302: Gaming Gift Ideas that Won’t Break the Bank

Heidi Lathram, is a homeschooler, homesteader, gamer, and educator with over 15 years of teaching experience and she share gaming gift ideas your children will love – and are affordable.

Below are links to various things Heidi mentioned in the podcast – you need to listen to the episode to understand the context and her specific recommendations.

Gaming Hardware Tips

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• Console Options:
  
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  • Nintendo Switch (2017, $300) Switch Lite (2019, $200) Switch OLED (2021, $350)
    
  • Xbox Series X (1TB, $500), (1TB, digital, $450) (2TB, $600); Series S (512G, digital, $300)
    
  • PlayStation 5 Pro (2024, $700) (controller, $200) ($1,000 bundle for all)
    
  
  
  
• Why Choose PC Gaming?
  
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  • More affordable options (starting at $400).
    
  • Free multiplayer access and extensive game selection via platforms like Steam.
    
  • Retro gaming, family accounts, and customizable parental controls available.
    
  • Gaming PC ($400-2,000; newegg.com – look for their “Shell Shocker” deals – and other sites)
    
  
  
  

Game Recommendations

Heidi shares her favorite games, many created by indie developers:

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  Heidi’s favorite (budget) game picks:
  – Stardew Valley ($15)
  – Core Keeper ($15)
  – Palworld ($30)
  – Terraria ($10)
  – Starbound ($15)
  – Portal 1&2 ($15/bundle)
  – Steamworld Dig 1&2 ($26/bundle)
  – Pacman Championship Edition DX+ ($15)
  
  
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  For more information about specific game titles, check out this article: https://www.indyed.com/articles/what-is-your-kid-really-learning-from-video-games
  
  
  

Affordable gamer gifting:
– Nintendo gamers
– Switch accessories
– Switch online membership
– Nintendo store gift card from Walmart
– Roblox
– Robux
– Fortnite
– Vbucks
– PC Gamers
– Steam wishlist game purchases
– isthereanydeal.com (historic and current comparative pricing on most titles)
– Fanatical bundles
– Check Steam sales
– Gamer merch
– Fangamer.com
– teeturtle.com
– Individual game developer websites
– Headphone/mic combo
– New Mouse, Keyboard, or game controller
– Gaming chair
– RGB LED lighting
– Solid State Hard Drives
– 3D printed game-related items

Heidi’s Classes
You can find Heidi’s classes at IndyEd.com here: https://www.indyed.com/secular-curriculum/heidi-lathrem-ma
Or you can check out my farm page (with self-paced and live class links) directly:
https://harvestheritageacademy.podia.com/

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

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