How Modern Technology Makes Outdoor Activities So Much More Exciting

Anyone who regularly spends time in the great outdoors knows how much of a wonderful time it is. Technology is reshaping how people approach these adventures, though. Instead of making things more complicated, innovative tech is making things more convenient and exciting. There are tools available that enhance awareness and reduce tediousness. This modern shift helps people to become more capable and engaged while spending time in nature. There are a few ways modern technology is making outdoor activities significantly more exciting:

Real-Time Technology For Awareness 

If you can use gadgets that amplify what you can see and track, the entire experience will feel more thrilling. Smart optics and sensor tools can help you capture moments while staying immersed in the terrain. Live data can also be useful in terms of helping you with decision-making. They can provide you with information about altitudes, weather shifts, and the roots you plan on heading down. You learn to adapt quickly and explore with more confidence. Simple outings become dynamic experiences with these tools constantly watching over you. Your attention stays sharp, and you feel more energetic from start to finish. You are given the opportunity to experiment with different ideas without adding too much complexity or finding yourself distracted.

Communication Gear That Keeps Up Momentum 

Technology lifts excitement by making communication a lot clearer and easier. With seamless coordination, groups can share experiences and move a lot faster. Momentum doesn’t have to be broken up every now and again. Some advanced gear, like helmet-mounted audio systems and headset adapters, will now integrate communication directly into headgear. Equipment, such as the IHPS headset rail adapter, allows you to attach compatible headsets to helmet rails, maintaining steadiness and freedom. Communication should always feel effortless; it shouldn’t be a struggle to get your message across. When this is the case, outdoor activities become much faster and more dynamic. Instructions and warnings will flow naturally, and everyone will be more engaged. Every single person can stay immersed in movement, as they will not have to pause to coordinate. Frustration is reduced significantly, and the entire experience becomes a lot more enjoyable.

Performance Tech 

The outdoor technology we have today can also reduce limits on endurance and recovery. The more we are able to do, the more excitement there is. Smart wearables and adaptive gear can help us to push further. This is all while staying responsive to environmental demands around us. With real-time metrics, we can remove guesswork and gut instinct and turn to actual feedback. Heart rate monitors and recovery tips can be extremely useful. Movement efficiency data can also be available to make progress visible. With these kinds of tools, people can improve their technique and experiment with the way they are moving outdoors. Technology injects more excitement into outings by improving awareness and comfort levels. Fatigue stops being scary and becomes more manageable. Goals feel more attainable. Motivation is easier to come by, and sustained outdoor effort stops feeling like an impossible task.

NEVER TOO EARLY TO BECOME A FAN OF SUPERHEROES AND WIZARDS

Kids Preferred, an American toy company with a focus on providing developmental tools and entertaining products for infants and toddlers has announced a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to bring some Hollywood magic to little ones. They have joined forces to create an incredible infant and toddler collection that will introduce the enchanting worlds of the DC Universe and Harry Potter to Generation Alpha. It is never too early to become a fan of superheroes and wizards! 

Kids Preferred has brought caped crusaders and beloved wizards to life in the form of cuddly and adorable plush toys, blankets, teethers, and activity toys. Parents can share their fanship with children through an assortment of adorable, safe and family-friendly DC Universe and Harry Potter themed items. A perfect way to ignite the imagination of little ones.

YOU ARE A WIZARD HARRY! 

From the Hogwarts House on-the-go blanket to Dobby foot rattles, parents can introduce little ones to the fantastical people, places and animal companions of the Wizarding World franchise. The Golden Snitch Plush offers embroidered wings filled with a crinkle sound to perk up little ears. The beans tucked inside the golden ball can even boost sensory development.

For teething babies, choose a Harry Potter Teether Blanket to soothe achy gums. Hermione Granger’s Teether blankie, like Harry Potters’s, offers crinkle sounds. A Ron Weasley Plush Beanbag features the red-haired and freckled wizard with many embroidered details. If you must choose between Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw, make sure to have its mascot in plush – Lion, Snake, Badger or Raven.

