FREE MICROIDS VIDEO GAME DEMOS ON STEAM

Are you a PC gamer? If so, you will want to check out several playable demos that will be available for FREE on Steam, offering players a sneak peek at some of the most anticipated titles from video game publisher Microids. The free demos will be available starting Monday, October 14, at 1 PM EST, as part of Steam Next Fest. Demos will be available for Empire of the Ants, Flint - Treasure of Oblivion, Amerzone - The Explorer's Legacy, Little Big Adventure Twinsen's Quest, and The Smurfs - Dreams. 

EMPIRE OF THE ANTS

Experience an immersive journey and defend your lands through tactical and strategic battles in an epic, microscopic world. Become #103,683, the Ant Savior: lead your colony, rebuild a home, protect it, make it prosper, and conquer new territories throughout different seasons. Exploration, strategy, combat skills, and alliances with local wildlife will be crucial to emerge victorious from the many challenges lying ahead. 

Inspired by Bernard Werber's bestselling Empire of the Ants, the game offers a strategic experience right off the pages of the iconic book series. Empire of the Ants will be available on November 7, 2024, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

FLINT: TREASURE OF OBLIVION

Prepare to embark alongside Captain Flint, his first mate Billy Bones, and a crew of seasoned pirates in search of a legendary treasure that promises freedom and fortune. With a unique narrative style inspired by traditional comic books, the tactical RPG Flint: Treasure of Oblivion invites players into a historically inspired pirate adventure mixed with a touch of fantasy. Flint: Treasure of Oblivion is scheduled for a November 14, 2024 release for PC.

AMERZONE: THE EXPLORER'S LEGACY

As a young journalist, you’ve been entrusted with a crucial mission: to cross the globe and reach the heart of a mysterious, faraway land. Your goal is to bring back the last egg of the mythical “Great White Birds”. According to legend, they are bound up with the fate of the only country they call home: a land with strange, dangerous plants and wildlife that has been devastated by years of bloody dictatorship.

Solve puzzles, find clues that will help you along your way, and get immersed in the spirit of adventure, the beauty of the landscapes and the depth of the story. A release date for this PC video games has not been announced yet.

LITTLE BIG ADVENTURE: TWINSEN'S QUEST

 First released in 1994 as “Little Big Adventure”, this action-adventure classic by Frédérick Raynal (Alone in the Dark) captivated audiences worldwide. With new artistic direction, updated gameplay, and a completely remastered soundtrack by Philippe Vachey, this remake brings back the original magic with a modern twist. Players will rediscover the enchanting world of planet Twinsun, master the Magic Ball for exciting adventures, and dive into a deep narrative, all while exploring reimagined levels for a smoother experience. 

Little Big Adventure – Twinsen’s Quest will be available digitally on November 14, 2024 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

THE SMURFS: DREAMS

Embark on a brand-new adventure in the world of the Smurfs with the 3D platformer by Ocellus Services, The Smurfs - Dreams, where dreams collide with the darkest nightmares. Whether playing solo or with a friend, explore enchanted or eerie locations and dive into your favorite Smurfs’ dreams through levels packed with varied gameplay in this magical adventure. Each world brings its own unique challenges, offering a fully immersive experience where imagination comes to life. 

The Smurfs - Dreams will be available on October 24, 2024, in physical and digital editions for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, and in digital formats on PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store) and Xbox One/Series.

MIGRATION ACTIVITY SHEETS

MIGRATION, the newest animated movie from Illumination, the creators of MINIONS, is now available to add to your home entertainment library on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. Rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America [MPAA] for action, peril and mild rude humor, this story about a Mallard family leaving their comfort zone to go on vacation makes for a nice movie to enjoy in the comfort of your home. Add some extra entertainment to a MIGRATION family movie night having fun with these FREE movie themed activity sheets:

In MIGRATION, A family of ducks decides to leave the safety of a New England pond for an adventurous trip to Jamaica. However, their well-laid plans quickly go awry when they get lost and wind up in New York City. The experience soon inspires them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends, and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.

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ONLINE AI OUIJA BOARD

Are you ready to enter the world of the mysterious and mystifying with OUIJA?! Just in time for Halloween festivities, Hasbro launched a limited-time, online-only, AI-enhanced version of the iconic OUIJA Board that bridges the gap between today’s technology and ancient mystique! 

