A family plan for young children needs three things a standard adult plan does not: supplies sized for infants and toddlers, communication that matches what a young child can actually understand, and practice that turns the plan into a habit instead of a piece of paper in a drawer. Ready.gov’s Ready Kids program and the American Red Cross both build their family guidance around this idea. Start with your base emergency plan and kit, then layer in what your youngest family members need.
If a child in your home depends on prescription medication, a feeding tube, oxygen, or another medical device, talk with their pediatrician or specialist before an emergency happens. Ask what backup supply to keep on hand and what to do if a dose is missed or equipment loses power. This planning conversation belongs with your child’s clinician, not with a website.
Step 1: Build Your Family Communication Plan First
Ready.gov recommends starting with a family communication plan, because phone networks can fail or get overloaded during a disaster. Pick an out-of-town contact that every adult and older child knows how to reach, since it is often easier to call or text out of state than across town during a local emergency. Text messages use less bandwidth than phone calls and may go through when calls will not.
Write the plan down. Keep a printed copy in your wallet, your car, and your child’s backpack, and post one at home where a babysitter or grandparent would see it. Practice it with your family at least once a year, and update it whenever a phone number, address, or child care provider changes.
What to check before acting on Emergency Preparedness for Families With Young Children
- Out-of-town emergency contact name and number, memorized or written down for every household member old enough to read
- Two meeting places: one right outside your home, one outside your neighborhood in case you cannot get back
- A wallet-sized contact card for each child, including school-age kids, kept in a backpack or coat pocket
- Child care provider, school, and pediatrician contact information written into the plan
- A yearly reminder to review and practice the plan as a family
Step 2: Add Infant and Toddler Supplies to Your Base Kit
Ready.gov’s basic emergency supply list covers water, food, a flashlight, a radio, and a first aid kit for the whole household. For families with a baby or toddler, the same list calls out infant formula and diapers as items to add on top of the basics. Build your household kit first, then add a separate bag just for your youngest child so it is easy to grab on its own.
Our Emergency Food & Water coverage goes deeper into water storage amounts and shelf-stable food choices if you want to plan your household’s supply beyond the basics below.
What to check before acting on Emergency Preparedness for Families With Young Children
- Formula and feeding supplies for at least several days, plus a manual can opener if you use canned formula
- Diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream sized for your child’s current stage, not last season’s size
- A few days of any prescription medication your child takes, stored with a note of the dose and prescribing doctor
- A comfort item, such as a small blanket or stuffed animal, to help reduce fear during a stressful event
- An extra change of clothing per day, since young children go through clothes faster than adults during an emergency
- A recent photo of your child and a card with their full name, your names, and your out-of-town contact, in case you are separated
If you are also building a grab-and-go bag for evacuation, our Bug Out Bag guidance covers what a 72-hour kit needs for the whole household, including how family configurations with children differ from a solo pack.
Step 3: Match Your Plan to Each Child’s Age
A four-year-old and a ten-year-old need different information from the same family plan. Ready Kids groups its resources by age for this reason, with separate materials for young kids, teens, and the adults guiding them.
- Infants and toddlers: They cannot learn a plan, but they respond to your calm tone and familiar routines. Keep a consistent comfort item and routine ready; there is nothing to drill with this age group.
- Preschool age: They can learn their name, your name, and a simple safety action like “stop, drop, and roll” or “go to Mommy or Daddy.” Practice in short, repeated bursts using play, not lecture.
- School-age children: They can learn their full name, address, phone number, and how to use a wallet contact card. Practice family meeting spots and the communication plan once or twice a year.
- Teens: They can take a leadership role in the family plan, including helping younger siblings. Involve them directly in building the kit and reviewing the plan.
Step 4: Talk About Disasters Before One Happens
The Red Cross recommends talking with your children about emergencies in advance, because discussing it ahead of time reduces fear, especially for younger kids. Learn which disasters are most common where you live, then explain them in simple terms your child can follow.
How you react during an emergency shapes how your child reacts. Children look to the adults around them for cues. If you can stay calm and matter-of-fact, your child is more likely to feel steady too. After an emergency passes, expect some children to act younger than their age for a while, or to become clingy or withdrawn. This is a normal short-term response to a stressful event, not something you need to fix on your own. If those behaviors last for weeks or seem severe, a pediatrician or child mental health professional can help.
Putting Emergency Preparedness for Families With Young Children information into practice
- If you have no plan at all, start with the family communication plan and pick your out-of-town contact today.
- If you have a plan but no kit, build your basic household kit, then add the infant or toddler supplies listed above.
- If you have a kit but have not practiced, schedule one 15-minute family drill this month, sized to your oldest child’s age.
- If your child has a medical condition, medication, or device, call their clinician before you finalize your kit.
Common questions about Emergency Preparedness for Families With Young Children
How much formula and diapers should I store for an emergency?
Ready.gov does not publish an exact quantity for formula and diapers; it lists them as items to add to your household kit based on your child’s needs. A reasonable starting point is enough for the same several-day window you are stocking food and water for, then adjust based on how quickly your child goes through supplies.
What if my child cannot understand a communication plan yet?
Infants and toddlers cannot learn or practice a plan. Focus on keeping a comfort item, a recent photo, and an ID card with them, and rely on your own calm behavior to help them feel safe. Age-appropriate involvement starts around preschool age with simple names and safety actions.
Should I let my young child watch news coverage of a disaster?
The Red Cross advises limiting a young child’s exposure to repeated news footage after an emergency, since they may not understand they are watching replayed coverage rather than a new event. Talk with them directly instead, using simple and honest language.
My child takes daily medication. What should I do differently?
Store a few days of medication with their kit along with dosage and prescriber information, and talk with your child’s doctor about a backup plan for refills or equipment power. This is a conversation to have with a qualified clinician, not a decision to make from a checklist alone.
Educational Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical, legal, or emergency response advice. It does not diagnose any condition or replace guidance from your child’s pediatrician, your local emergency management office, or first responders during an active emergency. See our Medical Disclaimer for more detail on how we cover health-adjacent topics.
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.