The kids are home, the electricity is out, and they can’t go outside. Now what? Here are some ideas for keeping kids occupied when there is no power. Some are better for specific ages… use your own judgment. Plan ahead for those that require recipes or supplies.
- Sing silly songs
- Have a parade
- Dress up
- Put on a puppet show
- Pull out the coloring books
- Play charades
- Have a picnic in the living room
- Make a blanket fort
- Read a book
- Have a scavenger hunt
- Create an obstacle course
- Start a journal
- Make a treasure map and some clues and send kids on a hunt
- Play a board game
- Make your own board game
- Write letters to/make cards for Grandparents/Aunts/Uncles/Friends
- Make a movie
- Play cards
- Tell scary stories
- Roast marshmallows over the fire(place)
- Do origami
- Make a bowling game out of water bottles
- Blow bubbles
- Produce a play
- Do some scrapbooking
- Have a talent show
- Host a tea party (pretend, of course)
- Play hide and seek
- Make (and sculpt with) play dough
- Roll coins
- Learn to knit/crochet
- Play old-school games – Chinese jump rope, marbles, Cat’s Cradle, hopscotch
- Make (egg-free) chocolate chip cookie dough and eat it raw
- Teach kids to tie shoes, braid hair, measure flour, or some other useful skill
- Make paper snowflakes
What are your favorite activities to do with the kids that require no electricity?
This is an awesome list. I still need to teach my poor six-year-old how to tie shoes. I’ve been lazy because her shoes have velcro!
When we lose power, it’s iPod time in my house! We always have our iPod charged, so it’s easy for my daughter to listen to an audiobook. We have tons loaded on there. I even found some great short stories that are free at http://www.twirlygirlshop.com/stories-for-kids. Download them and listen to them whenever you want.