HOLY RATTLES, TEETHERS & PLUSH TOYS BATMAN!

Kids Preferred has also introduced a range of DC Universe toys to engage the youngest members of the family. From the Batman-on-the-go clip and pull-down vibrating activity toy to the Squeak and Peek Soft Book, there's something for every little superhero. Here are some highlights of the DC Universe collection: 

 - Batman and The Joker 15" plush 

 - Superman Activity toy with rattle, teether, and crinkle sensory textures 

 - Wonder Woman Plush with a swaddling cape 

 - Batman and Superman-themed ribbed textured blankies

Look for these Kids Preferred licensed products this summer and fall at retail partners Amazon, Target, Kohl’s, Barnes & Noble, Burlington and others across the United States. 

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FIREFIGHTERS ARE SUPERHEROES

Today is National Superhero Day which for many at first thought probably brings fantasy characters like Spider-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy to mind; but I wanted to take a moment to use this occasion to salute real life heroes ... the fire fighters in our world. As the name applies, this profession started out with a focus on keeping towns from burning to the ground (think the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 which destroyed more than 17,000 buildings and killed 300 people) and over the years has evolved so that fire fighters do much more than extinguish burning structures and wild fires. They are now first responders to HAZMAT situations, extract people from vehicle crashes, and provide emergency medical treatment in a variety of scenarios, among other responsibilities. Have you ever thought about how many different ways fire fighters contribute to making communities safe? 

I really hadn't until being invited to participate in a day in the life experience which let me feel what it is like to be on-the-job as a firefighter. My day as a firefighter included a searching inside a smoke-filled building for people to be rescued, extinguishing a car fire, a jaws of life vehicle extraction, an active shooter paramedic scenario and addressing a mock HAZMAT threat. This movie geek was able to live out some real life fire fighter moments as if he was starring in the flick BURN. You don't realize until experiencing it how heavy the gear is and how quick on your feet you have to be both mentally and physically when it comes to this job until going through the same drills the pros do.

Let the firefighters in your community know you appreciate them on this National Superhero Day and throughout the year. Say thank you and express your appreciation for their service by giving your local department a positive shout out on social media. Are you following your local fire department on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter? Most of some sort of social media presence.

Follow Friday #NationalSuperheroDay Salute to Fire Fighters: @FDNY @firenation @UFANYC @LAFD @DetroitFire @MetroDetFire @dfdlegacy @BostonFire @dcfireems @LearyFF @firedeptcoffee @IAFFofficial @OCFireAuthority @usfire @CityofMiamiFire @hawaiianfire #Firefighting #FF pic.twitter.com/FbBLzMN9vA

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) April 29, 2023

Remember, firefighting is a dangerous profession, with these men and women are putting their lives on the line in service to others. Let your local City Council representatives know you support your local government spending the resources to ensure these people who risk their lives are going into peril with the best tools and resources to accomplish their job. Firefighters need to have the ability to not only get the people they are rescuing out of danger, but also be able to return home to their own families as well when their mission has been accomplished. 

Thanks again to the local departments that let me get a better understanding what is like to live a day in the life of a firefighter at my county's emergency training center. 

MURPH FROM NERF

NERF the toy brand known for foam dart weaponry and sports balls has just unleashed upon the world its first-ever mascot ... and it is a doozy. Murph from NERF is a towering monstrosity that looks like a sasquatch mated with a koosh ball.  Mascots are supposed to be about fun and Murph is literally made out of what comes to front of mind when people think about NERF ... the foam darts that these toys are known for.

Hasbro, the parent company of NERF, will be utilizing Murph for a public relations campaign that encourages families to step away from their screens and get up and active with NERF to create memories that will last a lifetime. Can Murph encourage kids to step away from Fortnite for some backyard NERF battles? I hope so because people, my own kids included, really do need to get outside and get active more often ... and who doesn't love battling with friends and families with a bunch of NERF launchers? You can have a real life Fortnite battle royale with the cool Nerf toys that are available right now. I wish they had this quality and variety of NERF products when I was a kid!

