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 9.5 gallons (36 L) of drinking water and about 23,100 calories 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 | 4,500 calories | 1.6 gallons (6 L) |
| Child × 2 | 3,200 calories | 1.6 gallons (6 L) |
Water and food for 2 adults and 2 children
| 3 days | 7 days | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking water | 9.5 gallons (36 L) | 22.2 gallons (84 L) |
| Food energy | 23,100 calories | 53,900 calories |
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.
What official guidance in the US says
- Pick emergency foods your family will actually eat and that suit any special diets.2
- Washington suggests building supplies gradually, adding an extra item on each shopping trip, and keeping grab-and-go bags.3
Also on the US's official kit list
- The US basic kit includes a battery or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.4
- US kits include a whistle to signal for help and a dust mask to filter contaminated air.4
- US kits include plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape for sheltering in place.4
- US kits include a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, plus a manual can opener.4
Everything else every home needs
- Food: food for everyone, manual can opener
- Water: drinking water
- Hygiene: hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toilet paper and bathroom products, personal hygiene supplies
- Power & warmth: flashlight, 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 23,100 calories with long-life food. SupKit estimate Swap in what your household likes.
| Item | How many |
|---|---|
| Canned chili | 12 |
| Canned soup | 13 |
| Baked beans | 11 |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | 7 |
| Canned tuna | 10 |
| Crackers | 2 |
| Peanut butter | 2 |
| Dried fruit and nuts | 3 |
| Granola bars | 2 |
| Canned 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Canned chili | varies by recipe | check the label |
| Canned 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 |
| Canned 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 |
| Granola bars | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Canned 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.
- US law names nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame (sesame added from 2023).5
- Labels must name each major allergen's source, either in brackets in the ingredient list or in a 'Contains' statement next to it.5
- 'May contain' warnings are voluntary in the US, so not every maker uses them and their absence is not a guarantee.6
Young children
Questions
How much water should a family with two children store?
9.5 gallons (36 L) for 3 days or 22.2 gallons (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.
- Food, Ready.gov (US DHS / FEMA). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Kits (2 Weeks Ready), Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Build a Kit, Ready.gov (US Department of Homeland Security / FEMA). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Food Allergies: What You Need to Know, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Have Food Allergies? Read the Label, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Choking Hazards | Infant and Toddler Nutrition, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit | Infant and Toddler Nutrition, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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.
