Do you have a bug out bag for kids? Is it all packed and ready to go? If you are looking to prepare your kids for disaster you might want to keep reading.
One problem that many people run into when it comes to packing for a bug out is that they only pack one bug-out bag for each adult.
While this is a start, it's not the best way to go about preparing for a bug-out scenario.
There are a few reasons why it might be a good idea to pack more than one bug-out bag.
Because the grownups are in charge, all of the children's belongings are contained in these two bags, and the child has nothing to carry.
This isn't always the case. Your child will be able to walk and carry their own small bug out bag if he or she is 5 years old or older.
They won't have to carry everything they own, but they will have to carry some of it.
It's crucial to remember that your child's bag should just contain a few essentials.
This keeps the bag light and prevents them from becoming overworked. It will also relieve some of the stress you are carrying.
So, what should a child's bug-out pack contain?
You might want to consider packing items such as:
- Some of their favorite toys, games, and novels
- They need some clothes.
- They'll need a water bottle and enough water to last them the day. 72-hour period
- Bandages and wet wipes
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- A laminated card containing emergency contact information as well as their home address
- Food for three days consists of cereal bars, crackers, peanut butter, freeze-dried fruit, etc.
- Poncho
- Medication that they might require
These items are lightweight but nonetheless necessary for the child.
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Carrying all of their belongings and lugging the weight will cause you to crawl if you have three children.
By distributing the load amongst them, everyone will share in the responsibility, making your life easier and less taxing.
When preparing, it is critical that you pack the bag and allow your child to carry it and stroll around with it.
They should be comfy and the weight should not be too heavy.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind at all times:
- Children's joints are weaker, and their stamina is lower. Keep the bags light and take them trekking or frequently walking to help them gain strength and endurance.
- They don't require much equipment. Children are not required to carry maps, flashlights, batteries, or other items. They simply need to bring what they'll need. So packing some of your equipment in their suitcases is not a good idea.
- The child must believe he is responsible for himself. Typically, children appreciate being given this responsibility, and it all feels like an adventure to them. It would help if you made it sound enjoyable.
Survival scenarios are usually unpleasant and bleak. If you can keep your children's spirits up as a parent, they will be easier to handle and you will cope better as a family.
The total weight of the bug out bag must differ for the children. They do not require a large bag like grownups.
Only one tiny enough to hold everything they require. In fact, a school bag will suffice to hold all they require. Just make sure it's watertight.
At the end of the day, what you pack in the child's backpack will be determined by your child's needs. There is no 'one size fits all solution to this.
The desires of children vary. Some like handheld gaming, while others prefer reading books. Some love chocolate bars, while others prefer M&Ms.
Your responsibility as a parent is to pack what they need while including a few items they want and enjoy.
When the going gets tough, while goods like a poncho and medication are necessary, it's the video games and novels that will keep them entertained. Strike a balance and pack intelligently.
To Sum it up:
As I mentioned previously, I do not recommend that you put all of the supplies on your child's bug-out bag checklist (BOB).
However, I recommend that you find a happy medium between packing too little and packing too much.
You want the bag to be heavy enough for your child to carry it with ease, but not so heavy that they will not want to carry it.
I want to help you find that balance, so we have put together a chart of weights and the recommended bag sizes for your child's BOB.