1. Become a Crossword Connoisseur

Right, grab that newspaper (yes, they still exist) and flip to the crossword section. Not only will tackling the daily crossword make you feel like a detective cracking a code (there’s always the cheeky word unscrambler if you get really stuck), but it’s also a stellar workout for your word-finding and problem-solving skills. Plus, there’s nothing like the smug satisfaction of filling in that final square with the correct answer. Take that, 14-across!

2. Hit the Dance Floor

Who knew that busting a move could also bust brain fog? Crank up your favorite tunes and dance like nobody’s watching (because hopefully, they aren’t). Dancing isn’t just great for your physical health; it’s a full-on cerebral challenge, improving your brain’s processing speed and memory. Plus, it’s your chance to finally nail the moonwalk.

3. Learn a New Language

Ever wanted to talk like the locals during your exotic vacations, or maybe just impress at international-themed dinner parties? Learning a new language is not only a fabulous party trick but also a top-tier brain booster. It enhances cognitive function, improves memory, and even makes your brain bigger—literally. Apps like Duolingo or Rosetta Stone can turn you into a polyglot from the comfort of your couch.

4. Explore the World of Video Games

Yes, your gaming obsession can actually be good for you (take that, Mom!). Video games—especially puzzles and strategy games—stimulate your brain and improve everything from spatial navigation to decision-making speed. Plus, they’re a blast to play. Whether you’re saving princesses or building empires, your brain is getting a first-class ticket to Gain City.

5. Cook Up Some Fun

Unleash your inner Gordon Ramsay and get cooking. Following new recipes involves lots of mental planning and problem solving, not to mention the sensory delight of tasting your creations. Cooking is a multitasking activity, which means your brain has to coordinate between different tasks and sensory inputs. It’s like a circuit workout for your neurons!

6. Get Crafty

Whether it’s knitting, painting, or DIY home decor, getting crafty is a fantastic way to enhance fine motor skills and neuroplasticity. Each new project is a puzzle your brain loves to solve. Plus, you end up with homemade goodies that are Instagram-worthy (or at least good for a laugh).

7. Join a Book Club

Reading is good for the brain all on its own, but you know what’s even better? Reading as part of a club. Why? Because you can have stimulating conversations with like-minded people which will give the old cogs a workout, of course, but also because being in good company is good for your mood too!

Give your brain some love and have fun in the process, what could be better?

The post Boost Your Brain Health While Having a Blast appeared first on InstantELLA.

The teen years can be a challenge, from the physical & personality changes, to the onset of the know-it-all attitude, to the outright age of rebellion. I can’t say I’m prepared for it all or if my teen’s going to go through it all. What I am prepared for is celebrating these years & what better way to start than a few fun Birthday Celebration ideas to ring in the Teenage years!

Video-Game Party or Arcade night

5 Reasons Why Parents Should Share Their Gaming Passion With Their Kids

Like it or not, exposure to the advances in technology & the competitiveness of gaming industry, has somewhat ensured that by age 13, most kids these days are into gaming. While I myself am not particularly comfortable with the idea of encouraging videogaming among teens, I can let down my guard for a day if it means contributing to a memorable birthday experience for my child. The best part is that you can’t really go wrong with this idea because most kids will welcome it.

My husband is a web developer, designer & gamer. My kids, have obviously taken after if with their gaming addiction. He owns most gaming systems from the traditional Atari & NES to the Dreamcast & N64 to the most recent  X-box & PlayStation and we have them at home with all the hook ups, controls & a library of physical and digital games – the perfect set up to have a Video-Game Party right at home. But if you can’t host your own party at home, an outdoor Gaming Arcade or Gaming Museum could be an alternative, albeit more costly.

Going to a Sports Event

Top Summer Activities for All The Family

My boys play soccer and last year, they participated in an all-day Futsal tournament hosted locally by the YMCA in our town. That happened to be on the day of my son’s birthday. We made it up to him later by celebrating in the week, but he surprised us by saying he didn’t feel like he missed out on his birthday because he had so much fun, with his team & friends at the tournament.

