Augmented Reality Games Ignite Imagination

We’re talking all about augmented reality today and, fair warning, the whole Ready Set FUN! team is pretty obsessed with the possibilities it offers for playtime. 

Join in on the Fun: The Rising Popularity of Augmented Reality

We want to talk about something new and exciting—augmented reality! It’s an interactive experience of a real-world environment that we’ve developed into multiple playrooms for our Atlanta area center. Today, we’re excited to dive deeper into what augmented reality is, how it works, and why we love it so much.  

As one of our favorite entertainment options with virtually endless possibilities for how kids can use it, AR is a fun way to learn through play and increase sensory skills for young children. So, let’s jump right into what’s so cool about AR and why we think it’s the future of play.  

Augmented Reality Games

Do you remember a few years back when it seemed as if the whole world was playing Pokémon Go together? We like to think of that as the “Augmented Reality Revolution.” Technology has advanced so much in the past decade or so, and we’ve seen the pros and cons of those advancements. More so than ever before, play and technology intersect. Kids are growing up alongside technology, and that makes it possible for them to explore different, new ways to play. 

Ready Set FUN! combines activity-based learning, imagination play, and technology together in a setting that’s modern and creative. One way we do this is through augmented reality for kids. 

What is Augmented Reality?

You’re likely wondering what augmented reality actually means—and how your kids play with it. The quick answer is that it’s how technology overlays visual or audio effects in actual reality.  

The longer answer is that it’s when AR merges into the real world, similar to a kind of projection. Technology has come a long way since projectors were used in school, but the foundation is the same. AR objects are projected and then integrated into an environment kids can then play with. The concept of augmented reality is all about adding interactive elements to actual surroundings. As technology advances, we’re finding more and more uses for AR. This means that items your kids may have played with before can be experienced in a new way over and over again through this changing technology. 

And they can experience it together! Multi-person augmented reality play is an interactive design that combines technology with the real world, with multiple users able to enjoy it at the same time. 

Augmented Reality at Ready Set FUN!

These activities are educational, but they’re also exciting! Kids can have so much fun while learning and activating their imagination. Themes change daily, so kids (and parents) can experience creations coming to life in a new way each visit. 

Imagination Sandbox

Tiny hands can build worlds with our Imagination Sandbox. A sensor monitors any physical shifts in the sand and the projection makes adjustments based on the changes detected. As kids dig, animals transform along with their surroundings, roaming through bodies of water and mountains of sand. 

Our interactive sandbox provides children the ability to discover marine life, learn about fossils, and see how bugs move around on a daily basis. The projection is over the entire sandbox area and it’s made for multiple people to play together. With five different shifting worlds and day-to-night changes, there’s always something new to explore. 

Imagination Art

Coloring on its own is fun, but watching your child’s artistic creations come alive in our interactive Draw Alive room? Even better. Kids can learn about dinosaurs, farm animals, airplanes, and more when they design their own creatures and watch them be brought to life in 3D realness. 

With new digital worlds waiting to be populated by your child’s creations, paper drawings are brought into our actual reality with active movement. 

The Benefits of Augmented Reality Games for Kids

Augmented reality for kids is a lot of fun! Honestly, parents can have just as much fun in our AR rooms as kids, but another added benefit is that it creates a new scope of learning. It keeps the best aspects of original playtime favorites like coloring and building but adds even more to them. 

This kind of play can improve hand-eye coordination, enhance motor skills and vision, and increase focus, creativity, and concentration levels. Our rooms are all multi-person, so kids can learn how to share and play together as well. 

The 3D aspects of AR bring your kids’ creations to life. Children are engaged in learning and, with the opportunity to create something they’re actively a part of, their attention is maintained as they continue to unearth new discoveries during play. 

 

Our augmented reality rooms are available during playtime, parties, parents’ night out, and day camp. We love seeing how excited kids get when experiencing their creations come to life or when they create new worlds with the help of technology. If this is something you’d like to know more about, check it out here or call us at (404) 596-5566! 

