Prepping with little kids

[SaylorJD]

I am looking for some advice on prepping with little kids. I have a two year old daughter (like things won’t be bad enough hehe). When it comes to prepping I am still new and being a father makes it a little harder for me to know where to start.

Like I said she is two right now almost three. So she isn’t totally helpless she can eat, potty and she can almost dress herself. But I’m not an idiot I know she can’t be carrying her own supplies like my wife so that means a bigger bag.

So what would be the best things to focus on.

 

[realisticdude]

Besides necessities , somethings to keep her quiet and entertained............. and some snacks.

 

[jimLE]

i would say lots of snacks.but that means lots n lots n lots of pit stops.and that aint good when bugging out to a new location..lol..like dude pointed out.things to keep her entertained.and maybe some sort of travaling game that you n your wife can play with her.like the i spy game.like i spy some thing green-red-yellow..and if she's learning to spell.play word games.

 

[SaylorJD]

Snacks are always a must with kids. And I really like the game idea. Any gear or special equipment ideas? I mean im not going to be giving her a 22. But any ideas where to get other “kid friendly” prepping gear?

 

[jimLE]

my mom n me were in dollar genral store yesterday.and i bought a lil backpack/bag for a neice of mine who is almost 2 years old.

 

[Colt 1911]

Snacks are always a must with kids. And I really like the game idea. Any gear or special equipment ideas? I mean im not going to be giving her a 22. But any ideas where to get other “kid friendly” prepping gear?

I think whatever would make her feel better and comfortable. i.e toys/ blanket. All the prep stuff will be on you. My kid is 8 yr's old and i still carry must of his stuff on backpacking trips. Except for his swiss army knife, can't get my hands on that.

 

[old_anorak]

My suggestion would be to help her learn to go to sleep anywhere. A lot of kids have a routine and if that routine gets broken then you have a meltdown. Think Rainman wanting to watch Judge Wopner, not something you want to deal with in an emergency. If you can, get her a little sleeping bag and have her start with taking naps in various places in the house, both with and without noise. You want a kid that can drop off in the middle of a zombie attack without a peep.

If you are planning to bug out on foot, get a game cart that hunters use or maybe a garden cart. You can carry more stuff and the little one can ride. You can move faster with more that way.

 

[SaylorJD]

Sleeping isn’t something I have even thought of with her. But you are so right. When we go visit some place new she has the tendency to stay up well past midnight. Good call on the sleeping bag idea and thanks for it.

 

[old_anorak]

You are very welcome.

 

[realisticdude]

Daddy , Are we at the bug out place yet ? lol

 

[jimLE]

lol..

 

[nbagreats01]

I've got a lil sis and she's always carrying a doll with her. That keeps her going for hours. It works because it keeps a small one close while you go about whatever it is your doing

 

[Shenandoah]

I am looking for some advice on prepping with little kids. I have a two year old daughter (like things won’t be bad enough hehe). When it comes to prepping I am still new and being a father makes it a little harder for me to know where to start.

Like I said she is two right now almost three. So she isn’t totally helpless she can eat, potty and she can almost dress herself. But I’m not an idiot I know she can’t be carrying her own supplies like my wife so that means a bigger bag.

So what would be the best things to focus on.

Saylor-
For your money you can't beat the travel size Etch-A-Sketch! It will keep little ones occupied for hours....also a couple of drawing tablets and a box of crayons are small to pack and offer hours of entertainment for toddlers. Also, please consider a few medical supplies for the 3 year old. Crisis comes not only to the parents but guaranteed, your little girl will sense the stress of a wtshtf scenerio! Liquid Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen also Immodium for children is a must-have. Diarrhea resulting in dehydration can be lethal for children. Just a few thoughts.

Blessings,
Shenandoah

 

[The Norwegian]

Prepping with kids, brilliant topic and I struggle with this myself. We do camping so we have some stuff we can use. They are five so they carry their own backpacks, flashlight, their favourite dolls/teddybears, some toys. If we need to leave we will proably use clothing that is good and easy to wear including good walking shoes. Not started to look into medicines, but good suggestions from Shenandoah . Question, are you telling your kids that you are prepping and why you are doing it? Wouldn't scare them? So far I have only told my wife (who btw supports me).

 

[old_anorak]

At the age of 5 they don't really need to know much more than that you and Mom are there to look out for them. No need in giving them more to think about and worry themselves over that just equals nightmares for you to deal with.

 

[SaylorJD]

At the age of 5 they don't really need to know much more than that you and Mom are there to look out for them. No need in giving them more to think about and worry themselves over that just equals nightmares for you to deal with.

I agree, there is no need to scare kids when SHTF. I don’t tell my two year old anything because I know she is way to young to really know what is going on.

 

[SaylorJD]

Prepping with kids, brilliant topic and I struggle with this myself. We do camping so we have some stuff we can use. They are five so they carry their own backpacks, flashlight, their favourite dolls/teddybears, some toys. If we need to leave we will proably use clothing that is good and easy to wear including good walking shoes. Not started to look into medicines, but good suggestions from Shenandoah . Question, are you telling your kids that you are prepping and why you are doing it? Wouldn't scare them? So far I have only told my wife (who btw supports me).

