12 Crisis Preparedness Tips Specifically for Families with Children

Tip 1: Let Children Pack Their Own Small Bag

Children who participate in preparedness feel ownership and control. For children ages 5 and up, give them a small backpack and let them choose:

One comfort item (small toy, stuffed animal)
Their own water bottle
A snack they like
A change of clothes

Brief them: "This is your bag. If we ever need to leave quickly, you grab this." This converts an abstract concept into a concrete, actionable thing they own.

Tip 2: Write Each Child's Information on Their Arm During Crisis Events

In major evacuations or civil emergencies, children can become separated from parents. A simple measure: during any elevated-risk period, write your phone number and name on the inside of your child's forearm with a permanent marker.

Or prepare a laminated card for each child to carry in their bag with:

Child's name
Parent names and phone numbers
Home address
Any medical information

Tip 3: Establish a Code Word

A family code word creates a simple authentication system. If someone other than the usual caregiver needs to pick up your child, they must know the code word.

Choose a memorable but not obvious word. Tell it to your children in a matter-of-fact way. Tell it to people who might need to act as emergency caregivers.

Tip 4: Practice the Meeting Points — Don't Just Explain Them

Telling children where to meet in an emergency registers differently than walking there and saying "this is where we meet." Do the second one.

Walk to each meeting point. Let children navigate there themselves. Make it a game. The physical memory is more reliable than the verbal instruction in a crisis.

Tip 5: Stock Comfort Foods Specifically for Children

During stressful situations, familiar food provides genuine psychological stability for children. Your emergency food supply should include:

Crackers or biscuits they like
Peanut butter or nut butter (calorie-dense, shelf-stable)
Familiar cereal
A treat they enjoy (chocolate, gummy candies)

This isn't indulgence — it's effective stress management. A child who eats comfortingly familiar food is calmer than one who's being told to eat emergency rations they've never seen.

Tip 6: Keep Children's Medication Supply at 30 Days

For any regularly-taken medication — ADHD, asthma, epilepsy, allergy — maintain a 30-day supply buffer. Don't let it run to the last few days before refilling.

During a crisis, pharmacies may be closed or unable to fill prescriptions. Running out of a necessary medication during an already stressful situation is one of the most avoidable family crisis complications.

Tip 7: Know Your School's Emergency Protocol

Most parents have never read their children's school emergency protocol. You should know:

What does the school do when there's an emergency during school hours?
How will you be notified?
Who is authorized to pick up your child (besides you)?
What if you can't be reached?

Ask the school directly. Update authorized pickup persons whenever your contacts change.

Tip 8: Assign Age-Appropriate Responsibilities

Involving children in emergency preparation gives them competence and reduces anxiety. Age-appropriate responsibilities:

Ages 5-7: Know the meeting point, know parents' phone numbers, know where the flashlight is.

Ages 8-12: Can pack their own go-bag, know the family communication plan, can call emergency services if necessary.

Ages 13+: Can lead younger siblings in an emergency, can follow the evacuation plan independently, understands the full family crisis plan.

Children who feel responsible feel capable. Capable children are calmer.

Tip 9: Address Fear Honestly, Not Dismissively

Telling children "nothing bad will happen, don't worry" is well-intentioned but counterproductive. Children notice when adults are worried. They trust honest information more than false reassurance.

Better approaches:

"Something happened with the electricity, but we have a plan and we have everything we need."
"We don't know exactly how long this will take, but we're prepared and we'll be okay."
"It's okay to feel a little scared. I feel that sometimes too. Here's what helps me..."

Modeling honest, calm communication under stress teaches children exactly the skill they need.

Tip 10: Plan for Entertainment During Extended Stays

During a power outage or shelter-in-place, children quickly exhaust their ability to sit quietly. Plan for this specifically:

Card games and board games (no batteries required)
Books (physical books)
Simple craft supplies
Puzzles

These items deserve a dedicated spot in your emergency supply that children know about. "Boring crisis" is manageable. "Terrifying and boring crisis" creates escalating behavioral problems.

Tip 11: Coordinate with Other Parents in Your Area

Your crisis planning doesn't exist in isolation. Who are your children's friends' parents? Do they have a plan?

A small network of 2-3 other families who know each other creates enormous resilience:

Mutual childcare backup if one parent is unavailable
Shared supplies and skills
Communication even if one phone fails
Emotional support and reality-checking

This network costs nothing and provides more than any piece of equipment.

Tip 12: Test It Annually

Once a year, run a practice emergency with your family. This doesn't need to be elaborate. "The power has been out for 3 hours" followed by: can we find our flashlights? Do we know where the food is? Does everyone remember the meeting point?

Discover your gaps when it doesn't matter. Every discovered gap in a drill is one that won't surprise you in a real emergency.