6 Video Games That Girls Enjoy

        Great Video Games For Girls

By Mari Jackson

       Most girls don't enjoy video games like Call Of Duty or Skyrim. Personally, I used to have trouble finding video games that are worth playing. However, I recently found some video games that I found exciting and a fun way to spend my time. You may have heard of some of them before.

Rollercoaster Tycoon 3: A PC Game

     The main idea of this game is creating your own theme park. You can design pools, waterslides, rollercoasters, and more! You can sell souvenirs like hats, toys, inflatables, and stuffed animals. You can also sell foods like hamburgers, chicken, fries, and hot dogs, and drinks like lemonade, root beer, milkshakes, and sodas.

     

There are several different ways to play rollercoaster tycoon, and many different scenarios that come with them. For example, in career mode, you can play using the Gold Rush scenario, which is a park with a western theme.

Nintendogs: A Nintendo DS/3DS Game

       This is a great game to play, especially because of the cute puppies! In this game players walk, train, and take care of their virtual dogs. The dogs can compete in competitions to help players earn money to buy more dogs, dog food, dog hair care products, and more. The players can also set voice commands using the DS/3DS microphone to teach their dog commands. 

Hayday: A Free App

When getting bacon, instead of killing the pig,
you simply squeeze the fat out. It's silly, I know.

Above the top right pig pasture, there's a sugar mill, and to the
left of that, there is a jam making machine.

     The concept of Hayday is running a farm. Players plant/harvest vegetables, wheat, and fruit. They also raise cows, sheep, chickens, and pigs to harvest and sell. Plus, they can trade items with other users to earn more money. They can use items to create new items like cake and bread. This is the type of game that makes you wait for stuff, meaning after planting some sugarcane, you have to wait a little while for it to be ready for harvesting. There is much more to this app and I highly recommend downloading it since it's free and available on all types of phones.

Mariokart: Available On Most Nintendo Devices

         Mariokart is a racing game that includes many fun characters like Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and Daisy. It also includes many different racetracks and racecars. This may not sound like a girly game, so I guess it's more of a game for girls and boys. It's a great game to play with your family. 

Just Dance Series: A Game Available On Most Consoles

    Just Dance is (obviously) a dancing game. It includes many different genres when it comes to music, and even includes lyrics in the corner of the screen for people who like to sing along while they're dancing. 

     Just Dance is a great way to exercise, also. You can play Just Dance for a few minutes instead of going out on a walk and easily get enough exercise for the day. Just Dance will even help you keep track of how much exercise you are doing.

Cooking Mama: Available On Most Nintendo Devices

      Cooking Mama is based on (obviously) cooking. Players choose a food from the recipe book to cook and... cook it. However, they are given a certain amount of time to do it. Plus, one mistake could lead them to terrible food. Will they have what it takes impress the head chef, Cooking Mama, or will their recipe become an epic fail?

      Thanks for reading 6 Video Games That Girls Enjoy, and be sure to follow my blog! Also be sure to read my last two blog posts, A Girl's Guide To Instagram and Cool Creations: Boredom Box.

-Mari Jackson<3

Cool Creations: Boredom Box

      Boredom Box

By Mari Jackson

What is it?

The boredom box is a box that gives you an idea of something to do when you're bored. Whether it's raining outside, you're home alone, or you're just plain bored, the boredom box has you covered.

How does it work?

It's simple! Just close your eyes and pull one of the many pieces of paper inside the box out. The writing on the piece of paper will give you an idea of something to do!

What do you need to make it?

Here are the materials you'll need to make a boredom box:

-A box (Any size or color works; I used one of my mom's stitch fix boxes)

-Markers, colored paper, or anything else you want for decorating your boredom box

-Small pieces of paper

How do you make it?

First, decorate your box however you like. Next, you'll create the pieces of paper with suggestions for what to do on them. First, write the suggestions, then decorate them. I'd suggest making as many as you can. The more, the better. After that, just put them in the box.

What can you include on the suggestion papers?

If you normally have a limited amount of screen time, I'd suggest not including anything on the pieces of paper that includes a screen. Here are some things that I included:

-Create your own holiday.

-Invent something that helps senior citizens.

