much more. We recommend the passes at Omnia Card. With options of 24 to 72 hours, the omnia card is a must have for your time in Rome.

If you aren’t comfortable traveling in a foreign country, consider getting a hotel close to the inner city. You can walk to every area you want to visit. Alternatively, the passes have a special bus service which will ferry you around from site to sight. Either of these options are preferable to renting a car and trying to figure out the foreign driving laws.

Are you confident traveling without speaking the language? Or do you have someone who speaks the language traveling with you? Then consider getting a hotel outside of the city! They are much cheaper and are only a short train trip into town. If you will be riding the subways, here are a few top tips.

Don’t worry about catching the first subway. It will likely be crazy and intimidating. Calm down, breathe, and wait for the next train to come. We also suggest standing near the back instead of near the front. The front gets crowded fast, but the back cars are easier to board and less busy.

Some sites to consider seeing on your travels:

The Colosseum
The Vatican
The Sistine Chapel
The Spanish Steps
The Forum
The Trevi Fountain
The Pantheon
Museo e Galleria Borghese
Museo Carlo Bilotti
Museo Nazionale d’Arte Moderna Contemporanea

Venice

Venice has often been described as the most beautiful city in Italy. With winding streets and corner upon corner of history, there is never enough time to explore everything this beautiful city has to offer.

When we discussed the best way to take in this masterpiece of Italy, the best advice we received was to get a street map as soon as you arrive.

Venice is easy to get lost in, so if you are a safe, calculating and planning traveler, a map is a must. Forget about driving and put on your walking shoes.

If you want an adventurous tour of Venice, take to the streets and just walk! Explore streets and alleys and nooks. There is more than enough to see of Venice to allow you and your travel mates to just wander for a while. If you have followed our other crucial piece of advice, you can use the street map you picked up to find your way back from where you end up.

Most people picture Venice during the summer months. But, during the summer, Venice is hot and crowded. If you’re looking to hit up the beaches then the summer might still be for you. Consider, however, a romantic picture of Venice in the snow. During Christmas time, Venice is fairly unoccupied. Granted, Italy has a bitter cold, with frequent fog and wind which might be intimidating to some. If you are up for an adventure, and looking for a more romantic and intimate view of Venice, we highly recommend a winter trip to this beautiful city.

Things to do and places to visit:

The Piazza San Marco
Shop Bridge
Gondola ride
The Rialto Market
The Northern Lagoon at Venice (Birdwatching)

Milan

Milan, or the city of fashion as some have come to call it is a much more modern Italian city. Although still rich in history, and full to the brim with Italian museums and architecture, many visit Milan for the modern art.

Keep an eye out for streetwear! Fashion is important in Milan, and if you keep a sharp eye, you can likely spot someone sporting a cool street look.

On a more lighthearted note: Consider going with your family on a guided tour of the Teatro alla Scala! As a beautiful historical site, this theatre stuns like none other in Milan. You can find some affordable tickets here for one of the best tours of your life!

If you want a view of this bustling city at night, consider the Porta Venezia! Avoid the Duomo at night, as it tends to be crowded. Explore the outer edges of the city and you can find some real gems!

Don’t be afraid to take the tram! The tram is an important part of European culture and lifestyle. Not to mention, it’s fun! Take the tram with your family or love ones and live like the locals a bit!

Things to see or do:

Castle Castello di Sforzefsca Museum
Milan Cathedral
Lake Como
Lake Maggiore
Lake Garda
Teatro alla Scala

Smaller Cities in Italy

If you want the typical Italian vacation experience, you can stop reading right here. Beyond are tips for the more adventurous and curious travelers.

Some people love the big Italian cities. A different experience, however, is traveling through the countryside and visiting some of the smaller cities. If you and your family or friends are planning to zip through the countryside on a train here or our travel tips for these more popular, smaller cities.

Trieste

The beautiful city of Trieste is one of the many Italian port cities. With beautiful gulf views, and gorgeous architecture, Trieste is a bit o a hidden gem. Trieste is uniquie in that because of its location, it used to be a part of lots of other empires. For that reason, it has a rich history with lots of neat little historical sites you can casually visit with your travel mates.

treste italy — Photo by brunetto ziosi on Unsplash

A bit like the south in America, you can find a church on almost every corner. These churches are works of art themselves and definitely worth a look.

