NETFLIX FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS IDEAS FOR JUNE

Looking for some family movie night ideas for flicks you can watch at home with the tweens and teens in your life? Here are some new selections coming to Netflix as of June 1 that parents and children should equally enjoy watching for a fun night in together:

• Bee Movie 
• The Choice 
•  Father of the Bride 
•  Father of the Bride: Part II 
•  The Karate Kid 
•  The Karate Kid Part II 
•  The Karate Kid Part III 
•  Made of Honor 
•  Miracle 
•  My Best Friend's Wedding 
•  Parenthood 
•  Rookie of the Year 
•  Rudy 
•  Runaway Bride 
•  Scooby-Doo 
•  Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed 
•  The Wedding Planner 
•  The Wedding Date 

DISNEY PIXAR HOPPERS HOME VIDEO RELEASE

Take your family on a wildly fun adventure when Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers lands on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home on April 28 and also on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD June 2. In this animated comedy adventure, animal lover Mabel seizes an opportunity to use a new technology to ‘hop’ her consciousness into a lifelike robotic beaver and communicate directly with animals. As she makes amazing discoveries, Mabel befriends a charismatic beaver and must rally the entire animal kingdom to face a major, imminent human threat.

The home video digital and disc releases include the following bonus features:

The Critter Diaries: Wander behind the scenes with director Daniel Chong and the Pixar team as they explore Yellowstone, study wildlife, and find real-life inspiration for our favorite new animated characters from Hoppers. 

Hopping In: The Making of Hoppers: Hop into the making of the movie as filmmakers, cast, and crew share how their ideas, collaboration, and creative process brought the story, animation, and lovable characters to life in Pixar’s Hoppers. 

"Meet King George" Scene Breakdown: Dive deep with director Daniel Chong and his filmmaking team as they reveal the craft of making King George’s Superlodge. Get insight into the directing process, editing, VFX, animation, and production design. 

Beaverton Revealed: Explore Hoppers to find surprising Pixar film cameos, hidden references, and plenty of fun, behind-the-scenes facts. 

Dam Good Bloopers: Laugh along with your favorite voice actors from Hoppers as they have fun bringing their characters to life in the recording booth. 

Deleted Scenes: Check out these scenes that didn’t make the final cut, as introduced by director Daniel Chong and editor Axel Geddes. 

MINIATURE RECORD PLAYER PROVIDE REVOLUTIONARY MUSIC EXPERIENCE

With advancements in technology, who would have known the simplicity of listening to music via vinyl recordings would be back in fad? But it is and toy manufacturer MGA Entertainment is catering to fans of the medium with a real working miniature record player as part of its Miniverse collection. While you can't listen to full albums, I find this mini version of a record player that you can listen to singles on really cool. I can absolutely see this on my work desk and using it from time to time when a song would be a nice picky me up.

MGA’s Miniverse Real Music™ features fully playable mini vinyls and a real working mini record player, this groundbreaking launch transforms music fandom into something you can unbox, style, showcase, and spin. Perfectly detailed and pocket-sized, it delivers an authentic listening experience right in the palm of your hand.

MGA's Miniverse Real Music™ Vinyls provide real song listening experiences from powerhouse artists across pop, rock, hip-hop, reggae, and soul including Britney Spears, The Beach Boys, Def Leppard, Public Enemy, Amy Winehouse, Imagine Dragons, Elton John, Blink-182, Bob Marley, and more! Bravado, Universal Music Group’s industry-leading licensing and brand management division, served as a key partner in bringing the name, image, and likeness of globally renowned artists into the Miniverse collectible category. Rooted in a shared passion for music culture and fandom, the partnership ensures each miniature release authentically celebrates the legacy and impact of the artists fans know and love.  

You can collect mini records through purchasing blind bags that contain a random assortment of 4 vinyls and a stackable mini record crate for display. With 20+ songs to collect, including hits like…Baby One More Time, Rocket Man, and Fight the Power, you can build the ultimate mini music library. 

And these aren’t just for show. Every mini vinyl comes to life with MGA’s Miniverse Real Music™ Record Player, a real working mini turntable with retro-inspired styling, collectible mini speakers, and a display-ready furniture piece, designed to complete the mini music experience. Each set also includes a playable mini vinyl featuring a Classical Rock Remix of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, ready to spin right out of the box. It’s compatible with the full Real Music™ Mini Records collection, so fans can enjoy the biggest hits in the smallest way possible.

A limited quantity of MGA’s Miniverse Real Music™ Vinyls (MSRP $11.99) and the Real Music™ Record Player (MSRP $21.99) will be available for preorder at https://shop.mgae.com beginning April 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM PT. Orders placed during the presale period are expected to ship in June 2026.