-Create your own superhero.

-Make wedding plans for your dream wedding.

-Write about what you would do if you became president.

What are some things that you would include in your boredom box? Be sure to comment below. Thanks for reading, and be on the lookout for more blogs by me!

-Mari Jackson <3

A Girl's Guide To Instagram

       A Girl's Guide To Instagram

By Mari Jackson

I'm extremely excited to post this Instagram guide for middle school girls. Hope you find it helpful! It 
includes information about chain mail, what you should and should not post, etc.

Public V.S. Private

    A public account is an Instagram account that is open to anyone who has not been blocked by the account owner. Anyone can follow the account, like pictures on the account, comment on pictures on the account, or simply look at pictures on the account. If the are blocked, they cannot do any of these things. However, the account user is able to unblock them at any time.

       A private Instagram account is the safe way to go. If another user wants to follow the account, he or she may request to follow the account. The account owner has the choice to accept or deny the request. If the request is accepted, the user may view, like, or comment on any photo posted by the account owner. If the request is denied, the user can only view the bio and profile picture linked to the account.

Careful What You Comment!

      Be sure to think first before you send anything to anyone on Instagram. People have ways of seeing things that aren't meant for them to see. For example, if you sent a direct message to Lefonda saying that you had a crush on Billybob, Lefonda could take a screenshot of it and send a picture to anyone. She could also post the screenshot so that all of her followers could see it.

Do's And Don'ts of Posts

Do: Post pictures of you and your friends hanging out.

It's nice to acknowledge that you have a social life sometimes. :)

Don't: Brag or make a big deal about the fact that someone wasn't invited.

Doing this could really hurt someone's feelings, it's called cyber bullying.

Do: Post a few selfies once and a while, maybe including a fun quote as your caption.

People enjoy seeing your face, and if they really like a quote you use as your caption, they may use it themselves!

Don't: Constantly post selfies, and NEVER post blurry or unappealing selfies.

Posting a picture of yourself that is blurry or gross gives off a bad impression. Plus, as I mentioned before, anyone can take a screenshot of your selfie.

Do: Give your friend's accounts shoutouts.

You can do this by taking a screenshot of your friend's page and posting it with a caption that suggests that your friend's page is really cool!

Don't: Post pictures of people saying they are "faithful followers."

A "faithful follower" is someone who likes and comments on almost all of your photos. Calling someone a "faithful follower"  can make you sound desperate for a large number of followers, likes, and comments, which isn't the point of Instagram.

Do: Use one or two hashtags that relate to your picture.

Of course, this is optional.

Don't: Tag your posts with a bunch of hashtags.

There's no point in doing this, it's a waste of time.

Do: Post pictures like this, if you want to.

My favorite is Kevin.

Don't: Post pictures like this.

Like I said before, this kind of thing makes you look desperate for likes, which isn't the point of Instagram. Plus, it's rude, and some people unfollow other people who post this kind of thing.

Profile Bio

Your bio is one of the most important parts of your bio. The purpose of your bio is to tell a little about yourself. Some things you should include in your bio are your favorite hobbies, the first names of your friends, your favorite TV show, etc. You should not include where you live, your last name, or any other personal info. Even if you have a private account, anyone can see your bio, so you have to be careful what you put on it.

Chain mail

There are different types of chain mail. I call the first type "Too Good To Be True." Below and to the left is an example of this type of chain mail.

We all know this isn't real, so don't waste time posting it.The next type of chain mail is what I like to call "Cliffhanger Chain Mail." Below and to the right is an example.

To protect yourself from this type of chain mail, do not click on any link, follow any account, or do anything that it tells you to do to "find out what happens next". If you did do it, you probably wouldn't find the rest of the story. You might get a virus. Viruses are bad for phones, and can lead to someone stealing your personal information. I call this next type of chain mail "Crush Night" chain mail. Below and to the left is an example of what it normally looks like. This kind of chain mail tries to force you to share feelings you may not want to share. Remember, if you don't want to admit something, you don't have to.

Instagram can be tricky sometimes, but as long as you make the right choices, it can be really cool! Anyway, thanks for reading, and be sure to be on the look out for another post-it'll be here soon!

        -Mari Jackson<3