Also worth a visit, if you consider yourself interested in World War II history, is the Trieste Concentration Camp. Although a little dark, it is a fascinating place to visit.

Between trains, trams, and your own two feet, getting around Trieste is relatively easy. Not to mention it is a beautiful adventure everywhere you go.

One important thing to know before going to Trieste are the violent winds! Fierce winds blow off the water and can knock an unsuspecting person over. Often on street booths you can find metal poles for you to quickly grab onto to prevent yourself from blowing away!

Bologna

The wonderful city of Bologna is another site to see off the beaten path.

With wonderful sites like the two towers, the Piazza de Maggiore, and Neptune fountain, it is not a site you want to miss. A visit to Bologna can be describes as “the most authentic look into Italian life that you can find as a tourist.”

If you want a touristy experience here though, there are two places you should consider visiting: the Beretta Gun factory, and the Ducati motorcycle factory. A dear friend of mine visited the Ducati motorcycle factory and described it as “the coolest experience of (his) life.”

Genoa

Genoa is another beautiful port city of Italy. This is a hilly city with the classic Italian look. Some call Genoa “little Venice.” This is especially true in the cute district within Genoa called “the ally way district.”

If you decide to visit this little city, you must try to locals focaccia bread. You will find no better bread in the whole world!

Genoa is surrounded by old forts. These forts are fun to explore and we highly recommend them! There is a fantastic hiking route outside Genoa with a trail that goes past some old walls and even an old fort! Checkout the details here!

If you are backpacking or traveling low key, you had ought to stop in Genoa for a tour of this beautiful Italian villa town.

Our most important and valuable advice is this: get lost! Follow your nose when something smells good and makes your mouth water. Explore the cities for yourself and find your own hidden gems. There is rich history and culture in every Italian city. Look up from your phone, from your travel guide, from your map, and follow your feet! Find murals, bakeries, old churches, anything that catches your eye. Take time to explore and really live in the moment! Most importantly don’t become so focused on making memories or filling an itinerary that you forget to enjoy your vacation.

17 Math Activities for Preschoolers

March 31, 2022/0 Comments/in learning, Tips and Tricks/by Gwen Rich

As a parent, you will want the best for your children. Once they hit preschool age, you and your partner might start wondering what you can do to put your child ahead. It is easy to overthink all the ways that we, as parents, can teach our kids in fun and exciting ways. Here are 17 fun and easy counting and math activities you can do with your children to help them learn simple numbers and other basic mathematical concepts.

17 Activities to Try with Your Preschooler:

Look for patterns…EVERYWHERE:

Patterns are a great way to work on math with your preschooler. There are patterns all around you and your home – tiles in the kitchen or bathroom, patterns in the fence, or in a piece of home decor. You can even point out the patterns on their clothes! Take a “field trip” with your preschooler and point out all the patterns around your house or their bedroom. If your child loves music, there are plenty of patterns to recognize in children’s songs. Help your child to identify and copy simple clapping and rhythm patterns in their favorite songs. These are both incredible ways to point out to your preschooler how repetition is a natural part of life and beauty.

Investigate Shapes:

While investigating shapes, children can discover the ways that different shapes fit together to build the items that we use or see everyday – cars, tall buildings, and eventually puzzles. Work together using yarn to create various shapes – circles, squares, triangles – as a budget friendly way to teach shapes. You can even use learning about shapes as a means to create some artwork together.

Encourage Estimation:

Help your preschooler learn about making guesses based on what they can see! Fill jars with buttons, candies, beads, or any other small items that you can find and ask your kids to guess how many of each of the items is in each jar. After they guess, they can count how many of the items are in the jar. Over time, children’s guesses will get closer to the actual amount of items in each jar, but this is a great way to get them started with educated guessing! Plus the fun colors and shapes are sure to keep them engaged!

Introduce Sorting:

Anything around us can be sorted; pens, pencils, socks, shoes, cups, mugs, glasses, silverware, you name it – it can be sorted! You could get them to help you out around the house by helping to sort the recycling. Even little kids can help sort papers from plastic and glass. This is great way to teach children how to organize items down to small and more manageable amounts.