BALANCING GAMING AND YOUR KIDS AS A BUSY DAD

If you want to try to game as a busy dad, then you will know how limited you can be on time sometimes. With that said, if you can try to set realistic goals, this can help you a lot. When life gets busy with things like school runs or even bedtime stories, trying to fit in a bit of time to game can be challenging, but with that said, if you can set some realistic goals from time to time, then this can help you more than you realize.

Make Family Time a Priority 

Family time should come first at the end of the day, and gaming should never feel as though it’s taking time away from your important moments in life. That doesn’t mean that you should try to stop gaming completely, but it does mean that you have to be careful about how often you play. A good way to work around this would be for you to try to schedule gaming sessions around family time and family activities. You also need to try to make sure that you are not missing out on any activities that you could be doing to try to unwind. It may be that you make a habit of gaming after your movie night has ended, as it means that you can relax while everyone is winding down. Of course, doing this also means you’re not always pulling away from the people you love to do what you want, and it also means your family is getting to spend a bit of quality time with you, which is great.

Trying Shorter Games 

 If you don’t have time to play RPGs all the time, then another thing you can do is try shorter games. Trying shorter games is a good way for you to try and make sure that you’re not only getting the result you need out of the time you have. If you want a good starting point with gaming, then it could be worth exploring online games you might not have tried before. JP88 Official has a range of casino games available, and when you give them a go for yourself, you will soon find that it’s very easy for you to let go a little while potentially winning some money. You can also sit at blackjack tables and feel like you’re with other people, due to the setup of the game. This is a great way for you to see what else is out there.

Set up the Right Space 

Another thing you need to do is try to set up the right space. You need to make sure that you are setting something up for the whole family, and you also need to make sure that you have somewhere comfortable to relax and play whenever you need a bit of space. If you can keep this in mind, then you will find that it’s easier than ever to not only get the result you need, but to try and relax while doing it.

HEALTHY HABITS TO ADOPT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

There are certain things you end up doing every day without really thinking about them, and after a while they just become part of how your day works, like when you eat, how often you move around, what you do in the evening, and even your morning routine, for example. And it’s actually only when something feels a bit off that you start thinking about what you’re doing and wondering whether there might be a better - perhaps healthier - way. With that in mind, here are some options to help you get started with new healthy habits you can adopt as soon as possible.

The First Hour of the Day 

The way your day begins can have a proper impact on everything that follows, so if you want to have a good day (as far as possible), then you need to have a good start. The fact is, if you’re in a rush, thinking you’ve forgotten things, and feeling stressed, that’s the feeling that’s going to stay with you until you finally get to rest in the evening, but if you are calmer and less stressed, you’ll be calmer and less stressed all day.

That’s why it’s wise to give yourself a bit more time at the start of the day, even if it means getting up a little bit earlier (and we’re only talking 10 minutes or so, so it’s not too much of a chore). That way, you can drink your coffee in peace, do a little exercise, have a nice shower, watch the sun rise, or anything else you want to do without feeling rushed.

Eat Better 

Food can become something you either overthink or totally ignore, and neither of those options are particularly good ones - they’re definitely not sustainable. 

It’s actually usually easier when the meals you’re having fit around your life rather than the other way around, because it means you’ll end up eating regularly, choosing food that keeps you going, and not having to think about it too much apart from that.

Add Some Sensible Exercise 

Some days you’ll have the time and energy to do more, and some days you won’t - and that’s fine. The key is to do something, no matter how small it might be, and then you’ll know you did your best and you won’t feel guilty. 

You could walk somewhere instead of driving, for example, do some stretching while you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, or even just get up and walk around after you’ve been sitting for a while. And if you’ve got more time and energy, you can go for a run, go to a class, or go to the gym - it’s really going to depend on your day and how you feel, but doing something is better than nothing.

Wind Down in the Evening 

You need to ensure that your evenings become a time you can really wind down and end the day properly - that way you’ll sleep better and feel a lot more refreshed the next day. 

One way to make sure that happens is to do something that signals to your brain that you’re done for the day, like turning off your notifications, drinking a hot milky drink or some herbal tea, reading, or using CBD gummies for sleep as part of your routine. That way, it’s a lot easier to settle down and relax because your body and brain will know it’s time to stop working.

NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE

When a meteor crashes into Colepepper Zoo, a virus that transforms the animals into slobbering zombie - like mutants is unleashed. Gracie, a young quirky wolf, teams up with a gruff mountain lion named Dan to find a way back to her pack. As the zoo is overrun, they must come up with a plan to get al l the animals back to normal. Together with the help of a motley crew of survivors - Xavier , the movie - obsessed lemur, Frida the fiery capybara, Ash the sarcastic, fabulous ostrich and Felix the treacherous monkey - they embark on a perilous mission to rescue the zoo and defeat Bunny Zero, the deranged mutant - king determined to spread the virus beyond the zoo walls. Welcome to... THE ZOOPOCALYPSE

Distributed by Viva Pictures, the all - new spooky family comedy, NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE, starts its theatrical run today. This animated flick features the voices of Emmy-nominated David Harbour ( Stranger Things, Suicide Squad, Thunderbolts ), Emmy-nominated Scott Thompson ( The Kids In The Hall, The Pacifier ), Paul Sun - Hyung Lee ( The Mandalorian , Avatar: The Last Airbender ) and Gabbi Kosmidis ( Unicorn Academy, Fellow Travelers ). Inspired by a concept from best - selling genre author Clive Barker (“The Thief of Always”), NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE is directed by veteran animators Ricardo Curtis ( The Incredibles, The Angry Birds Movie, The Iron Giant ) and Rodrigo Perez - Castro ( The Book of Life , Ice Age: Collision Course , Ferdinand ). The movie is rated for PG by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) for action/peril and scary imagery. 

Do you think Bunny Zero can be defeated or will the Zoopocalypse spread across the world? This looks to be a fun animated film making a nice introduction for kids to the horror genre being that it is more of a comedic spoof of zombies than a scary movie. Are you a horror film buff that would like to share your interest in "scary movies" with the kids in your life? If so, NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE would make for an excellent family outing to the movie theater. Check out the impressive animation of this movie in its full glory on a big screen! 

HUTAN TABLETOP GAME

Looking for something to play that is entertaining and educational for a family game night? Check out HUTAN: LIFE IN THE RAINFOREST from The Op Games. At $40 this game won't bust the family budget and is fun to play while also promoting positive messages about conservation. HUTAN is recommended for 1 to 4 players for ages 8+. A nice factor for it being on your family game night list is that it takes thirty to forty-five minutes to play so it is long enough to be an enjoyable experience and not too long as to have kids start getting bored with it.

In HUTAN, all players have their own patch of an Indonesian rainforest where they will plant sprouts and flowers that over time, will grow into towering trees. When a habitat is created, an iconic forest animal arrives - the orangutan, the Sumatran tiger, the rhinoceros hornbill, the cassowary, or the Sumatran rhino.

HUTAN plays over 9 rounds - and all players will have two turns each round. On your turn, you take a flower card from the shared market pool and place the flowers into your rainforest. If you place a flower on top of a matching flower, you grow a tree. When an area is filled with trees, the last tree is replaced by an animal. At the end of the game, the player who grew the best rainforest and attracted the most animals will score the most points and win.

Here are a few points on what makes this a great game:

STRATEGIC TILE-LAYING GAME: HUTAN challenges players to grow a thriving rainforest by planting flowers, growing trees, and attracting wildlife in a unique tile-placement experience.

STUNNING RAINFOREST THEME: Featuring breathtaking artwork and iconic animals like orangutans and Sumatran tigers, HUTAN brings the beauty of the rainforest to life. 

EASY TO LEARN, DEEP STRATEGY: Simple rules make it quick to pick up, while layered mechanics offer engaging game play for both casual and experienced players.

PREMIUM COMPONENTS: Includes beautifully illustrated board and cards, high-quality trees, animals and flowers. 

PERFECT FOR FAMILY GAME NIGHT: With solo and multiplayer modes, HUTAN offers a fun and rewarding experience for players of all ages, from kids to seasoned gamers.

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MY PENGUIN FRIEND ON DIGITAL

A heartwarming story that the whole family will enjoy is now available on Digital. MY PENGUIN FRIEND has earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for being an emotional story of friendship that will pull at your heartstrings. Have yourself a wonderful family movie night by adding MY PENGUIN FRIEND to your home entertainment video library. 

Inspired by the incredible true story of DinDim the Penguin, MY PENGUIN FRIEND tells the story of a little lost penguin who-after being rescued from an oil spill-transforms the life and soul of a heartbroken fisherman. The penguin and the fisherman become unlikely friends, so bonded that even the vast ocean cannot divide them. 

The film features Jean Reno (Leon: The Professional), Academy Award Nominee Adriana Barraza (Babel), Alexia Moyano (“The Kingdom”) and Nicolás Francella (“Victoria Small”). MY PENGUIN FRIEND has a MPAA rating of PG with a runtime of 97 minutes.

TWO AMAZING VEHICLES TO BUY FOR ENDLESS FAMILY FUN

When your kids are young, you’ll do anything to ensure they’re entertained. Weekends are planned in advance and you frantically scour the web looking for ideas during school breaks. It can be stressful for most parents, but what if there was a way to guarantee endless family fun for years to come? 

This sounds like you’re about to be sold a timeshare or some magic beans! It’s nothing like that at all - instead, you should consider buying one of these two vehicles to give your family years of exciting trips and days out. Source 

A Boat 

Do you live near the sea? If so, a boat is a wonderful purchase for your family. It provides you with hours of fun on sunny days as you can set out to sea and enjoy the ocean views and gorgeous weather. 