Available NOW through November 1 at 11:59 PM PT at ouija.com, the first-of-its-kind AI OUIJA Board from Hasbro is sure to test your bravery and connection to the spirit realm. You've got questions and the spirit world has answers – the AI OUIJA Board is your way to get them asap… no board required! 

What do you want to know? Ask your question solo, with a friend, or in a group setting perfect for any Halloween party vibe. Be patient and concentrate because the spirits can't be rushed! Try these sample prompts, or ask your own questions: 

 · How many spirits are in this room? 

 · Spirit, what’s the last thing you remember?

 · Are you a good spirit or a bad spirit? 

 · What are you doing for Halloween? 

 · May I speak with the spirit of William Shakespeare? / William Shakespeare, what’s your favorite play? / Abe Lincoln, do you still wear your top hat? 

Fans can access the AI OUIJA Board through http://www.ouija.com/ via mobile or desktop. For anyone looking to take their séance game to the next level, the classic OUIJA Board is available for purchase at most major retailers and on Amazon. 

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DISNEY PIXAR ELEMENTAL ACTIVITY SHEETS

Disney Pixar's ELEMENTAL is now available to add to your home entertainment video library on Digital and will be out on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on September 26th. If you are planning on having a family movie night here are some entertaining activity sheets to print out to make your evening extra fun:

 

Elemental is an original feature film set in Element City, where residents of Fire, Water, Earth and Air live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. This animated film is rated PG for some peril, thematic elements, and brief language by the Motion Picture Association of America. 

I hope you enjoy these FREE activity sheets and have yourself a fantastic ELEMENTAL family movie night! 

LACKADAISY ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Tracy Butler has been the Cat's Meow with her webcomic LACKADAISY which has been nominated for an Eisner Award, the comic industry's equivalent of an Oscar. Based upon the popularity of Lackadaisy, a Kickstarter campaign funded the creation of an animated short film to serve as a pilot to market Butler's stories into a tv series or feature-length movie. That animated short film was just released and is available to view on YouTube for FREE. Check it out!

Set in St. Louis, Missouri in the midst of Prohibition, Lackadaisy features the Lackadaisy, a speakeasy tucked away in a cave beneath the Little Daisy Cafe, where flashing the club symbol from a deck of cards grants everyone in-the-know access to to all the moonshine and music they desire. The joint’s packed full of gangsters, flappers, crooked cops, rum-runners, and wide-eyed ingenues. And they are, literally, all jazz cats. The sepia-toned story features action and adventure, comedy and crime, and a colorful (if somewhat shady) cast of felines, including the Lackadaisy proprietors Atlas and Mitzi May, rumrunner Rocky Rickaby, and the sharp-tongued, fleet-footed con artist in training, Ivy Pepper.

Lackadaisy: The Animated Short Film is the first ever multimedia endeavor from Spike Trotman’s Iron Circus Comics. The short film was crowdfunded to the tune of $330,000, thanks to almost 6,000 backers. It features the vocal talents of Michael Kovach as Rocky Rickaby, Belsheber Rusape as Calvin "Freckle" McMurray, Lisa Reimold as Ivy Pepper, Ashe Wagner as Mitzi May and SungWon Cho  as Mordecai Heller. Theme music by Sepiatonic, the Portland-based music and dance experience that performs Electro-Vaudeville, provide the film’s theme music.

“The shift from sole writer and artist on Lackadaisy to crew member among more than 150 people working on the animated adaptation wsas nothing short of jarring,” remarked Tracey Butler to ageekdaddy.com. “The amount of work laid out before us seemed impossible at times. Meanwhile, a global pandemic raged in the backdrop. It was the best time of my life. Throughout production, it hasn't escaped me that I've been existing on some surreal plane of privilege and luck. To be surrounded by a team of incredible artists, all collaborating with me to imbue these characters, this story and setting with all of the motion, voice and music I dreamed in my head? Amazing. I hope viewers will enjoy the film even fractionally as much as I have loved making it.”

I have to say that the artwork for Butler's Lackadaisy web-comic is amazing eye candy complimented by a story whose tone and theme are a captivating read. The animation for the short film does an exceptional job of replicating the visual appeal of the web-comics and providing viewers with an intriguing plot. Lackadaisy: The Animated Short Film earns a Geek Daddy nod of approval for being refreshingly original and entertaining to watch. Plus, it is FREE to view! 