Image via Pexels

Let them “cook”:

Encourage your preschooler to help you in the kitchen! Your child can help with measuring and counting our ingredients (two eggs, three scoops, etc.). You can also supervise the usage of knobs and buttons on the stove. This is also a great opportunity to have them help pack their daily lunches or snacks as they can help portion out the foods they eat each day. For example, “I eat 5 carrots and 3 grapes at snacktime!” Think about having your preschoolers count out their Cheerios, Halloween candy, or even Easter candy! The options for counting food have no bounds! They can even help out with feeding pets if you have any!

Play a “look out” game:

While out on a walk or riding in the car, ask your child to count how many fun things they see! Those fun things could be any item that your child chooses to count – stores, fire trucks, dogs, or anything else that the child might recognize. With this activity, they can practice counting and talking about all of the fun things that have counted.

Track your child’s measurements:

Get out the ruler or yardstick to mark your child’s height on the wall. Talk about how big they are in comparison to their siblings or favorite animals – this helps them to think about themselves and the world around them. This is a great chance to introduce your child to units of measurement and help them compare and contrast the marks on the wall to see how much they’ve grown from year to year.

Use the phone:

Learning how to use the telephone has more than just a mathematical benefit, it’s also good for emergencies! Next time you’re making a call, write the number down and have your child help you dial it into your phone. This helps them to see the numbers being used, but also gives them a chance to practicing reading them from left to right. Your child gets bonus points if they can memorize the number!

Plant a Garden:

Preschoolers love helping outside when they can. Have your child assist with counting out the seeds and then making sure they put the set amounts in the right rows or pots. Once the plants start growing, they can count out the leaves and petals as well! This is also a great place to introduce science concepts about plants and plant growth.

Image via Unsplash

Color by Number Sheets:

Most young children love to color! As their number recognition skills continue to improve, they can learn to match the colors with the numbers, but early on they may need help identifying what number goes with what colors.

Dominoes:

Aside from playing a tabletop game, dominoes can be used to teach simple math concepts! Children can count the dots on each domino, children can sort matching tiles and create stacks, and they can create shapes and towers with matching dominoes. Dominoes are a cheap game that can easily be found at most stores.

Tell the Time:

Reading a non-digital wall clock is something that even little kids can do! Clocks are everywhere, so this is something that can be worked on at almost any time! Practice reading the numbers and telling time to the quarter and half hour as they are able. Once they have reading a clock down, you can compare and contrast a digital clock and wall clock together for another great conversation about time and numbers. Don’t forget to mention that there are sixty seconds in one minute and sixty minutes in one hour!

Read a Number Book:

There are many amazing books for preschoolers! Some of the most popular include: City by Numbers by Stephen T. Johnson, Chicka Chicka 123 by Bill Martin & Michael Sampson, or How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague. Number books are a great way to practice numbers and counting, but books like these also introduce your child to other educational concepts. Not to mention a little bit of reading practice! Check with your child’s teachers or even the local children’s librarian if you need more ideas, they are a wealth of knowledge about great counting books for kids!

Mark the Calendar:

Introducing your child to a standard calendar is a great way to introduce the concept of days and passing time. Have them highlight special days on the calendar (birthdays, holidays, other celebrations) and create countdowns to those special days. Working with calendars often helps children to understand days of the week and how the sequence of days happens each week. You can also have them help in creating a calendar – learning about leap years, but also how many days are in each month.

Image via Unsplash

Pay for Purchases:

Whether at a real store or while “playing store” at home, teaching children about counting money is never a bad idea. This is also an opportunity for them to practice reading numbers on price tags and counting their own money! Kids can even help search for matching items to coupons inside the store while shopping! It’s never too early to squeeze in a few lessons about money management as early as possible. Tip: Don’t take the little ones into a busy store to practice counting their money, go on a slower day to avoid a line and many waiting customers.

Play Card Games:

Who knew that teaching math concepts to your preschooler could start with a standard deck of 52 cards? Games like Memory (teaching kids to look for similar cards and pairs), War (teaching your child about numbers that are bigger and smaller), or Go Fish! (helps your child to identify and talk about numbers) are fun to play, but also have some educational value. You can also play games with various flash card decks or other game decks (like Old Maid). Here is a great value pack of cards with lots of fun designs!

