Hurricane Entertainment 101

FIRST PERSON | With the passing of Hurricane Irene, I have found that many things come in handy to keep kids and adults entertained. Hurricane season has just begun. Tropical Storm Jose is in the west Atlantic Ocean, as shown on the Weather Channel. September is likely to bring more named hurricanes. Keep track of hurricanes in the Atlantic, East Pacific, and West Pacific by checking hurricane date on Unisys Weather.

During Hurricane Irene my family and I went without power for 48 hours. 48 hours seems like an eternity when you have no power. I found many items to be especially useful in keeping my children, ages 13, 10, and 4, entertained. Let's review what helped keep my kids entertained and what could keep yours occupied in hurricanes to come.

Handheld Gaming Systems, Such as Nintendo DSI

Handheld gaming systems are great during electrical outages because they run on batteries. When the Wii stops working, having a Nintendo DSI nearby allows the kids to continue to be entertained.

Digital Book Reader

With a digital book reader, children and adults can relax and enjoy a lighted book. Digital books can provide hours of entertainment in the light or the dark.

iPod or MP3 Players

Music is a great source of entertainment. When the lights go out, the music doesn't have to stop. Stock up on batteries for iPods and MP3 players to keep entertained during the next hurricane.

Loopz Game

Loopz is a fun light up game similar to Simon yet more high-tech. Loopz managed to keep all of my children entertained during Hurricane Irene. The game is the musical, light-up Simon of the new generation.

Lite Brite

Lite Brite is great in the dark entertainment for younger children. My 4-year-old sat happily and quietly with her battery-operated Lite Brite. The Lite Brite is a classic toy that comes to the rescue during a hurricane. It is best played in the dark so children can watch their creations illuminate and come to life. During hurricanes when a power outage is likely, be sure to have a Lite Brite handy with batteries to accompany.

Laser Pointers

Laser pointers are fun for all ages. They produce red laser beam, or LED, lighting. Laser pointers are great during hurricanes or any storm. Kids will have fun watching the red beams dance on ceilings.

Light-Up Spinning Toy

Light-up spinning toys are fun and mesmerize children. What better time to have a light up spinning toy on hand than in a hurricane, when everyone is trapped inside, possibly without electricity?

Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Soothe and Glow Seahorse or Gloworm

The Fisher-Price Ocean wonders Soothe and Glow Seahorse may be marketed for younger children but my 4-year-old loves this stuffed animal and sleeps with it every night. The belly of the seahorse lights up and plays music to the ocean. During a hurricane, the seahorse came in even more handy than normal.

Flashlights

Flashlights come in handy during a hurricane to provide light but also entertainment. Flashlights allow for making shadows on the wall and telling ghost stories.

When all else fails, make a batch of cookie dough. My husband, our three daughters and I all made cookie dough and sat around the bowl for a great dessert in the dark.

Don't forget that lantern you use for camping! Ours served as our only light and provided a fair amount of it -- comparable to that of a lamp. If you are going to have to stay in your house to keep safe from a hurricane, you may as well have fun!

Sources:

Dr. Rick Knabb, "Tropical Storm Jose", The Weather Channel