Hasbro describes Murph as follows: Made completely out of official NERF dart materials, Murph is the personification of the playful spirit – the one that can only be unleashed with NERF. They’re a natural athlete, great at NERFoop and an expert at surprise NERF Super Soaker ambushes. They can also toss a NERF Vortex Football like no other and, of course, are a fantastic trick shooter with any NERF blaster.

Ok Twitter, I’m here now.
I had foam-o. pic.twitter.com/EfO3OBttwH

— Murph (@MurphFromNerf) June 23, 2022

Find out more about the Unleash the Play in You campaign and exciting products from NERF by checking out Murph's Twitter account. @MurphFromNerf is a Nerfoid with one goal ... to unleash the play in you! And if you start following Murph on Twitter make sure to stay in touch with this geek daddy too at @Geekdad248. Woot! Woot!

TRAVEL BUCKET LIST

What paths untraveled would you like to explore during your days on this Earth? There are so many adventures that I dream of going on. From going on a trek through the African savanna to hiking through Europe to visit castles, I have wanderlust to do some globetrotting. This month I've shared on Instagram and Twitter bucket list destinations that would be a dream vacay for me and will be continuing to post travel themed social media posts throughout the remainder of the year.

These vacations aren't about luxury and pampering, but rather creating experiences that provide life-long memories and let me step away from the daily stresses of life to casually experience exotic destinations. That could be as simple as wandering around a historic farmer's market in Croatia to taking a motorcycle ride through the palm groves of Morocco to riding a Zebra in Nevada. What is on your travel bucket list?

Throughout the remainder of the year this travel geek will be sharing tips on transforming vacation bucket lists from dreams to realities. Follow @Geekdad248 on Instagram and Twitter for these travel bucket list tips. I'm geeked to be sharing them with you!

Dolac Farmer’s Market in Zagreb, Croatia is a treasure trove of fresh culinary treats from nearby villages and farms, not to be missed! @Croatia_hr #TravelBucketList #Day4 #Dolac #FarmersMarket pic.twitter.com/4nNaO3elZL

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) January 5, 2022

 

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STARGIRL COMPLETE SECOND SEASON ON HOME VIDEO

It is time to suit up and get ready to face the darkness with the release of DC's Stargirl: The Complete Second Season on Blu-ray and DVD arriving from Warner Bros Home Entertainment on February 8, 2022. All thirteen episodes that originally aired on The CW along with a featurette and gag reel as bonus content will be included with the complete second season of Stargirl to add to your home entertainment video library. 

DC's Stargirl follows high school sophomore Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger) and her stepfather Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson) as she leads an unlikely group of young heroes to take on the legacy of the Justice Society of America. In this second season of the show, Courtney and her friends take on one of the most frightening adversaries in DC mythology -- the dark entity of corruption known as Eclipso (Nick Tarabay). 

This post has affiliate links, which means this blog could earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn't cost you anything extra, ageekdaddy.com just has to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away

Thank you to Warner Bros Home Entertainment for providing ageekdaddy.com with a free Blu-ray of Stargirl: The Complete Second Season for promotional consideration. 

Are you following us at @Geekdad248 on Instagram and Twitter for alerts about interesting new Blu-ray and DVD releases? 

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION 2022

Happy New Year! Have you set a New Year Resolution for 2022? For me it is going to be having more of an emphasis with this blog and on social media in exploring the big blue and green marble we bounce around the sun on. I'm going to be exploring places around my own neighborhood as well as road trip and vacation destinations around the country with a focus on family travel. Plus, while I haven't done much globetrotting, this year will create a bucket list of places I'd like to one day explore.

Are you following me as @Geekdad248 on Instagram and Twitter? For the next 365 days to be more engaging on social media I plan on posting a travel bucket list post each day as my 2022 New Year Resolution. I hope you'll check out these Instagram and Twitter posts. Bon Voyage!

