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How to Create Family Fun Using Technology
Special to The Truth
From long weekends to
birthdays to rainy days in the house, family time together
is what you make of it. Now more than ever, technology can
help us get creative with how to make time with family more
meaningful, and then help us capture all the fun so the
memories last far longer than just a moment.
Here are a few ways to use
technology to power some family fun with your loved ones.
Make Things to Share
Interactive computers such
as Sprout by HP are recreating what it means to make things
by merging the physical and digital worlds. Sprout is what
HP calls an Immersive Computer; it comes with a touch
screen, touch mat, overhead projector, HD camera and 3D
scanner.
With Sprout, you can grab
items from the real world -- like your child’s birthday cake
or lunchbox -- and easily scan them into the device. There
are several different free apps available that can help you
create, learn, interact and share.
Do-It-Yourself Decorating
If you’re in the mood to
get crafty with the family, you can make non-traditional
items such as party favors out of leftover sprinkles from
birthday cakes you bake for loved ones. JoJotastic.com
blogger, Joanna Hawley, doesn’t throw away leftover
ingredients; instead she recycles them for a decorating
project. Take her lead by throwing some sprinkles on the
touch mat to scan, print and cut the images into your
favorite shape. Then, tie each piece to ribbon and voila,
festive party favors to hang on the wall for any birthday
party!
Beat Rainy Day Boredom
Spending time at home can
be a nostalgic, cheerful experience. But between baking
cookies together and watching movies, there are bound to be
stretches of free time -- especially for the kids. Borrow a
few tips from LunchboxDad.com blogger, Beau Coffron, who
uses creative boredom busters to keep the kids busy! Like
Beau and his family, you can explore apps like Crayola DJ to
brighten up a rainy day. The kids will love interacting with
the projected turnstiles on the touch mat to show off their
musical skills.
Direct a Family Video
Give the traditional
family video a new twist by recording quirky moments and
piecing them together on apps like Video Capture. Lunchbox
Dad likes the eye-catching DreamWorks Story Producer app
that lets you create and direct your own How to Train Your
Dragon animated film. You can even choose the difficulty
level. Try challenging the family to see who can get the
fastest time!
Don’t Forget To Share
When used imaginatively,
technology can unite the family to inspire new, meaningful
traditions.
Celebrate your creations
on social media by sharing the hashtag #GoMakeThings and see
what others have created with their families!
Courtesy StatePoint
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