Kids are introduced to and using technology younger than ever before whether at school, at home, or a friend’s house. This is just the way the world is now, and it can have its benefits, especially when you consider how much more reliant on technology humanity may be in the future. Yet, your kids may not be as tech smart as they could be even though they use devices every day, so how can a parent help their kids be smarter about technology?
Show Them the Internet as a Force for Good
The internet can have a bad reputation, and it’s easy to see why. If it’s not misinformation spread across every channel, it is trolls trying to get a rise out of the most insignificant disagreements. However, as bad as some corners of the internet can be, it can - and should be - a force for good.
Throughout history, there has never been a better resource for pooling the entirety of the world’s knowledge. If you can show your kids the secrets for research, recipes, and reconnecting, they will be able to use the internet to its potential without venturing too far into slinging wars about character arcs in a series that will be canceled soon anyway.
Use Tech Together
Parents are right to be wary about what their child sees online or how they interact with technology. Too many parents have allowed the tablet to be a third parent, supervising the children without any real idea of what is going on.
This can improve your child’s tech literacy, but it could also lead them down dangerous rabbit holes. A parent can consider the best ways to use tech to have fun with your kids, which allows you to supervise them without being overbearing.
Walk Them Through Quick Fixes
There will come a time when your kids get their own laptop, tablet, or computer, and when the time comes, you want them to be self-sufficient enough to fix any issues. If your kids are old enough to understand the intricacies of a system, you can walk them through quick fixes that will save them from running to the tech store.
This mostly includes simple solutions such as clearing the app cache and system cache to speed up processing times. Similarly, replacing batteries or keyboards is also much easier than many expect, and it can save them a lot of money.
Encourage Them to Earn Their Tech Privileges
Nowadays, you might see kids even younger than your own with tablets and smartphones. They have been given these by their parents because they feel it’s the trendy thing to do. But, giving your kids devices before they are ready can be a mistake. They never understand the value or privilege of these expensive items, so you can encourage them to earn the device by proving they can be responsible. By doing this, they will appreciate and care for their devices much more.
Tech Smart
Many kids know their way around an iPhone or can access their games without parental supervision. However, this is just the tip of the tech iceberg. If you want your kids to be maestros at the keyboard, you should show them the true power of technology but make sure they remember there is a real world out there.
Many of us are spending more time at home than usual and it brings both challenges and benefits for parents. Being at home affords more time with the kids but it can be difficult to keep children and teens entertained preventing them from moaning about boredom and having nothing to do. Here are some dad tips on how to use tech to have fun with your kids that will have them geeked about spending time around the house with mom and dad.
Augmented Reality
From allowing dinosaurs to jump out of the pages of books to providing instantaneous tutorials on solving a Rubik's Cube that is in the palm of your hand there are a lot of fun and interesting uses of Augmented Reality available through today's technology. Augmented Reality (AR) provides interactive opportunities that merge real world environments with digital effects to enhance or alter perceptions of reality. From playing with Baby Yoda in our family's living room to taking a virtual tour of the Alamo seeing the site as it existed during the famous battle for Texas independence, my kids have had numerous entertaining and educational AR experiences. Whether you want to get a close up 3D look at farm animals without visiting the countryside or interact with your favorite Star Wars characters there are numerous ways to have fun with your kids utilizing augmented reality.
Robotics
Interacting with robots used to be just a fantastic idea from sci fi stories. Now utilizing robots around the house is a reality. There are robotic toys that teach kids to code and other STEM skills. Drones that you can race through obstacle courses or use for taking photography. There are even robots that can help with household chores like cleaning your swimming pool or mowing the lawn.
Movies and Music Streaming
It’s great to be able to go out and catch a movie or book tickets to a gig, but you don’t have to fork out a fortune or drive for hours to have a good time. Movie and music fans can benefit from streaming services and TV and music subscriptions that provide access to endless programs, playlists and new releases. You can stream music from Amazon’s music services and enjoy your own at-home concert, watch movies with popcorn on a Saturday night and make sure you’re up to date with the TV shows that everyone is talking about.
Speaking of home concerts, you could also consider investing in additional musical equipment for your setup so that you and your children can create your own live performances. Should you both enjoy playing guitar but want to add a drummer, then you can do so without seeking extra help. You can purchase a BeatBuddy (drummer pedal) from Singular Sound, which will help you enhance your music and no longer need to fuss about controlling a drumbeat during a live performance in your home own. You can simply tap your foot and create professional feels and transitions with minimal extra effort while having fun.