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Thailand’s Yi Peng Festival is a time where locals return to celebrate with their families…decorating homes, streets and neighborhoods before releasing lanterns into the sky which symbolizes letting go of misfortunes #TravelBucketList #Day1 pic.twitter.com/ZOL9MKrayh

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) January 1, 2022

HALLOWEEN KILLS TWITTER PARTY

Join me on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 9pm ET for a Twitter Watch Party where cast and crew of HALLOWEEN KILLS will be live tweeting with us while viewing the movie. CLICK HERE to get the movie on Digital and join in the fun! Share comments about the film and chat with Producers Jason Blum and David Gordon Green, actor Anthony Michael Hall and actress Judy Greer using the hashtag #HalloweenKillsAtHome.

Make sure to follow @Geekdad248, @BDisgusting, @UniAllAccess, @HalloweenMovie, @Jason_Blum, and @MissJudyGreer on Twitter for this HALLOWEEN KILLS Twitter Party. David Gordon Green will be taking over the @Blumhouse account for this event while Anthony Michael Hall will be tweeting from @UniAllAccess. And of course a Geek Daddy will be adding commentary from @Geekdad248!

And the Halloween night when Michael Myers returned isn't over yet. Minutes after Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), her daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) left masked monster Michael Myers caged and burning in Laurie's basement, Laurie is rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, believing she finally killed her lifelong tormentor. But when Michael manages to free himself from Laurie's trap, his ritual bloodbath resumes. As Laurie fights her pain and prepares to defend herself against him, she inspires all of Haddonfield to rise up against their unstoppable monster. The Strode women join a group of other survivors of Michael's first rampage who decide to take matters into their own hands, forming a vigilante mob that sets out to hunt Michael down, once and for all.

Hope to see you on Thursday night! Give me a shout out if you are on Twitter watching HALLOWEEN KILLS with us. This should be a killer Twitter party!

A QUIET PLACE 2 MOVIE COLLECTION

Paramount Home Entertainment provided this blog with a free Blu-ray of A Quiet Place 2-Movie Collection

A QUIET PLACE was one of those movies I really wanted to see in a theater but never was never able to get around to it. Eventually, A QUIET PLACE  PART 2 arrive at theaters but since I hadn't seen the original and was still leery of going out to see movie because of pandemic I passed on that, but I really want to see both films. I'm finally going to watch both movies now that both films have just been released together in a 2-Movie Blu-ray + Digital pack for people to add to their home entertainment video libraries. Geeked for weekend of frightening fun enjoying this science fiction / horror saga.

A QUIET PLACE follows the Abbot family, Lee (John Krasinski), his wife Evelyn (Emily Brunt) and their children as they struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic world that has been devastated by extraterrestrial monsters that use sound to hunt humans as prey. These alien creatures are covered in armor-like skin that bullets just bounce off of. The Abbot's attempt to scavenge for supplies and lay low hiding from these predators without making any noise. Living a life without making noise isn't easy and eventually the Abbots have to confront these beasts because they find there is no place to run.

A QUIET PLACE PART 2 starts off showing the first days of the alien infestation that occurred before the story in the original film begins. It then time jumps to a point after the ending of A QUIET PLACE to show where the Abbot family is now following the conclusion of the first movie. In A QUIET PLACE 2, Lee and Evelyn decide they can no longer stay in isolation hoping to fend for themselves, so they take their kids on a quest to find fellow survivors to band together with. It is really quiet out in the world. Are there other people they can united with to work towards creating a safe future?

Both movies are rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for terror, violence and bloody/disturbing images. The Halloween season is approaching making this a great time to watch these movies at home for some terror-ific fun on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD or Digital. A great aspect of movies being released to home video is the bonus content included with the feature presentation. This two movie combo pack includes a variety of additional segments to compliment the movies.

Follow Krasinksi, who also directed the movies, on the set of A QUIET PLACE 2 as he details the cast and crew's incredible work in a video Director's Diary; uncover the secrets of the monstrous invaders in a "Pulling Back the Curtains" featurette; dig into the two-film character arc of daughter Regan in "Regan's Journey" short video; watch a breakdown of the exciting marina scene from the new movie; and find out how the movies' extraordinary visual and sound effects were accomplished in a video that provides a behind-the-scenes look. Plus the combo pack includes the bonus content from the original home video release of A QUIET PLACE. Lots of extras to delve into!

