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IDHS > About IDHS > Get Prepared > September Is National Preparedness Month > Kids Preparedness Kids Preparedness

Preparing kids can be much different than preparing adults.  A well stocked preparedness kit for adults may not contain items that could be very useful for children after a disaster.  Use these tips to help build a preparedness kit for the entire family.

  • Create a family emergency plan.
  • Growing children have different nutritional needs than adults.  It is important to stock food that not only meets nutritional needs, but also is something that kids want to eat.  Some kid friendly items for your kit include:
  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
  • Canned juice, milk and soup
  • Sugar, salt and pepper
  • High energy foods, like peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
  • Vitamins
  • Fun foods! Like cookies, hard candy, lollipops, instant coffee and tea
  • Special food for babies or older people
    • Everyone in your house should have a complete change of clothes and a pair of sturdy shoes or boots stored in the disaster kit.  Children can grow quickly!  So it is important to check your kit to ensure all clothing and shoes still fit every six months.
    • After a disaster, you may be forced from your home for an extended period of time.  Be sure that you have plenty of activities to keep young children busy and safe from boredom.  Suggested items include:
  • A few of your favorite books
  • Crayons, pencils or marking pens and plenty of paper
  • Scissors and glue
  • Two favorite toys such as a doll or action figure
  • One or two board games
  • A deck of cards
  • A puzzle
  • Small people figures and play vehicles that you can use to play out what is happening during your disaster -- such as ambulance, fire truck, helicopter, dump truck, police car, small boats.
  • Favorite stuffed animal or puppet
  • Favorite blanket or pillow
  • Pictures of the family and pet


    • Fun Preparedness Games for Kids

     

    Watch the Kids Preparedness Video

     

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