Popular Phone Apps:

Let’s face it, kids know how to use some apps better than many adults! Capitalize on that and let your child practice their math skills on your phones and tablets. Some popular math apps include: Preschool Math Games for Kids, Todo Math , and Math Master Kids. These are all interactive apps that are entertaining for kids, but also give them a chance to practice math functions and number identification. Who knows? Maybe they’ll find math exciting when they’re bored! Use that screen time to their (and your) advantage.

For preschoolers, learning about and exploring numbers should be all about fun and play. Work with them to discover how numbers can fit into their everyday lives. As they see those numbers in action, they’ll get more and more comfortable with the math concepts around them. Have fun exploring those numbers (and concepts) together!

Featured image via Pexels

7 Online Dating Icebreakers

March 26, 2022/1 Comment/in icebreakers, Relationships, Tips and Tricks/by Gwen Rich

What is the point of online dating icebreakers? Maybe you’re recently divorced, perhaps you have split from your ex, or you have a hard time getting out of the house. You might be ready to give online dating a try! Where do you start? Corny, predictable or pithy responses typically receive no replies from potential suitors. How do you maintain a fun and casual tone in your initial conversation with your contact without being overbearing or cringy? Your introduction is the way you reveal yourself and can demonstrate to your potential match what to expect from future interactions. This is where icebreakers are crucial to online dating!

Give some of these a try!

Ask your match open-ended questions

Simply sending messages such as “You’re cute” or “I like your profile” are as dull as watching paint dry. They might not know how to reply to a message like this, or if your initial response only requires a simple yes or no response, the conversation will likely end right there, if you even get a response. Try something like, “If you could go on a date anywhere in the city, where would it be and why?

Avoid initially flattering your match

Online dating ice breakers can be tricky for sure. They also take a little practice. However, sending cliché responses about handsomeness or beauty should be avoided like an overseas online pharmacy.. People can become suspicious of these types of messages; perhaps save these for when things progress. Instead, explain to your match or future potential date why any aspect of their profile impacted you so much that you just had to message him/her about it. Bada-boom! Now you have the person’s attention!

Use Humor

People are attracted to people who can make them laugh. While most people have an affinity for people with a sense of humor, avoid aggressive or overbearing humor. This tends to reveal a negative personality that is off-putting. Instead, use a positive style of humor, as this often leads to quicker and better connections. In fact, a related sense of humor consists of the ability to tell jokes and share stories with each other and thus is able to lead to lasting relationships. How about, “What was the worst first date you’ve ever had?” Have fun!

Mention Something in Their Profile

Being sincerely interested in what attracted you to a person’s profile goes a long way towards getting a response. People like it when others take notice of their interests and their potential match shares the same thing(s) as they do. This increases your chances of getting a reply as well as getting the conversation moving ahead.

Don’t Be a Creep

Whatever you do, refrain from weird pick up lines, especially if they are sexual in nature. You will rarely if ever get a response! Online dating icebreakers of this type are offensive to the vast majority of people. Keep your initial message polite and avoid mentioning sex at all. Rudeness should also be avoided like a pencil in the eye. You’re looking for a date or a partner rather than something out of a B-grade horror flick.

Keep Messages Brief

Okay, pithy and brief are as different as night and day. A pithy example is: “You’re sweet.” Researchers have determined that the best messages are between 40 and 60 characters. If you’re taking 30 minutes to write that many characters, you’re overthinking it. Take a few minutes to write out a message, check the spelling, and send it into cyberspace.

Quick Responses Boost Your Chances

We’re all busy these days, but if you’re serious about mastering the techniques of online dating icebreakers you need to be responsive. Immediate replies are fantastic but are not necessary. On the other hand, writing a reply after more than a few days can put you behind and make you start all over. Check your profile daily if possible since it only takes a couple of minutes, but don’t obsess!

There is no real science as it pertains to online dating icebreakers. This is an area of trial and error. Nevertheless, these tips are sure to assist you in landing a date. One other thing to me mindful of is that you should carry on your conversation until such a time as you mutually agree to meet for the first time. This is usually between two to three weeks. Rushing things can lead to an unpleasant experience and deter you from further online conversations. Finally, be patient and use common sense. Good luck!

