When you think of summer, what do you think of? Perhaps you think of parties, running through the sprinkler and late night catching fireflies. We think of those things, but we also think of storms. Yes, storms!
July is usually a very prime time for severe weather in Nebraska. Ripe with thunderstorms (and often tornadoes), it's hard to strike that perfect balance between "carefree" and "careful." That's why we always keep a stash of gadgets on hand to keep our weather outbreaks manageable, and -- if at all possible -- fun!
This past week, we were primed to do some outdoor entertaining, but the weather turned nasty. We spent almost every night huddled inside the interior rooms of our home, awaiting 80MPH winds, half-dollar sized hail, and lots of kids being afraid!
Since this isn't our first storm season, we have gotten wise over the years and have learned to turn bad weather into a bonding opportunity. We have used it to have "storm parties". It keeps everyone calm and can actually be a blast!
What do you need to have a storm party? If we don't have to head into the cellar (a pre-1960's shelter in the ground), we hang out in the boys' bedroom and have the following supplies ready:
- Energizer® EcoAdvanced™ batteries. These don't just last long and power almost everything we need during a storm, they are responsibly-made. Energizer® EcoAdvanced™ batteries are the world’s first AA and AAA battery made with four percent recycled batteries.
- Energizer headlights. Sometimes called "head lamps" by my boys, they aren't just necessary to find your way around the house when the lights are out, they can be a crazy good accessory for reading, playing games, or just looking outside through the windows to safely see what's going on outside (the light really shines that far!) Energizer headlights are lightweight, versatile and water resistant with pivoting functionality to direct light where you need it.
- Energizer area lanterns. For lighting up big spaces (like the entire room or hallway), you never have to worry about if everyone falls asleep. Energizer area lanterns are the safe, reliable way to provide bright 360° light long into the night, at the camp fire, or while weathering a storm.
Read books. My boys get out big stacks of their favorites, including titles by Roald Dahl, and the entire Paddington series. Moses (my little bookworm) thinks it's funny to adjust the light on his Energizer® Vision HD+ Focus LED Headlight from white to red. With 250 lumen output and a beam distance of 80M, he can focus back and forth between his book to the other side of his room, giving him light where he needs it and reassurance that everything is going to be OK!
Play games. A quick round of Apples to Apples is good for a laugh and doesn't require a lot of set up. Just a little light (preferably from the Energizer® Fusion LED Folding Lantern) and we're off and running with a great game in minutes. Since the light can be switched between high and low, it's also appropriate to keep on after the game is over and the kids are sleepy.
Build a fort. A simple blanket draped off the side of the top bunk gives kids a special place to play, talk, and giggle while everything blows and howls outside. With their own lantern, it's safe and cozy!
Pump Up the Jam. Thankfully, a charged smartphone keeps us updated on the weather conditions, even when the power goes out. By connecting a bluetooth speaker, we can keep it upbeat and familiar by streaming tunes the kids know and can sing along to. If you don't already have a "Storm Party" playlist on your smartphone, I suggest you create one now!
Even if I'm sweating it a bit, the kids can have the peace that comes with being with their family, staying inside a safe shelter, and having all the light they need to continue fun activities as usual. Our last storm had the power out for quite a bit, so I was super thankful to have a plan in place and lots of Energizer lighting products to keep us safe and secure.
Be sure to check out Energizer before your next storm. You'll want to be more than prepared, you'll need to be ready to party!
Wanna Win? I'm super excited to be giving one lucky reader a BIG Energizer prize pack including the following:
- One Energizer® Fusion LED Folding Lantern
- One Energizer® Vision HD + Focus LED Headlight
- Two packs of Energizer® EcoAdvanced® AA and AAA Batteries
To be entered to win, just use the form below by July 23rd at 11:59 pm EST. Open to U.S. residents 18+ only.
*Prizing and compensation received. Opinions are my own.
We love to read and tell stories during bad weather.
ReplyDeleteheymissvirginia at embarqmail dot com
Thank goodness our power doesn't go out often or have real bad storms too often but we usually tell stories.
ReplyDeletewe have fun by playing video games
ReplyDeleteDuring bad weather we have fun by playing games and telling stories. If we still have power :) we watch movies, cook and bake and do crafts.
ReplyDeleteWe like to watch movies...unless the power goes off. If it does, we listen to music on the radio together.
ReplyDeleteThe power does not go out often but when it does, we just sit together and talk. Knowing we had some batteries for backup lighting would be nice.
ReplyDeleteWe read books, play card games or board games in bad weather!
ReplyDeletewe watch movies and play board games
ReplyDeleteWe like to play board games during bad weather.
ReplyDeleteDuring bad weather we love to read books.
ReplyDeleteWe read or play board games if the power is off but there is still enough light to see by.
ReplyDeleteDuring bad weather, we make a fort and pull out the flashlights to pretend we are camping.
ReplyDeleteWe have fun during bad weather by playing board games.
ReplyDeletewe watch movies and have hot cocoa
ReplyDeleteWe also build forts and play card games!
ReplyDeleteWe don't really play any games, but we do usually pull out our magazines to read.
ReplyDeletePlay games and watch movies
ReplyDeleteWe have fun by watching the storm through the windows, playing board games and watching tv. Or cooking hot soups and stews if the weather is cold.
ReplyDeleteWatching movies with my boys, baking goodies!
ReplyDeleteOh we love to turn up the music and dance around, and make forts out of blankets!
