ML Interest Tag: hobby

5 Ways “PAW Patrol” Will Teach Teamwork to Your Kids

by Jennifer Massoni Pardini
Partner Content

photo: Spin Master Entertainment

As toddlers evolve into preschoolers, so too does their play, from parallel pursuits to shared interests and elaborate feats of imagination. If you want awesome examples of all that teamwork can accomplish, look no further than Nickelodeon’s preschool hit, “PAW Patrol” (created and produced by Spin Master Entertainment). From paw-some pups and vehicles to their fearless pack leader, Ryder, “PAW Patrol” is all about uniting different pups with different skills in order to work together—a perfect template for preschoolers. Read on for five ways this hit TV show models teamwork and how you can bring those life lessons into your everyday routine.

1. Lesson One: Communicate
• How PAW Patrol emphasizes communication: We like that “PAW Patrol” missions always begin with Ryder telling the pups the problem at hand, explaining where each team member’s unique skills can come into play and the tools the team will need to get the job done.

• What you can do every day: When big ideas like teamwork are part of everyday conversations with our kids, they become that much more familiar when it’s time to put them into action and practice what you preach. So talk about teamwork early and often. Show your own team at home that helping a friend build a tower at daycare or sharing brownie-mixing duties at a play date makes teamwork imaginative and fun.

2. Lesson Two: Model Inclusion
• How PAW Patrol models inclusion: Over at Adventure Bay, Ryder isn’t ever looking for just one pup to save the day, but always a team to come together to achieve the task at hand. We love how Ryder’s emphasis on inclusion shows kiddos how to bring different skills and points-of-view together.

• What you can do every day: Model inclusivity like Ryder does, whether that means assigning fun dinner prep jobs to bring one meal together or letting little ones help with tasks a little above their pay grade (like folding laundry). After needing so much support from us in their first years, they’ll learn how it feels to be the one who helps.

3. Lesson Three: Celebrate Difference
• How PAW Patrol celebrates difference: Ryder is always at the ready with words of encouragement as the pups work together.

• What you can do every day: Just like Ryder does with his pup family, make it a habit to tell your kids what makes them different or unique as well. Do they have a special way of calming down a younger sibling? Are they helpful in a pinch? Call it out and thank them for it! They will love feeling special in your eyes and may look for ways to bring those attributes into other situations with their peers. They’ll also start to notice and appreciate what makes those around them special and unique, too.

photo: Spin Master Entertainment

4. Lesson Four: Teamwork for the Win
• How PAW Patrol is all about teamwork: As preschoolers become better versed in what sets themselves apart from others, like a hairstyle, unique personality trait or hobby, they may have more questions about the diverse world around them.

• What you can do every day: So while you are helping make kids feel special for their valuable differences, make sure to also bring the conversation back to what differences contribute to—rather than ever detract—from a greater good. The ability to work together and respect one another from an early age may be one of the greatest gifts we can give.

5. Lesson Five: Have Fun
• How PAW Patrol is all about fun at the end of the day: When everyone has something unique to bring to the task at hand and when those differences are respected along the way, collaboration leads to awesome results.

• What you can do every day: Consider training for a short race as a family, raising awareness for a favorite family charity or packing up for a picnic this weekend.

Tune in to Nickelodeon weekdays for fun-filled original content your kids will love. Check out clips and full episodes of PAW Patrol here anytime!

—Jennifer Massoni Pardini

 

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Cadbury Is Hiring for a Chocolate Lover’s Dream Job

by Erica Loop

Calling all chocolate lovers! Your dreams are about to come true. Cadbury is hiring taste testers and yes, you can turn your part-time “hobby” into an actual career.

Mondeléz International (the company behind the Cadbury brand) recently posted a “Chocolate Tester” position on its website. But you should probably know that there’s a bit of a commute: all tester positions are located in the United Kingdom.

photo: Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay 

Just in case you feel like hopping across the pond for this job (or maybe you were planning on a move anyway?), the position requires no experience. According to the job posting, Cadbury will provide training to develop the tester’s taste buds. We can only imagine the chocolate-filled goodness that involves. However, every applicant must possess “a passion for confectionary.”

