Author: Games for Fun Crew

Categories
Fun

The Importance of Fun

Have More Fun
Having fun can get a bad rap. In fact, there is an old fable that epitomized our point. It’s called The Grasshopper and the Ant. In it, the grasshopper spends the summer singing while the ant stores up food for the winter. Once the winter comes, the grasshopper is hungry and begs for food from the ant who refuses him and tells him to sing away this winter as well. Ok, let’s be clear here. We get the moral of the story; you should plan for your future and not spend all your time singing. However, this fable translates into an attitude that many people carry today. Fun is perceived as being unproductive, selfish or silly.

 

When we are stressed or overwhelmed with life, we can often forgo on having fun thinking that we don’t have time for it. However, by giving up fun, most people are ultimately stealing their energy from themselves. Because having fun gives you more energy than it takes away. To live a fully healthy life we need to incorporate a balance of work, leisure, fun, and activity. Each of these needs to hold significance in our lives so that we are not overworked or under-rested.

 

So if you recognize that you may not be giving fun the time that it needs in your life; here are some suggestions on how to start having more fun.

 

Plan
For some of you, your lives are so scheduled that to have fun you will need to schedule it in. Which is great! Give yourself a good chunk of time that will allow you to enjoy the activity, but also not stress you out by taking away too much time from other obligations

 

Bring a Friend
Sometimes having fun can be as easy as spending time with a good friend. Call up one that you haven’t seen for awhile and do something fun! Maybe go for a hike or play a game. Do something that is fun for both of you.
Categories
Air Hockey

Air Hockey Magic 

Air Hockey Magic
The magic of air hockey is discovered differently by everyone.
For some, it may have been at a birthday party hosted at your local arcade. For others, it may have been the consolation they needed because there was no local hockey team to join. Regardless, there is something magical about the first time you play air hockey. On that seemingly ordinary table, the puck goes flying across the surface meeting no resistance until eventually there is the successful clanging of a goal scored meeting your ears.

 

As a child, you may have wondered at the mechanics of an air hockey table.
It’s relatively easy to understand. The first thing you may notice is that the table is covered with tiny holes. Under the table is a fan that blows air up through these small holes giving the puck a resistance-free flow across the table. This is how you can hit the puck with very little force and see it move very quickly. If you’ve ever tried to play without the air on, you’ll soon find that your momentum is severely affected. But once that air is on, your puck flows in a similar way that you would find on an ice hockey rink.

 

Your “goal” at this point is to score on your opponent by getting the puck in their goal.
This is where geometry can help you a bit. Knowing your angles and being able to see where the puck will go helps you aim your shots better. But as with any game, a good offense is a good defense. Keep your paddle a little further out from your goal. This allows you to react faster as the puck comes zooming toward your goal. You will also want to avoid following the puck with your eyes. That usually results in slow reactionary shots. Instead, try to track the puck’s projection and move along with it. That keeps you more likely to be where you want to be when the puck comes towards you. But the best way to get better at air hockey is to practice. We have lots of air hockey table options for you to look at if you’d like to up your game this year.
Categories
Holidays

A Healthier and More Fun Christmas

A Healthier Christmas

Christmas is around the corner and what an exciting season it is! Everywhere you go you see lights and decor and the children are getting more and more thrilled about how soon Santa is coming. We want you to have the happiest and healthiest Christmas you can. So here are a few options on how to have a healthy Christmas:

Take a stand:

It’s easy to want to plop yourself on the couch this Christmas. It may be your first time off work in a long time. Or it may be that you want to watch all your favorite Christmas specials and movies. But sitting for long periods of time isn’t good for your health. Studies are showing more and more that sitting for long periods of time can lead to weight gain, and have a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Now, we are not saying that sitting on the couch over Christmas will do this, but most of us sit at desks while we work and do not stand nearly enough to break the habit. That’s why we suggest taking a walk after your holiday meals. It helps with digestion and is a good family memory. We also recommend playing a game instead of watching a movie. Challenge your Uncle or Cousin to a friendly game of pool or ping pong, and you’ll get your fair share of standing this holiday season.

Portion Control:

We tend to do a lot of baking, snacking and feasting during the holiday season. If you know you’re going to be having a big meal, try using a smaller plate to help with your portions. You naturally eat less if you don’t have room to fill on your plate. You can also have healthier options available or want to choose to eat foods that are high in antioxidants, fat-soluble vitamins, and fiber. And go ahead and have gravy, but maybe don’t cover your entire plate with it. If you are looking for some healthier Christmas food options, you can find some here: http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g4738/healthy-christmas-recipes/

Categories
Holidays

Face time not Facetime

face time not facetime
During the holidays we usually plan a big family get-together.

