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This last week we had a couple of blustery days around here. Nothing major besides rain and a slight warm breeze in the dark sky, but none-the-less whenever that weather happens around here this time of year one thing comes to my mind – thunderstorms. I actually enjoy thunderstorms (so long as nothing gets permanently damaged!) but I know that occasionally when we have a thunderstorm the power goes out, and I’m left trying to keep the kids occupied in the dark. So, I made a kit that include lots of things, including Duracell Batteries.
It’s stored on a shelve in the garage so it’s easy to get to, and it’s filled with everything we need for a night at home without power. Sometimes storms can be a pretty scary thing for little ones, so keeping them feeling safe as well as distracted are my number one priority. In our kit I’ve got a number of things, but most importantly using Duracell to keep all of the lanterns, flashlights, and electronics going! They can be easily found at Walmart as they have an in aisle display as well as several others throughout the store on the end of aisles.
Some other things that I’ve packed in our power outage bag include:
- Candles and a lighter
- Hand sanitizer
- A couple treats and snacks
- A special game
- Deck of cards
- Markers / Pencils
- Notepads
- Glow sticks
- Back up cell phone boost charger
In addition to our kit I’ve made a list of ideas to help keep the kids for when we do happen to have a power outage:
1. Break out a board game: We love a classic card game and Yahtzee is always on our go-to list, but there’s also some newer fun games like Bop-It, Catch Phrase, and Simon Says that creates a bunch of fun with the help of a couple Duracell Batteries
2. Read a special story together: Gather around in a circle with flashlights and read a funny story together. The kids will love it, and it will help distract them from the weather.
3. Have a Glow Dance Party: Break out the glow sticks that you should have in your emergency pack, adorn the kids with them and them turn up the battery-operated radio and have a dance party! If you’re really into it they can even have a dance contest.
4. Play Shadow Puppets: Now is the perfect time to let the kids play pretend with their own shadow puppets! Break out a couple of flashlights and shine them against the wall and let their imaginations run wild.
5. Set up Camp: Create a fort in the living room! Either pop up a tent or create your own by hanging up blankets and setting out sleeping bags. Have them grab all of their stuffed animals and have lots of fun.
6. Have a Drawing Contest: With the lights out! Turn off all of the flashlights and then give an idea of something for everyone to draw, then try to draw it in the dark! It’s pretty funny to see how everyone’s turns out.
7. Make a Taste Testing Game: Ever been to a baby shower and they played that game where brave souls had to taste the baby food and guess what flavor it was? Well this is way better. Just scrounge up items from your cupboards and then challenge your kids to guess what they are. Have them each taste them and make guesses before shining the flashlight on what they’ve just ate. You can play nice here or tease the older ones a bit more depending on what’s in your pantry.
8. Roast Some Marshmallows: Over a candle. You haven’t tried it before? Break out your unscented emergency candles and put a marshmallow on a fork or chopstick and then melt away! Who says you have to do it over a camp fire?
9. Take Silly Pictures: Break out the camera and have the kids dress up in funny outfits and take photos with the “spotlights” of the lantern and flashlights. Later print them out and give them a picture to keep of the memorable evening.
10. Talk: Sounds silly, but how often now days to we get the opportunity to just talk? To not be distracted by a million different things and going in a hundred directions with multiple events? Sit down, snuggle up, and just ask your kids questions. Chances are it will open up the conversations for them to ask you questions that they’ve been wanting to know.
It’s also a great idea to have an emergency supply bag just in case the electricity doesn’t come back on in a few hours or if there’s a bigger natural disaster. I’m still working on these, but ideally it would be great to have a backpack for each member of the family with things like water, food, a blanket, batteries, flashlight, a lighter, extra clothes, rain gear, sunblock, first aid kit, a radio, and a multipurpose tool. Chances are you’ll never need it, but it’s just one of those things that it’s always good to be prepared.
What kinds of things do you do with your kids when there’s a power outage? I’d love to hear more ideas! Thanks #CollectiveBias for letting me share how we #PrepWithPower.
~Melissa