Good luck to Tracey Butler and Iron Circus Comics in getting their pilot picked up by a television network, streaming service or movie studio! It would be fantastic to see more Lackadaisy adventures produced as an animated tv series or film. For more information about the web-comic and animated short, head over to lackadaisy.com

FREE SCREENING OF DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

Hey Detroiters! Who wants to see a new Doctor Strange movie?! DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS officially doesn't open until Friday, May 6; but a Geek Daddy has an inside scoop on how you can see an advance showing of the film for FREE. Click here to RSVP for a free advance screening at MJR Theaters in Troy, Michigan on May 4, 2022 at 7pm.

Note: seating is on a first come, first serve basis and is not guaranteed. Must RSVP to attend! Who is geeked about a free night at the movies?!

In Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, frightening images and language by the Motion Picture Association of America. Only in theaters on May 6th.

NBA MATH HOOPS APP

It is amazing how kids can be so in tune to the analytics of sports yet think math is boring and uninteresting. With math skills and scores on the decline and showing historic lows in schools across the country, Learn Fresh, a national education nonprofit dedicated to enhancing students interest in STEM  and developing social-emotional achievement with children, has created a learning tool that utilizes the excitement of basketball to make practicing math problems fun. Partnering with NBA Cares, Hasbro, and NBA/WNBA teams to create basketball themed apps that are both educational and entertaining. NBA Math Hoops apps have kids enjoying engaging in math through competitive basketball themed games.

Available for FREE to be used by students in Grades 3 - 8, there are two apps to choose from both of which are available for Apple and Android devices. These learning apps star NBA and WNBA players and and utilize real statistics. Both apps reinforce fundamental math skills in a fun, data-rich environment as well as assist kids with building fluency through engaging gameplay. Suddenly fractions, decimals, percentages, and exponents are just a part of the game, and students are freed from the anxiety that often comes with traditional math learning. 

Students start off with NBA MATH HOOPS and can continue expand upon that experience with Learn Fresh's follow-up app NBA MATH HOOPS SKILLS & DRILLS. The NBA Math Hoops App features a digital board game with real-time NBA and WNBA player stats. Kids can spend as little as a few minutes at a time or a whole weekend with this fun and educational app, and they can play independently or as part of a class assignment. NBA Math Hoops Skills + Drills App is a complementary app that similarly hones elementary and middle school math skills through basketball mini-games. Boths apps are available to download for FREE on the App Store and Google Play.

NBA Math Hoops App • Free • Grades 3 to 8

Download the NBA Math Hoops Mobile App for free in the App Store and Google Play. The playful program helps build fluency with fundamental math skills through a fun, basketball-themed game with authentic NBA and WNBA player statistics that update in real-time! Compete in Quick Play or League Play modes and enter a classroom code to play in a league format with your peers. Great for use in the classroom, after school, or in-home learning environments.

NBA Math Hoops Skills & Drills App • Free • Grades 3 to 8

Ready for some drills? NBA Math Hoops Skills + Drills App helps young learners build fluency with fundamental math skills through a fun, fast-paced game that simulates the NBA All-Star Skills competition. The app complements the core NBA Math Hoops App and is designed for students looking to take their mental math and NBA Math Hoops play to the next level. Available for free in the App Store and Google Play.

While the game may use stats to make math less intimidating to students, NBA Math Hoops has some scored some impressive stats of its own: Students completing the full program demonstrate 35% improvement in math fluency and 18% improvement in data analysis skills, and a whopping 92% of educators report that students find math more accessible, relevant, and engaging through the program. As a parent, I've always been a fan of making learning both entertaining and educational so that kids consider schooling an enjoyable challenge rather than an uninteresting chore. So I'm geeked about the efforts of Learn Fresh in developing learning tools that embrace people's sports fandom to get them excited about math. 

If you know a child in third through eighth grade, encourage him or her to check out NBA MATH HOOPS! It is FREE, FUN and helps develop a fundamental skill needed to get ahead in today's society. Time to play some hoops!

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF PARENTHOOD

Being a parent is quite an intense responsibility to have. The moment you become one, the orbit of your life changes. You are no longer the most important person in your life from that moment on, or at least this is the way you begin to think, which is a pretty strange concept to get to grips with. Furthermore, being a parent is so loaded with the responsibility that it’s very easy to focus on doing everything perfectly right’ rather than authentically learning and taking it as it comes. 