Discussions of who will host, who will travel and who is staying home this year will ensue. But being with family is part of what makes the holidays special. You come together with those that are dear and remember old memories all while creating new ones. However, there are times when your uncle’s “wit” can become grading and your cousins just don’t seem that cute anymore. It’s easy in those moments to find your distractions on your device. For some, they will retreat to their phone that will give them updates on their friends picture-perfect Christmases or to read the latest BuzzFeed list of how to make the perfect Christmas playlist. Some will watch the game, and some will play a game on their iPad.

You would not be alone to retreat to the comfort of a warm screen.

Polls are saying that Americans are spending an average of 10 hours in front of a screen. That’s almost half of a day spent absorbing that blue light. While these numbers are growing, there is also a growing concern for the health of this choice. Experts are suggesting to limit the number of screens available. We would also recommend creating an alternative way to spend your time. This is where having a pool table, table tennis or foosball comes in handy. Instead of seeing your teenage cousins making duck face after duck face for Snapchat, you can school them on the perfect serve for ping pong.

Outside of just having fun, face to face communication comes with huge bonuses.

You learn the art of non-verbal cues. Stronger relationships are forged through face to face communication as you can ask questions as follow up and it is easier to build trust. These are all skills that are necessary to grow and develop as an adult and can be learned over something as simple as a pool table. If you want to help your family spend time together and not just spend time around each other, look at Games for Fun for some great options.

Categories
Gifts

Christmas Shopping Made Easy

Christmas shopping made easy

There are a few things you can do to make Christmas shopping easier for you. Eating healthy food is a must. You don’t want your blood sugar to crash if you need to be out shopping all day. If you are looking to spend less money, there are many tips that can help you. You tend to spend less if you are looking your best. While sweats may be very comfy, they do tend to lead you to spend more than you would like. You can also save money by buying in bulk or looking for deals online.

We think one of the hardest parts about Christmas shopping is finding the right gift. That’s why we always suggest that you take a good look at our inventory. Our games are fun, and they bring people together;  which is what the Christmas season is all about.

Ping Pong
This is a game that can be enjoyed at any age. How many parties have you been to where you see a ping-pong game going on with someone yelling that they’ll play the winner. This is a central staple in any social setting. Mostly because it is such an easy game to pick up. What’s also great about this game is that the more you play, the better you get. You can learn how to put a spin on the ball and where to hit it so that your opponent can’t hit it back. But mostly, you just have fun! Find our selection of ping pong tables and supplies here.

 

ShuffleBoard
For some people, you may hear the word “Shuffleboard, ” and you only think of a few old-timers on a ship deck. But this game is way more than it has been portrayed. It takes a bit of practice not to let your puck slide off the table, but once you have it down, the competition can be fierce but so much fun. Check out what we have here.
Categories
Gifts

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is Coming
Tis the season…For gift giving that is! Christmas is just around the corner. We also know one of the hardest things during this time is finding the perfect gift. But that’s why we are here. Everyone loves to have fun, so why not give them the gift of joy:

 

Air Hockey:
Who doesn’t remember playing air hockey at a local arcade? There was such a thrill in watching the puck zoom across the table and to land smack dab in your opponent’s goal. Talk about satisfaction when hearing that clanging sound of victory when you make the goal! Air Hockey continues to be one of the most well-loved games around. It’s easy to play; anyone can pick it up and understand the rules. But with some practice, you can grow your skills. Finding that right angle that your opponent won’t be able to block takes time, but is worth it. If you want to have hours of fun playing with friends or family, this may be a great gift. Check out all of our different air hockey tables that we have available.

 

Pool Table
One usually doesn’t get the opportunity to play pool until they turn 21. Which is such a shame, because this game is for all ages! Few memories are sweeter than showing a younger family member how to hold their cue correctly, line up their shots, and see their reaction as they make their first break. This Christmas you may want to consider getting a pool table. It’s a game that crosses generational divides and guarantees hours of laughter, competition, and fun. You can see our many pool table options here.

 

Foosball
Foosball is a game that many people played in their younger years. It was something that was readily available at different youth establishments. But that would never take away the thrill of playing this fun game when you get older. This is the sort of game that brings out the competitive spirit in people. Even if you’re not playing it, it’s fun to watch and cheer along as those plastic soccer players score a goal. If you have younger family members or if they are just young at heart, this will be a Christmas win! See our foosball options here.
Categories
Shuffleboard

How to Care For Your Shuffleboard

How to care for your shuffleboard
Shuffleboard has a long history.