Listening to music can lift your mood and movie nights are a fantastic way to bring the family together and save money on frequent trips to the movie theater. You can even star in your very own television show on YouTube.
Gaming
Gaming has become increasingly popular in the last 12 months as people look for fun ways to spend time at home and remotely socialize with friends. There are myriad options when it comes to playing games. You can play alone or as part of a team, you can challenge opponents, you can play online and you can use consoles or a PC. Technology now allows you to chat instantaneously with other players anywhere around the globe as part of game playing experiences. There are titles to suit adults and kids and you can team up to take on competitors or organize competitions between family members. Gaming provides a release and an escape from the real world and it’s an excellent way to engage with other people when you might not be able to see them face-to-face.
Exercise
You might assume that exercise and home technology don’t go hand-in-hand but tech can actually play an integral role in helping people to be more active. You can use wearable technology to count steps and set targets for yourself and your children, you can work out at home using gym equipment or you can get involved with virtual workouts and sessions that are suitable for adults or the whole family. My kids participated in a virtual running challenge during the pandemic.
Being active has advantages for all ages. As well as helping to boost heart health, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity and build strength and stamina, exercise also has incredible benefits for mental wellbeing. Moving your body makes you feel good due to increased levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain and the release of endorphins, known as happy hormones.
Dads like myself from all over the world are spending more time at home than ever before. If you’re a dad on a mission to have as much fun as possible with your kids, taking advantage of tech is a great way to accomplish that goal. You can connect with friends and family, have dance parties, have epic video game competitions and get fit with the modern conveniences that today's technological advances provide us.
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that takes place annually in Las Vegas has become the "must be" place for tech product launches and demonstrations. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic CES went from taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center to being held online in a digital format in 2021. Even though I wasn't able to enjoy a trek out west, the opportunity for this dad blogger to participate in CES this year from January 11 - 14, 2021 was still appreciated.
While it just wasn't the same not being able to interact with people and products in-person, the digital format of visiting virtual exhibition booths and attending streaming presentations still provided an interesting experience. From watching Verizon Chairman & CEO Hans Vestberg provide a keynote address on how 5G will be rebuilding the framework of 21st century infrastructure to participating in a augmented reality Jeep ride there was a lot to geek out at during this year's CES technology conference. Here are some of my favorite products that I discovered at CES 2021:
Because of COVID putting a damper on our summer travel plans for 2020, we installed a pool to provide some staycation fun for our family last year. Because of city zoning requirements there was only one specific spot in our backyard we could put it ... which happened to be right next to a large pine tree. Because this tree majestically rises up into the sky almost four stories looking like a Christmas Tree you might see in Rockefeller Plaza and would be really expensive to chop down we left it be. That means I'm always cleaning the pool ... it is amazing just how many pine needles drop from that tree!
So my eyes tripled in size when I came across Aeriel from Pivot - Solar Breeze at CES. This intelligent, autonomous pool cleaning robot eliminates the need to hand-skim a pool by combining the force of solar-power with AI technology to collect debris from a pool's surface. Thanks to solar power Ariel continuously skims the surface water removing up to 95% of dirt, leaves, pollen, dust, hair, oil and more before the debris decays and sinks to a pool's bottom. This skimming results in less bacteria and algae growth, less filtration and sanitization needs, and less pool pump runtime, resulting in energy savings and reduced environmental impact.
I'm a huge baseball fan so this smart baseball from Jingletek to help pitchers train caught my attention. Analytics are now a key part of evaluating and coaching athletes in baseball whether it is amateur or professional play. Sensors are woven into these baseballs to track a variety of statistics without impacting the feel or movement of the ball. Plus the sensors can be wirelessly charged further reducing the impact of having them installed within a baseball.
Much more accurate than a radar gun, STRIKE time detection includes release/travel times and exchange/pop times providing a fuller picture into the speed of pitches. Because successful pitching is also more than just speed but also involves angles and rotation a ball takes when being thrown STRIKE also tracks those. It shows 3D spin rate and rotational axis of pitches among other analytical tools. Showing the angles pitches cross the plate also provide training tools that can benefit catchers and hitters as well as pitchers.