 

Buy the A QUIET PLACE 2-MOVIE COLLECTION using a Geek Daddy affiliate link and this dad blogger will receive a small commission at no additional expense to your purchase. Commissions are reinvested into producing non-sponsored content to share with you on the blog and our @Geekdad248 Instagram and Twitter accounts. Your support of  ageekdaddy.com is appreciated!

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK APOKOLIPS WAR WATCH PARTY

Rent or buy the newest DC Universe movie from Warner Bros Animation, JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: APOKOLIPS WAR, which is available now on Digital via Apple TV, Amazon Prime, FandangoNOW, Vudu and other online streaming services. Then join me (Geekdad248) in an epic live chat Twitter movie watching party on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 4pm ET/ 1pm PT. I'll be joined by actors Matt Ryan (@mattryanreal) Jason O’Mara (@jason_omara) and Christopher Gorham (@ChrisGorham) who provided their vocal talents to bringing the characters in this animated movie to life along with the film's screenwriters Ernie Altbacker (@ejaltbacker) and Mairghread Scott (@MairghreadScott). Follow the hashtag #JLDarkApokolipsWar as we live tweet while virtually watching the movie together.

While this may be a cartoon it isn't for kids! Like many of the animated DC Universe films from Warner Bros, JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: APOKOLIPS WAR is rated R. The movie was rated this way by the Motion Picture Association of America for strong bloody violence throughout and some language. Don't be fooled by this movie featuring heroes like Super Man, this movie is definitely more for geek dads and moms than for elementary school aged comic book readers.

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: APOKOLIPS WAR is the culmination of a seven-year, 15-film animated journey that began with the release of Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox in 2013. This movie is the animated equivalent of Marvel's live action Avengers: Endgame. JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: APOKOLIPS WAR finds Earth decimated after intergalactic tyrant Darkseid has devastated the Justice League in a poorly executed war by the DC Super Heroes. Now the remaining bastions of good – the Justice League, Teen Titans, Suicide Squad and assorted others – must regroup, strategize and take the war to Darkseid in order to save the planet and its surviving inhabitants. This is truly the war to end all wars, and only the victor will live to enjoy the spoils.



The #JLDarkApokolipsWar Watch Party will commence at 1:00pm PT/4:00 pm ET on the dot. So get the Digital version of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: APOKOLIPS WAR from your favorite online retailer, and then cue up the film to watch and simultaneously chat with actors and filmmakers as they live-tweet their thoughts, anecdotes and observances on Twitter. Fans are encouraged to tweet questions to the film's stars and producers as part of this interactive viewing experience. Also if you are joining in give @Geekdad248 a shout out to let us know you are there. Hope to see you on Twitter during what is sure to be a fun watch party!

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: APOKOLIPS WAR is also coming to 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on May 19, 2020. You can pick it up from Best Buy. Movies purchased from an affiliate link in this post will provide ageekdaddy.com with a small commission at no additional charge to you. This dad blogger appreciates your support!

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!

HOOK WATCH ALONG TWITTER PARTY

Join in as families across America watch Steven Spielberg's adaption of Peter Pan, HOOK, during a SONY WATCH ALONG TWITTER PARTY. Stream the movie, now available in 4K Ultra HD, on digital services including Amazon, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu starting at 5pm PST/ 8pm EST on Friday, April 10, 2020.

During the movie @SonyPictures, @Nerdist & this dad blogger's Twitter account @Geekdad248 will be live tweeting. We'll also be joined by special guest @DanteBasco who played Rufio in the movie. Dante Basco will be sharing insider behind-the-scenes details and secrets about the filming of HOOK. Use the hashtag #NerdistFromHome. Hope you'll join in the fun!