You can do so much with a boat; it’s a water vehicle that’s primed for fishing, diving, swimming, or just roaming around on the sea and having fun. There are also many types of boats you may consider buying for your family depending on where you live. You could opt for a small speedboat, a large yacht, or possibly even a canal boat! 

No matter which option you choose, be sure you know what you’re getting into. Boat life can be complicated, but there are great resources from sites like BoatingWorld to help out. Understanding how to look after your boat and maintain high levels of safety at all times. Your kids will have loads of fun and they’ll constantly be asking when they can go out on the boat again. 

An RV 

Alternatively, if you prefer land-based family adventures, an RV is more to your tastes. This pretty much gives your family a home on wheels. You get to drive anywhere in the country and have a safe place to rest and sleep every night. 

It’s the perfect vehicle for family camping trips or road trips across the state. You legitimately have endless years of fun in one package here. You’ll never have to worry about school breaks again; book a few days off and then go camping in the RV with your kids. 

Some of you may be worried by the idea of spending days with your kids in a small space. It can get hectic and stressful, which is why you need to make regular stops for fun activities. This can be as simple as walking through a great National Park or pulling up at a campsite so they can play with other kids. Regardless, an RV is an awesome way to strengthen your family’s connection as you can make these trips a regular occurrence. Everyone will look forward to them in the holidays, creating a lovely family tradition. 

Why are both of these vehicles great ideas for families? Because they provide elongated fun over years, decades even. As your kids grow up, they’ll still have fun on the boat or during your RV camping trips. Then, when you enter your twilight years and they become adults, you can pass down the vehicle to them and their families. It’s a lovely way to ensure a tradition lives on through generations of your family.

HOW TO MAKE SPORTS FUN FOR KIDS

If you’re a parent, you’re going to want to do the best for your kids, and you’re going to want them to be as healthy as possible. So that means trying to get them to do more sports, which isn’t always easy. Yes, some little ones love sports, but others would much prefer to sit inside playing games, enjoying screen time, reading a book, or anything else. What can you do? 

One option is to make sports more appealing by making it as fun as possible, and the good news is there are loads of ways you can do exactly that. With that in mind, keep reading to find out what some of those ways are so you can help your kids get more active. 

What Do They Like? 

The reason your kids might not like sports very much is that they’ve not found something they like. They might have tried football, baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, and all the other ‘usual’ sports, but nothing really clicked, and it just didn’t interest them. If that’s the case, of course, they’re not going to want to play sports when they’re given the option. 

The great thing is there are hundreds of different sports they can try, and if you keep giving different things a go, you might come across something that really piques their interest, like disc golf, for example. It might be unusual, but that doesn’t matter because they’ll want to play, and that means they’ll choose to be active more often - and that’s the point of the whole exercise (pun intended). 

Give Them Goals 

When we talk about giving kids goals, we don’t mean telling them they have to score a certain number of goals or points in a game - although that could be part of it. What we mean is that if you can set realistic and achievable goals every time they go and do whatever sports it is they’ve chosen to do, they’ll be a lot more interested. In other words, they’ll have something to prove and potentially something to lose (if they’re being rewarded for reaching their goals), and they’ll push themselves further as a result. 

By doing this, you’ll also be proving to your kids that they can do things if they try. Sometimes it’s less about not enjoying a sport and more about not thinking you’re very good at it that stops you from playing, but every time they reach a goal, they’ll see that’s not right at all. 

Do It With Them 

Kids love it when they get to spend time with their parents (especially when they’re younger, and even more so if your work-life balance isn’t ideal, so you sometimes don’t get to see them as much as you’d like. 

So, why not join in with their sports with them? You could play, and that would certainly be something fun you could do together, but if that’s not possible, then you can at least be there in a moral support capacity, watching every game and helping to make them feel good about what they’re doing. That really is what could make all the difference.

TOP TIPS FOR FEALING STRONG IN YOUR WORKOUTS

Working out comes with many different challenges, from finding the time in which to do it, to having enough energy and motivation to push through the tough times. Something that can greatly improve the chances of having a good workout session is how strong you feel. Here are several top tips on how to feel stronger in your workouts. 

Take regular breaks for long enough 

When you are working out it is common to reach a point where your body and mind feel like they cannot do any more. A trick to feeling stronger in your workouts is to ensure that you take regular breaks during and after your reps and sets. For example, after you have just completed a set of reps, make sure to stop for a significant period of time (generally 30-60 seconds) to allow your muscles to recover adequately. If you don’t then fatigue will set in a lot quicker, and as a result, you will be unable to work out for as long as you had hoped. Similarly, you should be taking a minute or two between full sets to allow your body to recover enough before you begin your next set. 

