Emergency kit checklist for a family with children
23 things to have ready for a family with two children, with how much water and food to store for 2 adults and 2 children.
For 2 adults and 2 children, store 36 L of drinking water and about 96,650 kJ (23,100 Cal) of food for 3 days1, plus food your children will eat, children's arrangements.
With children, being ready is mostly about familiar food, something to do and knowing who collects who.
Who this plan is for
Two adults and two children. SupKit's planning assumptions for this household:
| Who | Energy a day | Drinking water a day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult × 2 | 18,828 kJ (4,500 Cal) | 6 L |
| Child × 2 | 13,389 kJ (3,200 Cal) | 6 L |
Water and food for 2 adults and 2 children
| 3 days | 7 days | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking water | 36 L | 84 L |
| Food energy | 96,650 kJ (23,100 Cal) | 225,518 kJ (53,900 Cal) |
What a family with two children should add
- Food your children will eat
Familiar foods and snacks your children are happy to eat. - Children's arrangements
School or childcare contacts and who would collect your children.
Also on New Zealand's official kit list
- NZ recommends keeping emergency items at home, in a grab bag, in your car and at work.2
Everything else every home needs
- Food: food for everyone, manual tin opener
- Water: drinking water
- Hygiene: hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toilet roll and bathroom products, personal hygiene supplies
- Power & warmth: torch, spare batteries, charged power bank, battery or wind-up radio, blankets or sleeping bags, camping stove, warm clothing
- Health & safety: first aid kit
- Plans & essentials: emergency contacts, meeting point, utility shut-offs, some cash, important documents, insurance details
See the full household checklist for what each one involves.
A sample shopping list for 3 days
One way to reach 96,650 kJ (23,100 Cal) with long-life food. SupKit estimate Swap in what your household likes.
| Item | How many |
|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | 12 |
| Tinned soup | 13 |
| Baked beans | 11 |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | 7 |
| Tinned tuna | 10 |
| Crackers | 2 |
| Peanut butter | 2 |
| Dried fruit and nuts | 3 |
| Cereal bars | 2 |
| Tinned fruit | 6 |
Allergies, dietary needs and children
Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.
| Food | Typical allergens | Typically suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | varies by recipe | check the label |
| Tinned soup | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Baked beans | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Tinned tuna | fish | check the label |
| Crackers | cereals containing gluten | vegan |
| Peanut butter | peanuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Dried fruit and nuts | tree nuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Cereal bars | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Tinned fruit | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan, gluten free |
Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.
- Under the joint Australia New Zealand code, labels must declare wheat, fish, shellfish, egg, milk, lupin, peanut, soy, sesame, named tree nuts, gluten cereals and added sulphites.3
- Allergens must be in bold in the ingredient list, plus a separate bold summary starting with 'Contains' near the ingredients.3
- 'May contain' statements are voluntary and not regulated by the Food Standards Code.3
Young children
- Avoid giving honey to babies under 12 months because it can cause infant botulism.4
Questions
How much water should a family with two children store?
36 L for 3 days or 84 L for a week, for 2 adults and 2 children, at 3 litres per person per day.
What extra does a family with two children need?
Food your children will eat: Familiar foods and snacks your children are happy to eat. Children's arrangements: School or childcare contacts and who would collect your children.
Sources
- SupKit planning rules (SupScore 2026.5), SupKit. SupKit's own planning data.
- Home emergency checklist, Govt.nz (citing NEMA). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Allergen labelling for consumers, Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Botulism, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. Checked 28 October 2026.
- SupKit household preparedness checklist (2026.3), SupKit. SupKit's own planning data.
We summarise official guidance in our own words. Always follow advice from your local authorities.
