The power went out this evening. It wouldn’t ordinarily be a huge deal, but tonight the temperature was 5 degrees. And our home is only electric-heated. I would put in a fireplace or woodburning stove, but we rent, and I don’t think the landlords would approve of my unlicensed, uninsured, unbonded “improvements” to somebody else’s house. Anyway, we did manage to keep the girls entertained while the power was out – not an easy feat in this age of instant-on-demand Netflix, Pandora, and you know, being able to see the words in books you read. The following are some tips to keep kids entertained during a power outage:
10. Flashlights
When the power goes out after sunset, flashlights are important. Kid-sized flashlights are great so that the children can feel like they have some control during this unfamiliar situation. Also, they like to use them to hit each other on the head with. Hitting each other on the head helps children feel like they have some control during unfamiliar situations.
9. Board games
Board games are great when the power goes out.
“Chutes and Ladders” doesn’t require any batteries, and has rules that are easily explained to little ones, who don’t listen because what are rules to little 3-foot-tall anarchists? In a pinch, the board can be folded up and broken over the head of your older sister, who will in turn try to shove a game piece down the 2-year-old’s throat.
8. Blankets
Blankets will keep your kids warm in a power outage when the temperature outside is frightful. This is especially important because, most likely, your kids are naked despite the warm fleecy pajamas you put on them 2 minutes ago.
7. Books
It’s time to rediscover the simple joy of reading a classic piece of children’s literature to your little ones. During the Christmas season, why not break out “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” and read to your kids. To get them involved, have one hold a child-sized flashlight. After the ninth time of them hitting you in the glasses with the flashlight, have the other one hold the flashlight. The other one will then throw the flashlight to the other side of the room, where a confused and crazed cat will bat it under the fridge.
6. Candlelight
Why not light a candle and let the soft warm glow fill the house. If you let your imagination wander, you can almost put yourself in the shoes of the pioneer ancestors and — don’t pick up that candle. Put it down! PUT THAT CANDLE DOWN NORAH!
5. Pets
Your pets are part of the family, why not invite them into the family home night and then also use your smartphone to google ways to get melted candlewax out of cat fur.
4. Food
No TV? No problem. Why not engage in the time-honored tradition of cooking a meal together as a family? Oh the oven and stove are electric too? Well I guess we’ll eat a handful of flour then and wait for the lights to come back on.
3. Candles
NORAH! WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT THE CANDLE! DON’T TOUCH THE CANDLE!
2. Sing-alongs
Back in the pioneer days, families would gather together by lantern glow and a sheet of music and sing or play some of the old standards. Maybe you can’t afford a fiddle like Pa in “Little House on the Prairie.” That’s OK, loser, just use your voice. Oh you don’t have any sheet music? No? Don’t know any songs by heart other than the “Nelson Nissan Mazda” jingle? Well have fun letting another chance at family holiday bonding flutter out of your pathetic little uncultured hands.
1. Booze
This is why God invented Fat Tires. Crack yours open.
Boomtown - Dustin Hughes' blog 