Don’t rush your progress 

Many people go to the gym, or workout to better themselves, and as such continually push to be faster, or lift heavier. However, if you want to feel strong during your workouts you should make sure that you do not rush your progress. Rushing your progress could mean that you not only risk injuring yourself but could also end up feeling weaker than you are due to doing too much, too fast. Make sure that you are working out comfortably before you set out your next achievable goal, because if you are already struggling with what you are doing, setting another benchmark to reach may cause you to become disheartened. 

Consider your diet 

Your diet will have a huge impact on how well, or poorly you perform during your workouts. If you have a diet that is primarily based around fatty, sugary, or over-processed foods, then it is likely your body will feel sluggish and weak a lot of the time. If you can research what kind of food your body needs to help fuel you on your specific workout goals, and then implement these food types into your lifestyle, you are likely to find that you are feeling much stronger, and more able-bodied than before. Once you have a solid baseline diet you can also consider introducing certain supplements to help push your body, performance, and strength to the next level. Supplements such as creatine, and protein powders can be found at places like AthleticStore. 

Focus on your form 

Regardless of what you are doing, whether it is running, swimming, or lifting weights, you should focus on your form rather than the weight or time in which you are trying to increase. Exercising with proper form will help you to avoid injury, but it will also eventually allow you to perform much better, and feel stronger while doing it. So, before you load up your plates, or set a time to beat, make sure that your form is on point first. 

If you can implement these top tips into your workout routines and lifestyle, then you should hopefully see, and feel a difference in how strong you feel.

THE LITTLE MERMAID FLIPS OVER TO HOME VIDEO

Walt Disney Studios’ The Little Mermaid arrives at digital retailers (Apple TV, Prime Video and Vudu/Fandango) on July 25 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on September 19. The film is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for action, peril and some scary images. In addition to the feature presentation which has a runtime of 135 minutes, the home video release of The Little Mermaid also has bonus content that includes a sing-along version of the film, song breakdowns, bloopers, and exclusive featurettes.

• Sing Along Version – Sing along with your favorite songs while watching the movie with on-screen lyrics. 
• Hotter Under The Water – Discover how director Rob Marshall and his team brought the story of The Little Mermaid to life with this documentary in five chapters: 
• A Tale Of The Bottomless Blue – Join Rob Marshall on the set of one of the most ambitious and challenging films he's ever directed. 
• I Know Something’s Starting Right Now – Join cast members Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer-King and more and learn how they were cast in the film and what it was like to bring director Rob Marshall's vision to life. 
• Down Where It’s Wetter – Dip your toes into the virtual ocean and learn about how the breathtaking underwater world was created with visual effects, imagination and a lot of talented artists. 
• Explore That Shore Up Above – From Prince Eric’s castle to the beach, explore the above-the-sea locations and the elaborate production design behind them. 
• Do What The Music Say – Discover how legendary composer Alan Menken teamed up with Lin- Manuel Miranda to write new songs to accompany the original classics 
• Song Breakdowns: 
• Wild Unchartered Waters – Prince Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King, gets his own song, written by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Go behind the song, from the writing to the recording, to the filming on a practical ship. 
• Under the Sea – Get a first-hand look at how professional dancers helped bring director Rob Marshall's vision to life as they stood in for the various animated sea creatures that sing and dance in this showstopping number. 
• Kiss The Girl – Float along and get a frog's-eye view of the beautiful set built to film the live-action version of this classic song. 
• Poor Unfortunate Souls – Join Melissa McCarthy (Ursula) as she takes us on the journey of making her character's signature song. 
• Featurettes: 
• The Scuttlebutt On Sidekicks – Dive in and meet Sebastian, Flounder and Scuttle, who not only have their own song, "The Scuttlebutt," but also fresh looks as they work hard to make sure Ariel and Eric kiss before Ursula's deadline. 
• Passing The Dinglehopper – Ariel met Ariel when Halle Bailey worked with Jodi Benson — the voice of Ariel in the original animated movie — who appears in a clever cameo in the live-action film. 
• Bloopers – Laugh along with the cast as they have the time of their lives making The Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid is visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall’s live-action reimagining of Disney’s beloved animated musical classic, the story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy. The Little Mermaid is directed by Rob Marshall with a screenplay by David Magee, and is produced by Marc Platt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John DeLuca and Rob Marshall.

Are you geeked about adding The Little Mermaid to your home video entertainment library?

BUILDING BLOCKS FOR TEACHING KIDS NEW THINGS ABOUT LIFE

As a parent, it is your job to teach your children the essential skills and knowledge they need to thrive. Teaching your kids new things doesn't have to be a difficult and trying task. Instead, with the right approach, it can be fun and educational for everyone! Here are five easy ways to introduce your children to new concepts and help them learn more about life:

Explore Nature

Taking a walk or hike together in nature is a great way for kids to learn about the plants, animals, and other natural elements that make up their world. By observing and discussing what they see during these outings, you'll be able to show them how different species interact with each other in a safe environment without any pressure or stress. Exploring nature together is also a great way for you and your kids to get some physical activity while learning something new. 