So what are main responsibilities of a Cadbury taste tester? To start, the lucky hire needs to have the ability to taste chocolate products (check) and give honest feedback (check). The tester also needs to work with a team of other testers, demonstrate consistency, and be able to use Cadbury’s defined vocab to describe its products.

Given the high number of applications for this delicious role, Mondeléz International notes that candidates who don’t hear from the company within 14 days didn’t make the cut.

—Erica Loop

 

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The Most Popular New Year’s Resolutions (& How to Keep Them in 2019)

by Shahrzad Warkentin

If you’re planning to make some changes for 2019, you’re not alone. According to data from Google by iQuanti, there are a handful of common resolutions that most people aim to achieve in the New Year. Besides sharing the most popular New Year’s resolutions, another thing we all have in common? Not following through with them.

Researchers at the University of Scranton found that just eight percent of people will achieve their New Year’s resolutions in 2019. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible—and with a good plan to help you follow through and a little family teamwork you can make positive change a reality.

Here are the top five most popular New Year’s resolutions and our best tips on how to achieve them in 2019!

Get Healthy

iStock

As the number one most popular New Year's resolution, we've got your back to make getting healthy a priority for you and your family this year.

1. Introduce your kids to healthier eating choices with recipes that will get them to eat their veggies.

2. Whip your family dinners into shape with our 30 easy recipes for a healthy New Year.

3. Avoid the dreaded cold and flu season with these dishes packed with vitamin C.

Get Organized

Adero

What better time than now to get your New Year organized?

1. Fight that case of mom brain with this smart organizational system that will make sure you never misplace your keys and phone again.

2. If the clutter just got worse with the addition of new holiday gifts, try these IKEA hacks to get your house organized without spending a ton of money. (These clever LEGO storage hacks will save your bare feet, too.)

3. Get your kitchen into shape for all that healthy cooking you plan to do with these simple kitchen organizational hacks.

Live Life to the Fullest

Pexels via Pixabay

It might seem like there's never enough time to do it all, so here are our tips to help maximize your family time in 2019.

1. Help your entire family spend more time together and less time staring at screens with this genius screentime device from TechDen.

2. Fill all that quality time with plenty of outdoor activities, like a trip to the beach that can have some amazing health benefits.

3. Plan an unforgettable family vacation with just one dollar. Not sure where to go? Check out these best new attractions for kids in 2019.

Start a New Hobby

Yuba Bikes

As much as we'd love "get the kids to school on time" to qualify as a hobby, now's a good time to delve into your interests to rev up your self-care game this year.

1. Start a new hobby you can enjoy right alongside your kids with these incredible LEGO sets made just for grown-ups.

2. Family bike rides are a great hobby you can all enjoy together, start with these simple tips to get your tots cruising on two wheels.

3. Find some time to actually finish an entire book with these mini flipback books you can read anywhere, from the school drop-off line to soccer practice.

Spend Less & Save More

Brandless

Kids are expensive—but here's how you can save big in the New Year.

1. That diaper bill can get pricey, but it doesn’t have to be. With the new DYPER subscription service, not only will you spend less on diapers, but you’ll be saving the planet too. Total win-win.

2. Keep your house clean and save plenty of money with budget-friendly Brandless that offers non-toxic cleaning products all four just $3 each.

3. Spending less doesn’t mean giving up on fun. Major events, like kids’ birthday parties, can still be amazing without breaking the bank.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

RELATED STORIES:

How Much Exercise Should Your Kids Get? Doctors Offer New Guidelines

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52 Ideas for Quality Family Time

 

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Holiday Family Dinner Convo Starters That’ll Break the Ice & Warm Your Hearts

By Amy Silverman

Photo: Rawpixel

With the holidays approaching, there’s so much to prepare—decorations, cards, gifts, school parties, clothing for the whole family, meals and more. Often, it’s not until we’re already sitting around the table that we realize there’s one more thing we wish we’d prepared for: the family dinner conversation. Multiple generations, multiple political views, multiple families, multiple traditions and if we’re lucky, we can share this one meaningful meal together.

