Fun Ways to Keep Kids Entertained During Monsoon Power Cuts

The question I get asked most during monsoon season: “What do you actually do when the power goes out for hours?”

We’ve built a small, reliable rotation of no-electricity activities specifically for these evenings, which has turned power cuts from a dreaded inconvenience into something the kids occasionally almost look forward to.

Q: What’s the first thing you reach for during a power cut?

Flashlights and shadow puppets, almost every time — it’s simple, needs nothing but a light source and hands, and reliably holds attention for a good stretch.

Q: Are there good games that don’t need any light at all?

Storytelling games, where everyone takes turns adding to a story, work well even in near-total darkness and have become a genuine favorite during longer cuts.

Q: What about keeping a battery-powered light source ready?

A couple of battery-powered lanterns, kept charged and easy to find, make card games or simple board games possible even during longer outages.

Q: How do you handle a power cut right around dinner or bedtime?

Keeping the routine as close to normal as possible, just by candlelight or lantern, tends to reduce any anxiety kids might have about the darkness itself, framing it as a small adventure rather than a disruption.

Activity	Light Needed
Shadow puppets	A single flashlight
Storytelling games	None
Card or board games	A lantern or multiple flashlights
Quiet music or singing	None

Bottom Line

A monsoon power cut doesn’t have to be dreaded — a flashlight, a bit of storytelling, and keeping the evening routine roughly normal turn what could be a frustrating inconvenience into a genuinely fun, memorable evening for kids.