Gen Con with kids is one of my favorite activities to date. With everything that is going on around our world, it is so special to show our kids a place where everyone is accepted. Gen Con is accepting of all people which makes it a super fun place to meet friends and also play a few games. Gen Con is the largest tabletop-game convention in North America by both attendance and number of events. This year’s 50th year was the biggest yet with sold out badges and not a hotel room available for miles because of the 30,000+ attendees.
I was able to bring Sophia for a small taste of Gen Con on Thursday when I went to pick up my press pass. We thought we could pop in and out before heading out to the State Fair for the evening. I was pleasantly surprised by her awe and amazement at every cosplayer and event that was going on. There is a lot to do for kids throughout the week but Sunday is always Family Day. Many games and events are geared towards children and families.
Gen Con with Kids
The Pros of Gen Con for Kids
Gen Con is a place kids are able to freely converse with adults who will give them their full attention. Every single person our daughter spoke to had a genuine conversation with her which helps her be more confident in speaking to all ages, races and sexes. We also practiced using a map to plan what events to do and figure out where to go. Another great teaching moment revolved around money and saving. We had her bring some of her quarters that she could use to spend at the event. On the first day she really wanted to play the arcade games but ultimately spent her money on dice and gumballs. This lesson is two fold: learning about earning/saving money and helps alleviate the dreaded ‘can I have that?!’ problem when we go places. Not to say we never buy her goodies when we go out but there are certain places we’ll tell her to bring her own coins if she wants to buy something.
Speaking of money, your family can experience a day at Gen Con free if you do not want to participate in any tabletop games. You will have to pay for parking (cheapest at Circle Center or $20 at Lucas Oil) but if you bring your lunch you can have a day worth of entertainment in the corridors of the Convention Center. You could also bring some cash and experience the food trucks out on Georgia Street and Capitol Avenue.
I’m so happy that Gen Con is contracted to be at Indianapolis through 2021 so we’ll have many years of cosplay and game play at this awesome event. The 2018 Gen Con will be held August 2 – 5, 2018 so start planning your costumes now! Pre-registration started late January this year so put it in the calendar to start checking in December. Let me know what questions you might have about taking your family to Gen Con or what you did while you were there!
Everybody’s Accepted at Gen Con
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