Maximize analytics to get the most out of training your players and coaching teams with STRIKE SMART BASEBALLS. Play ball!
I love ice cream and frozen drinks! Check out my recipes for home made Dole Whip andPickle Slushies for instance. But I often find myself over-indulging in store bought cartons of ice cream or having a lot to clean up when making treats at home ourselves. With my kids having peanut / tree nut allergies many brands of ice cream aren't safe due to contamination issues so even make a lot of our own ice cream at home. To be honest that can be a real chore!
Adding a COLDSNAP device to our kitchen would be amazing! Being able to make cold soft-serve style deserts in a snap would be so convenient. Slide a single serve aluminum pod into the device and within 60 - 90 seconds you are all set. No mess and no fuss!
Ingredient pods don't need to be refrigerated so they can be easily shipped and stored plus are recyclable after they've been used. Because ingredients transfer directly from the pod to a bowl or glass there is no clean up of the machine either. Set for commercial release in mid-2021 if they handle processing of ingredients for these pods appropriately this could be a game changing device for people with food allergies. Fingers crossed there aren't peanut / tree nut ingredient or contamination issues with their supply chain!
From a dad's perspective I also appreciate that COLDSNAP was created as a father-daughter collaboration. As pre-bedtime activity, entrepreneur Matt Fonte with his daughters Sierra and Fiona spent time nightly working on invention journals coming up with ideas for a product they could create together. The girls came up with the notion of a Keurig-style quick-serve, hassle-free ice cream maker and their dad contributed the engineering and business expertise that led to the development of COLDSNAP. What a great #girldad story!
Use your fingerprint to secure your life with a FLYWALLET Keyble. Scan a fingerprint into a unisex bracelet that acts as a key to your car, credit cards, bank account, home and more. Just touch the bracelet with your finger to confirm your identity than place your FLYWALLET against a scanner to unlock a door, access a device, or make a payment. No more having to carry a wallet or keys in your pocket with this device!
The FLYWALLET Keyble device also incorporates a clock as well as sensors into the device. So it can do a variety of tasks and monitoring involving vital signs, heartrate, motion and voice commands as well. It is like a high tech Disney Parks Magic Band that you can use every day!
Here is another use of fingerprint technology to make life more convenient. BENJILOCK by Hampton Fingerprint Sport Lock uses your fingerprint to unlock a door, padlock or bicycle lock. Don't want to worry about remembering a combination, juggling around a rotary lock, or keeping track of a key? Just place your finger on BENJILOCK and voila it opens right up.
The Fingerprint Sport Lock features a stainless steel shackle, slim form factor, and the ability to store up to 10 fingerprints. BenjiLock devices open with the touch of a user’s programmed fingerprint, and multiple print capability enables friends and family members to easily share their lock’s use without having to share a key.
The new BenjiLock-enabled U-Lock also stores up to 10 fingerprints. It is weather-resistant, IP65-rated, and features a pick-and drill-resistant cylinder and a bolt cutter-resistant, covered hardened steel shackle. BenjiLock By Hampton portable locks are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries that provide an estimated 6 months’ use on a single USB charge.
BenjiLock Fingerprint Door Lock brings security to your fingertips by integrating the BenjiLock biometric sensor that quickly scans a fingerprint with Hampton’s highly secure deadbolt design.
The Fingerprint Door Lock can be opened three ways: by using its fingerprint sensor, by entering owner-programmed numeric codes on a secure digital keypad, and by traditional metal key. It was specifically designed to operate without the need for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and provides homes, apartments and vacation rentals with a turnkey solution that is not dependent on network availability or external power for access.
Enjoy playing chess but have difficulty finding opponents to square off against? With a SQUARE OFF chess board you can match up versus 20 different levels of AI, find someone to play against through the 30 million people registered with chess.com or connect online with friends and family. You can play a game on a physical chess board against someone who could be literally anywhere in the world.
Play on a handcrafted chess board with intricately carved pieces. After you make your move watch as your opponents pieces move on their own across the board. Checkmate!
If your online opponent has a SQUARE OFF board too they'll see your pieces move automatically as your board registers your actions. Someone can also play utilizing an app that shows both players movements in a video game style view. Whether playing versus the artificial intelligence mode or against a human opponent remotely how cool is that to see their pieces move across the board as if they were sitting there next to you!
