Small outdoor/survival kit for 6-7 year old.

[cmeier117]

My nephews b-day is Saturday and I wanted to put together a little survival type kit for him. He really loves the outdoors, hiking, fishing etc...so a pretty typical boy. Anyone have any ideas for someone this age? It is not a real serious kit just looking to spend $30 or so and keep it simple.

So far I was thinking of a compass, signal mirror, paracord bracelet, bandaids, whistle, waterproof container, space blanket, glow stick.... I would get him a small swiss army knife but his mom would shoot me I think so lets leave out fire starting and anything sharp for now. Haha. Anyother suggestions or just free stuff I could find at my house to add in there. I was also going to go to a military surplus store and find a backpack maybe and also put an MRE in there or something. Any tips would be great as my sons are 1 and 3 and not really sure what other cheap type stuff to put in.

 

[Daniel_M]

Swiss Army knife for starters. A traditional compass. Seems less and less folks can operate a compass as technology into GPS has evolved.

 

[cmeier117]

His dad could teach him how to use a compass so that will be in there for sure. I may get a 1 mil plastic paint sheet and some cheap cordage for him to make a cheap A frame style shelter...

I would get a swiss army knife but again not sure if my sister in-law would approve...

 

[cmeier117]

Does anyone know of a cheap single wall Stainless steel water bottle that isn't coated that is safe to boil water in?

 

[Daniel_M]

His dad could teach him how to use a compass so that will be in there for sure. I may get a 1 mil plastic paint sheet and some cheap cordage for him to make a cheap A frame style shelter...

I would get a swiss army knife but again not sure if my sister in-law would approve...

Tis easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Every boy needs a knife.

 

[cmeier117]

Tis easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Every boy needs a knife.

I like the way you think!!! I am doing it and if they don't like it the dad can keep it for him.

 

[muleman]

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I take my 10 and 11 year old kids backpacking with me. I always wonder if I have prepared them enough in case something happened to me.


The most important thing you can give him is knowledge. Provide him the knowledge to stay calm and effectively use the kit.

Here are some good references.

http://www.amazon.com/Survivor-Kid-...rvival/dp/1569767084/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/boy-scouts/survivalkit.asp
http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/West_Athens_EL/Wilderness Survival.htm
http://www.equipped.org/kidprimr.htm
http://www.instructables.com/id/Pocket-Survival-Kit-3/

I would also include this or another pamphlet in the kit.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...CmEwcBpTOrYIBdbj8KJxSog&bvm=bv.48705608,d.cGE

 

[cmeier117]

Good idea Muleman! I will print that pamphlet out.

Does anyone have a good idea for a small and cheap pack or bag to hold this stuff? I may be getting over my price range (whats new) but curious if anyone has any ideas on that? It isn't a big deal just curious. I have a small cambleback backpack I could give him but it just holds a 2 liter bladder and has some pockets, may work if I ditch the bladder.

 

[bbrown]

Maybe one of the small LED key chain lights that REI sells for $6 or 7 - other than that it looks like a good kit. Great idea by the way I may just have to do one of these for my nephew.

 

[cmeier117]

I was looking at those little lights, but I found a Life+gear glow stick/flashlight/red light and whistle. It was only 4 bucks. I may even have one laying around my house.

http://www.rei.com/product/840952/l...ferralID=1062b511-ed7b-11e2-a969-001b2166c2c0

 

[muleman]

You could put it in a dry pouch like this. http://www.instructables.com/id/Pocket-Survival-Kit-3/

 

[cmeier117]

You could put it in a dry pouch like this. http://www.instructables.com/id/Pocket-Survival-Kit-3/

I need this! Where do you get these? Also looks to be a small fishing kit in the bottom. That would be a nice addition.

 

[muleman]

I need this! Where do you get these? Also looks to be a small fishing kit in the bottom. That would be a nice addition.

I've seen them off and on at sporting goods and electronics retailers locally.

Amazon.com has a few different styles including Sea to Summit.

A year or two ago I picked up these from WalMart and they have held up. I wouldn't expect them to be 100% water proof if submerged though. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Recreation-Group-Set-of-3-Ultimate-Dry-Sacks/10928125

There is always freezer bags.

 

[Daniel_M]

Ranger Ricks Survival Necklace.

All the dope stuff a kid could want in a bling configuration.

 

[muleman]

I read this article on a fuel spill that happened near my home. I thought that the quote below was particularly timely.

“Putting a beaver out before the age of 2 years old would be like giving a small child a survival kit and taking them out into the mountains and saying, ‘Do your best,’” she said. “They just don’t have the maturity and the skills they need to be able to build lodges and store food for the winter and survive.”

http://fox13now.com/2013/07/14/beavers-injured-by-fuel-spill-face-new-obstacle-to-release/

 

[aron]

How about a little booklet on tieing knots as well. My knowledge on knots is very minimal and wish it was better.

 

[cmeier117]

How about a little booklet on tieing knots as well. My knowledge on knots is very minimal and wish it was better.

Good idea. Adding this to the list for sure!

 

[colonel00]

Along with the knots, I would suggest adding to the booklet tasks or challenges that will put the kit contents to use and promote learning. The kit is pretty much useless unless the person holding it knows how to use the contents.

 

[cmeier117]

Along with the knots, I would suggest adding to the booklet tasks or challenges that will put the kit contents to use and promote learning. The kit is pretty much useless unless the person holding it knows how to use the contents.

That is a good idea actually! His dad enjoys doing a lot of that stuff and knows how to do probably more than I so he could show him, but that would be a fun thing for him to do for sure!

 

[Hardstalk]

A little plastic emergency poncho. There cheap and I usually keep one on hand.