Featured Image via Unsplash

20+ Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids Ideas to Keep you Sane

April 18, 2021/0 Comments/in DIY Projects, funnatic.com, games, Tips and Tricks/by AndreeaS

This adjustment period that we’ve all been though in 2020 and the beginning of 2021 has been… less than ideal, to put it mildly. Since many of us, including you (probably), are stuck at home with children, it might be high time to send them off to a scavenger hunt throughout the house.

That’s can keep them busy at least for a little while so you can manage your sanity much better than you’d be able with them bothering you nonstop. This activity also has the added advantage of motivating and teaching kids to solve problems on their own. In short, it’s both a relaxing and educational activity at the same time.

Before You Get Started With the Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Now, depending on the size of your house, you can increase the scope of the riddles as well. For example, while this guide is mainly for indoor scavenger hunts, we won’t exclude the outdoors if you have a backyard. But if you live in an apartment complex, then you should only pick the riddles and hints that can be applied to your apartment space.

Finally, before getting started, make some ground rules. And make sure that the kids have understood all the rules beforehand. Anticipate that the child will be excited to get started. Rule one: No running. If more than one child is playing along, they will be a team. The second rule should involve taking turns to read the clues. Moving further, the third rule could force them to read the clues as quietly as possible to avoid waking up the monsters. You get the point: make it in such a way that you can rest easily while they consume their energy.

Clues and Ideas for an Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Try to create clues that have a certain appeal towards children. For example, clues that rhyme are much more appealing to children than bland clues that you might find in a corporate office space. Alternatively, you could make clues with pictures or drawings if the kids are too young to understand writing. With that said, here are a few examples of clues with answers written below them:

Give me a tap and I’ll give you some suds,
I come in handy when you’re covered in mud.
(Soap/soap dispenser)

For fast heating or cooking, I am tops.
And, oh, that good smell when my popcorn pops!

(Microwave)

I get hot, and work two ways,
on top and within, but not on spinning trays.
(Stove/oven)

You can lay on me or sit, and put me up or down,
I’m better with cushions, and keep you off the ground.
(Patio furniture)

Paper comes in, and paper goes out,
but adding words in between is what I’m all about.
(Printer)

Walk, walk, walk, on me,

You can step, step, step on me,

Don’t forget to tie my lace,

Else you’ll fall flat on your face!

(Shoes)

You can find me big and small, I hang around all day,
when I’m not needed, I’m out of sight, folded, and put away.
(Towels)

More Indoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids

I’m a welcome sight for tired eyes; and comfy to the max,
the perfect option for nightly dozing, and good for aching backs.
(Bed)

I’ll keep you cool on a hot sunny day,
but don’t forget to put me down, or I’ll blow away.
(Umbrella)

I’ll give you cubes and cold creamy treats,
when it comes to negative temperature, I can’t be beat.
(Freezer)

I go round and round, spinning and spinning,
if you don’t like wrinkles, I’ll keep you grinning.
(Clothes dryer)

I get cold, but my door twin gets colder,
I keep food fresh, and help it from getting older.
(Refrigerator)

I take your food and return it to you hotter,
I also crisp it up, and you’ll probably want butter.
(Toaster)

I’m in the kitchen, and you’ll never eat me,
but Scruffy the dog sure loves to greet me.
(Dog food)

You’ll fill me up and then drain me when done,
adding bubbles always makes me more fun.
(Bathtub)

Other Indoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas

Ok, so now we’ve covered a few examples of riddle scavenger hunt ideas. Now let’s focus on other forms of scavenger hunting that are just as effective. First off, you can make a list of attributes that objects might have (such as color or shape) and make your kids find their equivalent.

For example, your list could include something like “black, round, squishy” or “red, square, rough”. Alternatively, you can put such attributes separately and make your kids look for a single item for each one. For example, your kids can get only one item for “blue”, another item for “round”, and another item for “squishy”.

Another alternative is to make them find their favorite X. For example, replace X with “game”. Make them find their favorite video game in a gigantic bookcase with tons of video game cases. That should keep them occupied for some time. But don’t limit yourself to a single item. Make a list with several items so that you can keep them busy for longer periods of time.