Family sports entertainment is trending these days. So, if you’re running out of traditional party ideas, maybe try this one. Buy tickets and plan your party at a sports event – a basketball, volleyball or football game – locally or out of town. The possibilities are endless. If you go with the out of town idea, you get to enjoy a road trip too. Plus think of all the down time you get having to do nothing at the game except cheer on your kid and his favorite team at the game

A day at the Spa

This would be a good mother-daughter activity to ring in her 13^th Birthday. Invite her girlfriends & cousins over & make it a day of pampering & relaxation. Include Nail painting, face scrubs & relaxing baths for starters and then let you imagination & creativity run wild. If you’re the DIY kind & would like to host this at home, the advantage is you’ll have more flexibility & privacy. But if you’re feeling generous or want to take it up a notch, book a Weekend Getaway Spa experience instead. The upside is you won’t have to lift a finger and it’ll be a stress-free experience. Whatever you decide though, your 13-year-old will appreciate you for it and it may end up being the beginning of several mother – daughter mani-pedi dates

Craft Party Workshop

How To Get Your Crafts To Market

If your child is the creative sort that loves to get their hands dirty, a craft party may be your solution to creating a distinctive and exciting experience for their birthday. You can plan this at home if you have the time & arrange for supplies but there are also professional & dedicated vendor services that offer craft workshops who will take care of the whole shebang for you.  From decorating cupcakes , paper art & fabric fun, this is an opportunity to watch your child get creative. As a child and well into my adult years, I’ve always had fun with art & this would create a cherished memory for your teen too!

Weekend Road-Trip – Camping & Sightseeing Adventure

10 Best Family Friendly Road Trip Routes in the U.S.

Who doesn’t love this one? A road-trip is fun at all ages It’s an excellent opportunity for the whole family to get involved. To avoid disappointment, start panning ahead – take suggestions from all family members, giving extra weightage to the birthday boy or gal’s suggestion.  While the road trip itself will be the main experience, It’s not all about the destination; it’s about the journey. Get creative by including sight visits along the way, stopping by your favorite out of the way restaurant & even including a hike or camping trip. The sky’s the limit, just load you travel gear, pack some snacks, hop in the car, prepare a great playlist, and hit the open road.

Celebrate at a Theme Restaurant

Geek Restaurants: Go Forth And Prosper

Dinner out with kids can be a nightmare – they can never get their orders straight, neither can they sit still, asking to be excused to use the restrooms just as dinner’s being served, there’s always a problem with the meal, someone throw’s a fit even at the mention of ‘veggies’ and before you know it you’re asking for the check and haven’t even got through your meal.

Themed Restaurants and Family-Friendly Interactive Dining will assuredly solve most of these problems, by keeping the kids entertained well past dessert and have you feeling like a kid again. While Chuck E. Cheese & Funquest have been traditional options,  there are multiple locations all over the country , especially in New York & Chicago, offering breakfast at an amusement park on a Ferris wheel, miniature golf, watching medieval knights jousting & building your own LEGO figures. The Lemon Tree Kids & Family Restaurant in Los Angeles, CA has mini-train, face painting, and ball pit – he makings of the best party ever!

Every kid should experience this at least once – a birthday celebration is a great opportunity! Such Restaurants have varied themes to choose from- Robots, Medieval Times, Aquariums & jungles, Outer-space & Sci-fi & Old Western Salons & Taverns – but all offering a crazy fun good time while you eat your meal & celebrate your birthday!

Movie Night, Snack Contest & Pajama Party

9 Fun Sleepover Party Food Ideas

I read that aloud to myself & almost want to be a kid again – it sounds like pure fun & literally personifies the phrase ‘going to have fun till the sun goes down’. Lol

My younger son went to his first sleepover at a friend’s recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. They watched movies, ate pizza, played basketball & helped make breakfast the next morning.

