Maybe it's my cushy lifestyle, but one aspect or preparedness that I'm usually keeping half-an-eye on is entertainment. Even though there are likely to be many hours of work and maintenance, I am anticipating that there will also be hours of boredom. I would say, traditionally, there are a few established ways to pass the long hours. Hypnosis-by-fire is always good. Cards, books, and board games. But really, we live in an age where an electronic book reader can run for months on a single battery charge, hold thousands of pages of literature. Video/movies, games etc, all can be stored, in great quantity electronically, as well. I think the entire Wikipedia can be downloaded as a 6G downloaded - that'll fit on a USB flash drive, easily.
Of course, all these modern things require electricity, and when they break, they are almost certainly not fixable, so a book reader is probably a less permanent solution than an actual book, for instance. Pros and cons. Anyone else thinking about bugout entertainment?
I'm more thinking about entertaining the kiddo, which will keep and mom sane and in turn, entertain us. Tons of colouring books, playdoh and puzzles.
I also have a few printed books and magazines. This makes me think that those items could be decent sources of barter, or more precisely, exchange/swap within one's neighbourhood.
We've also put aside entertainment preps. Games, cards, books, crayons, scissors and paper. Really...it's no different than when we had to entertain ourselves without constant TV and computer games.
You really helped me in every aspect.
I think the problem with that, is when making a bug out bag, having games, cards, books, trading cards. All you are doing is adding extra waght and talking up space for more important things. If you are able to stay at home or have a cabin to go to that is fine but when the SHTF happens and you need to get out of doge I don't think it is a good idea to pack that kind of stuff. Just my personal opion but for shure do what you think is the best for you and your famliy
I have board games, cards, craft supplies, books which are all great if you stay at home. I am now looking into smaller travel sized items. I found a company that I planning on giving my money to in the next little bit, Michaud Toys. I saw them at a craft / art show. They make wooden travel games. My favourite is a wooden chess set that folds to just 4 inches by 13 1/2 inches.
http://www.michaudtoys.org/chesstravel.html
The other thing to think about is musical instruments. I have a few things on my wish list that are compact - celtic harp, hammered dulcimer, wooden flutes ancient styled.
@oldschool - I've considered small instruments as well. Harmonicas and flutes both take little room. I saw a violin by Yamaha, recently, that kinda looked like a crossbow - very minimal, got me wondering if a strung instrument could be built to fold up and tuck away, also. With a little thought, I'm sure a person could make their own board games, even base them loosely on memories of previous games they've played.
Those products at Michaud Toys look well-made. Tough to find well-made, in today's market.
@oldschool - I've considered small instruments as well. Harmonicas and flutes both take little room. I saw a violin by Yamaha, recently, that kinda looked like a crossbow - very minimal, got me wondering if a strung instrument could be built to fold up and tuck away, also. With a little thought, I'm sure a person could make their own board games, even base them loosely on memories of previous games they've played.
Those products at Michaud Toys look well-made. Tough to find well-made, in today's market.
There are several kinds of "antique" instruments that can be made with surprisingly little effort. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D9SLI7FwbU