This sport has lead to hours upon hours of fun starting all the way back in the 1400’s. It grew from a game of shoving a coin across a table and evolved, moving out of taverns to growing in popularity where eventually there were huge tournaments at the beginning of the 20th century. By the mid-1940’s it was popular enough that celebrities were installing their shuffleboards in their homes to play. There is something special about lining up your shot, seeing your puck soar across the table and then defy physics as it comes to rest just over the lip of the board. Getting a hanger is exciting! Until your opponent tries to knock your puck off with their next shot. Not that I’m bitter or anything.

But something as simple as not caring for your shuffleboard can have a pretty significant effect on your game. Your bucks can lose momentum mid-flight as well as a variety of other issues that keep you from having a handle on where your puck ends up.

We always recommend getting a cover for your shuffleboard which helps to keep dust or other debris off.

You should also pay attention to where your board is located in a room. In general, you don’t want to put your shuffleboard near a window. The changes in temperature, as well as the sun exposure, can dry out the silicone and cause your board to play differently during the day and night.

We also recommend doing regular maintenance on your board.

We sell a maintenance kit that includes a cleaner, polish, glaze and paste. These different products are used to remove dirt and residue, create a smooth finish and keep the board continually ready for the application of wax. If you can do an in-depth cleaning once a month, while also preparing and cleaning up after each game, your table will last for a long time.

Categories
Pool
Treat Yo Self

Treat Yo Self

 
So you’ve done it, you’ve bought yourself a pool table! Good for you! Now that you’ve finally decided to treat yo self; let’s make sure that your table stays in good condition for years to come. Most pool tables are lovely pieces that are meant to last you a long time. However, improper care can result in damage to your table that ultimately damages your game. So here are a few tips on how to properly care for your pool table:

Use a Cover:

This is some of the best preventative care that you can give to your table. A cover does a few key things. It keeps dirt and lint off. Dust can be part of life, but for some people who have pets or just really long hair, a cover can save you. Getting hair off your tabletop can take time, and a buildup of hair is just bad for your game. (Speaking of pets: please make sure Fido knows not to “mark” your table legs. Nothing will destroy that wood faster than urine. Basically, good pool table care = no pets near your table)

Clean up spills, or better yet, don’t have them!

Nothing is better than having a cold one with your buds while playing the best game. And it’s easy to want to set your drink down in between shots on the table. Please don’t. Its one of the easiest ways to ruin the fabric. Instead, we suggest having lots of other places for you and your friends to place their drinks. You can find a great selection here or at our store. But if you do spill, take a cloth and get up as much of the liquid as you can. Don’t rub the fabric, but simply blot it.

Don’t sit on your table:

The rail cushions were not designed to hold weight. By sitting on the table, you are putting pressure on the glue joint which can cause the rails to sink or sad. When your balls hit a sagging rail, they will sail in a completely different direction than what you had intended, totally ruining a good game for some.

We hope that these few tips have helped you. If you have any questions on the proper care, we have experts ready and available to help you with any of your pool table needs.

Categories
Quiz

Quiz: What Kind of Winner Are You?

What kind of winner are you? Take our Quiz to discover the answer.

We are well acquainted with all different types of winners and playing styles. Take our quiz to see if we can guess what kind of winner you are.

Continue reading “Quiz: What Kind of Winner Are You?”
Categories
Music

History of the Jukebox

Jukebox History

The Jukebox harkens back to a time of leather jackets, poodle skirts and the Fonz saying “ehhhhhh”.

 

But where this may have been the heyday season of the jukebox, it is not where it started. The invention of the jukebox began when Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877. But it wouldn’t be for another 29 years before the automation process was added that allowed you to put a coin in and select a song and then another 20 years before an amplifier was added so that you could hear the music throughout a room. The Jukebox was starting to gain some popularity; especially during the prohibition era when these machines made their way into speakeasies and became a staple in bars from that time forward.

 

Like almost everything else in the country, the great depression brought the music industry to a screeching halt.

 

Record sales were down drastically. However, the popularity of jukeboxes helped the industry as businesses continued to invest in records for their jukeboxes and by the end of the great depression, the music industry was gaining momentum again. In the 1940’s, jukeboxes were at the beginning of their golden age. Their original design always looked like a radio, but now companies were creating them with some flair. They seemed to take on the characteristics of vehicles that were being produced at that time. They now had chrome accents and were showing off bold colors.

 

But alas, their golden days were not meant to stay. 😞

 

As the music industry continued to evolve and technology was allowing people to get their music in new and different ways, the jukebox lost its mainstay appeal. Today, most people are getting access to their music through their phones, not at a local malt shop. But that doesn’t mean that these machines are any less important. They were the forerunners of iPods and music on demand apps. They also have enjoyed a resurgence as people sought out nostalgia pieces. If you loved the jukeboxes of old, maybe it’s time to look into getting one for yourself. Games for Fun has many different models available for you.