We’re all aware of the conversational landmines involved in talking about charged topics such as religion, politics and current events (plus those topics are a sure-fire way to lose the kids’ attention quickly).

This year, you can show up to the table prepared with seven conversation starters that are sure to bring everyone together.

“What’s your favorite family holiday tradition?”

Have you passed it on to your children or grandchildren? Will you pass it along to future generations? If you want to get creative after everyone shares, you can choose an old tradition to revive or create a new family tradition to carry into future years.

“What are three nice, thoughtful things that people have done for you that made you feel really special or loved? “

Think about someone who could use a helping hand or some friendly attention (someone you know or have heard about).  What plan can you make to do something nice or thoughtful for them? And is there someone else at the table who would like to help you?

“What are your favorite memories of time spent with family?”

This is a great one to engage everyone at the table and for little ones to get to hear some family-history. It’s fun to be sure that each memory-teller gets asked 3 or 4 follow-up questions.

“What do you think is your personal best way of being generous and why?”

Can you share a story about a time you did one of these things and made a difference, such as giving a gift of money, helping out, listening to others’ stories and feelings, leading others with your great ideas…or something else?

“Imagine you could add one guest to your family holiday table. Who would you choose and why?”

Be sure to choose a real person from any period in time, famous or not. Follow-up question:  Who would it be if you could invite any character from a book, television show or movie?

Play Two Truths & a Lie

Everyone at the table will say three things about themselves—two of them will be true and one will be made up. The other guests at the table will guess which one is made up. And, after the answer is revealed, guests can ask questions about the true statements!

Don’t Hate, Appreciate!

It’s so nice to hear words like “thank you” and “good job.” You know what can be even nicer? Hearing what kind of impact you have on people around you.

Each person at the table can take a turn to express how they feel.  The structure is “{Person You’re Addressing} when you {do/did/say/said ___________) I feel/felt {emotion or feeling words}. Here’s how this could play out in a few different relationships and scenarios:

  • Dad to Brother: “Uncle Scott, when you said to Danny that he’s lucky to have me as a Dad cuz I’m the best daddy ever, I felt proud, loved and also nostalgic because I miss our Pops.”
  • Partner to Partner: “Jan, when you make up songs with our kids’ names and sing to us before breakfast, I feel like the luckiest person on the planet and I smile all the way to work on those days.”
  • Child to Mom: “Mom, when you accidentally fall asleep in bed next to me when we read stories at night, I feel happy because I get extra time with you.”

“If you could learn any new skill or hobby right now, what would it be?”

Share some topics and skills that you are interested in but haven’t really taken the time to learn. What ways could you contribute to the family or the world if you were to develop a new talent, skill or knowledge?

A committed auntie and teacher, Amy is known for bringing the "interpersonal yum factor." For over 20 years, she's facilitated the cohesion and deepening of thousands of groups and relationships worldwide. Founder of The Connection Movement, Connection Camp and Human Centered Group, Amy inspires empathy, vulnerability, communication and intersectional conversations.

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How to Teach Your Kids to Safely Ride a Bike

By Catherine Palmer

The joy of seeing your kid riding his or her bike independently presents a perfect milestone moment, right alongside first steps, first words, etc. Especially if you’re a cycling enthusiast yourself, this is an opportunity to make cycling a part of family quality time. Not to mention, kids feel proud and empowered when they start riding their first “big kid” bikes, which is another reason why cycling helps kids grow and develop mentally as much as physically.

But amidst all that, let’s not forget that bicycles are actually vehicles—not toys. It’s important to teach your child bicycle safety so that both you and your kid can feel confident and at peace when they go for their first independent ride. Here are some common misconceptions so you don’t overlook them and we’ll talk about key points as well as the best methods of teaching your children bicycle safety.

Hand Signals

First things first: hand signals have to be used when riding a bike, and if you think your child could lose their balance when signaling, then they’re not ready for an independent ride just yet. Hold them back a while, teach them all the proper signals first, and practice with them until they’re confident enough. Also, make sure to teach your child to think independently and always signal for themselves when they’re riding behind someone.