Read Books

Reading books together can create an intimate bond between parent and child and provide an opportunity for learning new things. You can use story time to teach your kids new words, discuss culture and history, and explore a wide range of topics. In addition, reading books opens the door for conversations and discussions that may not have happened otherwise. Reading also helps to boost your child's creativity and imagination, so starting from a young age is always a good idea. 

Watch Interesting & Educational Movies 

Movies can be a great way to teach your kids about history, science, and other topics. While not every movie is educational, there are plenty of great options available that are both entertaining and informative. For example, you can find Christian movies available here that are designed to teach children about the Bible and its teachings. In addition, watching movies together as a family can be a fun activity for everyone involved and an easy way for children to learn more about the world around them. 

Visit Museums

Museums are educational institutions that help to preserve, conserve and interpret artifacts and works of art. Visiting a museum together can help children learn about different cultures, history, and science. You can also find interactive exhibits that are designed to engage kids of all ages in the learning process. Museums provide an excellent opportunity for you and your children to explore topics that they may not have been exposed to otherwise. 

Play Games

Games are a great way to introduce your children to new concepts and have fun at the same time. Whether it's a board game, video game, or card game, playing together can help kids learn problem-solving skills, learn about different topics, and understand cause-and-effect relationships. Playing games also encourages teamwork and communication between family members, which can benefit your child's social and emotional development. 

No matter how you choose to introduce new concepts to your children, the most important thing is that they feel comfortable and excited about learning something new. With the right approach, it can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your kids!

NICKELODEON SMURFS TV SERIES DVD GIVEAWAY

Picture this! Spending a laidback Saturday morning watching Smurfs cartoons. Courtesy of Nickelodeon, I have a morning's worth of cartoons to giveaway with a DVD filled with episodes from Season One of The Smurfs. Don't miss out on this very Smurfy blog giveaway!

Available at retail starting January 31, 2023 from Nickelodeon Home Entertainment is the THE SMURFS, SEASON 1, VOLUME 3 on DVD. This home video release contains episodes 19-26 of the new Nickelodeon animated television series. Join the Smurfs as they play epic pranks on one another, celebrate Mother’s Day, make a new monkey friend, and more all the while trying to escape the evil wizard Gargamel.

One lucky entrant of this ageekdaddy.com giveaway will receive for free The Smurfs, Season 1, Volume 3 mailed to them upon the DVD's retail release. Complete the rafflecopter entries below before January 31, 2023 to be eligible to win. Must be a United States resident over 18 years old to enter. Nickelodeon Home Entertainment is responsible for fulfilling the prize. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Smurfs Season One adventures continue as Gargamel plants a crystal ball to spy on the Smurfs and they turn the tables on him! Vanity attempts to cure a zit and turns himself into a lizard instead. After being captured by Gargamel, Papa Smurf, Willow and Vanity offer to help him impress his mother, and so much more!

The Smurfs: Season 1, Volume 3 episodes: 

• The Smurfs Show 
•  Smurfboards / Monkey See, Monkey Do 
• Flying Ace / Lab Assistant
•  Order of Merit / Smurfy Mother’s Day! 
• Leaping Lizards / Cover Story 
• Papa Times Two / Fake News 
• You’re Fired! / Mirror, Mirror on the Armoire 
• Smurfing Places / Poet Slam

This blog has not received any compensation or free products related to this post and is simply hosting the giveaway as a benefit to its readers. The DVD has a suggested retailed price of $10.99

FISHMAS FUN AT SEA LIFE MICHIGAN AQUARIUM

Twas the week before Christmas and Scuba Claus is making his rounds at SEA LIFE MICHIGAN aquarium making sure all the good fish had holiday treats. If you are looking to get in some last minute holiday shopping or a way to entertain kids while they are off school for Christmas break now is a good time to swing by Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills to take in the mall's stores and entertainment spaces like SEA LIFE MICHIGAN. Through December 26, the aquarium will be having special Fish-mas activities and decorations for visitors to enjoy.

My family always enjoys a trip to our local SEA LIFE aquarium and a visit this week will be extra fun with their Fish-mas celebration. There will be holiday decor throughout the aquarium. Take a polar plunge dipping your hands into the cold water Touchpool filled with bright red and green sea anemones. Participate in a Christmas themed scavanger hunt along with more holiday themed surprises taking place this week.

If you are good boys and girls, visitors may catch a glimpse of Scuba Claus and his elves swimming about the Ocean Habitat. They have special treats for the fish and turtles that live there plus they are making sure the habitat is nice and clean. Ho Ho Ho! Merry Fish-mas!