ReplyDeleteWe play hide and seek in the dark with candles lit, when the power goes out due to bad weather!
ReplyDeleteDes H
We love going into the garage to watch storms!
ReplyDeletei love playing board games!
ReplyDeleteBesides the usual flashlights and candles, I keep glow sticks around for the kids! This makes them have fun instead of being afraid. :)
ReplyDeleteWe like to bake up a storm!
ReplyDeleteYou can have a sing along during bad weather!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Play board games (and light candles if the power goes out).
ReplyDeleteI curl up with a good book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
During bad weather I like to cuddle with my little one!
ReplyDeleteWe love playing board games as a family during bad weather.
ReplyDeleteReading or playing board games are both good activities, especially if the power is out.
ReplyDeleteWe play games and watch TV :-)
ReplyDeleteI usually use flashlights and play games with the kids to keep them busy.
ReplyDeleteHere in Anchorage we make sure to have flashlights, batteries and supplies not just for bad weather and power outages but also for earthquakes. I told my life partner that we should have more than we think we need because all our shiftless relatives will wind up at our place if things go bad. (We have a wood stove.)
ReplyDeleteHe agreed, and we planned accordingly.
Incidentally, headlamps are a thing here in Alaska because mushers use them during the Iditarod.
During bad weather days we bake/cook,play board games and have a movie night.
ReplyDeleteWe always play board games during bad weather! It's a great way for everybody to be together, in one place, having a little fun to pass the time!
ReplyDeleteWhen the power goes out we turn on the portable radio and listen to the weather. We also use the portable DVD player for entertainment.
ReplyDeletenikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com
We usually just talk and tell stories when the lights are out.
ReplyDeleteWe like to read books by flashlights and play card games.
ReplyDeleteWe listen to a battery operated radio and make forts to get in!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindi
This would be so fun! Would be nice for the kids while camping also!
ReplyDeleteWe always bring board and card games, just in case! :)
ReplyDeleteWe camp out on the couch and play card games.
ReplyDeleteWhen my boys were young if the power went out we played flashlight tag.
ReplyDeleteWhen my boys were young if the power went out we played flashlight tag.
ReplyDeleteI like to read, the boys like to play with their legos
ReplyDeletetiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
I try doing indoor activities like going to museums.
ReplyDeleteWe play games,make crafts and watch movies.Thank you for the chance :)
ReplyDeleteWe play games,make crafts and watch movies.Thank you for the chance :)
ReplyDeleteTelling stories and dancing to music is fun :)
ReplyDeleteWe play board games and card games and eat snacks!
ReplyDeletewe make forts
ReplyDeleteWe have game night or craft time.
ReplyDeleteI like to do puzzles or watch movies.
ReplyDeleteI live in Florida so we don't have fun in bad weather.
ReplyDeleteWe read books and play card games.
ReplyDeleteWe like to light candles and talk and tell stories.
ReplyDeleteWe have fun by playing games and reading stories by lanterns.
ReplyDeleteWe love to cuddle together and read books
ReplyDeleteWe play card games.
ReplyDeletewe like to rent from redbox and play card games like scrabble slam and spades!
ReplyDeleteWe love playing Cranium
ReplyDeleteWe play card games and watch movies.
ReplyDeleteI do think it is fun to watch a scary movie with bad weather and order a pizza!
ReplyDeletetwinkle at optonline dot net
playing Monopoly is always fun
ReplyDeleteWe like to use flashlights and make shadows with our hands. We try to make animals, etc.
ReplyDeleteWe like to play board games when the power goes out.
ReplyDeletesunniewoodyplus2 atmsn.com
I love to read during a storm
ReplyDeleteWe love to play fetch and other games with the doxie.
ReplyDeleteWe play games during bad weather.
ReplyDeleteMy kids love to play hide and seek when it is safe of course. Other than that we cuddle up and play cards.
ReplyDeleteWe pretend to be camping out, make a fort with blankets, play board games, cards, its always a lot of fun!
ReplyDeletewe read a lot of books
ReplyDeleteWe do a lot of baking.
ReplyDeleteThe kids and I curl up on the couch and talk. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWe bought the headband lights after a major storm in the past. The family can get under blankets and read or listen to the local radio station for weather updates.
ReplyDeleteWe like to play board games
ReplyDeleteCurl up in bed and take a nap. Hey that sounds good.
ReplyDeleteWe like to play board games or snuggle up on the couch and read a book!
ReplyDeleteWe play board games when the power is out or listen to the radio powered by batteries.
ReplyDeleteheather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com
Inside hide & seek, boardgames & family movies.
ReplyDeleteMy family likes to play board games during bad weather. That way it takes our kids' minds off of the storm and we can have fun altogether.
ReplyDeletePlay board games with the kids.
ReplyDeleteWe play candlelight games. The kids love it!
ReplyDeleteWe like to snuggle in with movies if the power is still on...if not, we like to gather around candles and play games.
ReplyDeleteMary Beth Elderton
During bad weather, if it is chilly, we have a fire in the fireplace and sit around and tell scary stories.
ReplyDeleteWell too me, today is bad weather. No rain but it is 92 here in Indiana with a heat index over 100. I do not like heat. So for fun I stay inside with the nice cool air conditioning and eat watermelon and frozen yogurt. I am always needing batteries and more lights so this is a great package.
ReplyDeleteWe would have tent parties in the basement if the weather was severe. Some picnic-type foods and books/toys to pass the time helps too.
ReplyDeletea lot of times we go bug hunting in the basement
ReplyDelete