Originally released in 1991, HOOK is a high-flying adventure starring Robin Williams as a grown-up Peter Pan and Dustin Hoffman as the infamous Captain Hook. Joining in the fairy tale is Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, Bob Hoskins as the pirate Smee, and Maggie Smith as Granny Wendy Darling, who must convince the middle-aged lawyer, Peter Banning, that he was once the legendary Peter Pan. And so the adventure begins anew, with Peter off to Neverland to save his two children from Captain Hook. Along the way, he rediscovers the power of imagination, of friendship, and of magic. A classic tale to entertain children of all ages, HOOK was nominated for five  Academy Awards® including best visual effects.

In addition to being available via Digital, HOOK is now out too on a 4K Ultra HD disc from Best Buy. If you purchase it from this affiliate link ageekdaddy.com will receive a small commission at no additional expense to you. Thanks for your support of this dad blogger!



Don't be a lost boy if you participate in this SONY WATCH ALONG TWITTER PARTY, give @Geekdad248 a shout out and say Hi! Hoping to chat with you while having some family movie night fun with Nerdist and Sony Pictures on April 10.

AVENGERS INFINITY WAR PRIZE PACK GIVEAWAY

Avengers Assemble! Marvel's Avengers are assembling to tackle their cinematic universe's greatest threat yet in the new movie Infinity War.  How will they fare versus the dreaded Thanos?!  Marvel fans have been waiting years for this movie to hit theaters, and now the time has almost come!

Avengers: Infinity War comes out April 27th and to help celebrate this release, A Geek Daddy is co-hosting a marvelous Avengers: Infinity War prize pack worth over $300!!!  Wouldn't is be amazing to win all these goodies!

Avengers: Infinity War Prize Pack Includes:

• Avengers Infinity War Prelude Trade Paperback
• LEGO Mini Macros Iron Man Vs. Thanos
• Iron Man Infinity War Funko Pop
• Electronic Infinity Gauntlet
• Thor Infinity War Funko Pop
• Captain America Infinity War Funko Pop
• Ebony Maw Infinity War Funko Pop
• LEGO Corvius Glaive Thresher Attack Building Kit
• Star-Lord with Infinity Stone Figure
• Black Widow with Infinity Stone Figure
• Doctor Strange Figure
• Infinity Gauntlet Wallet
• Marvel Comics Backpack

Products subject to change based upon availability.

About Avengers: Infinity War

Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle the evil Thanos. On a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones, Thanos plans to use the artifacts to inflict his twisted will on reality. The fate of the Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain. All of the battles fought by the Avengers have led up to this moment.

See Avengers: Infinity War in Theaters 4/27

Enter to win this Avengers: Infinity War Prize Pack using the form below.
GOOD LUCK!

Entry-Form

HEXBUG nano SPACE COSMIC COMMAND

Imagine out of this world adventures with the nano SPACE COSMIC COMMAND playset from HEXBUG.  This fun playset that was a finalist for the 2018 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards combines three of my son's favorite things ... bugs, robots and outer space.  Blast off to adventure with the nano SPACE COSMIC COMMAND which includes a space station, explorer rover and rocket ship along with a pair of robotic nano HEXBUGS.

HEXBUG nanos are tiny, collectible, robotic creatures that use the physics of vibration to propel themselves.  Powered by a tiny motor and 12 fixed, angular legs these critters traverse about the environment around them.  Watch as they explore the maze-like layout of the SPACE COSMIC COMMAND buildings.



Features of the SPACE COSMIC COMMAND  include air lock tunnels, an elevator, gravity trainer, communications and scanning dish, along with an ion cannon.  This playset isn't just for watching nanos explore it but also to get kids engaging in imaginative play.  Pretend a nano is getting accustomed to the stresses of rocketing into outer space by spinning it around in the gravity trainer. Protect the base from invaders with the ion cannon.  Explore alien environments by entering and exiting the space station through its air locks.

There are also a number of accessories that come with the playset that compliment the space station.  Snap on one of the included space suits to a nano to give it an astronaut looking appearance.  Put a nano underneath one of the explorer rovers that can be customized with snap-on parts for a variety of different looks to have the creature drive the vehicle across the ground.  Pretend to fly the rocket ship with a nano placed inside the cockpit.