I think the best thing for anyone who is prepping is to do it as a family or a group depending on what you are getting ready for and if you are bugging in or out. My wife knows what I am doing and she loves it. She is doing things to help me and prepare herself for when SHTF. But I also got my father into prepping and he is coming up with great ideas and plans. Basically the more support the better. The you can avoid the awkward “I told you so”

 

[Krime]

I have small ones too, 5,4, and 1.
Yup, most of their needed supplys i will be carring, yet my 4yr old loves a good backpack! I let her play with one all the time, gets her actually used to carring one. ive read some great ideas, but id suggest adding water to that.
snacks, water, some games/books/toys/crayons etc but not all lol, a small .99¢ srore first aid kit n i dont care how old they are i put a swiss army knife in their bag, mainly for me in case my bag gets jacked or i lose mine etc but its good to have.
Also i suggest, once you actually get his/her bag done, put it on them and go for a walk down the street to see how/if they can manage the weight, adjust to their useability.

 

[SaylorJD]

An extra knife in there bag is one of the best ideas I have heard so far. It’s always a good idea to have a back up, two is one and one is none.

 

[WILD MAN]

Take the kids camping and fishing on the weekends get them used to staying outdoors, gathering firewood walking through the woods, picking berries stuff like that, the more the outdoors seems normal the less stressed out they will be when the time comes, and the less stress on them, the less stress on you.

 

[MARTYR]

Take the kids camping and fishing on the weekends get them used to staying outdoors, gathering firewood walking through the woods, picking berries stuff like that, the more the outdoors seems normal the less stressed out they will be when the time comes, and the less stress on them, the less stress on you.

I agree with wild man. i started taking my daughter fishing and shooting a bb gun at 3 years old (under strict supervision). at only about 4 or so she was able to catch fish and shoot dove for food for us. they learn quick and kids are pretty tough. here in texas i have made a point to teach her to handle and identify snakes (cotton mouths and rattlers are a problem on our land).

 

[old_anorak]

If you don't want to risk the chance of the kid getting their little mitts on the knife, sew it into the lining.

 

[rudyc]

my brother in law loves doves and rabbits.. and he is real good with a pellet rifle.,

 

[SaylorJD]

Mine is two so still a bit to young to do any shooting with. Wouldn’t mind taking her to a rang just to get her used to the sound. And camping trips will have to be a must when I get back.

 

[Roninsensei]

Get a Protection breed dog and teach it to pull a big tire wagon or a game stretcher. For children and gear nothing beats a dog. You can teach the dog to run off when you give it the command, deal with the danger and then call him back. If the child is in the wagon or stretcher then they'll be safe until you call the dog back. This isn't a today thing but a future thing. Dogs can handle a lot more hauling than us plus, we get less worn from carrying the kids because the dog is doing the work.

 

[The Norwegian]

Looks like all agrees in this. Perfect. So far we have done some training like if the house should start to burn. Where to go and how to act. Works good so far. Camping is something we do already and we use the forest pretty often. Have not prepared any bags. Not planning to bug out, but I of course prep for my kids in the basement at home.

 

[Haloray]

My son is 1 year 9 months and it's hard making a BOB that fits their evolving needs. I want to get some cloth diapers, till then I have regular ones rolled up two sizes too big, wipes, some outfits, and id bracelet, waste bags (really compact) hygiene kit with chap stick, soap, clippers, brush ect. I have glow bracelets and food utensils. I have some fruit pouches and such (ill post pictures) and a few toys, multi use baby ointment, ect I also have many water containers but most important is things like deet free bug spray, sun screen ect. Try to get as much organic and sensitive as possible because prolonged exposure to deet and some chemicals can cause seizures and you just always want to be extra careful with their sensitive skin. I have a large extensive first aid bag too but here is a good video on child bugging out. most importantly is get your child use to being outdoors and eating/experiencing a wide variety of things. I have got to the point where if I hand my son something to eat he will eat it even if it's a wild clover off the ground. Oh yes, and they need to know when to be quiet (still working on that!!)

 

[Haloray]

oh and blankets and stuff. lots of important things in a child BOB. the panda is my sons personal Bug out bag, that black one is the 72 hour BOB

 

[Haloray]

oh and my son is one solid foods, but I still think these pouches are a good thing to have for children. Hopefully we will be able to scavenge/hunt for real foods too

 

[Kenprep1979]

I am looking for some advice on prepping with little kids. I have a two year old daughter (like things won’t be bad enough hehe). When it comes to prepping I am still new and being a father makes it a little harder for me to know where to start.

Like I said she is two right now almost three. So she isn’t totally helpless she can eat, potty and she can almost dress herself. But I’m not an idiot I know she can’t be carrying her own supplies like my wife so that means a bigger bag.

So what would be the best things to focus on.

well i also have a daughter of 2 years old and i just prep normally because she can eat all the same things as us , just throw in some spare kids clothing and make sure to stock some antibiotics in case they get sick and you should be fine.