Ready-Made Scavenger Hunt Games for Kids

If you’re too busy to make a list of indoor scavenger items for your kids, maybe a better solution is to order some that are made by others. We’ve found a couple of great offers on Amazon that we’d like to share with you. We might earn a little commission when you buy from these links, but other than that we are not sponsored or endorsed by any of the producers below:

GoTrovo Fun Scavenger Hunt Board Game for Kids | Indoors and Outdoor

GOTROVO Treasure Hunt Game for Kids Outdoor Indoor Pirate Games - Scavenger Hunt Game for Children 3-4 - 5-6 - 7-8 - Camping Game and Find It Game with Cards - Rainy Day Bingo Activities – Family Fun

Action-packed adventure and laughter for the whole family - Become the world's greatest explorer, pirate...
Run around like a detective solving a trail of riddle or picture clues - you must follow the hunt until...
Multi-Award Winning: GOLD excellence award from Mom’s Choice, Best Family Game and Best Party Game....

This is one of the indoor scavenger hunt games that has won a Mom’s Choice Gold Award, so it’s practically guaranteed to be fun for the whole family or for your kids and their friends. The game is great for kids between 3 and 10 years of age, and it works by leaving clues behind a golden trail either indoor or outdoors in your backyard to keep kids entertained for hours on end.

Speedy scavenger-hunt card game | Card ‘n Go Seek

Card 'n Go Seek - Speedy scavenger-hunt card game

Card ‘N’ Go Seek game delivers get-out-of-your-seat scavenger hunt fun for the whole family!
Each card describes a type of item that players must find and retrieve. The first player to get back with...
The first player to win one card of each color OR three cards of the same color wins the game!

Able to provide fun for the whole family or just for your children from 7 years of age and upwards, Card ‘n Go Seek is a fast-paced, adrenaline-inducing pre-made scavenger hunt card game that’s worth its title. The game is as simple as it is fun: each card provides you with a short description, i.e. “completely flat”, and the player who draws said card needs to find something that matches the description. The ultimate goal is to win either one card of each color or three cards of the same color.

Amazon Exclusive Family Scavenger Hunt Game

Family Scavenger Hunt, Indoor Outdoor Game

Easy-To-Play: Pick Your Partner Or Team, Deal Out Ten Cards Each And Get Hunting. Family Scavenger Hunts...
Family Favorite: Great Game For Road Trips, Camping, Parks, Cabin Vacations, And Cruises. In Family...
Inside Or Outside: Our Game Includes An Indoor Deck For Scavenger Hunts Inside The House And An Outdoor...

Being made by Amazon, this indoor and outdoor scavenger hunter game for kids and adults alike really sets the bar high for others on the market. All you need to do is pick a partner or a team, deal ten cards each, and then go out and find the objects that are specific to each of your cards. What makes this set special is that it contains a deck for indoor use, as well as one for outdoor use, so you don’t have to improve your own deck to hold the cards or other pieces that you might need when improvising new versions of this classic game. And don’t worry, you won’t be running out of cards any time soon. The set contains 280 cards as well as instructions for those who have never played scavenger hunt before.

Hapinest Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt | Outdoor and Indoor Card Game for Kids

Hapinest Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt Outdoor Indoor Card Game for Kids

Our Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt is a fun activity game for the whole family to play both indoor and...
This set includes 35 Find and Seek cards, 2 instruction cards, and 1 drawstring bag making this game...
Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt is for ages 3 years and up. Even non readers can play by picture...

This set includes 35 Find and Seek cards, 2 instruction cards, and 1 drawstring bag making this game perfect for road trips and travel. You can also use it indoors without any problems, as the cards are varied enough to include things that you could, theoretically, find in just about any household. However, the best part is that even children who haven’t yet learned how to read can still play it because they can recognize the pictures. The pictures themselves are explicit enough even without warranting the text that appears on the bottom, so it’s highly unlikely that a three-year-old will have trouble playing it along with you or some friends.