Many accidents happen when children ride in groups, behind each other: the leader signals and makes a turn or crosses the road while the rest follow without looking, which can cause accidents and confusion. Teach your children traffic signs and proper signaling with educational videos, coloring books, and pop in an occasional quiz at home so they always keep this in mind (nothing fancy, just “Give me a signal for turning right”).

Facing Traffic

Another misconception we see all too often is parents believing their children will somehow be safer if they ride against traffic. Do not, under any circumstance, allow this to happen, let alone teach your child it’s the right thing to do. Riding against traffic confuses drivers and almost a quarter of bicycle-car collisions result from such instances. Teach your child to ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and if they’re under 10 years of age, it’s best they stay on the sidewalk for good measure.

A Proper Bicycle

“Children grow like grass; it’s best to get my kid a bigger bike to grow into.” NO. Oversized bikes are dangerous, especially for somebody who is new to cycling and thus doesn’t have the coordination needed to control a bigger bike. This is not something to overlook, and it doesn’t have to present a hefty expenditure; you can always find kids bikes for sale at reasonable prices and resell or trade your children’s outgrown bikes. Plus, it’s not like you’ll be changing bikes all the time, considering you can adjust the seat height as your child grows.

Just make sure they are able to sit on the seat, both hands placed firmly on the handlebars, with the balls of their feet touching the ground. Also, a first bike should be equipped with foot brakes, considering that a child’s skills and coordination are not developed enough to control hand brakes.

The Helmet Conundrum

Thinking that short rides around the neighborhood don’t require a helmet is a very common mistake that parents make. There’s some debate about when the helmet must be worn, when in fact there should be none at all—your child must wear a properly fit helmet at all times when riding a bike, no matter how short the ride. It prevents from serious injury in case of a fall, and believe it or not, the majority of bike accidents happen near home when children are least alert.

Instill this as a rule while your kid is still young, so wearing a helmet becomes a habit they will stick to. Let them pick their own helmet and get them excited about the whole idea of prepping themselves for the rides; that way they will be much more likely to wear the helmet gladly.

Riding at Night

You might think it’s perfectly safe for your child to ride at dusk or night time if they’re equipped with reflectors and a reflective vest, but that’s not really the case when it comes to fresh cyclists. Never allow your child to ride in the dark because even with all the proper equipment, this requires additional vigilance that comes with age and experience with cycling. Also, have your child wear bright clothing when riding their bike, as a safety measure.

Lastly, it’s important to establish ground rules: only one person may ride a bike at a time, both hands must be kept on the handlebars, no headphones whatsoever, wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes when cycling and of course, always follow the basic rules of traffic. Most importantly, set an example for your children and they will find it much easier to follow.

Cycling is one of the most fun exercises possible and an incredible way for kids to spend the whole day outdoors, so teach them how to approach it properly at an early age and they’ll have a hobby for life. Organise family rides that demonstrate safety and hands-on activities that teach them bike maintenance—these are all great ways to nurture their enthusiasm!

Featured Photo Courtesy: Richard Masoner via Flickr
Designer, writer, mother and a huge geek. My fields of expertise could be summed up to interior design, lifest‌yle and family-related topics. My interests are, on the other hand, wide and ever-evolving.
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Block Party: Where to Buy Pre-Loved LEGO Bricks

by Melissa Bouse

Toy trends come and go, but one that has stood the test of time: LEGO bricks. Building LEGO creations is something the whole family can get into, but you’ve probably noticed building a stockpile is spendy. Enter a new trend: the resale shop. These small businesses are popping up all over the Bay. They offer everything from new and used LEGO sets, hard-to-find pieces, and bulk sales. Read on to find out how you can save big.

Bricks and Minifigs
This locally-owned franchise is the only Bricks and Minifigs in all of California and we’re so lucky it’s nearby. They have a huge selection of LEGO and DUPLO sets and minifigs. They also have classes, camps, and super fun party packages for LEGO lovers of all ages. The family that runs it is super knowledgeable and they’re eager to help you get the right pieces.

2250 Commerce Ave, Suite B
Concord, Ca
925-825-1954
www.bricksandminifigs.com

King Bricks
This self-described LEGO Hobby Store will buy, sell, and trade. Tucked above a restaurant in downtown Concord, this spot is only open on weekends. But they offer great deals and personalized service. It’s a great spot to check out if you have a specific project in mind. And if not, check out the LEGO art for inspiration.