Activities to Keep Kids Busy on Rainy Days

When bad weather keeps everyone stuck inside, there are still plenty of exciting activities to do. Switch it up and see all the fun you can find indoors! 

Fun Indoor Activities for Rainy Days

When it rains, it pours—even during the summer months with those later afternoon thunderstorms. And with little ones running and bouncing and jumping and, sometimes, crashing around the house, it can be hard to keep them busy when they can’t be unleashed outside. 

Here are some tried-and-true indoor children’s activities to keep your child entertained and having fun all day long! 

Creative Projects

There are thousands—and this is no exaggeration—of creative projects floating around the internet. We’ve picked a few of our favorites, but if you want more, Pinterest is your best friend when it comes to fun and creative indoor activities! 

Stained Glass Window

You can do the age-old classic, racing raindrops across the window, with a twist. All you need is painter’s tape and washable paint to create your child’s own stained glass window. Design the window however your child wants and then paint different colors in the sections you both created. If the color isn’t exactly right, experiment with water or mixing colors to achieve the perfect look. 

Ice Cubes and Color

You’ll have to freeze the ice cubes in a tray before you do this one, but you only need water and food coloring for this fun project. Fill the trays up with water and then drop different colors into the water, they’ll freeze into colorful ice cubes ready for the next day. Once everything’s frozen, pop the cubes out and place the different colors in separate bowls. Carefully put the bowls outside in the rain so your child can watch the raindrops fall into them. As they fill up with water, the ice will melt and there you have it—rainbow puddles! 

Slime

Your kids can have fun with science at home! Slime is easy to make, fun to play with, and the most basic recipes only take a few ingredients. Little Bins for Little Hands has some great slime recipes to choose from. Go ahead, grab a recipe, and experiment with your child’s slime creations on the next rainy day. 

Cozy Options

Sometimes on a rainy day, it’s best to lean into that cozy rainy day feeling. These are great indoor activities for when the whole family wants to cuddle up and enjoy a day inside.   

Build A Blanket Fort

What’s better than rolling up in a pile of blankets? Building those blankets into a fort and then rolling up into another pile of blankets within that fort. As experts on correct blanket fort construction, we recommend using lightweight sheets for your walls and roof and making sure you have some kind of base for the corners of your fort. 

Movie Day

Settle in and embrace the rainy day by turning all the lights off and putting on movies the whole family will love. While it’s great for kids to be active, sometimes the best days are all about hanging out with family and relaxing. You can grab some tasty snacks, load down the couch with blankets, and watch a full-length movie. It takes up a solid chunk of time and, who knows, you might even get a napping toddler out of it. 

Bake

There’s something about a house filled with the smell of baking that feels even better when it’s dark and rainy outside. Nothing’s better than a warm chocolate chip cookie or a cupcake loaded down with a big dollop of icing, especially on rainy days. We know kids love eating yummy treats, but it’s also a fun activity you can do together! And if they want to do it again, Ready Set FUN! has a cooking class where your children can continue learning the baking 101s. 

Adventures and Activity

If you have a rambunctious toddler ready to burn some energy, take a deep breath and read these next tips, we’ve compiled these ones specifically with you in mind. 

Dance Party

There are so many kid-friendly playlists on Spotify or Amazon Music. Turn up the volume and have a dance party! You can teach them classics like the sprinkler and the lawn mower, and then see what they have to teach you, too! Next rainy day, play that music loud and dance around the house. 

Obstacle Course

Transform your living room into an obstacle course. You’ll want to make sure everything’s safe, but this can be an exciting way to get some exercise indoors. You can turn it into a friendly competition or maybe decide that the floor’s lava, but either way you have all the household supplies necessary to make a fun, safe course for your kids. 

Scavenger Hunt

This is a fun take on hiding and seek, but instead of hiding and seeking, your kids will be looking for items around the house. All you need to do is create a list of items for a scavenger hunt. If you go on Google and search scavenger hunt ideas, there are a million different lists already made. We personally love the creative options Good Housekeeping provided. So, start seeking and scavenging, but let’s not forget that hide and seek on its own is also a fun option to play indoors! 

