What would you do without the Internet?

No electricity, no cell coverage and no internet. What are you going to do? None of the normal amenities or methods of communication are available. For some, this is the scary part of an emergency or disaster. Never mind death and destruction. Not being able to call or text someone or surf the net is a scary thought in and of itself.

The reality of disasters is that you may not have electricity, cell phone or internet service. This could be hours, days, or even weeks. I have seen neighborhoods without any of these services for weeks after a hurricane.

entertainment plan

Yes. I said entertainment.

We as a society have become so used to being entertained at every moment of our lives. Some people are actually so addicted to electronics that being without them for even a few hours is almost too much for them.

Even in the best of cases, electronic devices will almost certainly have a hard time lasting more than 24 hours without charging. In a disaster, they may not even work due to damaged cell phone towers or other infrastructure issues.

No Internet, no cable, no electronics. What are people going to do to occupy their minds?

In a real disaster they will be busy during the day with survival. Clean, repair and help others. Looking for fuel for cooking fires and possibly drinking water. But what about at night? This is what I am addressing here.

entertainment ideas

You are going to have to prepare yourself for the moments of inactivity of the night. You’re going to have to go back to what families did a couple of decades ago. Possibly even a bit further back in time, to the days before black and white television. You need to have some of the following:

  • scriptures

  • Books. Not electronic. real books. Many of them.

  • Playing cards. Standard cards as well as other playing cards.

  • Table games. Many of them. Multiplayer games that can occupy entire groups.

  • Puzzle. easy to difficult. small to big 2D and 3D puzzles would also be fun. The dollar store has tons of these.

  • Sports balls and accessories.

  • Colors and coloring books. Plan for the youngest. Even if you don’t have any in your family. You could even use them as barter.

  • Toys for different ages. Nothing too complicated. Simple dolls, trucks and other things like that.

  • Writing paper, pens and pencils.

Overlooked by most preparers

This is a supply area that is often overlooked until it is too late. People take many of today’s luxuries for granted. Most of these will not be available during or after an emergency or disaster. Planning entertainment now will greatly improve your quality of life when fun and distraction are most sought after.