Designed to spark kids' interest in the science behind space exploration, HEXBUG nano SPACE COSMIC COMMAND provides hours of entertaining playtime that promote an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) topics while children are having fun.  My son has been having a great time playing with the nanos and all the accessories, structures and vehicles that are included in this playset.  This toy has captured his interest and imagination so the HEXBUG nano SPACE COSMIC COMMAND playset has earned A GEEK DADDY nod of approval.

GIVEAWAY

To share my future astronauts enjoyment with this playset, A GEEK DADDY is giving a HEXBUG nano SPACE COSMIC COMMAND to one lucky winner.  It has a suggested retail price of approximately $50.00 and is recommend for children ages 3 and up. Batteries for the nano toys are included. Who wants it?!

Just complete the rafflecopter entries below before 11:59 pm ET on Friday, May 11, 2018 for a chance to be our randomly selected winner.  Must be a United States resident over 18 years old to be eligible for the prize and yes we do check to verify that you actually completed the actions requested in the rafflecopter form.  Must reply to notification of winning the prize within 48 hours to accept it or another entrant will be selected. Good luck to all our entrants!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
For more information about nanos and their playsets, head over to hexbug.com

MorfBoard Twitter Party

Woot!!! Woot!!! Remember the hashtag #MorfBoard and slide over to Twitter at 11 am E.T. on Friday, March 9, 2018 for a party sponsored by Jakks Pacific showcasing an innovative skate, scoot, bounce and balance system that is sure to thrill kids ages 8 and up with an entirely new play experience.  The Toy Insider #MorfBoard Twitter Party will highlight all the fun aspects of this skateboard / scooter combo designed to make it comfortable to get into riding as well as easy to learn stunts and tricks.  Plus there will be five great MorfBoard prize giveaways throughout the hour long Twitter party.

As part of The Toy Insider's Parents Panel, A Geek Daddy is co-hosting this PARTY so make sure to follow our blog's Twitter account ( @Geekdad248 ) along with @TheToyInsider and @JakksToys while using the hashtag #MorfBoard to reply to questions and join in the conversation during the hour for a chance to win prizes. You also need to complete The Toy Insider RSVP form to be considered for prizes and eligible to win.  Get that filled out and submitted before or during the #MorfBoard Twitter Party for a chance to win.



Jakks Pacific's MorfBoard Skate/Scoot Combination is a ride-on recommended for kids ages 8 & up that uses Lock & Release Technology so kids can transform their ride from a skateboard to a scooter in seconds.  With additional Xtensions available for purchase (sold separately), there's always a new way to play.  For more details about MorfBoard, check out The Toy Insider's product review.

Four lucky winners will receive a MorfBoard Skate/Scoot Combination and one grand prize winner will get the entire set -- a Morfboard Skate/Scoot Combination AND Balance and Bounce Xtensions. Must RSVP and participate during the #MorfBoard Twitter Party for a chance to win.  Prizes limited to United States residents only.

Hope to see you at the party! Give @Geekdad248 a shout out if you join in the fun!

TRAVELING DAD 2017 RETROSPECTIVE

As 2018 begins, I wanted to take a look back at my first year contributing feature articles for the Traveling Dad website.  Branching out from ageekdaddy.com, I started collaborating with other dads sharing parent focused travel tips and family vacation experiences on travelingdad.com last year.  Looking at 2017 in retrospective, a lot of my posts for #TDAD revolve around family-friendly destinations in Michigan but also covered spots like the War World I Museum in Kansas City, the High Line in New York City, the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Universal Orlando Resort and Santa Claus' house in Alaska.  I also wrote some posts on informational topics like having fun bird watching with kids and tips for participating in cosplay events.

Here are some of my favorite Traveling Dad contributions from 2017:

DETROIT HOLIDAY STAYCATION

Read about my family's experience staying at the historic Double Tree Suites Fort Shelby Hotel and going to see the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade as a holiday staycation.

