amusement and theme parks

3 Tips for Creating a Summer of Unplugged Fun

Published

2 years ago

April 12, 2023

Rebecca Washington

(Family Features) Between school, work and entertainment, there are times when screens can seem like a pervasive part of modern life. For all the positive aspects of technology, there can also be a desire for children to have stretches of unplugged learning and participate in educational activities that do not require a screen.

Why Unplugged Learning Matters
“Unplugged learning is important to balance the screen time children may experience with other forms of learning; to promote physical activities, social interaction and creativity; and develop the essential skills that bolster them throughout their exploration and growth as individuals,” said Rurik Nackerud from KinderCare’s education team.

Summer can be an ideal time to focus on unplugged learning as it often brings a break from the traditional academic year and activities.

“We want summer to be a time when children can put down technology and connect with one another face-to-face, build important creativity skills and learn how to be social with one another without the buffer of screens,” said Khy Sline from KinderCare’s education team. “They can play, run, be immature and laugh with their friends, giggle at the silly things and find joys in those in-person interactions with one another.”

Tips for Creating Unplugged Fun as a Family

Get Outdoors. Make time as a family to get outside and explore, even if it’s simply a walk around the block after dinner. Help children notice the little things like a bug on the sidewalk or the way the sun filters through tree leaves to make patterns on the ground. Ask them about the things they see and give your children the space to ask questions and work together to find the answers. This helps teach children collaborative learning skills: asking questions, sharing ideas and working together to reach an answer.
Read Together. This could mean going to the library to check out new books or exploring your family’s bookshelves for old favorites. Snuggle up together for family story time. If children are old enough to read on their own, invite them to read to you or their younger siblings. Talk about the story or even act out favorite parts to help your children actively participate in story time, which may help them better understand the story’s concepts.
Encourage Creative Thinking. Help children expand their ability to think creatively by working together to make a craft or project. For example, the next time a delivery box arrives at your home, encourage your children to turn it into something new using craft supplies on hand. A blanket could turn a box into a table for a pretend restaurant while some tape or glue could transform it into a rocket ship or train. When everyone’s done creating and playing, the box can be broken down for recycling. This activity can help children literally think outside of the box and apply their own unique ideas and creativity to create something new.

For more tips to encourage unplugged learning this summer, visit kindercare.com.

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SOURCE:
KinderCare

Author

Rebecca Washington

Rebecca Jo is a mother of four and is a creative soul from Phoenix, Arizona, who also enjoys new adventures. Rebecca Jo has a passion for the outdoors and indulges in activities like camping, fishing, hunting and riding roller coasters. She is married to Rod Washington View all posts

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Entertainment

Experience Adventure: Busch Gardens Unveils Exciting New Attractions for Spring 2025!

Published

3 days ago

January 18, 2025

Rebecca Washington

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure because Busch Gardens is pulling back the curtain on a thrilling line-up of new rides and realms set to open in Spring 2025! With a focus on family-friendly fun and immersive experiences, both Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg are ready to enchant visitors of all ages. And the best way to be part of this excitement? Become a 2025 Pass Member and be among the very first to experience these amazing attractions before anyone else!

A Family Adventure Awaits

This year, Busch Gardens is taking its long-standing legacy of adventure and discovery to new heights with adrenaline-pumping new experiences. Whether you’re in the mood for exhilarating coasters or immersive realms inspired by nature, there’s something for everyone!

Introducing Wild Oasis at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Prepare for immersion like never before! Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is thrilled to introduce the all-new Wild Oasis realm, which promises to be North America’s most interactive and engaging adventure space for families. Nestled within the Jungala area, guests will be transported to a vibrant rainforest filled with the sights and sounds of nature.

Step into an interactive water-play wonderland, tackle a multi-level climbing canopy, and feel the rush of a reimagined drop tower that combines thrilling heights with spectacular digital and sound effects. To top it all off, get up close and personal with some of the planet’s most fascinating animals at the brand new multi-species habitat. Wild Oasis is sure to ignite imaginations and create lasting family memories!

