Graphic by Mikey Gonzales

While TwitchCon conjured images of gaming and streaming in many readers’ heads, the event provided plenty for attendees who don’t resonate with those activities.

Interactive events were spread throughout the San Diego Convention Center for people to try out and have fun.

One such activity was painting a mini-figure you could take home, located next to the tabletop section on the expo floor. 

Trista Alexander, 31, attended TwitchCon for the first time with her husband, who streams, and sais she personally picked out this activity.

Story continues below advertisement

Trista Alexander paints her action figure methodically at the San Diego Convention Center, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Photo by Tresean Osgood/City Times Media

“I’ve never actually seen this type of activity at any sort of con, because I’ve gone to different ones,” Alexander said. “This was actually something I looked up on the schedule to come and do specifically while we were here.”

For the attendees who like a little more movement, Twitch had pickleball courts for people to learn the game and have fun.

Michael Nelson, 16, who streams in real life (IRL) content, traveled from Seattle to attend his first TwitchCon and enjoyed seeing pickleball at the San Diego event.

“I think it brings a different element,” Nelson said. “You actually enjoy playing other people and kind of learning (how to play).”

Michael Nelson, right, prepares to return a serve from Ethan Welsh, left, at the pickleball courts at the San Diego Convention Center, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Photo by Tresean Osgood/City Times Media

Maggie Zheng, the founder of Court and Crew, echoed the sentiment of being able to provide a fun learning experience to newcomers.

“I think TwitchCon is an amazing opportunity for pickleball as well, because a lot of people make a lot of content at home, they might not get as many opportunities to go outside and play a sport,” Zheng said. “It’s been incredible seeing so many people either play it for the first time or introduce their friends to it.”

Maggie Zheng, right, and Katherine Wong, left, laugh while Jessica Truong, middle, hands over a paddle at the San Diego Convention Center, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Photo by Tresean Osgood/City Times Media

Another physical activity located on the third floor of the convention center was a unique spin on traditional dodgeball.

Cool Dad’s Quest, the name of the booth, had attendees get immersed in the fun. 

Contestants scramble to grab a dodgeball as the round starts on the balcony of the San Diego Convention Center, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Photo by Tresean Osgood/ City Times Media

After signing an electronic waiver to play, you are welcomed into the outdoor section called “the oasis” by Yasmine Hunter, who was a part of the Cool Dad’s Quest team, who went by the stage name Lilypad. Then, you are sent to “the forge”, an arts and crafts tent, to create a personal shield for combat. 

Hunter explained the motivation behind hosting a magical dodgeball competition for attendees.

“It’s about going through the process of building a team, meeting new people, who maybe you did not come with,” Hunter said. “Getting to be interactive, being playful, especially in a setting like TwitchCon, where it can be very, you know, kind of sterile.”

Yasmine Hunter, left, holds up two cards for Alex Hall, middle, and Jerry Almonte, right, to pick from at the San Diego Convention Center, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Photo by Tresean Osgood/City Times Media

Even parents who came with their toddlers had something to enjoy at TwitchCon.

Brooke Herring and Lea Ragland took their children to the con. Herring shared her experience of having little ones and keeping them entertained.

“It’s crazy, but it’s fun. There’s always something to do,” Herring said. “There’s so many little side rooms and little things going on, I think it’s every hour, so it’s pretty cool.”

Lea Ragland, left, and Brooke Herring, middle left, supervise 7-year-old Luke, middle right, and 1-year-old Landon, right, as they play in front of an AI filter mirror, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Photo by Tresean Osgood/City Times Media

This story was edited by Nadia Lavin and Briana Bush.