Games to play during frugal times

[Kaleva]

If power goes out for any length of time, there's no tv, streaming, video games, or social networking. As I mentioned in another thread, I think it a good idea to acclimatize oneself and family to living without power or normal means of entertainment before the situation actually arises. having alternative means of entertainment will make a stressful situation more tolerable.

The ideas I'm going to post below range in cost from nothing to minimal. Again, I think it important to try games out so you find out what works and what doesn't before an emergency arises and it gives one the opportunity to build a large repertory of various games.

Card Games

One can buy decks of cards and rule books such as "According to Hoyle" and "100 Best Solitaire Games" for little money. A small investment may provide hours and hours of entertainment. There are card games for young children as well as adults an they ranges in complexity from easy to very challenging.

Other games

Charades, Hide and Seek, Kick the Can, 20 Questions, I Spy, Tag, Hopscotch are just the tiny tip of the iceberg of other games that cost nothing or next to it and can provide a great deal of entertainment for all ages and skill levels. If you wish to spend a few dollars, Jacks, Marbles, Jenga, and Dominoes are possibilities.

Board games

for those who wish to spend some more money, board games are an option and there are a wide variety of such games that cover all ages and skill levels. One may consider 5 in 1, 6 in 1, or 7 in 1 combo set which include a number of games in one package.

[DURHAM D]

1. We always play a board game from the 1940s called GUSHER. nt

[procon]

2. Stock up for arts and craft activities.

Plan ahead and you can put together a fun box from free instructions found on the web for making all kinds of weird and wonderful doodads. I keep one ready for when kids come over to keep them occupied while we grown ups chat.

Lots of free coloring pages to be printed out for kids or adults to decorate with no muss colored pencils or gel inks. There are tons of websites with all kinds of word games and puzzles that can be printed out for use when needed. I store them in manilla envelopes kept in the box. One of the best games I have is an old Bingo set that I found at a thrift store for a couple od bucks. Even the adults still like playing bingo.

Include needlecraft things for kids, like large plastic needles and some coarse fabric to sew on big buttons and make pretty yarn or felt flowers. Lengths of cotton rope for tying knots or practicing braiding. I have one of those old looms to make potholders, all the kids like making potholders.

I also like to do group projects, like cooking where everyone gets to help putting together a big chef salad, making cookies, or tearing up veggies for dipping as a snack. Storybook reading is popular, and the favorites are a couple of wonderful popup books I've had for decades, one about bugs, and the other is on sailing ships, the kids love the giant bugs.

[cyclonefence]

3. Puzzles

Jigsaw, crossword, mathematical, logical--you can get jigsaws for next to nothing at Goodwill; old-time crossword and other puzzle books can be found online cheaply.

[NeoGreen]

4. I taught my kids how to play one of my favoride childhood games...

...which relies on strong story telling and various amounts of planning, inter-personal relations, communications, tactics and strategy.

For about ten years our gaming night was filled with pen and pencil d&d in the basement.
(and yes, I maybe did spend a little too many $ on the latest figures at the time, but it was for a good cause)

We had a blast, told a lot of stories, vanquished a lot of enemies, saved a few damsels (and knights) and created some great memories of just honest fun.

We also played monoply, risk, careers, sorry, trouble, axis & allies, and a few others we found in garage sales...

[Hortensis]

5. When I looked up "Gusher," I found the old ones

are collectors' items.

These days, with everyone on their electronics, garage sales and thrift shops are great places to pick up a few good board games and puzzles, and of course books. Friends cleaning out their basement were happy to unload a pile on us. We gave some to a thrift shop and still have several, including a 5000-piece puzzle my husband won't start; previous owners didn't either, still sealed.