Since the pandemic started like lots of people around the globe I've been doing a lot of things for work that used to be in-person via video conference instead. To ensure that I can hear what is going on plus drown out noises in my own background from the dog, kids virtually learning at home, and my wife remote working from our house during Zoom meetings I've been wearing some bulky, over-the-ears noise-cancelling headphones. While these have performed nicely for providing a sound bubble during my professional engagements, I've received a fair share of ribbing about my looking somewhat unprofessional having the appearance of an aircraft controller.
The EarFun Free Pro earbuds can provide you with the same quality clarity and noise-cancelling of bulkier over-the-ear headphones but are hidden from view. They pop right into your ear. EarFun Free Pro earbuds 4-microphone array environmental noise cancellation technology provides crystal clear audio. They provide 6-hour playtime per charge and come with a convenient charging case. Plus if you want to use them for working out EarFun Free Pro are sweat and water resistant.
Light weight at 4.1 grams, using advanced Bluetooth 5.2 to provide stable connections with a working range of 49ft, and fast charging with 2 hours of playtime within 10 minutes of charging. There is a lot to like when it comes to these earbuds. It is amazing how wireless earbud/headphone technology has evolved over the last few years. Noise cancelling earbuds with incredible clarity that weigh less than a piece of paper ... incredible!
With hundreds of exhibitors participating in CES, it would be too overwhelming to share with you all the tech being showcased at the event. This roundup is of items that would make an immediate practical difference in my life that I came across during CES 2021 so they are getting a Geek Daddy nod of approval. I hope you were as geeked to learn about some of these items as I was while roaming the virtual exhibit space of this year's Consumer Electronics Show.
** The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free **
I just wrapped up my Fantasy League Draft and finished blocking off all the Detroit Lions game day times on my calendar so now it's time to enjoy some FOOTBALL for the next few months!!! Often times I'll watch a game on television with my family but sometimes a guy just wants to enjoy sporting events without the distractions that spouses and kids often present. So I have a little corner of the basement that is my getaway space where I can watch the Lions, Pistons or Red Wings play without any hassles or interruptions. Sometimes I'll get a workout in while watching the tv helping me pass the time as I run a few miles or lift some weights. Other times I just lay back in a lawn chair with a brew and snacks in hand while enjoying a game. So that's my man cave!
Oh yes, the man cave! An oasis from whining kids and honey do lists where us guys can escape to unwind, watch
sports, and have a little me time. On the topic of man caves you have to check this out, my buddies at Best Buy's Geek Squad recently took a
tired, old basement like mine and turned it into an example of how these spaces can be made
“man-tastic.” CLICK HERE for Best Buy's play sheet of
six sweet tech ideas that can elevate a man cave from drab to bad ass plus a video that highlights this man-tastic basement transformation.
Living in Detroit of course I've gone to some Red Wings hockey games. One of my favorite parts of being at the game is when the lights flash after a goal is scored. I always thought that it would be a cool addition for a man cave to have a light flash over the television like the ones in stadiums placed over the goals during a hockey match. That way you could have the same effect while watching on television from home when a goal is scored while watching hockey or even better yet when a touchdown is scored in a football game. That's why tip #2 of Best Buy's 6 Tech Ideas for the Ultimate Man Cave is my favorite.
The technology is now available for you to have your very own Sports Alert Light Show that once you've gotten it setup will work automatically without you having to lift a finger. Calvin Johnson catches a TD, bam there is it! Miguel Cabrera hits a Home Run - boom! Gustav Nyquist slaps in a shot - the room lights up! Insert your favorite team here scoring during a game and you can see the light!
So how do you set this up? Through apps of course combined with the Philips hue lighting system. There is an app called IF which allows you to setup automated tasks called recipes. Tell IF "if this happens, then do that." And shazam IF does it! You can connect IF to the ESPN app so that it knows when your favorite team scores and can trigger Philips hue to make the lights flash. Voila! you have your very own automated Sports Alert Light Show. How cool is that?!
Hey you might not even be watching the game but instead focused on something else, like engaging in a Robot Fight Club bout, but you'll still know if something good is happening for your favorite teams when the Sports Alert light goes off. So which of these Best Buy Tech Ideas for the Ultimate Man Cave is your favorite?