You’d be forgiven for thinking that way. Just remember you don’t have to be perfect to be a great parent, and you will make mistakes along the way. What matters is getting the main things right, such as spending enough time with them, or choosing the best preschool for their needs.

What’s most important is learning how to make the most of parenthood. This gives you the chance to not only become a better parent, but also one who is able to appreciate the good times while they’re here. It may seem that your responsibilities last forever, but sooner rather than later your child will be asking you to view apartments with them and they want to move on and leave the nest. 

Cherishing their childhood years while they are here is very important. How can we best do that? Here are a few thoughts to consider from a dad blogger whose own kids have grown up way faster than he thought they would:

Don’t Be Afraid Of Frivolity 

Don’t be afraid of being frivolous and silly. Having a child can age you many years, or it can keep you young at heart. Having a fun language with which to communicate with your family is normal, even if that’s singing a silly jingle and making funny faces with your children from time to time. It’s about sitting with them and watching children’s cartoons, and finger painting, and being silly. Don’t be afraid of frivolity. It can lead to the most fun and cherished memories you have.

Document Your Time Together 

Children grow up but you can always keep them at a certain age by documenting those times with pictures and videos of them. Having professional photos of the family taken can be a nice way of looking back at a certain time and place. Making travel videos can help you capture fun moments. Simply keeping a private Facebook album with your digital photos can be a great way of sharing their childhood with your extended family. Write your own dad or mom blog to document your time together!

The Best Things In Parenting Are Free 

The best parts of parenting are free. Helping your child learn how to ride a bike is priceless! Cherish the times they need you for help because they soon won’t. Enjoy funny conversations, spending time in the park, asking them about their school day, and trying new foods together. Sometimes little things like this can add up to the experience you truly do cherish, even if it’s just sitting beside them next to the television and giving them a loving hug.

JOHN WICK LIONSGATE NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

Have you seen any of the JOHN WICK movies? This film franchise starring Keanu Reeves follows the adventures of a retired hitman who goes back to work. Now with three movies and a fourth on the way this franchise has brought the DIE HARD / PULP FICTION style of shoot em up action films to movie theaters for the last decade. Well that is what I've heard because though I've wanted to watch these flicks haven't had the chance to see any of the JOHN WICK movies yet. You don't realize how hard it can be to see R rated movies as a parent until you actually become  a Dad.

So I'm excited to watch the first movie in the JOHN WICK series on Friday night (May 8, 2020) for FREE on YouTube during a LIONGATE: A Night at the Movies! Live showing.  Tune in at 6pm PT / 9 pm ET to watch JOHN WICK on YouTube. Don't be late because this special Lionsgate presentation hosted by Fandango will only be viewable during this one time live airing of the movie on YouTube.

In JOHN WICK, the legendary assassin (Keanu Reeves) has retired from his violent career after marrying the love of his life. Her sudden death leaves John in deep mourning. When sadistic mobster Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) and his thugs steal John's prized car and kill the puppy that was a last gift from his wife, John unleashes the remorseless killing machine within him and seeks vengeance. Meanwhile, Iosef's father (Michael Nyqvist) -- John's former colleague -- puts a huge bounty on John's head.



Put the kids to bed, pop open a beer and tune in with me on Friday, May 8 to enjoy this special showing of JOHN WICK on YouTube. During the movie, Lionsgate will be soliciting donations for the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation Assistance Fund to assist employees of movie theaters who are out of work due to the pandemic. If you can afford it please consider tossing a buck into this virtual hat that is being passed around.

Plus some fans will be live-tweeting during the show using the hashtag #LionsgateLIVE. If you are on Twitter, make sure to give @Geekdad248 a follow! Shout outs are always appreciated. Let us know if you are tweeting tonight!

BUDSIES FALL ART CONTEST

Our family has had some great experiences with Budsies. This company takes people's drawings and transforms them into impressive plush creations. My kids have dreamed up an alien, dinosaur and a sunglasses wearing sunflower that Budsies has turned into real life toys.



Now Budsies is giving families a chance to win their very own Budsie stuffed animal or doll. Just have a child do a drawing of an original character they create with his or her imagination that fits into the theme "Fairy Tales in Fall." Then post the drawing on Facebook and/or Instagram using the hashtag #BudsiesArtContest2019 and tag @Budsies for a chance to have it made and mailed to you for free. Enter this exact caption with your picture on Budsies' Facebook Wall or your Instagram feed: “Entering @Budsies sweepstakes to bring our art to life as a real stuffed animal #BudsiesArtContest2019.”

