As a pub sub eating, alligator wrestling, Disney loving, sandal toting Florida Native, Hurricanes become a fairly routine part of life. Preparations usually fall under the category of essentials such as water, food, gas, and batteries. However, the biggest common issue when confronted with major storms…the BOREDOM!
In addition to making sure my phone has a portable charger, not having power means finding something to do that doesn’t involve technology – a rarity in today’s connected world. Many resort to board games, a few to books or alcohol as a way to stave the crippling boredom. Waiting for power to return in a state as large as Florida can take days, sometimes even weeks.
What really strikes me though, it how hard it can be for children. I grew up in Florida and the malaise is still etched into my memory. Adults can occupy themselves somehow with feigned enthusiasm, whilst children need constant stimulation. My sister has 2 kids both under the age of 10 and keeping them entertained is a feat in and of itself.
When my sister showed me Jam’s gym in her backyard as her plan for the coming few days, I was a bit confused. How are they going to use a small Climbing gym to play with if it’s outside in the storm? She informed me that I “will see.” I was very dubious.
My sister informed me, after rinsing Jam’s Gym down, that it was made for outdoor AND indoor use. Jam’s Gym was actually created because they needed something to do during a storm. Interested, I helped her move it inside. For a device that stands 5’ tall, I was sure that it would break both of our backs but we moved it with relative ease. For something so light, surely this would buckle under my weight right? Nope. It was completely sturdy.
Immediately my niece and nephew started climbing all over it and stayed playing like that for the 3 more hours I was there. I was really impressed. Usually their attention span is that of a goldfish and here was a simple climbing wall that completely grasped their imaginations. What’s great is that they moved that entire time. No tablets. No phones. It was like witnessing an albino dolphin dancing in the waves.
After seeing this in action, I highly suggest this to parents. Rain or shine, this will capture their interest immediately. Great for indoor and outdoor use, I say to Hurricane Dorian – BRING IT ON! What’s your go-to for hurricane or blizzard entertainment? Comment below!