2045 Mt. Diablo St., Suite107
Concord, Ca
925-297-5464
www.kingbricks.com

The Brick Hutt
A father and son opened the Brick Hutt as a way to spend more time together. It’s now grown into a place where families from all over the Bay come to play, explore, and learn all about LEGO. You can find sets and bulk LEGO bricks with a huge variety of price points. Before you make the drive, beware they’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

5430 Commerce Blvd, Suite C
Rohnert Park, Ca
707-575-4888
www.thebrickhutt.com

The Collectors Cave
You’ll find a variety of collectible toys in this eclectic shop, including new and vintage LEGO sets. You’ll probably even find some of the sets you had when you were a kid! The super-friendly staff can help guide you and your family to the perfect purchase.

2072 Union St.
San Francisco, Ca
415-929-2231
www.thecollectorscave.com

Toy-Go-Round
Toy-Go-Round has all kinds of new and used toys, which includes a great selection of LEGO products. Their stock changes often, but you can always find plenty for the LEGO-lover. In the past, they’ve had sets for sale, as well as bagged loose bricks—perfect for building your stash!

1361 Solano Ave
Albany, Ca
510-527-1363

All images courtesy the author

Do you have any favorite LEGO memories from your childhood?

—Melissa Bouse

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Cool D.C. Parent to Know: The Hostess With the Mostess

by rtsarahvogel

A Mississippi native, Kimberly Nelson Hill came to Washington with political aspirations and party-planning prowess after being bred on the principles of gracious entertaining, family recipes, and the fine art of the thank you note. Today, as the owner of Party Bee Events, she uses her Southern charm to help Washingtonians host fabulous fetes for guests of all ages. Before your next celebration, check out this NoVA mom’s ideas for party planning and local family fun.

You started your career as a Senate staffer. How did you make the transition from politico to Party Bee?
The Party Bee was really just meant to be a creative outlet that would help friends throw parties. I started keeping a blog nearly 10 years ago and had business cards printed up. That was about the extent of my hobby business. I never would have envisioned this being my career! I followed my heart and what made me happy and it has made all the
difference. I often refer to this as my calling and I don’t say that lightly.  I truly believe my business is divine and the answer to a prayer I didn’t even know how to pray.

From food to decor, your Southern roots are a Party Bee
staple. What does Southern Hospitality mean to you?
I was raised in Mississippi, The Hospitality State. My mother and grandmothers taught me everything I know about entertaining and being a gracious hostess. The idea of Southern hospitality and opening your home to others is so intimate and special. It is all about attending to every detail and really putting in the effort to show others that you care. Whether you are on the farm or in a grand home, Southern hospitality is about sharing the best of whatever you have with those around you.

You recently opened The Bee Hive, a party design studio in Arlington. What will visitors find in this space?
A mess! But a beautiful mess. That’s because The Bee Hive is where all the buzz happens each day. I store all those goodies you’ve got to have to pull off a perfect event – tables, linens, china, glassware, custom colored napkins, and cases of fresh tonic water. Plus, I have my treasured collection of client thank you and congratulations cards I’ve received on a bulletin board. One sweet friend gave me a sign that reads: “Be Kind, Work Hard.” That’s hanging on the wall next to the staff aprons that we check in and out for each party. The BeeHive is just open by appointment and special occasion, but  I do host pop-up shop events there (think: Southern-style ice cream social, book signings, and mini dinners-for-two). To learn more you can follow me on Instagram and tag what you love about Southern entertaining with the hashtag #thatswhatIlikeaboutthesouth.