One entry per household per social media outlet. So you can enter once on Facebook and once on Instagram. Up to 5 winners selected from all submissions based upon "Best Use of Colors", "Cutest Drawing", "Most Creative Creature", and "Funniest Drawing." Click here for the official rules.

Hurry up and get your entries in! Drawings must be submitted by 11:59 pm EST on October 1, 2019. While you are on Instagram and Facebook, make sure to follow this dad blogger's accounts too! For more information about creating your own unique plush creation go to budsies.com 

BUILD YOUR OWN CARS 3 BOARD GAME

Who else is excited that CARS 3 will be racing into movie theaters soon?!  My family is revving to go to see the next chapter in one of our favorite movie franchises.  Can't wait for the green flag to drop and the new adventure to start.  Thanks to our friends at Disney PIXAR we have a fun board game featuring Lightning McQueen and the cast of automobiles from Cars 3 to play with while we're idling for the film's debut weekend.  A Geek Daddy is also happy to be able to share this free build it yourself board game called RACE TO THE FINISH with our fans.

Can you be the first to cross the finish line in this racing themed game?  Pick from four of the Cars characters from the movie and compete to be the first across the finish line.  Roll the dice with the lowest number getting the first turn.  Roll the dice to see how many spaces your character can move during a turn.  Or your roll may show "Draw a Card."  Follow the instructions on the card you pull to see where you go.

Everything you need to build this game is embedded below.  Just download the sheets and print them out.  After a little bit of cutting and taping you'll have an entertaining game to play.  Have a fun family night watching the previous movies and playing RACE TO THE FINISH in anticipation of going to see Cars 3.



Cars 3 promises to be full of action, racing, funny moments and fun adventure scenes.  The movie begins with Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers.  Trying to get back to the front of the pack, McQueen turns to an eager young race technician named Cruz Ramirez (voiced by Cristela Alonzo) for help plus gets some inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet.  Making his way through some unexpected turns #95 shows that he isn't done yet.  Can Lightning McQueen win another Piston Cup and take another cruise through victory lane?  We'll have to see the movie to find out!



Learn more about Cars 3 at cars.disney.com which includes character profiles, craft ideas, games, videos and an online store of themed merchandise. Also check out their Twitter and Facebook accounts as we head into the final stretch to the opening weekend of Cars 3!

Strawberry Shortcake Dance Berry Dance

Kids grow up so fast!  So whenever I see my daughter, who is getting ready to graduate second grade in a few weeks, still enjoying herself playing with her Strawberry Shortcake dolls it always gets me smiling.  It is nice to hold on to her being my little girl for as long as I can.

If there is a young girl in your life who loves Strawberry Shortcake as much as my daughter does, A Geek Daddy has a great giveaway for you!  Courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment, I'm giving away the animated tale STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: DANCE BERRY DANCE on home video which is now available on Digital HD and DVD.  For a chance to win follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet the embedded tweet below by 11:59 pm ET on  June 4, 2017 for a chance to win.  Must be a US resident over 18 years old to participate and one winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries.

Follow @Geekdad248 & RT before 6/5/17 for a chance to win STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: DANCE BERRY DANCE on DVD courtesy of @FoxHomeEnt #ad US Only pic.twitter.com/9Lhix4hrWS

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) May 31, 2017

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: DANCE BERRY DANCE
Dance along with Strawberry Shortcake and her friends' in this all new animated adventures! Apple causes “The Berry Bitty Dance Disaster” when she invents groove booties to keep up with her pals’ moves. Strawberry and Plum use the booties to teach puppies ballet, but one will become a “Doggie Dance No-Show.” And Cherry Jam must find a solution when she can’t escape the popularity of her “Dance Puppy Dance” song.

We have a tradition of popping up some popcorn and watching one of the Strawberry Shortcake DVDs from Fox Home Entertainment in our home video collection when my little girl want to spend some daddy-daughter time.  DANCE BERRY DANCE is sure to make any Strawberry Shortcake fan very happy and whether your family has a shelf full of these DVDs or it is your very first one it will make a nice addition to any child's home video collection.  Remember there are only so many years where your kids are going to want to spend time with you.  Make the berry best of those opportunities while you can!