GoTrovo Seek’n’Build Indoor & Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Find It Game for Kids

Sale

GOTROVO Scavenger Hunt Game for Kids - Outdoor Activities for Kids Ages 4-8 - Card Based Camping Games - Indoor Family Fun with STEM Activities for Kids - Nature Seek & Find It Game

Discover the world around you with this find and seek outdoor scavenger hunt game – There are many ways...
Contains 80 "find and seek" clues, 7 activity cards to promote further learning and play once the hunt is...
For ages 3 to 10 – Play can be as short as 5 minutes or you can extend the fun to last an hour. Clues...

GoTrovo calls this the Boredom Buster for very good reasons. It’s the perfect brain teaser for kids, as it includes a lot of challenge cards and “go find it cards” sorted by difficulty levels. Practically, it encourages your kids to experiment with scientific methods that they can practice without a chemistry kit or other dangerous hazards. On top of scavenger challenges, it also has “seek and build” challenges that encourage kids to use their creativity and imagination in a more practical manner. It gives them the freedom to experiment and discover the world in a fun and safe manner. Furthermore, people who care about the environment will absolutely love this game. There’s no wasted packaging in the slightest. The package is small and it will fit in most cupboards with ease. Finally, it also comes with a coloring sheet to further encourage your children’s creativity. It’s practically a 3-in-1 educational tool.

Amazon Exclusive Christmas Scavenger Hunt Game

Christmas Scavenger Hunt Game (Amazon Exclusive) – Contains 220 Cards – Christmas Themed Party Game for 2 or More Players Ages 6 and up by Outset Media

EASY-TO-PLAY: Pick your partner or team, deal out ten cards to each team and get hunting. This holiday...
FAMILY FAVORITE: Christmas Scavenger Hunt is a great game for kids and adults. It puts everyone in the...
INSIDE OR OUTSIDE: Our game includes an INDOOR deck for scavenger hunts inside the house and an OUTDOOR...

If you’re reading this near the holidays, you might be interested in getting a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt game. It includes both an indoor and outdoor deck for your kids so they can play an all-time favorite game for the holiday season. The set includes 220 cards and instructions, and everything is themed around the magic of Christmas. Every card gives your kids the opportunity to “hunt” for something that is Christmas-related either inside the house or in your backyard. What better way to get your loved ones into the holiday spirit than this?

Toddler Scavenger Hunt Cards at Home – Interactive and Educational

MOLLYBEE KIDS Toddler Scavenger Hunt Cards at Home

TODDLER TIME: A perfect first game for little ones! Toddler Scavenger Hunt cards contain 20 double-sided...
INDOOR FUN: Rainy day? No problem! These easy-to-use cards give toddlers the tools to discover everyday...
GAME DESIGN: Toddler Scavenger Hunt cards feature the bold and whimsical artwork of Marion Billet. Her...

Finally, we have a great indoor scavenger hunt game for toddlers. Toddler Scavenger Hunt cards contain 20 double-sided sturdy cards that provide simple, satisfying questions and prompts to guide your toddler. Playing with the cards builds vocabulary and increases confidence and encourages toddlers to explore the world around them. All the cards are placed on a ring so that your toddler won’t lose them. Every card contains both text and an illustration to make it easier for your little ones to find what they’re looking for. Below the item that they’re tasked with finding is also a certain instruction. For example, below “Can you find a button?” it asks “What shape is it?”. Basically, it puts your toddlers’ bran to the test without being too difficult or harsh on them.

Bonus

We’ve also found a great After Dark Scavenger Hunt game for older folks at The Dating Divas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a scavenger hunt and treasure hunt?

A treasure hunt tends to present a series of clues, each of which leads to a specific mystery location; a scavenger hunt tends to offer a laundry list of items that you need to go out and pick up. So for example, in a treasure hunt, you might receive a cryptic clue, written as a puzzle, rhyme, or code. In a scavenger hunt, by contrast, you’d get a scavenger hunt list of items to discover, starting with let’s say, “Find a bar coaster marked with an animal on it.” Your task would be to go out into the world and locate this item, wherever you think might be the easiest place to find it.

What is the best scavenger hunt app?

If you want to go fully digital, then check out this list of the best scavenger hunt apps.

The Bottom Line

We hope you’ve found our ideas interesting. Feel free to leave us a comment below with other suggestions, if you have any, or your opinion on the information above.