Summer: Heaven for most… 

School holidays can be bliss for anyone that has to commute to work. The roads are clear, the weather is nice and you might even be able to enjoy a refreshing lunchtime pint in a conveniently placed beer garden near work.  

However, summer isn’t all fun and games for all…  

The Summer Helliday for parents… 

We must spare a thought for those who get left behind at home. The brave souls that take time off work during the summer to look after the children and teenagers that now need entertaining each day. 

We all know that bored teens can become disengaged, aggressive and destructive. So, if you want to spare your household this carnage this summer, then it will benefit you greatly to have a plan of action so that you can channel your little darlings’ energy into summer activities that are positive, progressive and actually fun for the whole family (including you!). 

The best summer activities for teenagers 

Information is so readily available on the internet, yet a lot of us forget that there is a big wide world of crazy and unusual things to discover that can help us grow as people. Learning through experience is highly beneficial to anyone’s development. In fact, according to a famous experiential learning psychologist called Dr Kolb*: 

“Knowledge results from the combination of grasping experience and transforming it.” 

Experiences are without a doubt one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to bond, learn about something new, stimulate the imagination and create memories that last.  

Even on a limited budget, there are options out there that can help you to use this to your advantage when entertaining your teenagers this summer.  

Top five activities to try with your teenagers this summer  

We’ve created this list of cool, creative and cost-effective activities that you can try with your teenagers during Summer 2019 in the hope that it will inspire you to embrace the summer holiday experience and help you to bond with your teenagers while getting to do some awesome stuff yourself – Let’s begin! 

Geocaching 

Geocaching is the world’s largest treasure hunting game! There are caches hidden in thousands of locations across the world and many Geocachers that enjoy hunting for them. Each cache has a clue and coordinates to its location and often consists of a container or swapbox.  

This is a great activity for getting out of the house and exploring new locations. All that you need to get involved is download the app. You can play for free or pay a small fee to unlock the premium subscription. Try it. 

Historic monuments and museums 

History can be fascinating to young minds and going to museums and seeing objects from the past can be really rewarding. The UK has a deep and rich history that’s reflected in our environment as well as our museums, learning about this can complement your teenagers’ studies as well as help them to better understand how to world has evolved to becoming what it is today.  

There are 2,500 museums in the UK*, all with different exhibitions and activities for you and your family to get involved with. Many historic points of interest are freely accessible to the public or simply require a donation to gain access. Find your nearest museum here. 

Nature parks and walking 

There have been an exponential number of studies that prove nature has a positive effect on the brain. It is a natural antidepressant, mood booster and can benefit all round wellness*.  

Finding a good nature park or walk isn’t difficult either. The National Trust have over 500 heritage sites throughout the UK that have grounds, nature and trails for the whole family to enjoy. Alternatively, you can do it the old school way and get a map out to plot your own walking route across the three peaks or other areas of natural beauty. 

Your options with this activity really are limitless, so do some research and challenge yourselves! 

Activity and sports clubs 

Activity based summer clubs are always an awesome way to keep your teenagers occupied and enhancing their skills in some way. It will encourage them to follow a passion, develop a talent or learn something new before they go back to school in September.  

It’s always good for young people to have objectives to aim for. Boredom can be destructive, so show them how to use their time wisely by finding out which activity options are in your local area.   

Gamification challenges 

With the rising popularity of video games and gaming addiction, a lot of organisations are having to think outside of the box to identify ways to engage and entertain the next generation.  

This has led to the invention of a range of fun and entertaining activities that challenge participants to puzzles and problem-solving in a real-life game environment.  

Escape rooms are a brilliant example of this type of activity as they often involve both physical and mental challenges in a range of thrilling scenarios.  

Time Race is one of the businesses that recognises the need for this style of entertainment, so whether your teenager is interested in if they’d survive the apocalyptic wasteland or wants to solve the mystery left behind by the obscure and slightly mad Professor Curtis Lockwood, you’re bound to find an escape room activity at Time Race that can entertain the whole family.  

