Power Outage Activities: Ten Activities to do with the kids

The power was out at our house this morning, and it stayed that way for several hours.  Luckily it went out after I had heated food for the kids lunches, but I had to skip a few other daily-routine tasks, like drying my hair or boiling water in the (electric) kettle to make tea.  It got me thinking about the things we do during the day with our kids – some of which rely on power.  Here’s a list of power-free activities that you can do during an outage, or if you’re out camping or just want to go “old school” for a day.

1. Make some Music:

You can’t listen to music without power, so make some!! Practice singing, even if you’re tone-deaf.  The kids will be quick to join in.  Sing kid favourites or teach them some of your favourites.  Start harmonizing or sing in rounds – this can be really tricky for kids!  Our favourite is ‘Don’t Throw your Junk in My backyard – here’s a classroom full of kids doing a demo!  Or make a marching band with ‘instruments’ from pot lids, wooden spoons, and containers full of dried beans or rice.

2. Do Crafts:

Low-tech creative play that we (of course!!) love love love.  Pull out the glue, scissors, and craft supplies, and start creating.  Don’t forget to check the recycling bin for any hidden crafty gems!  If you want to work to a theme, ask kids to build a battery or generator that would give you power, or draw pictures of how power is made.  If they’re not interested or too young for that, do crafts that feed off of their current interests or calendar themes (such as winter or spring, for example)

3. Go Outside

Always a good alternative, whether the power is on or not.

4. Water Play

If your windows need cleaning or the floors need wiping, turn the kids onto the task!  They’ll be happy to help as long as it feels like part of a game.  And if everything is already scrubbed, then get paintbrushes out and put the kids to work with water on an old tile or chalkboard – they can make water patterns that dry quickly.  And of course they can extend the water play by having bath time – but remember that the heat won’t come on as long as the power is out, so they’ll need lots of snuggles to stay warm is their hair is wet afterwards!

5. Do A Play or Skit:

A happy alternative to watching TV is to create a drama (or comedy!) of your own.  Be inspired by ‘Jillian Jiggs and the Secret Surprise’, a wonderful book about Jillian putting on a show – it even has a fun script at the end!

6. Build a Fort:

In the living room, with blankets and chairs.  This would especially be fun in the dark!

7. Make Wall Shadows:

You might need to close the blinds during the day, but flashlights against a dark wall are always a favourite way to entertain!

8. Make Simple Snacks and Meals:

Cheese sandwiches without the grill, wraps, or anything you’d usually send in a bag lunch.  Snack can be apples spread with peanut butter and sprinkled with raisins.  Yum!

9. Build Something

Stack blocks or (non-breakable) cups.  Try making a tower out of paper (!?), make a marble maze out of toilet paper rolls, build a ‘sculpture’ from playdough, or use popsicle sticks to make a teepee frame or other structure.

10. Read a book, play a game, or do some sports

Anyday, anytime, anywhere.