It seems as if Hurricane Irene is coming closer and that means there is a high chance of the power being out (and possibly for an extended period of time) Here is a list of things to have on hand to occupy your children and a list of frugal fun activities to do while the power is out.
Things to have on hand to entertain the kids:
- Books- If you do not have a collection at home head to the library and get some new ones to read to your kids or have them read
- Coloring books
- Crayons/markers/colored pencils- all of these are dirt cheap right now with back to school. Make sure you also have a non electric pencil sharpener to sharpen your colored pencils
- copy paper- my kids love this stuff! They can draw what ever they want to
- Playdough- and you can get creative and let them use your cookie cutters to cut out shapes!
- Electronics like Battery powered Portable DVD players and Handheld game systems
- Batteries
- Board Games-make sure to pull them all out
- Toys that were put away for Christmas(if after too long just head in to your toy stash and pull out a few new toys)
Frugal Fun Activities that you can do when you have no power( make sure you have extra batteries to keep flash lights on so you can see to do them)
- Make sock puppets- you can get things like eyes and fluffy puff balls and let kids decorate the socks and do a puppet show
- Build tents and have a “camp out” -taking the dining room table chairs and using blankets to make a tent and then read stories in the tent
- Use the white copy paper and art supplies to make a book about your adventure, Have your child draw the pictures and you write the words.
- Play Hide and Seek
- Find plain colored shirts and use markers to decorate them
- Make paper dolls- Draw dolls on the copy paper and have the kids cut them out, you can also draw outfits and let the kids design the dolls outfits
- Have a treasure hunt, hide small things like candy and then everyone go on a hunt through the house looking for the treasure
- cuddle up and have story time
Do you have any ideas to share about keeping kids entertained when there is no power?
Anjie says
Awesome tips! Thanks for sharing!