Since this a birthday, you can make it exciting by having a movie marathon. Ask the kids in advance if they have any preferences or look up some fun movie ideas for kids yourself. When the kids start getting hungry, introduce a snack contest. Most kids – boys and girls alike – just love getting their hands dirty in the kitchen. The snacks don’t have to be elaborate. There are several fun, easy & healthy snacks that teens can make on their own with minimal supervision.

If the party is going to be indoors, then crafts, board-games, reading time & hide-n-seek are great indoor entertainment options to fill up the evening.  Finally end it all with a pajama party and pancake breakfast the next day!

To sum up….

It should be noted that you may have the best intentions when it comes to celebrating your teen’s birthday but it may be wise to give a thought to the planning process as well. My advice is to brainstorm some of these ideas with friends & certainly run them by your immediate family. Decide if you are going to party at home or elsewhere. Finally, pick a theme or activity, choose a date & make a few calls to check on availability.

If you’re reading this and researching ideas, you’re already doing an awesome job as a parent & on your way to having the best 13th Birthday party ever!

The post 13 going on 30: Fun Birthday Celebration Ideas to Ring in the Teenage Years! appeared first on InstantELLA.

Don’t be overwhelmed just yet. If you play your cards right, summer vacations can be a time of fun, learning and rediscovery of your own youth! Here’s how you do it.

Create a Routine

It does not end with planning a drive down to the beach or renting the perfect beach-house getaway. I’d recommend chalking out a schedule, planner or routine of activities even before summer starts. That way you will not only be prepared on day #1 but you would have been able to pre-register and save a spot for all those outdoor summer activities as well, you know what they say about the early bird. Obviously, having a plan would also ensure you’re making the best use of time and opportunities during this vacation.

A quick tip on planning the summer for your kids – include a mix of activities because children get bored easy and love variety. While a large part of summer is about the kids, it’s not all about them. Remember that you need to be relaxed and having fun too. Don’t cram your calendar with activities 24/7. Not only will that burn you out (and may burn out the kids too) but it leaves no room for re-adjustment or tweaking, and that’s no fun! Lol. Take on only as much as you’ll logically be able to handle and save room for downtime.

Having said that here are a couple of activities you and your kids can include in your summer routine.

Interactive Learning

Summer is all about Fun and so is Interactive Learning.  It involves a PC, tablet or other devices, interactive software, immediate answers to queries, virtual rewards and badges/ titles for performance and even online competitions. Sound like a video-game? Yes, because it pretty much is and that is exactly why kids find it so much fun. Except they’re learning along the way too.

American educational technology companies like IXL, through their online tools and website, offer students a chance to practice educational material. Often affiliated and recommended by the Public-School System, they provide students an engaging yet focused environment in which to excel. Sign-ups are free, through the affiliated school and students like my kids can use them throughout the year. Hint: even during summer

Registering your kid(s) at the Local Library’s online Summer Reading Programme is another great example of interactive learning. These programmes include several other exciting activities that go along with reading. My kids, for example read “The giving Tree” and then completed the lesson by planting a sapling in our backyard. They also enjoyed building their original Legos after reading a book on Lego design; and made their own tin can- robots after attending a book reading at the library which focused on robots and machines. Find IT Virginia and similar free online resources provide opportunities for e-reading and learning.

The possibilities are truly endless and I would have killed to have these opportunities growing up, but am happy my kids have them now. Better late than never.

The great outdoors

Physical activity is as important as mental health. My husband and I start our day with a jog around the neighborhood, while the kids do 2 laps each on their bicycles. It doesn’t matter who beats who to the house first, but we all return awake, alive and hungry. Whoever gets home first kills time playing some good old-fashioned basketball outside.

We take it easier on the weekends and substitute the jogs and bike rides for a day of mini-golf, bowling or the park.