DISCLAIMER & GIVEAWAY RULES A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway. The prize is provided by Fox Home Entertainment. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate. One entry per person and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. Winner when notified by DM to their Twitter account has 48 hours to reply by providing a valid mailing address within the United States to accept the prize. Fox Home Entertainment will be responsible for shipping the DVD to the randomly selected winner.  By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog as we are facilitating this free opportunity as a benefit to our readers.

Family Movie Night: THE SPACE BETWEEN US

Thanks to Universal Pictures Home Entertainment we were able to enjoy THE SPACE BETWEEN US for a Family Movie Night a few days before its May 16, 2017 release on Blu-ray and DVD.  The film is a lighthearted teenage romance flick set within a sci-fi movie which takes audiences on an out-of-this world journey.  It provides a glimpse of the Earth from a human who is visiting the planet for the first time and has to make you wonder about how those of us living here take so much for granted when it comes to appreciating our world.

THE SPACE BETWEEN US is the story of sixteen year old Gardner Elliot who is the first human born on Mars, living his whole live with a team of scientists on the red planet.  He's always longed to see Earth to seek out the father he's never known and to meet a girl named Tulsa who he has befriended through the Internet.  He finally gets the chance to visit Earth and see Tulsa in person, but during his stay doctors discover Gardner's heart can't withstand Earth's atmosphere.  Before being sent back to Mars, he and Tulsa slip away and embark on a cross-country adventure to take in experiencing the world around them and search for his father before time runs out.

This is an enjoyable movie to enjoy while lounging out on the couch eating a bowl of popcorn on a lazy weekend.  Don't take it too seriously and appreciate it for being a cheesy romantic adventure and you'll have fun watching it.  Rated PG-13 because of its romantic theme and foul language that includes damn, dick, ass and crap there really isn't anything too objectionable in the movie for parent to be overly concerned about their kids seeing.  Younger viewers may not want to watch it because the boyfriend-girlfriend dynamic of the show may make them go "ew!"  Embracing love is an overarching premise of the movie that viewers will either appreciate or mock at.  Not to be lost in the romantic elements of the movie though is that THE SPACE BETWEEN US has a very important message within it.  Appreciate the incredible beauty of the Earth!

Courtesy of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, A Geek Daddy is going to help one lucky person have their own family movie night enjoying THE SPACE BETWEEN US.  We're giving away a Blu-ray+DVD+Digital HD movie combo pack. Submit the entries below by 11:59 pm ET on May 15, 2017 for a chance to win.  Must be a US resident over 18 years old to participate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
THE SPACE BETWEEN US on Blu-ray and DVD contains a never-before-seen alternate ending plus a variety of bonus features.  After watching the movie, check out the deleted scenes and a commentary by the film's director Peter Chelsom. Plus there is a "Love" featurette which provides an inside look, with the cast and filmmakers, at the movie's theme that love connects us all.

For more information about the movie, please visit uphe.com/movies/the-space-between-us

Disclaimer & Contest Rules: A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use. The prize is provided by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate. Entries limited to one household and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. If you have already won this prize through another blog participating in this promotion, your entry will be disqualified if that prize has already been awarded by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes allowed for delivery of the prize. Must reply to notification email within 48 hours by providing requested contact information or else the prize will be forfeited and a new winner randomly selected. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment will be responsible for shipping the prize to the selected winner.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2017

The first Saturday in May is a date my kids and I always look forward to.  It's FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!!!  We've developed a family tradition to swing by our local comic book shop to enjoy this event each year spending a morning bonding together over super heroes and science fiction.  My kids always get a kick out of seeing people cosplay while we are there and of course they love bringing home a handful of comic books to read through for the rest of the day.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY will be on Saturday, May 6, 2017.  It has become a hugely popular annual event hosted by comic book retailers and publishers to entice new customers to visit brick-and-mortar stores and reward existing ones for their continued patronage.    FREE COMIC BOOK DAY provides a variety of selections people can pick up for free to take home with them ranging from specially printed one-shot stories published just for this event to reprints of previously published work that  promote a particular character or series. This year there are 50 comic books that can be selected from at participating locations.  Note that each comic shop has its own rules for the event so in some circumstances you may only be allowed to take one or two books and in others it is first come, first serve and people can take one of each of them. CLICK HERE to find a participating location near you.

