As the Hurricane Helene barrels its way toward Georgia, students across the state have been handed an unexpected four-day weekend. What was supposed to be a routine week of school quickly turned into 48 hours of cabin fever.
For many parents, the sudden cancellation of school and all extracurricular activities leaves a major question mark hanging in the air: what to do with the kids? Parents throughout the state have posted on social media lamenting about the sudden onset of childhood boredom and parental distress.
Don’t panic just yet. With a little creativity, you can ride out this storm and keep your kids entertained without losing your sanity. Here are some ideas to keep the young ones busy during this impromptu hurricane break:
1. Indoor Obstacle Course: Channel the Energy
Let’s face it—kids trapped indoors for days on end have more energy than the average hurricane. Use that to your advantage. Get inventive with pillows, chairs, blankets, and anything else that can be safely moved around. Create an obstacle course in your living room, hallway, or basement. Set up challenges like crawling under tables, jumping over pillows, and balancing on taped lines. Not only will this burn off some of that restless energy, but it’ll also give you some peace when they inevitably crash afterward.
2. DIY Movie Theater: Bring the Cinema Home
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With the weather howling outside, going to the movies isn’t an option. But why not turn your living room into the next best thing? Let the kids pick a couple of their favorite films, dim the lights, and serve up some popcorn (bonus points for real butter). If you’re feeling extra fancy, let them create “tickets” and “concession stands.” If Hurricane Helene has you stocked up on snacks, now’s the time to break them out.
3. Stormy Baking Sessions: Keep Them Sweet
When the winds pick up, so does the urge for comfort food. This is the perfect time to let your kids get their hands a little dirty with some baking. Whether it’s cookies, brownies, or homemade pizza, kids love the process of mixing ingredients and, more importantly, taste-testing along the way. Just be ready for flour in places you didn’t know existed and maybe even a minor egg-related disaster or two. But hey, a little kitchen chaos beats the kind going on outside.
4. Hurricane Helene Arts & Crafts Corner: Let Their Creativity Flow
It’s time to raid the art supplies bin (or if you’re like most of us, that random drawer full of half-used crayons and forgotten glue sticks). With school out, it’s the perfect opportunity to let your kids flex their creative muscles. Create “Hurricane Art Projects”—draw a picture of the storm (with plenty of rain, naturally), design paper-plate wind chimes, or even make hurricane “survival kits” out of whatever craft materials you have lying around. Who knew glitter and pipe cleaners could be so versatile?
5. Board Games and Puzzles: Rediscover Old-School Fun
Remember board games? The dusty boxes hiding in the back of your closet are calling. Classic games like Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble can turn into marathon family events. And if competitive spirit isn’t high on your kids’ radar, puzzles are a great alternative. Spread out a challenging one on the dining table and chip away at it throughout the day. Pro tip: Choose a puzzle with fewer than 500 pieces unless you want a new long-term housemate in the form of frustration.
6. Fort Building: The Ultimate Indoor Adventure
No matter their age, kids have an innate love for fort building. Couch cushions, blankets, and dining room chairs become tools for constructing the ultimate hideout. Whether it’s a castle, a spaceship, or a simple blanket tent, let them get creative. You can even bring story time into the fort for a cozy wind-down activity later in the day, once the excitement of their architectural masterpiece settles down.
7. Educational Apps and Online Games: Sneaky Learning
While the rain pours down and the wind rattles the windows, it might be the perfect time to sneak in some screen time without the guilt. There are plenty of educational apps and games out there that can help kids keep their brains active even when school’s out. From math challenges to virtual field trips, it’s a win-win for everyone. Bonus: It gives you a much-needed breather.
8. Storytelling Hour: Unleash the Imagination
If you’re up for a more low-tech option, start a storytelling session. Take turns telling parts of a story, with each person adding a new twist or character. You might end up with a bizarre plotline involving a magical hurricane and talking animals, but that’s half the fun. It’s also a great way to help younger kids improve their storytelling skills and keep their creative gears turning.
9. Storm Watching from the Porch: Nature’s Lesson
When the weather permits, bundle the kids up and step outside (safely, of course) to experience the storm from a distance. The sight of swirling clouds and the sound of rain pounding the ground can be mesmerizing. Use this as a mini science lesson about weather patterns, cloud formations, or even how hurricanes form. It might be a sneaky way to get in some education during the break without them realizing it.
10. Family Karaoke or Talent Show: Bring Out the Stars
When cabin fever reaches its peak, it’s time for an impromptu family talent show or karaoke night. Let the kids pick their favorite songs, belt them out (apologies to the neighbors in advance), and show off their hidden talents. Whether it’s singing, dancing, magic tricks, or even juggling (no judgment on the skill level), this is a sure way to inject some laughter into a long, stormy day.