And while a trip to the beach is a must, if you’re looking for local activities, Facebook Events  and Groupon Coupons could be a good place to start. Explore local events and workshops , take the kids to the amusement and water parks or the local fare, state-parks and museums, buy putt-putt, laser-tag, roller-skating and arcade game coupons for the family on Groupon at a discounted rate. Save some money, Explore, and thou shall find!

And don’t forget, your own backyard can be an ideal place to spend some time – if you’ve got a pool, make sure you search for a pool service near me to keep it clean and hygienic, but even without a pool, your own outdoor space can be a fantastic place for some truly wonderful adventures. 

Help Around the House

With great fun comes serious responsibility. If you haven’t already, take this time to teach the kids the nuances of laundry, doing the dishes, helping fix a meal and generally cleaning up after themselves.  It will go a long way in teaching them responsibility and preparing them for success as adults. Initially, I used to get a lot of pushback from my kids. It started with the “do we have to?”  but after gentle persuasion it’s slowly shifting to “can I help?”. Why surely, you can!!

Get a Pet

Now’s as good a time as any to get a pet for your kids to play with. My kids brought home 2 hermit crabs – Hermie and Sebastian – from the beach this summer. They had been after us for a while to get them a dog or cat. Since these cute little crabs are low maintenance, we figured it would be a good compromise. The bonus is the kids learn a little responsibility. They have researched how to take care of the hermit crabs and decorated the crab tank on their own with minimum supervision from us adults. Who knows, if the crabs survive a couple years, they might earn their puppy or kitten one day.

Indoor Fun

Ever heard the phrases “What do I do now?” or “I’m bored” from your kid(s), implying that you as the adult, are automatically supposed to come up with a solution to fix the ‘boredom’? Not anymore. This year I invested in arts & crafts, board-games, books, Legos and DIY projects to keep the kids engaged and entertained all summer long.

Some of the more interesting games that both kids and adults can play include, Connect Four, Jenga, UNO, Scrabble, and Monopoly. These never get old. Lego building is another activity that the boys and my husband enjoy and have organized several competitions around them.

We have family game nights where in addition to playing board games we all descend into the basement for a game of Pool or tag team Video Gaming. Other nights we chill over Netflix. Choosing Trilogies and other movie series like Aliens, The Godfather or Star Wars may work well during the summers when you can watch the series back to back and the kids don’t have school the next day.

Execute the Routine

Having created a schedule, it’s important to execute. The easiest way to do this is working as a team. After drafting the schedule, my husband and I discussed it with the kids to get their feedback and buy-in. Once everyone agreed, I had the kids replicate the schedule on a calendar in their room. Now they too share responsibility in keeping track of daily and weekly activities.

While some kids can be stubborn or rebellious, I honestly believe that all kids want structure and do well when given clear directions. Creating and executing a daily routine during the summers help build structure and discipline into the day. The kids have fun, parents can manage their time better and it’s a win-win all around. You know you’ve hit the nail on the mark when reminders and instructions become fewer and smiles and laughter greater!

Remember to have Fun!!

Summer comes along once a year and so it’s important to remember to have fun, irrespective of the activity on the routine. The routine is just a guideline meant to organize the day, not to limit fun. The routine should be flexible. If at some point activities need to be rescheduled, removed or added to the plan, go ahead and make alterations to the routine. As long as everyone is on-board and having fun, you’ll be fine.

It’s been just a few weeks of summer for my kids. Not only have I survived, but I must admit I’m actually looking forward to the weeks ahead. My secret lies in creating a balanced routine that includes having all out fun while learning, growing, being creative and unlocking hidden talents together!

The post Beach More, Worry Less : Smart Tips & Activities To Keep Kids Engaged This Summer appeared first on InstantELLA.

Witches in Britches – Melbourne, Australia

If walking through a tunnel of terror, while chowing down your 3-course dinner to the cackling of a 2 hour live stage musical comedy show & dance in a cage of death till the wee hours of the morning is your idea of fun, then the 40-year old  Witches in Britches theater restaurant might just be the thing for you. Located in the Wicked Castle, this horror themed restaurant – owing its resurgence to the public’s latest obsession with movies and serials like Teen Wolf, Twilight, The Vampire Diaries and vampires, witches, werewolves and the supernatural in general –  offers a kitschy interactive show rooted in contemporary pop culture.

