Bug out bags for children of different ages:

And kids being kids, they sneaked some stuff into their bags that might find their way out if they start complaining about it being too heavy.


Diaper Bag packed for an infant, to be carried by an adult. In a backpack (not shown).

* One dozen cloth diapers and 3 diaper covers.
* about a dozen cloth wipes, which can double as tissue for blowing noses
* change of clothes (seasonally appropriate): onesie, footie pjs, and hat.
* A&D ointment for diaper area and general ski protectant.
* Maya wrap adjustable sling, to hip-carry an infant/toddler up to 35 pounds. (not shown)
* 2 plastic bags for wet clothes and diapers.
* One receiving blanket.
* Small plastic pouch containing: 2 oz bottle of hand sanitizing gel, 1 tube glucose gel (15 grams carbohydrate for moderate lows), 1 stick rub on sunblock, 3 diaper pins, chapstick, and a pen.
* wallet (not shown)
* cell phone (not shown)
* Bottle and infant formula (and a can opener because I wasn't thinking, and should have bought the packets instead). I would recommend using the individual foil-wrapped packets of formula rather than a large can of powder or liquid. First for weight considerations, and secondly, because the foil packets are individual serving sizes that won't go bad as quickly. So don't be a cheapskate like me and buy the liquid because it's cheaper. In the long run it's not, because the liquid needs to be refrigerated within two hours of opening, and if you don't have access to a cooler or refrigeration of any sort, the formula will go bad. And the baby goes hungry.




Note about use of cloth diapers:
Cloth is reusable and easy to clean. When in a hurry, wet diapers can simply be dried and reused again without washing, until able to do so. Disposable diapers may be hard to come by when the SHTF, and I won't count on being able to find them. For washing messy diapers, water needs to be clean, but not necessarily potable (but I'll double check on that).

Note: I breastfeed exclusively, which provides the baby passive immunity, is nutritionally superior, and is good for mom, too. (If you want to know more about breastfeeding , Le Leche League is the go-to source for information). However, in the event that I would be unable to nurse my baby for whatever reason, I have included a bottle, formula, and a bottle of water (not shown) so that the baby could be fed without me.

3 year old backpack
* change of clothes (seasonally appropriate): shirt, long pants, underwear.
* emergency blanket
* rain poncho
* toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloth
* water bottle and three packets of drink mix (with potassium and sodium). This photo shows a 20-oz water bottle. It turns out this is a little too big for the bag, and too heavy for him when filled. A better option would be an 8-10 ounce plastic water bottle, such as one used by distance runners.
* pkg. ready-to-eat tuna and crackers and applesauce (and there is a spoon in the package).



6 years Weight 4-5 pounds; backpack:
* Change of clothes (seasonally appropriate): shirt, pair of pants, pair of long johns, pair of socks.
* emergency blanket
* emergency rain poncho
* small flashlight with batteries.
* toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth to double as towel.
* whistle/compass/mirror
* water bottle and three packets drink mix (with potassium and sodium)
* pkg. ready-to-eat tuna and crackers and appleasauce.




9 year old backpack (unknown weight, I don't have a scale)
*change of clothes (seasonally appropriate): shirt, pants, pair of socks and underwear
* emergency blanket
* emergency rain poncho
* small flashlight with batteries
* toothbrush, toothpaste, and small washcloth for a towel.
* water bottle with three packets drink mix (with potassium and sodium)
* pkg. ready-to-eat tuna and crackers and applesauce
* Kept separate, but ready to go:
Blood sugar testing kit with extra test strips, lancets, glucagon kit (not shown), glucose tablets, and cake gel for moderate lows. Also a travel bag with alcohol wipes, syringes, and insulin (Humalog, NPH, and Lantus).





For all of these bags I am trying to think of some lightweight game or plaything that they can play with. Quiet and contented children can be a blessing.