Thrifty Thursday's Misc. Monday: No Electric Needed Activities

Got ideas for family and kid activities for after a disaster, when the electric is out or simply when you want to have family time without TV or video games?

Earlier this week, Hurricane Irene was forecasted to hit the low-country almost directly and now this area is out of the cone (so, thankfully, we are out of the path of it) but there may be others that could hit this area.  Because the low-country is subject to hurricanes, though it has been a long time since one has hit this area, it is still a great idea to prepare for one or any other type of disaster that might occur.

Part of our emergency planning is planning for what our families can do after a disaster to help relieve stress and pass the time.

Here are some ideas of activities that can be played when the electric goes out or anytime:

Traditional games and activities:  reading, coloring, board games, card games-uno, phase-10, nertz (solitaire with competition!), other card games, word games, I spy games, puzzles, charades, play dough, jacks/marbles, tic-tac-toe, dominoes, 20 questions, etc.

Crafty activities:  painting; craft bag--with various objects like pipe cleaners, felt, buttons, material scraps, fabric paint, pompoms, etc.-- create creatures or other artwork out of the objects; make story books from cut outs of coloring books or magazines; puppets (out of socks); fill containers with grains or beans to make musical instruments; make masks out of paper plates; eye-spy bags or jars, etc.

Indoor (or outdoor) games:  flashlight tag--one person is it and the others have to try and catch the “it” person’s light while they move it around or vise versa the "it" person has to try and catch the other players lights; Play hide and seek with flashlights; hide and find a kitchen timer or watch with an alarm by following the beeping; make an indoor obstacle course--to make obstacle courses harder--have to hold or wear an object without it falling, or add activity stages like jumping jacks, situps or other simple exercises; Shuffle races--a beanbag or sock filled with rice is placed on each players foot, they then have to shuffle across the room without losing the bag; Sardines; etc.

Outdoor games (only if outdoor conditions are safe):  play in the mud or sand, play tag games, play catch, flag football (use a rag or sock), capture the flag, frisbee, ultimate frisbee, etc.  (another word of caution--if the electric is out, you may not want to get all dirty--because then you'll have to have a cold shower-brrr)

I hope these ideas help in preparing stress-relieving activities for your family.  I realize it isn't Monday, but I thought this post went well with not only Miscellaneous Monday, but also Thrifty Thursday because most of the activity ideas listed above are either free to do or rather little cost is associated with the supplies for them.