{Disclosure: The following is a sponsored post in collaboration with The Motherhood & Microsoft Stores. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. No one is the boss of me!}
If you’re a tech-junkie like I am, you have GOT to take a little field trip to one of the 30+ Microsoft retail stores featuring tons of fun gadgets that the whole family will enjoy taking a peek at!
Recently, I visited my local Microsoft store along with three of my little Minecraft-loving boys. Ok, well, I guess you can’t really say the 5 week-old is a Minecraft lover — yet! Although it was my first visit to the store, I have to say that it’s definitely not the first time I’d noticed it. One of the things I love about it is how bright, clean, open, and inviting the store is. It’s a place that always looks like it’s got something fun going on and had I realized it was so family-friendly before, I would have definitely taken the kids sooner.
Of course my 9 year-old easily navigated his way around the Surface tablet in order to find the games.
Before our visit, I had never put my hands on a Surface tablet, but I gotta tell ya, I’d do it again in a heartbeat! They’re sooooo friggin’ cool! And, while talking with one of the friendly Microsoft associates, I learned that right now they are running a graduation discount special — simply present a valid student ID and receive a 10% discount off Surface tablets. How awesome is that? I am telling you, this makes THE perfect gift for the graduate in your life.
Ok, and speaking of Microsoft store associates, I really appreciate the helpful and friendly attitudes that seem to be ingrained in the Microsoft culture.
I could have spent all day there perusing all of the different products in the store. And, being a Sony girl, this little toy definitely caught my eye:
I think someone knows what she already wants for Christmas! It’s the Sony Duo II — offering the power of a Sony Vaio in a HD laptop and tablet all in one. Yes, please!
Hands down, one of the coolest things about the Microsoft stores is actually not a product at all. Did you know that their 35 full-line retail stores feature a semi-private theater / community room in the back of the store in which they host a slew of workshops, classes, parties, and camps? And, all of these events are FREE! Yep, in fact I’ve already registered my kids to attend a week-long summer camp where they’ll learn more about video game design. They are beyond excited about it and have asked me about the camp every. single. day. since I first told them about it. {Oops!}
You can visit your local store for events of all kinds – for kids, for business, for games, and for the community. Microsoft also loves to partner with community organizations to create events customized to fit your needs.
Here’s a sneak peek of some of the kinds of events you’ll find at your local Microsoft full-line retail store:
• Youth Spark Summer Camps
o Begin June 3
o For kids ages 8-13
o Monday-Friday, 2 hours a day
o Different topics every day: Digital Movie Madness, Digital Art Smart,
Gamemasters, Storyteller Studio and more!
o Some stores may offer a camp for kids ages 15-18: App Builder Class
• Tech Tots Camp
o Extremely interactive experience for kids ages 2-5
o Parent stays while the child learns things like keyboard skills, using Kinect
and embracing technology in other ways
• Gaming Events
o As the creators of Xbox 360 + Kinect, we host some pretty awesome
gaming events
o Launch parties for some of the year’s biggest releases or
our ongoing Gamer Leagues
AAAAND, if that’s not enough, your kiddo can even host their very own birthday party at the Microsoft Store — all FREE!
You can learn about all of the current camp offerings and find out more about hosting events and birthday parites at your local Microsoft Store by visiting their store locator page.
I asked my two oldest boys about having a Microsoft store party and they were very intrigued. And, it’s a no-brainer that my kids absolutely had the best time hanging there on the day we visited.
Someone, in fact, wishes they could “play all day”:
Join Me for a #GoMicrosoft Twitter Party
And now for some fun! I’m excited to be co-hosting a #GoMicrosoft Twitter party on May 14, 2013 at 12 p.m. Central time. We’ll be talking about the latest tech products and exciting kids events at the Microsoft store! We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #GoMicrosoft hashtag to track the conversation. You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite: http://twtvite.com/GoMicrosoft
Win a $100 Microsoft Store Gift Card
I just loved what I experienced at the Microsoft Store, and I’m thrilled to give one of you the opportunity to do the same! One lucky Mommypalooza reader will win (1) $100 Microsoft Store Gift Card.
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