One of the aspects I've appreciated about FREE COMIC BOOK DAY as a father is that they always offer a selection of comics that are appropriate for preschool and elementary school aged children to enjoy.  Once again there will be a nice selection of comic books that are appropriate for ALL AGES to read.  Here are a few of my favorites that will be available for children at this year's event:

There is no need to fear, Underdog is here! American Mythology is introducing this canine crusader to a new generation with its new Underdog comic book series.

My kids really enjoy the animated television series that follows the adventures of Ladybug and Cat Noir so they're sure to read this Miraculous comic book from Action Lab.

Papercutz is known for producing wonderful comic books and graphic novels meant for kids.  They will be introducing a comic book based upon The Loud House, Nickelodeon's hit new animated show!

Time Shifters from Graphix Spotlight is a wacky adventure filled with dinosaurs, robots and trips to parallel dimensions of reality that will absolutely appeal to kids.

My daughter loves her DC Super Hero Girls toys and now they have a comic book!  I know she's going to pick this one up during our visit to the comic shop.

My son is really into drawing right now so he's going to be thrilled to grab this COLORFUL MONSTERS sketchbook by cartoonist Elise Gravel filled with illustrations and activity pages.

Dynamite Comics has created a comic book series based upon National Geographic's Animal Jam online video game playground that has a whopping 55 million players worldwide.

My son said the new Guardians of the Galaxy movie is AWESOME so you know he's going to want to get his hand on this comic book from Marvel.

Boom! Studios always puts together a nice compilation that kids are sure to enjoy.  A highlight of each year's FREE COMIC BOOK DAY is seeing the Mouse Guard piece that David Petersen includes in it every year.

Take a trip to Springfield to see what shenanigans Bart Simpson is getting into with this year's FREE COMIC BOOK DAY publication from BONGO COMICS.

This event's not just all about kids though!  There are always a nice selection of comic books each year that I enjoy picking up for myself that are aimed more for mom and dad aged readers.  Here are a few of my favorite picks from this year's selection of free comic books that are more appropriate for adults than children:

THE TICK is one of my all-time favorite cartoons so I'm always delighted to pick up a comic book featuring the character during FREE COMIC BOOK DAY.  I have a collection of FCBD THE TICK issues going back quite a few years.  I wonder if this year's comic book will reference the new TV show that Amazon is producing? Rated: ALL AGES

If you are a Star Wars fan check out this steam punk version of adventures taking place in a galaxy far far away in STEAM WARS.

The World's Greatest Cartoonists is meant exclusive for adults to read with a Mature rating.  It contains all-new, exclusive work from a variety of comic artists that is a must-have for Fantagraphic fans.

The Incal from Humanoids has been called one of the most influential and original comics in sci-fi history. A full 30 pages originally published in Métal Hurlant and created by the artists' artist Mœbius will be available for free on May 6th.

The Ballad of Franklin Bonisteel from Z2 Comics tells the story of a egendary record prodcuer and his misadventures in Los Angeles. Included with the comic book is a digital download code for an original song by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.

Return to the Mirror Universe with the Next Generation crew in a way you've never seen them before in MIRROR BROKEN, a prequel to IDW Publishing's upcoming Star Trek: The Next Generation miniseries.

This comic is NOT for kids! Gertrude has been stuck in Fairyland for decades when she finally finds a secret passage to get back home. To get through it though she'll need to chop her way through some of Image Comics' favorite characters from Saga, The Walking Dead, Savage Dragon, Spawn, Descender, Black Science, Southern Bastards.  Rated: MATURE audiences.

Whovians will be delighted to know that Titan Comics is again publishing a FREE COMIC BOOK DAY issue of DOCTOR WHO!!!

Return to the wondrous world of Pandora with an AVATAR tale from Dark Horse Comics that also includes in the comic book a story featuring the characters from the upcoming AMC television series Briggs Land. Rated: TEEN.

A full listing of all the available publications is on freecomicbookday.com.  Which one do you think your kids will enjoy most? How about yourself? Is there an issue you really want to pick up to read on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY?