Return of the Wolf: North America’s Longest Inverted Family Coaster

Meanwhile, at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, thrill-seekers will be delighted by the return of nostalgia with a modern twist. The all-new family inverted coaster, Return of the Wolf, known as The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge, brings back the iconic thrill of years past.

Set against the backdrop of a festive Bavarian village, this coaster whisks riders across over 2,500 feet of track, all while they embody the fearsome wolf! With speeds up to 40 miles per hour and dips through charming landscapes, it’s a ride that promises laughs and screams for adventurers as young as 42 inches tall when accompanied. Whether it’s a childhood favorite coming back to life or a brand-new experience, this ride is bound to create new legends!

Experience Adventure: Busch Gardens Unveils Exciting New Attractions for Spring 2025!

Become a 2025 Pass Member

The excitement is palpable, and the best way to unlock these experiences is with a Busch Gardens 2025 Annual Pass! Pass Members will be granted exclusive early access to both Wild Oasis and Return of the Wolf, ensuring they’re at the forefront of the action before these attractions open to the public.

In addition to exclusive previews, Pass Members enjoy a season of fun with access to award-winning events like the Food & Wine Festival, Howl-O-Scream, and Christmas Town. This is not just a pass; it’s your ticket to countless adventures and cherished memories with family and friends.

As Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts, shared, “We can’t wait for our guests to experience all we have in store for them in 2025… these family-friendly attractions give everyone more ways to enjoy our parks and make lifelong memories together.”

Don’t Miss Your Chance!

As the excitement builds, don’t miss your chance to become a part of the magic at Busch Gardens. Annual Passes and Memberships for 2025 are available now! Head over to the Busch Gardens websites for more information on purchasing an Annual Pass and to stay up-to-date with the latest news on new attractions.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg are not just theme parks; they are portals to worlds of adventure, creativity, and fun for everyone. So gather your friends and family, and get ready for a particularly wild Spring 2025. Your next great adventure awaits!

https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/annual-pass

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/annual-pass

Happy exploring, thrill-seekers! 🚀🎢🐺✨

Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks. Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks. Join us at STM Entertainment and let your entertainment journey begin! https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/

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Sports

Altitude Trampoline Park Marches Toward Strong Start in 2025 Following Successful 2024

Published

5 days ago

January 15, 2025

Daily News Staff

Premier Family-Friendly Entertainment Destination Completes 2024 With Multiple Franchise Agreements

DALLAS, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Altitude Trampoline Park, the leading family-friendly entertainment franchise, is celebrating a remarkable year of development. In 2024, the franchise continues to grow with more agreements, extending its reach to new and existing markets, including Long Island, South Florida, and the Bay Area, continuing its mission to deliver unforgettable family experiences.

Throughout the year, Altitude Trampoline Park strengthened its presence with multi-unit agreements in Connecticut and South Carolina, paving the way for three new parks in each state. The year also saw multiple park openings in California, Florida, Texas and Georgia, driving the brand’s continued growth.

“Altitude Trampoline Park continues to solidify its position as an attractive franchise opportunity, with 2024 being an impressive year for the brand,” said Chris Kuehn, President of Altitude Trampoline Park. “We’ve signed several multi-unit franchise agreements that will bring our parks to new communities and currently have several locations under construction. This momentum reflects the growing demand for family-friendly entertainment, and we’re eager to continue developing our pipeline in 2025.”

Building on its momentum, the company is expanding both its corporate team and franchise network. Chris Kuehn has been named President and Jessica McDonald has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing. In addition, Sean Naughton recently joined as Chief Financial Officer, strengthening the leadership team. On the franchise side, five existing owners have committed to growing their footprint, and 11 new franchisees have joined the system.

In 2025, Altitude will continue to grow with grand openings coming soon in West Palm Beach, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Cary, North Carolina; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Anaheim, California; and more.

Altitude Trampoline Park is owned by Indoor Active Brands, a platform company that focuses on indoor entertainment concepts. In 2024, Indoor Active Brands launched its latest brand, The Pickle Pad, an indoor pickleball playground featuring a chef-inspired restaurant and bar – Crave Social Eatery, as well as yard and social games for all ages. Established by NRD Capital, Indoor Active Brands utilizes vast FEC and restaurant industry experience to support and assist its franchisees.