GIVE IT A TRY AND USE DISCOUNT CODE “SUMMER30” TO GET 30% OFF YOUR BOOKING! 

Learn more about our escape room games here. 

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In an apocalyptic disaster like Chernobyl*, where humanity has crumbled to become nothing more than a relic of times that once were, would you have what it takes to conquer the wasteland?  

Many have managed to overcome games with an apocalyptic theme. However, this does leave the more adventurous of us wondering if we would survive if the apocalypse actually became a reality? 

Without the world ending in real life, we may never know! However, there are a few ways in which you can weigh up your squads’ chances of survival… you know… just in case such events do occur… 

To help you to figure it out, below is our list of the necessary skills that you need to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Have a read and discover if you have what it takes! 

If you do find that your team is worthy of survival, then maybe it’s time to take a step away from the games console and put your skills to the test! Find out how here>> USE CODE “IMASURVIVOR TO GET 30% OFF!

Do you and your friends have the skills that are needed to survive an apocalypse? 

If you think about any decent post-apocalyptic movie, there is always a team of people with a range of different attributes that come into good use throughout the feature.  

So, you need to think about the skills of yourself, your family and friends if you’re going to survive the wasteland.  

Choosing your post-apocalyptic team  

Are you an intellectual? Are you strong? Do you have good technical skills? Or are you a survival enthusiast?  

All of the above and more are elements that are needed in a post-apocalyptic survival team if you are to stand a chance at becoming a founder of the new world.  

In apocalypse films, we usually see these elements split into a number of roles. The only question is, which role are you? And do you have people that you can count on who can fill any skills that you’re lacking? 

The Leader 

The leader of your post-apocalyptic survival team needs to be someone who has an understanding of the entire group and can bring out the best in everyone so that you can work together effectively and make decisions.  

Leaders are usually a bit of an all-rounder with their survival skills and need to be brave or conclusive enough to think of and voice a good strategy that considers all options and everyone is happy to follow.  The Heavy 

Every team needs a strong man or woman to do the heavy lifting. The apocalypse brings with it many hazards and adversities that require nothing but pure brute force to overcome.  

These members of the group are usually tall and sturdily built with a natural strength of both body and mind. 

The Brainiac

Being able to work out the best way around a problem or technical difficulty is where the more intellectual members of the group come into their prime. They observe, calculate and conquer using their minds, experience and extensive knowledge of their field. 

These people usually take the form of a scientist, engineer, IT technician or doctor in the films and are normally an instrumental part of what helps the group to conquest challenges. The Survivor 

In an apocalyptic wasteland, times can get hard and tempers can get short. The survivor is the member of your group that refuses to give up or succumb to negativity. This positivity is what drives the group forward when it seems like everyone is doomed! 

This team member is an opportunist and skilled with equipment, which also makes them fantastic at spotting opportunities or having those hallelujah moments that save the day. 

The Sacrifice 

Perhaps the most essential cog in this well-oiled machine, the sacrifice is your Hodor. This brave person is much like the survivor until they don’t…  

This is a loved and usually hilarious member of the team, but it’s that level of purity that makes them the sacrifice in the first place. Bold and hopeful, they plunge into certain doom in order to save their friends or family – usually to an unspeakable end.  

Would your squad survive the apocalypse? 

If the above sounds like a fitting match to your squad, then you may stand a chance at surviving the apocalypse yet – no matter what form it takes! 

If you’re itching to take it a step further, you don’t have to create a genetic monster or zombie creating disease, you can now take on the challenge in an immersive apocalypse experience. 

There are so many different apocalypse-themed challenges out there where you can have a taste of what it would be like if you were actually faced with the end of the world, it’s hard to choose where to start!  