The Ninja Restaurant – Manhattan New York

Welcome to Feudal Japan where traditional Japanese food, sushi or steak teriyaki is served by waiters in Ninja Garb. If you are not a fan of surprises and sneak attacks, beware because anything can happen in this warrior-themed restaurant with its dark alley ways and maze of passages lit by lanterns. Friendly Ninja magicians may approach your dinner party with a few tricks, but if you aren’t so lucky the dangerous ones may creep up on you or pop up out of nowhere to catch you unawares. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

The Black Pearl – Bangalore India

If you are fascinated by the lifestyle of Pirates and Captain Jack Sparrow from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ don’t be surprised if the next word out of your mouth is “Arrr…!!!” India’s largest Pirate and best themed restaurant- The Black Pearl – is here! Diners be prepared to board a pirate ship and enter a world of fantasy. The restaurant’s wooden floors resemble the deck of a ship, the chairs draped with ropes, the sight of skulls and mannequins of pirates with eye patches, is designed to make you believe you are on a pirate ship and for a minute possibly even being held captive in one. But the Barbecue on the table and the live Pirate Grill will keep you ever nourished! Diners get to Sing along with a live band, make merry, eat, drink and have a jolly good “Shiver me timbers” time!

The Museum H. R. Giger Bar – Gruyères, Switzerland

Space travelers and alien lovers, unite! Finally, we have a space themed restaurant worth mentioning. The Museum H. R. Giger Bar is one of several bars themed and modeled by the Swiss artist H. R. Giger. The interior of the bar – it’s roof, walls, fittings and chairs – is modeled along the lines of H. R. Giger’s biomechanical style as shown in the Alien films. Just the decor alone sells the experience!

Hajime Robot Restaurant – Bangkok, Thailand

This is the first ever Japanese restaurant, where all the serving waiters are ….robots (!!!). Diners order their food on a touchscreen display in order to activate the robots. Not only are these fascinating robots programmed to serve up more than 100 dishes and bus tables, they also entertain diners with a dance or two while they work. The owner of the restaurant, Lapassarad Thanaphant, said she spent 30 million baht ($927,600) on the restaurant including the purchase of four robots from Japan. Talk about hi-tech dining!

Drac Restaurant – Castell d’Emporda, Spain

If you are a fan of The Game Of Thrones and all things Dragon, you will love this one. Situated in the Empordà region, halfway between Barcelona and the French border, the Drac Restaurant in the Castell d’Emporda, Spain offers all the allure of a medieval style Game of Thrones restaurant. This medieval stone castle in the countryside is filled with exotic relics from around the globe. This place is so ‘Game of Thrones’ it even has miniature models of the siege of Castell d’Emporda in medieval times! The restaurant received a score 9/10 and is quoted a destination in itself

Mars 2112 – New York, NY

Transport your little ones to the Red Planet at this intergalactic Times Square favorite.  Now defunct, Mars 2112, an elaborate underground theme restaurant, was one of many tourist-targeted restaurants in the Times Square district of New York City. Based on future space travel and spanning 33,000 sq. ft., it was the largest such themed restaurant when it opened in November 1998. In its hay days, patrons were issued passports and escorted by restaurant staff, dressed as Spaceport personnel, to a full-sized flying saucer, where they were subjected to a bumpy 5-minute motion ride through a “Translunar Wormhole”, through a Martian Colony to the star bar and main dining area where giant video screen and smaller TV monitors display 1990s computer landscapes accompanied by robotic, noodling music.  The bar’s “Mars-tinis” and “Cosmos-politans” were some of the best drink specials in Midtown.