EXPLORE MICHIGAN'S WILD SIDE AT THE EDDY DISCOVERY CENTER

Visit the nature center at one of my family's favorite Michigan state parks in this Traveling Dad post.

A HIKE ALONG THE TEMBO TRAIL

Join my family for a trek at the Toledo Zoo as we encounter close up views of elephants, hippos and rhinos.

MICHIGAN SEA LIFE AQUARIUM

Did you know that sharks live in Michigan?  You'll find them at the Michigan Sea Life Aquarium.

Read these and other travel related pieces by myself and others at travelingdad.com regarding categories such as Disney theme park & cruise info, domestic destinations, international trips, credit card points and rewards plus dad travel 101 tips.  Additionally, I'll be posting more travel themed posts on ageekdaddy.com as well tagging mentions to them on social media using the #TDAD hashtag to go along with my Traveling Dad contributions.  Now a year is under my belt, I have a better feel for writing content for travelingdad.com and am excited about getting into a Traveling Dad groove for 2018.  Stay tuned for what hopefully will be a year filled with a lot of amazing family travel experiences that this Traveling Dad is looking forward to sharing with you.

National Superhero Day Twitter Party

Join me and my buddies from the PJ MASKS crew  for a National Superhero Day Twitter Party on Friday, April 21, 2017 from 11 am - Noon EST.  I'll be co-hosting this fun online event sponsored by PJ Masks and eOne with The Toy Insider.  It promises to be a super-powered hour full of fun, trivia and giveaways.  For a chance to win a prize follow @TheToyInsider, @PJMasksUS & @Geekdad248 plus RSVP that you'll be attending in advance of the party.  Winners will be randomly selected throughout the hour and must be on the RSVP list and actively participating in the Twitter Party using the hashtag #NationalSuperheroDay to be eligible for a prize.  Prizes are available to U.S. residents only.

The Disney Junior animated television series PJ Masks follows three 6-year-olds, Connor, Amaya, and Greg, who are relatively normal kids by day. When darkness sets though they become Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko, and fight crime as the superhero team PJ Masks throughout the night.  These pint-sized heroes won't let anything stand in there way when it comes to saving the day!

Four lucky winners will win a PJ Masks Character Mask and a PJ Masks Dress Up Set during the #NationalSuperheroDay Twitter Party.   The PJ Masks Dress Up Sets feature highly detailed full-body costumes that look just like the hero outfits Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko wear in the show! The costumes comes in sizes 4-6X. Add a plastic PJ Masks Character Masks to the mix and let the imaginary superhero adventures commence.

One lucky grand prize winner will also win a PJ Masks Headquarters Playset and a full assortment of the 2-pack action figures.  The action-packed PJ Masks Headquarters Playset stands more than 2 feet tall and has three character-themed levels filled with engaging kid-powered features. The light and sound PJ Picture Player kets kids choose their mission, and then recreate the action with the high flying zip line, working elevator, surprise trap, hanging cat rings, and pop-out hatch. The excitement continues as kids launch the included Catboy figure and Cat-Car down the winding ramp and sing along to the theme song.  Click here to read The Toy Insiders review of this playset.

Of course you'll want some PJ Masks figures for kids to play with as well with this playset.  Kids can recreate their favorite scenes from the show with the articulated 3-inch PJ Masks Duet Figure sets, each featuring two 3-inch figures. The two-packs feature Catboy with mad scientist Romeo, Gekko and nighttime foe Night Ninja, and Owlette with midnight marauder Luna Girl.

 RSVP now and don't miss out on the fun on April 21 between 11 am and Noon EST. @TheToyInsider will be asking trivia questions, moderating the conversation and announcing winners throughout the hour as my fellow co-hosts @doughmesstic, @jenngaffney,  @suburbanwifedp, & @lovepeacemommy and myself provide some friendly banter.  We'll be having a SUPER time!

Disclaimer:  A Geek Daddy has been financially compensated for promoting and participating in the #NationalSuperheroDay Twitter Party