What’s your favorite party-planning tip for parents looking to host a fabulous fete for their little one?
I have three little boys and with the last one, I finally started following the rule of having as many guests as the age of the child. It’s so civilized and meaningful. I also do lots of “adult” parties with a kid component, and I find that having a zone for kiddos to graze at a popcorn bar or at a snack bar is popular. I make sure that there are things at their
height, and chairs of their size. That way, kids can draw on or sticker the little popcorn boxes and get to pick their own snacks. I recommend putting fruit and veggies into individual serving cups so that little ones can grab two apple slices and a carrot stick that’s already pre-portioned and their little fingers don’t touch everyone else’s serving. Make sure to have lots of tubs of wet wipes and paper towels around as well as hidden trash bags so you can triage throughout the party and keep the area looking nice. Hiding things under a skirted table is the way to go. You can keep extra crackers under the cheese board area and  juice boxes under the ice tub.

In addition to your party concierge services, you’re mom to three sons. What’s your favorite way to spend time with them?
We LIVE outside! I love watching them scooter in the street, ride bikes, play in the sandbox, participate in soccer and t-ball, and garden. We do it all together. I also love the simple one-on-one moments with each of them. Graham loves to play cars and transformers, Oliver loves building anything, and Hayden loves legos and pokemon. So while I am a pretty girly only child, I’ve learned all sorts of boy things from my sons, like the difference between a digger and a backhoe. Actually, I still don’t understand the difference.

It’s family date night! Where will we find you and your brood?
That would be Sunday night when I am tired of cooking and we go to Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Cafe. The kids watch the tortilla machine and I have a margarita. Or, we just have family night in the yard and grill out and eat in with our neighbors.

 

What is your favorite part about being a parent in the DMV?
My husband and I are both very keen on raising our kids like we grew up. He is from a small town in Texas and I am from Mississippi. We love the other families and friends up here and the connections we have with fellow transplanted southerners. I am also lucky to have sweet mom friends who are trying to find their own way and resist all the busyness and competition that creeps from our career lives to our parenting lives. That’s the best part of being a parent up here. It’s the friends who also came here and are now trying to form a little community where we can share all the wonderful reasons we came here in the first place and now all the wonderful reasons we (and our kids) are making it work.

Do you know a super-cool parent? Tell us about them in the comments section below. 

–Sarah Vogel

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Just Opened: NYC’s First Drone Store Takes Off

by Mimi O'Connor

Is the remote control Millennium Falcon the kid got as a gift last holiday season not quite cutting it? Looking for a cool new techy hobby for you and the family to enjoy outside this spring and summer? Then you might be interested to know that New York City’s first all-drone store opened on March 5, and is ready to serve all your drone-related needs, from equipment to education to field trips.

photo: Brooklyn Drones NYC

Drone HQ
Tucked away on the increasingly buzzing Fourth Avenue in Gowanus, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Drones NYC is the brainchild of Bay Ridge native Roger Kapsalis, a drone enthusiast and hobbyist-turned-expert and entrepreneur. (His impressive landscape photos captured via drone photography adorn the walls of the shop.)

Brooklyn Drones NYC only stocks what Kapsalis describes as “reliable, proven aircraft,” which means drones from companies such as DJI, Yuneec and Parrot, with possible models from GoPro to come. You can get a professional-grade drone here (the type used in movie and television production), but the store specializes in the microdrone market, which includes any drone under 4 1/2 pounds. Your basic, starter drone, DJI’s Phantom 3 Standard will run you $499, and you can get the Phantom 3 Standard Everything You Need starter kit for $589.99. (We never said it was an incredibly inexpensive hobby.)

Safety & Education
Brooklyn Drones NYC wants you to be an educated and safe pilot. In addition to posting FAA regulations and flight rules on its site, the store will also be offering classes and tutorials, and prospective pilots can stop in and take a practice flight via an in-store simulator or in the back yard flight cage. (If you do buy and fly a drone, you should familiarize yourself with all of the regulations, but some basic rules include: don’t fly over 400 feet, don’t fly at night and don’t fly within five miles of an airport. And you can’t fly anywhere in Manhattan. However, there are NYC Parks-designated Model Aircraft Fields in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island where you are free to take flight.

Beyond basic Intro to Drones classes, the store will also offer drone photography workshops, covering how to capture and then perfect shots with editing software.

Field Trips & Shows
Later this spring and into the summer, Brooklyn Drones NYC will also be conducting trips upstate, where drone pilots and photographers will have free rein at ski resorts in the off season. Additionally, the store plans to hold exhibits of photographs taken via drone.