Nuclear apocalypse theme game: Vault17 

Time Race houses a unique challenge based on an apocalyptic nuclear winter where you are a survivor…  

It was 30 years ago that the first bomb dropped. The war lasted just 18 days.  

You were lucky…you made it to Vault 17. In the Vault, generations have been born and raised in the dark. Vault 17 has become your home.  

That was at least until today. The Vault’s final power core has decayed so far that the Vault scientists believe that there’s only 60 minutes of power left. If you and your team don’t take the risk and make it to the wasteland, the Vault will become your tomb, as the Vault door is too heavy to manually operate.  

SURVIVAL RATE 30% 

If you think that you’ve got what it takes to take on the challenge, you can get involved here. 

If you don’t try, then you may NEVER know if you’d REALLY survive the apocalypse or not.  

The choice is yours: 

I accept the challenge. 

See you at the apocalypse… 

Alternatively, if your team would like to take on a different themed challenge, you could try our 40% SURVIVAL RATE escape room where you accept an invitation to the house of a madman and discover what secrets he keeps!  

Visit Time Race for more details! 

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The fun factor

Many people go on dates because they want to have a bit of fun and escape rooms practically epitomise organised fun for a generation that enjoy things fast and full-on. It’s 60 minutes where you’re encouraged to play out your childhood fantasies of becoming a wizard/apocalypse survivor/hero/jedi, and make as much mess as you like without having to worry about cleaning it up. For the competitive types, it gets those endorphins firing and gives you the satisfaction of having accomplished something, even if you don’t quite manage to break out – just ask anyone else that’s done it. Even if you don’t naturally “click” with a partner, you’ve still had an incredibly exhilarating time.

The truth factor

What do the staff here at Time Race love most the job? It is of course the diverse range of groups we have coming through our doors: their different personalities, dynamics and methods of completing each puzzle. You get a personal insight into how competitive someone is, how they handle pressure, how their mind works, how patient they are, how well they communicate with others, and a whole lot more. Those looking to suss out their date’s personality on this kind of level can do so much more easily in this situation compared to what might be revealed during a conversation in a bar.

The equality factor

What’s especially wonderful about escape room experiences is that stereotypical norms and roles are completely cast aside as soon as you enter the door. Everyone should be able to do everything, and teams succeed on merit alone. In an escape room you can be just two (or more) people on an even playing field facing the same puzzles. Letting one person take charge of all decisions will not help you. Arguing over what to do next won’t help you either. But knowing your individual strengths, working together as a unit, and effective communication will, so if you’re looking for a partner that believes in equality, fairness and working together as a base for a healthy relationship, taking part in an escape room challenge together can be a great indicator as to your compatibility as equals.

Just Phone 0161 731 1060 or visit https://timerace.co.uk/book-now/

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Time Race was conceived by Jason Walshaw and Daniel Mahoney after having previous experience in the Escape Room industry. Following a trip around the UK playing different escape games, both Time Race Co-Founders came to the same conclusion – to succeed in this industry you need to be different! Around the UK there are some phenomenal escape room operators that really stand out. But unfortunately, others seem to pale to insignificance due to repetetive game themes, simple puzzles and a heavy reliance on faulty technology.

After returning to Manchester, Jason and Daniel had a number of strategy meetings to find a real gap in the market. They quickly decided that the way forward was to take a step backwards. That’s why at Time Race our games don’t rely heavily on technology. Instead we’ve made it all about our exceptionally skilled Game Masters, who will take the lead and ensure that every player gets a unique and truly immersive escape experience.

Behind The Scenes on Our New Escape Room in Bury, Manchester

Today, we’re giving a sneaky bit of insider info behind the scenes for our first escape room in Manchester – Vault 17. This post-apocalyptic nuclear bunker is one of the UK’s most unique escape games, just in its theming alone, but that’s not all!

