How to Make a Bug Out Bag for Kids

Making a bug out bag for yourself, as an adult, seems easy. You know exactly what you need, you’re a full grown adult which means you can carry a good load and you’re not a picky eater. 

…ok, some adults are picky eaters. 

Regardless, packing a bag is easier if you’re an adult doing it for yourself. But what about for a child? 

Everyone in the household should have their own bags, even pets. 

Here are some tips on how you can put together a bag for your kid(s): 

1. Get their help – I’ve been making a bag for my kids since they were born. Obviously they can’t have much input until they’re at least 1 and even then they really don’t care. But, put the bag on them. Ask them what toys they like. Ask them what kind of snacks they like. Get their input as much as possible to really make it their own. You’re still going to decide what is and isn’t best for them, but they will feel more empowered and eager to carry and use the bag if they’re involved with the creation of it. As they get older, they’ll pick out more of their gear and make the bags themselves. 
2. Keep it light – I’d say for any kid under the age of 10, you should keep it fairly light. Put some snacks, toys, games, extra clothes, diapers, wipes and maybe a couple practical items in there like a flashlight and glow sticks, maybe a wooden practice knife. Other than that, keep it simple and more about entertaining them than being prepared. You’ll be carrying their food, water, sleep system and anything else they need. Remember that they should be able to carry it, so keep it light enough so they’re able to wear it if need be. 
3. Let them use it – Try not to just stick the bag in a closet and never let them touch it or see it or play with it. Take it camping with you, take it in the car, go outside and use it, hike with it, etc. It’s okay if they take stuff out and play with it and put it back. Obviously you want to make sure that it all gets put away when done using it, but it’s important for them to feel like it’s theirs. 
4. Inventory the bag often – Just like you would inventory your own bug out bag 1-2 times a year, you’ll probably be inventorying a childs bag a lot more often because of how quickly they grow and their interests change. I made a bag for both of my children when they were born and 2 months later had to change stuff out, then another few months later, had to change stuff again! It really never ends. So try to inventory it as often as you can. I’d suggest putting a reminder in the calendar on your phone. 

Here are some general gear ideas of what to put into a kids bug out bag: 

• Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Glow sticks
• Busy bags
• Coloring book with washable markers
• Blanket
• Snacks
• Couple change of clothes
• Baby wipes
• Wash cloth
• One of their favorite cups to fill with water
• A few toys
• Small books
• Headphones
• Whistle
• Laminated card with emergency numbers on it
• Diapers/underwear
• Extra socks
• Wooden knife to practice knife safety
• Hair brush 
• Toothbrush and toothpaste

If they’re over the age of 10, or whenever you think they’re strong enough, you may also consider adding their sleep system (sleeping bag, sleeping mat, inflatable pillow) and their 3 days worth of food (ideally something lightweight and packable like Mountain House). 

It doesn’t matter what age your kids are, a bug out bag can easily be made for them. Their level of involvement will change with age and experience. Make the whole experience fun and engaging and they’ll be far more interested in helping to make it, or completely making it themselves. 

You may see a recurring pattern: get them involved. It’s okay if they just sit there and stare at you while you do all the work, but just try to have them around. 

Talk to them about what you’re doing, too. In a nice way. When I talk to my toddler about her bag she says “bag for emergencies”. She may not fully understand what that means, but she heard me and that’s really all that matters. When it comes time for us to grab our gear, I can tell her we’re grabbing our bags that we use for emergencies, and she’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. 

Kids are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. Even if you think they aren’t listening, they are. Get them involved in the whole process and they’ll take a lot more responsibility for their own bug out bag and essentially, their own preparedness.