Entertainment Ideas (good, room, survivor, best)

[SurvivorGirlAL]

I know when the SHTF, most of our time will be taken up with simply trying to survive, but assuming there is some down time once we have our routines down, what would you pack and how much room would you devote to it?

[SurvivorGirlAL]

My first inclination is books (but pretty space demanding and heavy) so maybe an electronic reader filled with favorites and some extra rechargeable batteries, art kit that could be useful in other areas as well, and a deck of cards to play solitaire.

You know the sure fire way to get help if you ever find yourself stranded and alone?

Start playing solitaire, somebody will surely show up to say "I'd play that red 8 on that black 9 if I were you "

[caution]

a harmonica, perhaps a deflated football (soccer) with a needle (assume you'll find a pump or air source later or maybe a tiny bike pump)

you can play games with mundane objects though
you can play baseball with a stick and a rock
you can play checkers with gravel rocks on one side and pebbles on the other (or bottle caps or other trash, like folded pieces of a coke can for red and pepsi can for the other color)
you can throw hickory nuts at passers by -- oh wait, that's what I did for entertainment as a kid

[Urban Sasquatch]

Originally Posted by SurvivorGirlAL

My first inclination is books (but pretty space demanding and heavy) so maybe an electronic reader filled with favorites and some extra rechargeable batteries, art kit that could be useful in other areas as well, and a deck of cards to play solitaire.

You know the sure fire way to get help if you ever find yourself stranded and alone?

Start playing solitaire, somebody will surely show up to say "I'd play that red 8 on that black 9 if I were you "

I...




LAUGHED! SO correct!

[Compression]

Targets and ammo............................target practice, may as well keep sharp if youre in a survival mode.

Yachtcare has spoken.......

[Son Of Liberty]

FUN thread! I LOVE IT.

Making up games with what you have available is a must I suppose. It's also good for the brain and using some creativity. This is how games/sports get invented. Bowling, for example, began around 5200 B.C. of course in another form than what we know as 10-pin bowling. Golf is ancient too...Most modern sports are derived from some ancient activity.

I also think that creating games that force one to use a balance of skills rather than largely the physical (sports) or just the mental (crosswords, scrabble, etc.) might be optimal. Fusing the two together would stimulate more of the whole person as well as possibly allow those of various ages to participate.

For example, one could play a 4 minute timed game whereby participants move (chose the movement...run, crawl, bear-crawl, whatever) to a location (think relay format short or far depending on the level of conditioning desired) to search through a container of sand to find a scrabble piece/letter, then run back to their group/team with the letter, continuing until they have maybe 10 letters, and the group creates as many words as they can with the letters they have. You can modify this to be indoors or out...whatever.

Games that use the brain like this would be super for older folks to keep the mind and body sharp but also for younger kids who obviously aren't in "school" although they certainly will be learning if the fan blades turn brown won't they!?!?

My point is that you can create loads of games that would be quite fun. Also, when games are new and have never really been played by the participants, it often levels the playing field so to speak and creates good fair competition.

I would think that creating games that incorporate the needed life-skills that can be practiced would also be good.

Another thought: I suppose it'd be important to find activities that would be safe if one is doing physical activities. And more calories will be burned/needed if the activity is more strenuous so I suppose food supply is of consideration as of course the weather would be major influence as well.

I would love to be able to have my guitar on hand, both selfishly and for fun entertainment with a group.

I highly recommend Speed Stacking also known as Sport Stacking or Cup Stacking. Our family has gotten into this. LOADS of fun!

Stack Tube Videos - Incredible Edible Egg Commercial - Speed Stacks


A VARIETY of fun and entertainment would be good I suppose....Things to do with your mind, body, individual, group, fine motor, large/gross motor would be important.

I think having some sort of spiritual routine would be INCREDIBLY valuable as well. We have a small Bible in our kit.

I like this thread...I'm all about fun. I think an positive attitude and CREATING fun would go a long ways even in times of survival.

I had a Grandpa who constantly said, "Laughter is the best medicine." He lived into his upper 90's a very healthy long, fun life. He could sit and tell jokes literally for hours and hours and never repeat the same one. He had an incredibly positive attitude, loved to sing little jingles to the little kids around, smiled constantly, loved life, and was VERY healthy until his last few months of life. Gotta believe that his attitude influenced his health, and that good health influences a healthy mind.

[Urban Sasquatch]

This is one reason some musical education or talent is important; it goes a LONG way.

You can entertain, you can teach.

[Son Of Liberty]

Yo-Yo

Kite

Marbles

Create your own Mad-Libs-- Example: There once was a government that was _______________ (adjective) with a President who wanted to spend everyone eles's ______________________ (noun)

[monkeywrenching]

Originally Posted by SurvivorGirlAL

I know when the SHTF, most of our time will be taken up with simply trying to survive, but assuming there is some down time once we have our routines down, what would you pack and how much room would you devote to it?

a deck of cards can go a long way, also board games can keep you or children busy as well.

[harry chickpea]

Just pack a Hoyles book of card game rules and a few decks.