Games and books keep children and adults steady through days without screens or power.
Board games fill long evenings at home when the power is out and screens go dark. Pick a small stack that covers every age in your household and plays well by lantern light.
- Player range: Choose games that seat your whole household, plus one or two that work for a single player or a pair.
- Age spread: Stock at least one simple game young children can win and one deeper game that holds adult attention.
- No batteries: Pick games that run on cards, dice and boards alone, so they play the same with or without power.
- Durable pieces: Look for thick boards, sturdy cards and wooden or plastic tokens that survive replays and small hands.
- Compact storage: Store games in a dry bin with zip bags for loose pieces, so nothing goes missing when you need it.
- Replay value: Favor games that play differently each round, so a two-week stretch at home stays fresh.