Miracle of Science Bar and Grill – Cambridge, Massachusetts

This interesting eatery could not get any geekier after displaying its menu inside a chalkboard periodic table, forcing you to recall a bit of your science classes while deciding your order. It was one of the first restaurants to employ the open floor concept. According to it’s website, this bar & grill is “always packed with artists, musicians, geo physicists and computer gurus who know they don’t have to go anywhere else looking for a good time”. Miracle of Science truly stands out as the leader in geek-chic.

The Hobbit Pub – Southampton, England

Calling all J.R.R. Tolkien fans, we’ve found the one ring to bring you all and in the darkness, bind you and it goes by the name of  The Hobbit Pub. The colorful cocktails and shooters served by the bar are fitting for the dwarves, elves, hobbits, and wizards that lend them their names. Fellowship quests, live music, real ales, hobbit cocktails, massive garden and atmosphere combined with the Middle Earth style in which the menus are presented make this a must-visit spot for geeks. Come see for yourself, you’ll love it!

Insert Coin(s) Barcade – Las Vegas

“It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this” (Legend of Zelda). Video Lounge, Game bar and Las Vegas Night Club rolled into one?! Nothing can get better. Armed with a unique combination of classic cabinet arcade games (like Mario Bros, Tetris, Street Fighter, and Atari Classic Pac Man), modern video-game systems like the Xbox and ps3 playable on high-def screens at the bar or in VIP booths, diverse musical programming and a geek-chic vibe, Insert Coin(s) opened in April 2011 at 512 Fremont Street. The nerdy atmosphere of the bar had a fittingly geeky menu to match, including specialty cocktails inspired by The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Brothers, and more. Insert Coin(s), a mecca for gamers, has closed after a four-year run “due to a rapidly changing DTLV business environment,” according to owner Christopher LaPorte.

Storm Crow Alehouse – Canada

the Storm Crow Alehouse, is best described as a fantasy tavern….  in real life. If you like simple British style food while catching up on geek culture, you’ll love this. You can roll a burger there just like a character, play board games all day, even join in a game with strangers. Roll the dice game for shots is the best part when the Alehouse’s craft beer draught list features 20 taps of BC microbrews, a host of amazingly geeky cocktails, and great pub food… including the exclusive “Dungeon Burger.”

World of Warcraft themed restaurant – Beijing, China

“Let’s get Ooking party started!” World of Warcraft (WoW) has finally made its way from virtual to real world, with the opening of a Beijing restaurant named and themed after the famous video game. The entrance of this WoW inspired restaurant is designed to look like the Dark Portal (The Burning Crusade‘s intro screen) .The interior walls are lined with artwork and murals from the game and shots of characters in epic gear. TV screens throughout the restaurant play footage of the game, and the menu is crafted on the latter as well.

Brick Burger Restaurant – Philippines

Owner, Jergs Correa’s love of all things LEGO inspired the menu and décor of the Brick Burger Restaurant in Pasig City, Philippines. The restaurant is Lego-inspired in every way. Here, burger-buns are shaped like toy Lego blocks in three primary colors: red, yellow, and black. Giant LEGO bricks double as ceiling lights. Diners can play with Lego sets while they wait for their order and free sets are given out to those who can finish their super-sized meal in record time. Even the bill tray will be made from LEGO bricks.

EXP Restaurant + Bar – Vancouver, Canada

You would probably have to be a gamer or at least have an interest in video games to really enjoy and understand this bar. This video game-themed restaurant allows you to watch gameplay on giant screens, there are live twitch streams, arcade machines, game decor and references are all over this restaurant and bar. The food menu is game-worthy as well. Visitors can order a Master Chief Burger with some Super Smash Nachos and wash it all down with a Red Dead Lemonade. If you thought you’d “shoot my way out, mix things up a little” the EXP restaurant and bar has a full list of mixed drinks for you. From 1-UP shooters to Hadouken martinis, EXP has no shortage of interesting drinks to choose from.

The post 13 Geeky Restaurants From Around The Globe You Should Visit appeared first on InstantELLA.