Kids and Pets Readiness Pack

It is easy to write a family plan that only works for the adults. Then the storm comes at 3 p.m. on a school day, the dog is hiding under the bed, and the six-year-old is scared of the dark. The plan has to cover the smallest people and the four-legged ones too.

This page covers a comfort kit for each child, jobs by age, the school pickup plan, and a kit and carrier plan for every pet. The free printable has every section with lines to write on, with room for four children and two pets.

"Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds." ~ Proverbs 27:23 (KJV)

Step 1: Plan for Your Kids

Ready.gov tells families to plan around the different ages of the people in the household, and to include households with school-aged children in that thinking. It also says young children and teens alike can be a part of the process. Give them a plan they know and a job they can do.

A Comfort Kit for Each Child

Let each child help pack a small bag of their own, kept with the family go-bags:

• ☐ A small flashlight or headlamp they know how to use
• ☐ A favorite stuffed animal, blanket or small toy
• ☐ A book, cards or a small game that needs no batteries
• ☐ A snack they like and a water bottle
• ☐ A change of clothes
• ☐ A card with the parents' names and phone numbers and a family meeting place

A Job for Every Age

• Little ones: carry their own comfort bag, and hold a sibling's hand.
• Grade school: grab the flashlights, help with the pet's leash, know the meeting place.
• Teens: carry the weather radio, help an older neighbor, know how to text the family group, learn first aid with you.

Practice once. Walk to your shelter spot and your meeting place together. Our Severe Weather Plan has the shelter spot worksheet.

The School and Daycare Pickup Plan

Ready.gov notes that buildings like schools have their own safety plans depending on how they are built and what kind of emergency is happening. Ask your child's school or daycare:

• Where will the children go if they have to leave the building?
• How will the school reach parents?
• Who is allowed to pick up my child, and what do they need to show?

Then make sure a backup adult is on the school's pickup list, in case you cannot get there. Write their name on the printable.

Step 2: Plan for Your Pets

Ready.gov says pets are an important member of your family and need to be in your family's emergency plan. It also says many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside, so know a safe place you can take your pets before an emergency happens.

The Pet Kit

Items Ready.gov lists for a pet emergency kit:

• ☐ Several days of food in an airtight, waterproof container
• ☐ A water bowl and several days of water
• ☐ An extra supply of any medicine your pet takes, in a waterproof container
• ☐ A pet first aid kit (talk to your veterinarian about what your pet needs)
• ☐ Collar with ID tag, a harness or leash, and backups of each
• ☐ Copies of registration and other documents, in a waterproof container and saved electronically
• ☐ A travel bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
• ☐ Litter and litter box (if needed), newspapers, paper towels and trash bags

The Buddy and the Microchip

• Pet buddy: Ready.gov says to plan with neighbors, friends or relatives so someone can care for or evacuate your pets if you cannot.
• Microchip: Ready.gov says to have your pet microchipped and keep your address and phone number up to date, including an emergency contact outside your immediate area.

Get Them Used to the Carrier

Ready.gov's tips: leave the carrier out where your pet often goes, leave it open, feed treats near it or inside it, and add a favorite blanket or small bed. A pet that is used to its carrier is easier to load when you have to leave in a hurry. Ready.gov also says to note where your pets hide, so you can find them fast.

Pet vaccination records and photos belong in your Family Emergency Binder too.

Gear for This Plan

Paid links are marked. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. More picks live on our light and communications gear page.

A Light for Every Child

Black Diamond Astro 300 Headlamp (paid link). The simpler headlamp, good for a kid's drawer and a kid's comfort bag. Show them how it works before they need it.

A Water Filter for a Kid's Bag

LifeStraw Personal (paid link). A simple straw filter, good as a starter or for a kid's bag. The maker rates it for up to 1,000 gallons. Honest downside: the maker says it does not remove viruses. Our Water Filter Chooser explains what that means.

Still on the List, No Pick Yet

A pet first aid kit, a sturdy carrier and a backup leash. Ask your vet, and buy from any store you trust. We will add picks once we have ones we are willing to stand behind.

Get the Printable Pack

The free printable has a comfort kit and job section with room for four children, the school pickup plan, and a kit, buddy and carrier section with room for two pets. See all of our free printable guides.

Where This Advice Comes From

• Ready.gov: Pets and Animals
• Ready.gov: Make a Plan
• Ready.gov: Plan for Locations
• Product details: as on our gear page and in our Emergency Water guide

Last checked: October 11, 2026 (Ready.gov). Product details as on our gear page and in our Emergency Water guide.