Brooklyn Drones NYC
315 Fourth Ave.
Gowanus
917-520-5452
Online: brooklyndrones.nyc

Does drone flying as a family sound like a recipe for fun or disaster to you? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor

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Mom Pushing Stroller Slays at Skate Park with Awesome Trick

by Red Tricycle

What’s something you loved to do before having kids? Well for this mom, it’s definitely skateboarding. Maria Oberloher, a super rad mom from Germany, posted a video as she achieved an awesome kick flip while 8-month-old Luan chilled in his stroller. Maria made the kick flip look effortless, and her video is an #InternetWin. Take a look!

What’s a fun hobby or sport you can’t wait to teach your kids when they’re older? Tell us in the comments below!

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Just Opened: The Portland Game Store

by Suzie Ridgway

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, families found themselves deeply immersed in epic battles. Every man, woman and child was unplugged in that time, using nothing but their wits and the hands that they were dealt. The children fought ruthlessly against their parents, who were growing more overconfident by the minute, yet weaker with every bubbly brew they consumed. But, despite the hard-fought losses and boastful victories, the laughter continued and the battles became a regular part of the families’ lives.

The time to pick up where they left off is now and the place to do it is The Portland Game Store. This new gamer haven just opened its doors on N. Killingsworth. Read on to find out what we discovered when we took a peek inside.

photo: Portland Game Store via Yelp

The Scoop 

What began as a small business loan and Kickstarter campaign for three north Portland thirtysomethings, Hans Albing, Kat Halpenny and Ryan Mauk, has become a gamers’ paradise. Over Labor Day weekend, The Portland Game Store opened its doors, offering up the hottest board, card and role playing games for purchase as well as a place to play them with others. The all ages, all hours, female-friendly establishment also stocks crunchy snacks, cold beer and cider and non-alcoholic bevvies to keep weary gamers fueled as they wage war with one another.

photo: Portland Game Store via Yelp

The Layout

The first thing you’ll notice about this new retail store, across from PCC’s central campus, is the well-lit space, crisp, fresh paint and gleaming hardwood floors. The store is clean, bright and meticulously organized.

Games of all stripes are on shelves lining the walls and displayed on several stand-alone bookshelves on the left side of the store as you enter. Every game is clearly visible and super simple to find. It’s also really fun to walk and browse, discovering new games around every corner. Miniature models and hobby paint can be found near the back of the store.

The wrap-around counter is at the center of the store, filled with rare cards and smaller items, like multi-sided dice. The friendly staff is happy to answer any questions and offer suggestions for the perfect family game if you feel clueless.

Along the entire right of the store are long game tables with room to spread out, plenty of seating and ample light for you to see clearly as you crush your opponents. Oftentimes, at one or two of the tables, a game or demo is either already in progress or ready to begin.

The Games

Board, card and miniature games lining the walls and on the shelves include games for a variety of ages, like Sushi Go! and Adventure Time. They also carry starter decks, booster packs and themed decks for classic games, like Magic: The Gathering. Board games, like 7 Wonders and the popular Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures game and role playing games (RPG), like Dungeons and Dragons, Shadowrun, Star Wars and Pathfinder can also be found here. Go in to see what all they offer, or visit their website ahead of time.

photo: Portland Game Store via Yelp

The Gaming Sessions

Want to set up a regular game night with your kids and your friends? Do it. Weekly gaming sessions and tournaments are posted on their Facebook page, so you and the family can set up a night to unplug from the screen and play some imagination-sparking games, like Splendor, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic, Star Wars: X-Wing or Warmachine/Hordes. Drop-ins are highly encouraged.

The crew also plans to add a couple of kids-only events in the not-too-distant future. Keep an eye squarely fixated on Facebook for details. 

photo: Portland Game Store via Yelp

The Details

Tues.-Thurs., 2-10 p.m.
Fri., 2 p.m.- midnight
Sat., 11 a.m.- midnight
Sun., noon – 8 p.m.
(closed Mon.)

922 N Killingsworth St.
Online: theportlandgamestore.com

Does your family play board or card games? Let us know which ones in the comments below!

—Suzie Ridgway

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