Build a PC Gaming Station
Set up a Sports Alert Light Show
Sit Closer to the Action with 4K Ultra HD
Customize a Kegerator with 3D printing tap
Add a smart putting green
Create a robot fight club
The college and pro football season is here! The NBA and NHL aren't far behind. Now is the perfect time to get those Man Cave upgrades in place. Stop by your local Best Buy store or visit BestBuy.com for plenty of ways to up your game when it comes to having a great man cave.
** This is a U.S. Family Guide Sponsored Post that I have been compensated for. Any claim, representation, statistic, quote or other representation should be verified with the service provider, Digital Media Academy **
Wow! Only 2 more weeks of school for our kids before summer break begins! What plans do you have for your children and teens this summer to keep them interested in learning and help them pick up some new skills? If you want to make sure your children have a productive summer check out the Digital Media Academy (DMA) which has programs aimed at tech savvy youth that will interest them and build their skill sets at the same time. Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, film-making, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more.
When it comes to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers women are really lagging in these male dominated fields which often have lucrative salaries and challenging job responsibilities. One of the contributing factors to this disparity is that by eighth grade, more than twice as many boys than girls will be interested in pursuing STEM focused careers. Getting girls interested in STEM topics at earlier ages and parents showing an interest in them learning about these subjects helps overcome a societal stigma that being a computer programer, scientist, or engineer is a "guy" thing. If you are a parent of an elementary or middle school aged daughter, you may want to check out Digital Media Academy's MADE BY GIRLS program. Being offered for the first time this summer, MADE BY GIRLS is aimed to help inspire future women computer programers, scientists, and engineers by empowering girls to embrace STEM topics and close the gender gap in the tech industry.
A Geek Daddy Blog readers can save $75 off summer camps at DMA with code TECHSUMMER at www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big! Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for. Register by May 31,2015 to give your kids a heads up in being able to #CreateTheNext ______.
Don't let your kids by lazy over the summer break. Enroll them in a summer program they will find interesting now and will provide skills that may be of benefit in a future college course or career opportunity later. Digital Media Academy Summer Camps are held at college campuses across the United States. For example, in my home state of Michigan Digital Media Academy is hosting its camp at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They also have programs at Northwestern University in Illinois, Harvard University in Massachusetts, Stanford and UCLA in California, and Rice University in Texas among other locations. Programs are specifically designed for children 6 - 12 or teens 13 - 17 in nine digital media specialties ranging from Programming & App Development to Robotics & Engineering.
Founded at Stanford University, DMA is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world. Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child's confidence through project-based learning. Learn at some of the most prestigious colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Questions? Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org and mention this US Family Guide Special Offer.
** This is a U.S. Family Guide Sponsored Post that I have been compensated for. Any claim, representation, statistic, quote or other representation should be verified with the service provider, Digital Media Academy **
It is that time of year when the end of school days is quickly approaching and parents need to start thinking of what their plans for the kids will be during the summer break. If you want to make sure your children have a productive summer check out the Digital Media Academy (DMA) which has programs aimed at tech savvy youth that will interest them and build their skill sets at the same time. Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling,
robotics, graphic design, film-making, and much more. DMA summer camps
are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech
professionals. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using
the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more. To help inspire future women computer programers, scientists, and engineers, DMA is also introducing a new program this summer, Made by Girls, dedicated to
empowering girls and closing the gender gap in the tech industry.
From talking with my teen aged niece and nephew, I know that designing and making money from creating apps is something all the kids are into right now. Participating in the DMA summer camps can really help a kid get the skill set to put them on the right track to making their own apps. You can't beat an opportunity that lets your kids have fun while learning skills that could help them get into a career field they are interested in.
A Geek Daddy Blog readers can save $75 off summer camps at DMA with code TECHSUMMER
at www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big!
Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for.
Register by May 31,2015 to #CreateTheNext best-selling app this summer!
Founded at Stanford University, DMA is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world. Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child's confidence
through project-based learning. Learn at some of the most prestigious
colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Questions? Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service
Representative or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org and mention this US
Family Guide Special Offer.
DMA Summer Camps are held at college campuses across the United States. For example, in my home state of Michigan DMA is hosting its camp at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They also have programs at Northwestern University in Illinois, Harvard University in Massachusetts, Stanford and UCLA in California, and Rice University in Texas among other locations. Programs are specifically designed for children 6 - 12 or teens 13 - 17 in nine digital media specialties ranging from Programming & App Development to Robotics & Engineering.