SEA LIFE MICHIGAN is open from 10am - 6pm. Last entry is one hour before closing. Tickets must be purchased online in advance of arrival to reserve a time slot. For more information, head over to vistsealife.com/michigan

ET CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH 4K ULTRA HD RELEASE

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment provided ageekdaddy.com with the featured product free for promotional consideration.

E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL was a very relatable movie to me going to see it the first weekend it premiered at movie theaters as I was the same age as the child who befriends an alien on the silver screen. It still seems like yesterday that I was sitting in a theater seater snacking excited about snacking on the newly introduced movie tie-in candy Reese's Pieces and seeing the kids save the day by riding dirt bikes through their neighborhood just like all me and my friend's spent our summer afternoons. Wow! Was that amazing excursion to the movies really forty years ago?!

Now, my daughter is the E.T. fan in the family! She loves E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL. I can't count the number of times she has watched the movie on a DVD we own. We can't go to Orlando without stopping by Universal Studios theme park so she can go on the E.T. ride; she has an Extra-Terrestrial plush to snuggle at bedtime; and her favorite Halloween costume was of Elliot with the alien from the iconic bike ride scene. So, you know my little girl is going to be geeked about the movie being remastered to be shown in 4K Ultra HD!

Captivating audiences of all ages, this timeless story follows the unforgettable journey of a lost alien and the 10-year-old boy he befriends. Join Elliot (Henry Thomas), Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and Michael (Robert MacNaughton) as they come together to help E.T. find his way back home.  The movie with a runtime of approximately one hour and fifty-five minutes is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for language and mild thematic elements.

In addition to the feature presentation in 4K Ultra HD, the 40th anniversary edition of E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL includes four hours of bonus content:

40 Years of E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL -- an all-new retrospective of the film and its lasting legacy.

TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL -- acclaimed director, Steven Spielberg reflects on his career and the making of E.T. forty years later.

The E.T. Journals -- retrace the day-to-day experience of creating E.T. from never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer John Toll.

Steven Spielberg & E.T. -- an interview with Steven Spielberg as he reflects back on the film and discusses his experience working with the actors as well as his overall and current perspective on E.T.

A Look Back -- a special insider's look into the making of E.T. featuring the cast and others intimately involved with the film.

The E.T. Reunion -- the cast and filmmaker reunite to discuss their thoughts on the impact of the film.

Music of E.T. -- interviews and footage focused on the longstanding relationship between John Williams and Steven Spielberg.

20th Anniversary Premiere -- Composer John Williams played the score of E.T. live at the Shrine Auditorium for a twentieth anniversary showing of the movie in this behind-the-scenes featurette of the performance.

Designs, Photographs & Marketing -- Concept art and advertising imagery for the creation and promotion of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.

Theatrical Trailer

Special Olympics Promotion

Deleted Scenes

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AIN'T TOO PROUD OPEN CASTING CALL

The producers of Ain't Too Proud, a nationally touring theatrical stage show based upon Motown singers The Temptations have announced an open casting call for black male and female actors, singers and dancers in their 20s/30s. They are seeking individuals to play The Classic Temptations: Otis Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin and other characters from the Motown Era: Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Tammi Terrell and more! Selected individuals will join the cast following its August 9 - 28, 2022 run at the Detroit Opera House as the show moves on for performances in other markets across North America.

Auditions are on Wednesday, August 10 at the Motown Museum in Detroit. Sign in is from 9am - 1pm with auditions from 10am - 2:30pm. All actors will be required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon entrance to the Motown Museum. Masks will be required once entering the building and can be removed once in the audition room.

Please prepare a short cut of a Motown-era song. Please chose one of the following to prepare: 

• Bring sheet music in the correct key – an accompanist will be provided; 
• Bring your own accompaniment track; 
• You may sing A Capella.

For more information: tararubincasting.info@gmail.com 

Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations will be at Detroit Opera House, August 9 – 28, 2022. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone (800) 982-2787, and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office. 

Performance times for Ain’t Too Proud are: 

Tuesday through Saturday evening performances at 8:00 p.m. 

Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Sunday evening performances at 7:30 p.m. 

Special Open Caption performance on Sunday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. 

For more information about Ain’t Too Proud, visit: ainttooproudmusical.com/

GHOSTER -- HAUNTING GOOD TIME FOR A FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

The Halloween season will be here before you know it! Summer is almost over and soon both tree leaves and temperatures will be following as Mother Nature ushers in Fall weather. As that terror-ific time of year known as Halloween approaches have you started planning any spooky fun activities yet?

If you are looking for kid-friendly ideas, Lionsgate is releasing straight to home video a new adventure flick that is a perfect fit for a Halloween family movie night. GHOSTER arrives via On Demand, Digital and DVD on October 11, 2022 and looks to be a haunting good time for a family movie night. The film is rated PG for peril and thematic elements by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and has a runtime of approximately 90 minutes.