In the Vault players will get to interact with real props and tools, rather than the classic foam or plastic replicas. Some of our most impressive and unique pieces include a vintage radio cassette player with a built in TV screen (even the museum repair shop who fixed it up had never had their hands on one before), a truly unique vending machine and doors that you’d never see in a typical escape room (we really hate pritned vinyl stickers on doors). The approach to realism at Time Race gives players an experience like no other in the UK and this is just the start! To keep up to date on our latest news, make sure to bookmark our blog and Like Us On Facebook

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We would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the second escape room at our new Greater Manchester location – The Invitation. This room is a real mystery and we aren’t giving much away…although we’re itching to watch the reaction of our first players with a spectacular reveal of an element never seen before in UK Escape Games!

It’s not just the one element that is so mysterious about The Invitation, even the star of this game story Lord Everest Flitterwood is a mysterious man. The villagers in his home of Chattesbury know very little about the old man, except that he helped to make the village what it was today after winning a Nobel Prize in Physics.

In this game, our players will have the opportunity to accept Lord Flitterwood’s invitation to a feast at Lord Flitterwood’s mansion house atop the hill. The Invitation is a game of wit and intelligence, with only the smartest of players making it out. Will you dare to accept The Invitation and play the most psychologically daunting Escape Room in Manchester?

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Tip #1: Inspiration Is Key

Whilst we do not condone ripping off other games, we have found that taking inspiration from other games, movies and elements of popular culture is a fantastic way to get your story’s skeleton as well as proving a market opportunity for your game. For us, a great example of this is how we took inspiration from a number of post-apocolyptic movies and games, such as Fallout, Mad Max and I Am Legend. By drawing inspiration from these sources, we were able to create an overview of the world within which our first room – Vault 17 is set.

Once you’ve got an idea of your game concept, spend some time watching films and playing games that tie in to your concept. But when you’re watching/playing don’t be zoned out and relaxed. Pay attention to what’s going on and most importantly, take notes!

Tip #2: The Details Matter

Now this one depends upon the complexity of your game, but it is important to remember. Getting the details right in the background isn’t just about giving the right information to your players, it allows you to build a rich story line. So far we’ve written 5 room stories, with 2 already under construction at Time Race. For each of our rooms, we started in the same way, creating a detailed backstory. From the history of the world in which the game is set, to quirky details about individual elements, characters and locations within the game world.

We really believe in delving down into the details as this let us get to know our own world and truly immerse ourselves within it.

Tip #3: Don’t Be Afraid To Have Fun

Players want to play games to enjoy the experience, so there’s no point in being all doom and gloom constantly. Even in our wickedly evil horror room planned for our third escape game in Bury, we’ve got some humorous notes. Laughter and humour doesn’t take away from the story of your game and in fact it adds to it by creating an additional emotion amongst your players. Make them laugh and you’re on to a sure thing!

Tip #4: Don’t Get TOO Clever

We know from experience that sometimes imaginations can run too wild and that can result in alienating your players. It’s often the ideas that seem the most amazing due to their intricacy in your mind. But you have to remember, players need to be able to make sense of your game.

We found discussion not only between your team, but with potential players in your core market is the best way to get a judge of if an idea works. If you can’t explain it in under 60 seconds and have the players understand it, it’s probably not going to work. That’s not to say you have to scrap the idea though. Instead you can simplify it and rework it to continue your concept, whilst ensuring that players will understand and enjoy it at launch!

Tip #5: Easter Eggs Are Great…If Done Right

Every gamer loves a great easter egg. But lets face it, they aren’t all great! When executed right though, easter eggs can become a thing of legend. One game development house who seem to always get it right is Rockstar, with their notorious eggs such as San Andreas’ very own Bigfoot.

Rockstar’s easter eggs work so well because they provide context to popular culture, capitalising on pre-existing awareness without being too brand focussed. We always try to work eggs into our game designs, but we never force them. If it doesn’t work, move on! We won’t give any spoilers away, but if you can find them, there are some great little nuggets of joy in our Vault 17 Escape Room for the avid video gamers amongst you.

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