RUGRATS SEASON 1 & 2 DVD GIVEAWAY

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free **

RUGRATS was one of the most popular shows on the Nickelodeon cable network in the 1990s.  Told from the perspective of a group of adventurous and imaginative toddlers, RUGRATS transformed the most mundane activities into unforgettable adventures. Led by fearless leader Tommy Pickles, the gang can turn an ordinary trip to the park into a journey across the Sahara in search of water, a visit to the plant nursery into a jungle trek to find a cure for "jungle beaver," or a search for cookies into a prehistoric fantasy. Known as one of the favorite childhood television shows of millennials, Nickelodeon is now releasing the show on DVD to introduce a new generation of children to the Rugrats.

Nickelodeon Home Entertainment generously sent my family the 2-disc RUGRATS: SEASON 1 and 4-disc RUGRATS: SEASON 2 dvd sets to enjoy + is providing the same for A GEEK DADDY to giveaway to one lucky winner!  Time to do the happy dance!

Rugrats: Season 1 & Rugrats: Season 2 will be available individually on May 2, 2017 through retail outlets across the United State and Canada. .Rugrats: Season 1 contains 25 episodes and Rugrats: Season 2 contains 51 episodes.  At the price of $14.99 and $19.99 respectively, Rugrats: Season 1 & Rugrats: Season 2 will be a welcome addition to any family looking for a little throwback fun and adventure from the '90s era.

For a chance to win these Rugrats DVD sets follow the instructions below before May 2, 2017 @ 11:59 pm ET.  Must be a U.S. resident over 18 years old to be eligible to participate in this promotion.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rugrats: Season 1 includes the following episodes: 

DISC 1:

• Tommy's First Birthday                        
• Barbeque Story                        
• Waiter, There's A Baby In My Soup                 
• At The Movies             
• Slumber Party              
• Baby Commercial                    
• Little Dude                   
• Beauty Contest             
• Baseball                       
• Ruthless Tommy                      
• Moose Country                        
• Grandpa's Teeth                       
• Momma Trauma                                                              

DISC 2:                                                

• Real Or Robots?                       
• Special Delivery                       
• Candy Bar Creep Show                        
• Monster In The Garage                        
• Weaning Tommy                     
• Incident In Aisle Seven                        
• Touch-Down Tommy              
• The Trial                      
• Fluffy vs. Spike                       
• Reptar's Revenge                      
• Graham Canyon                       
• Stu-Maker's Elves 

Rugrats: Season 2 includes the following episodes:

DISC 1:

• Toy Palace                   
• Sand Ho!                     
• Chuckie Versus The Potty                    
• Together At Last                      
• The Big House             
• The Shot                      
• Showdown At Teeter-Totter Gulch                  
• Mirrorland                   
• Angelica's In Love                   
• Ice Cream Mountain                
• Regarding Stuie                       
• Garage Sale                  
• Let There Be Light                   
• The Bank Trick                       

DISC 2:                        

• Family Reunion                       
• Grandpa's Date             
• No Bones About It                   
• Beach Blanket Babies               
• Reptar On Ice               
• Family Feud                 
• Superhero Chuckie                  
• The Dog Broomer                    
• Aunt Miriam                
• The Inside Story                      
• A Visit From Lipschitz             
• What The Big People Do                      
• The Santa Experience              

DISC 3:                        

• Visitors From Outer Space                   
• The Case Of The Missing Rugrat                      
• Chuckie Loses His Glasses                    
• Chuckie Gets Skunked             
• Rebel Without A Teddy Bear               
• Angelica The Magnificent                    
• Meet The Carmichaels              
• The Box                       
• Down The Drain                      
• Let Them Eat Cake                  
• The Seven Voyages Of Cynthia                       
• My Friend Barney                                

DISC 4:

• Feeding Hubert                        
• Spike The Wonder Dog                       
• The Slide                     
• The Big Flush              
• King Ten Pin               
• Runaway Angelica                   
• Game Show Didi                      
• Toys In The Attic                     
• Driving Miss Angelica             
• Susie vs. Angelica                    
• Tooth Or Dare             
• Party Animals             

Disclaimer & Rules: A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use. The prize is provided by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate. One entry per mailing address and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. If you have already won this prize through another blog participating in this promotion, your entry will be disqualified if that prize has already been awarded by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment. By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes allowed for delivery of the prize. Must reply to notification email within 48 hours by providing requested contact information or else the prize will be forfeited and a new winner randomly selected. Nickelodeon Home Entertainment will be responsible for shipping the prize to the selected winner.