The brand is actively seeking qualified candidates to help grow its footprint throughout the U.S. in Kansas City, MO, Minneapolis, MN, Las Vegas, NV, Denver, CO, among others. To learn more about franchise opportunities and upcoming store openings, contact [email protected] or visit www.altitudefranchise.com.

About Altitude Trampoline Park

Altitude Trampoline Park is a premier indoor adventure park offering cutting edge trampolines, games, programs, and celebrations for all ages. Altitude is the home for active family fun! The brand’s successful $10 Endless Jumps Pass, is where members get the max. Guests can, in fact, Jump Happy! with unlimited use of trampolines, soft play, basketball, dodgeball, interactive games and more providing a great way for families to stay together and play together all year long. Nearing 100 locations worldwide, Altitude parks are centrally located and easily accessible, making it the convenient, budget friendly choice for families in 202. 5. More information can be found at altitudetrampolinepark.com.

About Indoor Active Brands
Indoor Active Brands is a platform company focused on owning and operating franchising concepts in the indoor family entertainment and restaurant industry. Created by NRD Capital, Indoor Active Brands currently consists of Altitude Trampoline Park, The Pickle Pad, and Crave Social Eatery. Indoor Active Brands leverages years of experience in the family entertainment and restaurant industries to provide unmatched support for its franchisees. For more information about Indoor Active Brands visit www.indooractivebrands.com.

SOURCE Altitude Trampoline Park

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Entertainment

Is Six Flags Selling Some of Their Theme Parks Post-Merger?

Published

2 months ago

November 7, 2024

Rebecca Washington, Daily News Staff

Recently, there have been significant developments in the amusement park industry, particularly concerning the newly formed Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. Following the merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair, which was completed on July 1, 2024, the newly integrated company has announced an initiative known as Project Accelerate. This initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency and guest satisfaction, but it also raises an important question: Is Six Flags considering selling some of its theme parks?

According to a post on Attractions Magazine, Six Flags is prioritizing “portfolio optimization” as one of its key objectives. This objective entails conducting a “comprehensive review” of its parks to evaluate the potential divestiture of non-core assets. In simpler terms, Six Flags is looking at its current roster of parks and may consider selling some to reduce debt and streamline operations. This strategy could lead to a reduced number of parks under the Six Flags banner as they focus on their core offerings.

Six Flags currently operates 27 amusement parks and 15 water parks across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, including renowned locations like Cedar Point in Ohio and Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. The merger has created a larger entity with greater resources, but it also necessitates a strategic approach to ensure long-term success.

In their quarterly earnings call on November 6, 2024, Six Flags outlined several key objectives under Project Accelerate:

Enhanced Guest Experience: Investing in improving the overall guest experience to increase demand.
Margin Expansion: Identifying efficiencies to drive profit margins.
Disciplined Capital Allocation: Focusing on smart investments to maximize each park’s potential.
IT System Integration: Harmonizing technology across the company to enhance the guest experience.
Portfolio Optimization: Reviewing parks to identify which may be sold or divested.

In addition to these objectives, Six Flags presented an eight-point playbook aimed at driving long-term success. This playbook highlights the importance of guest satisfaction, strategic capital investment, and maintaining a “comfortably crowded” atmosphere in parks to boost revenue.

Changes at Six Flags

As Six Flags navigates this new chapter, it will be interesting to see how the company balances its commitment to enhancing guest experiences with the potential sale of some of its attractions. For fans and visitors of Six Flags, this could mean changes in their favorite parks, but it also presents an opportunity for the company to focus on its core strengths and improve the overall quality of its offerings.

In conclusion, while the future of specific parks remains uncertain, the emphasis on portfolio optimization suggests that Six Flags is serious about evaluating its assets. Whether this leads to the sale of some parks will depend on various factors, including market conditions and operational efficiencies.

Links for More Information:

Stay tuned for more updates as Six Flags continues to evolve in this competitive industry landscape!

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