Emergency kit for kids: what children need for 72 hours
A child’s 72-hour kit is the family kit plus their own water and food they like, any medicines, an ID card with your contact details, a change of clothes, a comfort toy, their own small torch and something to do. Involve them in packing it: children who know the plan are calmer when it happens.
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The checklist by age
| Age | Add to the family kit |
|---|---|
| 0–2 years | Ready-to-feed formula or food pouches, bottles, nappies, wipes, nappy cream, baby sleeping bag, thermometer, carrier. See the baby kit. |
| 3–6 years | Favourite snacks and drinks, comfort toy or blanket, spare clothes and pull-ups if needed, picture books, crayons, small head torch, ID card |
| 7–12 years | Own small backpack, water bottle, snacks, torch, whistle, card games, a book, ID card with phone numbers, simple first-aid knowledge |
| Teenagers | Charged power bank and cable, paper list of numbers, cash, own grab bag, role in the family plan (checking on a neighbour, looking after a sibling) |
What every child needs
Water and food they will actually eat
Children need water like adults: plan the same 3 litres (0.8 US gal) per person per day. For food, pack what they like and recognise: cereal bars, crackers, raisins, squeezable fruit pouches, small UHT milk or juice cartons. Ready-to-feed formula is best for babies, because you may not be able to boil water safely, as the UK government points out.
Medicines and health
- Any regular medicines and inhalers, with a copy of the prescription.
- Children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen in the right strength, and a digital thermometer.
- Plasters in fun designs: they really do help.
- Allergy information on their ID card.
An ID card in every bag
Write the child’s name, parents’ names and phone numbers, a contact outside the area, allergies and medicines. Add a recent photo of the child to your own pouch, in case you are separated.
Light, warmth and comfort
A child’s own head torch makes a dark evening an adventure. Glow sticks work as a safe night light. Pack a warm layer, socks and a hat, and a familiar blanket or soft toy.
Something to do
Three days without screens is long. A deck of card games, a book, a notebook and pencils, and a small puzzle weigh almost nothing. Ready.gov’s children’s pages also have activity ideas.
A kid-sized grab bag
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kids’ head torch | Ages 4+ | Light, simple button | Check price on Amazon |
| Glow sticks | Night light, signalling | No batteries, no flame | Check price on Amazon |
| Card games | Hours without power | Pocket-sized | Check price on Amazon |
| Energy or cereal bars | Snacks | Long shelf life | Check price on Amazon |
| Whistle and foil blanket | Signalling and warmth | Fits in a pocket | Check price on Amazon |
| Compact first-aid kit | Their own bag or the car | Plasters and basics | Check price on Amazon |
We don’t list prices because they change often. Use the button to see the current price on Amazon.
How to talk to children about emergencies
- Keep it calm and short. “Sometimes the power goes off or there’s a big storm. Grown-ups have a plan, and you can help.”
- Make them part of it. Let them choose snacks and a toy for their bag, and test their torch.
- Practise like a game. A “blackout evening” with torches and cards turns the plan into a nice memory.
- Teach the basics. Your address, a parent’s phone number, and the emergency number (112 in Europe and many other countries, 999 also in the UK, 911 in North America).
- Agree meeting points. One near home, one further away, and who may collect them from school.
- Answer questions honestly and limit news exposure during a real event.
School and childcare
Ask your school how it handles emergencies: does it shelter in place, how does it contact parents if phones are down, and who may collect your child? Keep your contact details and authorised pick-up list up to date.
Next: build the rest of the household kit with the basic 72-hour kit, and if you have a baby, the baby kit.
Questions people ask
What should be in a child’s emergency kit?
Water and snacks they like, any medicines, a change of clothes, a warm layer, a small torch, a whistle, an ID card with parents’ numbers, a family photo, a comfort item and some games or books. Babies need formula, nappies and wipes; see the baby kit.
How do I talk to my child about emergencies without scaring them?
Keep it short, calm and practical: emergencies are rare, grown-ups have a plan, and here is what we would do. Let them help pack the kit and practise the plan like a game.
Should children have their own emergency bag?
From about school age, yes: a small backpack with their own torch, snacks, water, ID card and comfort item. Keep the heavier supplies in the family kit.
What if an emergency happens while my child is at school?
Ask the school for its emergency plan and how it contacts parents, make sure your contact details are up to date, and agree who is allowed to pick your child up.
When should children learn the emergency number?
As early as they can understand it. Teach them 112 (or your local number), their address and a parent’s phone number, and practise what to say.
Keep reading
- /kits/baby/
- 72-hour emergency food list (no cooking)
- Best emergency torch and headlamp
- How much cash to keep at home, and which documents to copy