Those are some of our favorite children’s indoor activities! We hope you like them and try some out the next time it rains. And, most of all, have fun with it! We’re on Facebook and Instagram, so stop by and give us a follow, and then tag us in any of your activities the next rainy day. 

Party Planning 101: Birthday Party Themes

How do you find the one theme that will make this year’s birthday the Best. Party. Ever? From how to tackle too many ideas to what questions lead to concise decision-making, we’re going over the steps that will help you easily pick your child’s birthday party theme. 

Party Planning 101: Picking a Children’s Birthday Party Theme

Planning parties can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially when you end up in the deep end of it with what seems like 10 million different lists running through your head and no clue who you invited or even what time of the day it is.  

Don’t get sucked into the party panic sinkhole, we can help. And we want to help! Because event planning? It’s kind of our thing. 

Let’s start by alleviating one of your worries—we host birthday parties with seven party packages and seventeen party themes to choose from. The first step is already covered! Before you even begin thinking about theme ideas, you need to know where your party is going to be and our Atlanta area venue is one of the top places for kids’ birthdays and private events. We’ve even been voted Best of Atlanta for Kids Birthday Parties! 

Now, let’s put our party planning hats on and get to work on choosing a theme. 

The Basics of Birthday Party Themes

You’ll want to start simple and then build from there. It’s always best to choose a theme and then create around that theme. So, if your child loves princesses, that’s where you start. If you have a kid who really loves pretending to be a pirate, then a pirate theme can be the foundation of your party. 

Party themes include plates, napkins, accessories, decorations, cupcake holders, toppers, table covers, and more. When you decide on a theme, your friends and family are going to be surrounded on all sides by that theme. You want something that can decorate the space in all of these different ways. Beginning with a basic concept paves the way for more creativity later on. We’re in the business of open possibilities, not limitations. 

Interests, Pop Culture and Decision-Making

It’s decision-making time and one of the best ways to help you with your decision is to go directly to the source: ask your child! If they’re at the age where they’re talking, then we can pretty much guarantee they are bursting with opinions. This is also a fun way to include them in their own celebration. It’s something you can do together and makes for a great bonding experience with your child.  

Now that doesn’t mean handing the steering wheel over to your kid and going for a hands-free approach! It just means your child can help you understand what they’d like to see at a party, what their friends will have the most fun with, and what’s most popular right now. Asking questions about their interests and what they’re excited about is a great way to start. 

Along with tagging in your little one for party help, here are some other things you can consider before picking a child’s birthday party theme: 

Recognizable or Rare?

It’s always a good feeling when your guests understand and appreciate your choice of theme. That’s not to say choosing something outside of the box isn’t also fun. Pinterest is always a great party planning tool and scrolling through there can spark some ideas as well as let you know what’s popular. A recognizable theme connects with everyone attending the party. A more out-of-the-box theme earns major creativity points. Either way, choose one theme, stick with it, and then start thinking on how this theme will translate across the birthday party supplies. 

Gender

Are your guests going to be mainly girls or boys, or a mix of both? Is your child interested in something themed more towards girls, boys, or gender-neutral? Our themes were created for everyone to enjoy—so you all will have so much fun with whichever theme you decide on—but knowing if your party will be a majority of one gender can sometimes help when trying to decide on a specific theme. 

Fun Additions

If there’s something you want to add that isn’t included in one of our themed party packages, we’d love to discuss how to customize or personalize your child’s party. A lot of the time, once parents decide on a theme, a million creative ways to supplement the main theme run through their heads. Tell us all about them! One of the best parts of party planning, especially after the venue and theme are chosen, is figuring out how to expand off of what you already have and make the whole thing even more exciting. 

Say you’ve decided on a princess theme, and then you have the cute idea for everyone attending to dress as their favorite princesses. Or maybe you went with a superhero-themed party, you can then ask everyone to bring something that makes them feel like a superhero. It can be their favorite outfit or (a kid’s version) of Thor’s hammer. At Ready Set FUN!, our superhero theme comes with masks to wear, but the more imagination, the better!  

