FAMILY READY · CALM PLANS
What should go in a home emergency kit for babies, toddlers, and older children?
An emergency kit supports short-term needs when a family cannot access stores or must stay away from home briefly. Kits are not a substitute for local official instructions or for longer-term plans; follow the guidance of local authorities during an incident. This article focuses on assembling simple, low-cost kits that address the unique needs of babies, toddlers, and older children, explains how to rotate supplies, and outlines how to practise using the kit so it serves the family when needed. For further family planning, consult resources from Ready.gov, the Red Cross, and CDC.
Core principles for planning a child-centred kit
Kits should be tailored to the child’s age and daily needs. Include enough supplies for at least 72 hours for basic needs: food, water, hygiene, comfort, and any essential medical items your child uses regularly. Keep a separate small grab-and-go kit at home and a larger, more complete family kit for longer stays or evacuations.
Prioritise items the child uses daily — a formula brand, size-specific clothing, a preferred cup — so disruptions are minimised. Avoid single-use only solutions; choose items you can rotate into daily use to prevent waste and keep supplies fresh.
Suggested items by age group (practical, non-exhaustive)
Babies (0–12 months): Ready-to-prepare infant formula or enough expressed breastmilk stored as recommended for safety; age-appropriate feeding bottles and nipples; a manual bottle brush; diapers and wipes (plan for frequent changes); a small blanket; extra pacifiers if used; a copy of feeding routines and allergy notes for caregivers. If your child uses specific medical equipment, include instructions and spare batteries where applicable and appropriate.
Toddlers (1–3 years): Easy-to-open snacks the child already accepts, a small sippy cup, change of clothes in sizes the child can still wear, diapers or training pants as needed, wipes, a comfort toy, sunscreen and hat, and a basic first-aid kit sized for little ones. Include a recent photo of the child and a laminated emergency contact card.
Older children (4–12 and teens): Non-perishable snacks they will eat, a refillable water bottle, a change of clothes, personal hygiene items, activity items such as coloring materials or a small game, any prescription medications in labelled containers, and a copy of emergency contact information.
Age-flexible, low-cost assembly and storage steps
Step 1 — Inventory current supplies: Look through what you use daily and set aside duplicates. Rotate items such as diapers, formula, and snacks into normal use so nothing expires on the shelf.
Step 2 — Use inexpensive containers: A sturdy backpack, clear plastic bin, or duffel bag works well. Label each kit with the child’s name and a packing list inside. Keep a spare small kit in the car or at a caregiver’s home if you regularly travel to work or childcare.
Step 3 — Make a checklist: Create a laminated checklist for each child so caregivers can quickly confirm contents. Store a digital copy in your secure family plan for easy updates.