5 Fun Games for Kids to Bust Brownout Boredom

Rainy season is upon us now in the Philippines and we all know that means the threat of typhoon is inevitable. With typhoons also come the possibility of flood, destruction, power outages and for us parents with school-age kids, class suspensions.

It is no doubt necessary for us to be prepared for these possibilities. The most important concern, of course, is to keep our family and our home safe. We all hope we’ll get through the storms unscathed. But how do you deal when the power is out and your kids are stuck at home bored with nothing to do?

The thing about brownouts is that it cuts us off from the world. Kids no longer have the TV, computer, tablets and cellphones to keep them preoccupied. In order to prevent brownout boredom, we have listed down some fun games for kids that are sure to keep them entertained.

Shadow Play

One of the most common fun games for kids during brownouts is shadow play. This is something you can do when it’s already dark and your kids don’t want to go to bed yet. Younger kids will enjoy this the most but can also be enjoyable for older ones. Just use your hands and fingers to make shadow shapes on the wall and let your kids guess what it is you’re trying to make. Then take turns and ask them to make the shapes instead.

Card Games

Most households have at least one deck of cards. Put them to good use and play a memory game with your little ones, wherein the cards are all laid face down on the table. The object of the game is for the players to take turns trying to find a matching pair. Your older kids will enjoy more challenging fun games with cards such as Go Fish and Snap.

Board Games

Board games are popular among kids and adults alike. There are so many to choose from. Try playing Snakes and Ladders or Cariboo for the little ones. They’re not only fun games but they also teach kids to follow directions, take turns and accept rewards and consequences. For the older kids, you can play Scrabble, Monopoly, or Clue to keep their minds working.

Music Games

If your kids are musically-inclined, they’ll enjoy fun games that involve singing and dancing. You don’t actually need to play any music. Just invite your little kids to sing their favorite songs and you can make up action steps to go with them.

Your older kids will also enjoy playing a "Continue the Song” game with you. Start singing part of the lyrics of a song then stop. The next player must be able to continue singing the lyrics from where you stopped.

Got an acoustic guitar or a piano? Then just play those instruments and jam with your kids!

Storytelling Games

Encourage your child to be creative. Similar to the "Continue the Song” game, start telling the introduction of a made up story, then let your family take turns filling out the rest. Not only is this fun, it also encourages your child to speak up and think on her feet.

There’s no need to fret about keeping your kids entertained during brownouts. There are a lot of other fun games and activities you can do as a family. Take this as a great opportunity for your family to unplug and spend quality time together with no electronic distractions.

5 Fun Games for Kids to Bust Brownout Boredom

What are some other games that you enjoy playing with your kids at home? Let us know in the comments section.

About the author: Janice Lim

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Janice Lim

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