From balloon arches to character mascots to creative ideas, talk to us about all of the different party options available to families in Atlanta! 

You can always speak with one of our party planning experts. We’ve thrown a ton of birthday parties and we know from experience which kid’s party themes are a hit. Our team really is here to make the party planning process as easy as possible for you, so if you have any other questions or if there’s something else you’d like to know, simply email us and we’ll help! 

How to Plan the Best Kid’s Birthday Party

Party planning is a process and brainstorming a whole new party every year is a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of work. We’ve come up with some of our best tips on how to make it easier than ever before. 

How to Plan the Best Kid’s Birthday Party: An Insider’s Tips and Tricks

Our number one tip for how to plan the best kid’s birthday party? 

Have it at Ready Set FUN! 

We’re in a great location in the Atlanta and Sandy Springs area, our indoor play center is an open, modern space perfect for both kids and parents to enjoy themselves, and we have a team ready to help you with all of your party planning needs. Setup and cleanup, customization requests, entertainment—we take care of it all so you don’t have to. 

We’re the party-throwing experts and we want to share our wisdom! Other than the obvious choice of having it at Ready Set FUN!, we’ll be running down how you can plan the next best kid’s birthday party from the smallest detail to the most obvious elements.  

Be Decisive and Plan Ahead

Simple, but oh so important advice. If you go into the planning process with the intention of being decisive with your decision-making, it can make a world of difference. From gift registries to guest lists to theme choices, one of the best things you can do is make a decision and stick with it. Don’t get bogged down by too many ideas. An easy way to avoid this is through lists where you can mark tasks or options off once they’re finished. Another way to avoid getting stuck is by asking yourself and your child questions that help reveal the direction your party is going. 

Also, start early! Not only does planning a birthday early give you the first choice on event dates, but it removes so much stress from the equation. Begin birthday planning a few months in advance and by the time your child’s birthday rolls around, everything will be planned, settled, and accounted for, and you’ll all be ready to party. 

Set Your Budget

Party planning can get really expensive and the last thing you want is to realize costs are adding up quickly and unexpectedly. By setting a budget, you can stay better organized and keep track of your expenses. There are plenty of options available for any budget, whether it falls on the lower or higher side. Birthdays don’t have to break the bank, they can be affordable and equally as fun. It’s just about figuring out what works for you within your budget and, once that’s set, planning accordingly. 

Ask for Help—It’s What We’re Here For

When you start planning, it’s all about deciding on the venue, the theme, the number of guests, the food, the presents, and everything else. All of this means that almost immediately you’re inundated by competing ideas and tasks that need to be handled.  

We can help you plan the best toddler birthday party or the ultimate children’s birthday party! An easy way to start is by organizing everything into groups and then begin narrowing down all of the different possibilities. Eventually, you’ll end up where you want to be, simply by taking everything one step at a time. Party planning is a process, but this method works. 

Talk To Your Toddler

Although party planning may be outside their realm of expertise, asking your child’s opinion can be a great way to figure out more details about the party. It can be a lot of fun for both of you when you involve them in some of the party planning aspects, and kids love feeling like they’ve had a hand in making their party special. 

Consider What To Do For Entertainment

More than anything else, this is a big one. You can have the best decorations in the world and it won’t matter if the kids aren’t entertained.  

Our party packages come with two hours of playtime and that includes our five indoor playrooms. When considering entertainment, you’ll want activities that burn energy and excite kids, keep them active and creative, and always have safety at the foundation of the play. That’s what we offer at our facility and that’s what we recommend you look for when deciding on how you’re going to keep a group of kids entertained for the length of a birthday party.  

Because one kid alone can keep you busy, a whole group of them at a birthday party where a lot of sugar was consumed…  

Fun activities that occupy a child’s full attention are definitely the way to go. 

Those are some of our tips on how to plan the best birthday party! If you need help planning the next birthday party in your child’s life, we’re here to make sure their next birthday is the best one yet!