BOB for kids

[Danger Boy]

My week+ BOB is well thought out and stocked... I Can revisit it in a month or so... Now for my next project... BOBs for the kiddos -- 3 girls 7 & 13.
Any ideas?

 

[techres]

1. Make sure they include a small, but liked, stuffed animal or other important item. It will be their anchor to stability. But let them pick.

2. ID with full contact info in case of separation.

3. Food.

4. Change of clothes - keep it up to date.

 

[XDLover]

I pack ours like I do my own. The basics for shelter warmth food and water carry. Tools such as small knives and whatever else. Rope and fire starting. Make sure they know how to use all the things. I taught my daughter who is now 18 how to use the fire starters and how to set up shelters and so forth. They are old enough to understand concepts.

 

[Justin Case]

In addition to items mentioned above, I would include wool blankets and LED flashlights with extra batteries. Also a card game to help pass the time.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

I prep the bags for my 5 and 8 year olds much like I would pack a bag for a long trip in the car plus clothes and food. Keep it light, you'll wind up carrying it.

 

[WETSU]

My daughters BOBs have changed over the years since they were around 5 or 6. (now 12 and 10).

Before they had a multitool with a blade, (10th birthday) I gave them a pair of scissors with a sharp point.

They have always had: a headlamp, a chemlight, a water bottle (nalagene), a couple Clif bars, 1st aid kit within their scope of practice/knowledge, wool cap, section of nysil, some flaggers tape, whistle, 550 cord.

More importantly, they know how to use all of that stuff, in multiple ways to ensure their survival. They get drilled on it each year, and then we learn a couple new skills, like land navigation, shooting, animal tracking and so on. Our family time often consists of going to the woods, hiking in, building a shelter and one of them getting a fire going with flint and steel.

I'd wager my girls at 10 and 12 know more about getting along in the woods than half the grown men in this country.

 

[irishfan]

My son is 5 but I put together a small setup in his little back pack that I let him play with to get more familiar. It has some band aids, food bars, water bottle, blanket(soon to be upgraded), hot wheels, story book, headlamp, hat, gloves, and socks. Also, he has a swiss army knife but he only gets that when we are outside but I am thinking of switching to a smaller multi tool I have.

I'm looking to upgrade the blanket to a better setup as well the pack to a Camelbak scout so that he can have his own hydration bladder like dads. The main thing for me is to give him stuff he can think he is ready for anything but also so that he is not weighed down since 5-10lbs is pushing a younger child and could easily be to much if you aren't careful.

 

[chrisjross85]

I have a 3 year old son and he's bag really just has a few small items that he can handle carrying in his back. His mom and I carry everything for the family as far as clothes food tools weapons and so on. If something we to happen we plan on bugging in for the first 72 to 96 hours than weighing our options and how well we can bug out to our locations. I'm curious to see yours all option on my bag for my 3 year old.

 

[Survivalcookie]

I seen someone say id with contact info...what I suggest for all kids is not only a laminated card that has their name age address...mom and dads cell numbers but also numbers of family and close friends in a near by town or another state...put 2 in their BOB so you can safety pin one to the inside of their clothes in a bug out situation. I think about those little kids after Katrina that had nothing and no one knew who they were.

 

[chrisjross85]

I never thought about pinning there information on them as well as in there bag good idea, know what I'm doing this weekend.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

I never thought about pinning there information on them as well as in there bag good idea, know what I'm doing this weekend.

Yeah, I tattooed it on the inside of their cheek..... along with their barcode, because those RFID tags are sometimes known to fail.

 

[chrisjross85]

Throttle Jockey wow I know your kidding but really, Well the tags are made and ready for there bags.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

I seen someone say id with contact info...what I suggest for all kids is not only a laminated card that has their name age address...mom and dads cell numbers but also numbers of family and close friends in a near by town or another state...put 2 in their BOB so you can safety pin one to the inside of their clothes in a bug out situation. I think about those little kids after Katrina that had nothing and no one knew who they were.

Look around in the front of a big box store (think walmart) some time and you will find vending machines that engrave tags for like $5. They even have military style "dog tags". I'm thinking this might be the way to go for kids ID...

 

[spearheadersarge]

I seen someone say id with contact info...what I suggest for all kids is not only a laminated card that has their name age address...mom and dads cell numbers but also numbers of family and close friends in a near by town or another state...put 2 in their BOB so you can safety pin one to the inside of their clothes in a bug out situation. I think about those little kids after Katrina that had nothing and no one knew who they were.

^^^^^^^ This is great info and advice! Rep inbound! +1

 

[MarkM]

When packing a BOB for the kiddos I planned it like we were going camping. Bugspray, ID, Sunscreen socks clothes food and a water bottle. My pack has all the major essentials for the family, weapons, med kit, mre's etc..

 

[Meister]

Both my boys have their own "Go Bag" as they call them. They are responsible for the content and placement and we go through them quarterly to update clothing and batteries.

Each system contains:
Headlamp
SS water bottle
Fire starters
Solar blanket
Sleeping bag
Thermals (winter)
Gloves
Hat(s)
Chapstick
Bug Juice
sunscreen
plastic bags
Woodland camo poncho
zip ties
Cliff bars
Drink mix
Light food- Ramen/instant hot chocolate/instant mac
Mess kit
TP
space saver towel
wet wipes
light first aid kit
Mirror
Knife
whistle
clicker
compass
Undies
Socks
topo's of our area. retreat area and rally point maps
Cordage

Shared:
Shovel
Esbit Stove and fuel
goody bag (chocolate)

Bags come to 14lbs for 10yo, 12lbs for 7yo. The bag itself is a digital camo knockoff brand with molle attachment points and pockets. Inexpensive and light. Not waterproof though, so keep trash bags handy.

Practice with the bags as much as possible. We are into scouting so we take every opportunity we can get to go practice our skills. That's the only way to get the kids ready to use the kit. I know I've seen a marked improvement over the last year in readiness with regard to the bags. It's streamlined my bag quite a bit as well. I carry a 2 man tent and the wife does as well. works out great.

 

[10-32]

You might find some ideas in this thread.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/survival_and_disaster_preparedness/240501-kids_and_bobs.html