Enter an enchanted, ghostly world with this captivating family adventure. Elizabeth and her father inherit a nearby estate — but find it haunted by a kindly young phantom named Ghoster. He begs for Elizabeth’s help undoing an ancient dragon’s curse that has trapped him in the manor. Joined by the caretaker’s handsome son Mateo , they must enter a magical painting and solve dangerous puzzles to undo the hex and free the trapped souls of Ghoster ’s ancestors . It’s so much fun , it’s almost scary!

FOUR SUPERB BENEFITS OF SHARING HOBBIES WITH YOUR KID

From sports to collectibles to video games and beyond, there is an unlimited number of hobbies that you can choose from. As a parent, you also want to encourage your child to show an interest in the things you love, but this isn’t always easy. Some kids may not care about what you love, or they’d much rather hang out with friends or spend an evening in front of the TV. While this is understandable, it also means you’re both missing out on something special. So, what are the benefits of sharing hobbies with your kids? 

You Can Build a Bond

Building a strong bond between you and your child is something any parent dreams of achieving. In most cases, the bond is already there, but if you want to make more memories, sharing hobbies is a great solution. As much as family dinners or car rides to school will stick with them, the experiences they have with you when they score their first goal or win their first online game are even better, and you’ll be there for every success, so they know you've always supported them. 

You Can Meet New People Together 

 Meeting new people can be tricky as an adult, and if your child has struggled to make friends at school or around the neighborhood, a shared hobby can expand both of your circles. Wherever you go, a local club or activity gives you the chance to get to know someone different, or even build a friendship with someone who was previously a peripheral figure in your life. This is also great for teaching your child vital social skills and can help them get out of the house more and build friendships with kids their age. 

You Can Explore Something New 

There are so many hobbies to choose from that it can feel overwhelming. While most people are drawn to traditional hobbies like sports, others may prefer to look further afield. There are still a lot of hobbies you can get into, such as scale models, trading cards, or mini model painting. You don’t even need to commit to a specific hobby right now. Instead, try a few hobbies together and see which one you enjoy the most. 

It Can Build Their Confidence 

Confidence can be tricky for kids at any age, which is why trying new hobbies can be such a significant factor in their life. If your child is naturally shy, they may need evidence that they are more capable than they assume, so helping them improve their skills through different sports (such as boxing or MMA) or music will help them feel better about themselves. Once they master their skills, they will never worry about not being good enough ever again. 

Getting On Your Hobby Horse 

Sharing hobbies with your child brings plenty of benefits to your home and will do wonders for your relationship. They will learn an array of skills and even build other friendships that will stay with them forever. If you want to make the most of your child’s childhood, introducing them to your favorite hobbies is an excellent place to start.

WHY YOU SHOULD GET YOUR KIDS READING MORE

It is a tale as old as time. Parents would read to their children nightly without fail. Times have changed though. Once when children would have asked for a story and their favorite book to be read, they are now grabbing a console or binge watching their favorite films or YouTube channel. 

That isn’t to say that reading to your children doesn’t and shouldn't still be an important feature within their lives and why you shouldn’t encourage independent reading as they get older. There are many reasons for your children to read. Here are some of the main reasons. 

Sparks Creativity & Imagination 

Unlike their digital counterparts, books don’t come with moving and animated visual aids. Whether you choose a classic or have a design one and use a company for custom printing, it is down to your child to take the words and build that image up in their mind’s eye. 

The ability to use imagination is a skill that can be carried through into their later life. Nurturing and encouraging them to use their imagination can change their childhood and shape their passions as they grow. It is fair to say that it is imaginary and the ability to visualize a concept that has influenced the world as we know it. Classic stories that are known and loved, your favorite car to even the technologies that are available today all started off based on the imagination of an individual. 

Improves Language & Speech 

Reading or encouraging your child to read, introduces them to a wide range of different words, writing formats, and ways to articulate a point or message. Whether they’re reading a book on their favorite superhero, Encanto, or reading something new each book and tale will be written differently. They will learn new words and learn the definition of them in context. If you are reading to children it allows them also to hear how you are pronouncing words increasing their vocabulary. 

Opens Doors for Conversation 

Reading is a pastime that can be enjoyed by all. No matter your age, you can enjoy sitting together, reading a book, and hearing and marveling at how the tale unfolds. You can discuss the characters, talk about the plot. Speak about your favorite parts. Hear and discuss what you think will happen next. There is no limit surrounding the conversations that you can have together. 

Creates a Shared Bond 

You can never have enough ways to bond with your children. They don’t remain small for long and as they grow and develop their own interests and hobbies you can find yourself no longer being the center of their universe. But, when you create and build together a love of books and reading you will have created a bond that will last the test of time and one that even when they are grown adults and are no longer living at home with you, you can still talk about discuss, and enjoy together.