Powerless Parenting in Joburg: Surviving Load Reduction with Kids in 2025

From board games by torchlight to backyard adventures – here’s how Joburg parents are keeping kids entertained (and sane) during the latest power cuts.

Also read: Smart Heating Hacks for Johannesburg Winters Without Using Electricity (2025)

If you’re a parent in Johannesburg right now, chances are you’ve become an expert at charging everything before 5 a.m., cooking dinner before lunch, and answering the eternal question: “When is the power coming back?”

With City Power’s load reduction measures and Eskom’s targeted supply cuts back on the table this winter, parenting in the dark has once again become the new normal. From early-morning outages to evening blackouts, households across Joburg are adjusting their routines – and their sanity – around the latest power updates.

But if there’s one thing Joburgers are good at, it’s rolling with the punches. Whether it’s Eskom or City Power flipping the switch, parents are finding creative ways to keep the kids entertained, safe, and screen-free (at least for a while).

Timing is Everything

Before you even think about activities, know when the power’s going. Eskom’s early-morning (5 a.m.–9 a.m.) and evening (5 p.m.–10 p.m.) blocks are the main culprits right now, especially in high-demand zones across Gauteng. City Power also enforces load reduction in certain areas, depending on grid strain.

Check the official Telegram alerts and City Power notices daily, and set alarms so you’re not caught mid-toast when the lights go out.

Embrace the Darkness – Literally

Kids actually love novelty – no WiFi? That’s a challenge they’ll rise to.

• Shadow puppets: A flashlight and some imagination go a long way.

• Storytime, old-school: Dust off those childhood books and create a reading nook with a battery-powered lamp.

• Board games & cards: From UNO to 30 Seconds, it’s all about reclaiming analogue fun.

Let Them Loose Outside

While the sun’s up, get the kids outdoors – even a small garden will do.

• Scavenger hunts: Write a list, hand it over, and let them hunt.

• Backyard soccer or bike races: Good for burning energy and avoiding meltdowns.

• Nature sketching: Grab paper and pencils and let them draw what they see.

Get Crafty (Mess Encouraged)

Arts and crafts are perfect for power-off periods – no screens, all imagination.

• Build a fort. Make comics. Design posters about “The Day the Lights Went Out.”

• Use whatever’s in the cupboard – string, glue, cereal boxes, newspaper.

Image 1: Pexels

Safety Before Aesthetics

Candles? Romantic. Safe for kids? Not so much.

• Go for rechargeable LED lamps, headlamps, or solar lanterns.

• Keep a flashlight in every room.

• Teach your kids how to use them – it makes them feel part of the plan.

Flip the Script: Make It Family Time

Sure, load shedding disrupts routines – but it also slows us down in a good way.

• Play “20 Questions” or “I Spy” in the dark.

• Share stories about what you did when you were their age – before Netflix, before TikTok, before microwaves.

• Have a family singalong (talent optional).

More and more parents are seeing this as a weird kind of blessing – a chance to unplug and actually connect.

Your Load Reduction Survival Kit

Here’s what smart Joburg households are keeping ready:

• Flashlights, spare batteries, power banks

• Water, dry snacks, thermos flasks

• Board games, books, puzzle sets

• Prepped meals that don’t need heating

• A sense of humour (you’ll need it)

Whether it’s Stage 2, Stage 6, or just surprise “maintenance,” Joburg’s winter power cuts aren’t going anywhere. But with a little planning and a whole lot of imagination, you can turn those powerless hours into something meaningful.

Because raising kids is chaotic with electricity – you might as well make the most of the dark.

Also read: Best Loadshedding Survival Gear for Joburg Homes Under R500 (2025)

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Featured Image: Pexels