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

[cmeier117]

Sportsmans has the smallest Esbit stove for like 6 bucks. Would that be a good addition? If I did that I would want a Stainless Steel water bottle for him to boil some water in.

 

[cmeier117]

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

Just added it to the list. Keep them coming guys he is going to love this thing.

 

[orionsbrother]

I've got kids. Go with several glow sticks. They're big with the six year old crowd. I'll reaffirm the other ideas given to you LED flashlight. Give him a simple pocket knife with a locking blade and apologize to mom. Space blanket. Compass. Survival bracelet. Water bottle. inexpensive backpack. First aid kit. Maybe some granola bars and trail mix.

I've got a pile of kid's books at home. They identify poison ivy etc and have camp activities for kids. I'll take a look at whatever seems best and repost later.

If you need some glow sticks, send me a PM with an address. I can mail some to you and throw in some "bacon" band aids too.

 

[cmeier117]

I've got kids. Go with several glow sticks. They're big with the six year old crowd. I'll reaffirm the other ideas given to you LED flashlight. Give him a simple pocket knife with a locking blade and apologize to mom. Space blanket. Compass. Survival bracelet. Water bottle. inexpensive backpack. First aid kit. Maybe some granola bars and trail mix.

I've got a pile of kid's books at home. They identify poison ivy etc and have camp activities for kids. I'll take a look at whatever seems best and repost later.

If you need some glow sticks, send me a PM with an address. I can mail some to you and throw in some "bacon" band aids too.

Thanks for the offer! I will send you a PM. I have a lot of that stuff you mentioned on my list.

Do you think 6 years old is to young to include a pocket esbit stove and have him boil water or something like that? I am making up some challenges as one person already suggested and I really have no idea.

 

[orionsbrother]

While I think you may be able to get the pocket knife past mom, "He's a boy. He needs a pocket knife..."

I think the stove and boiling water, potentially unsupervised, could get us all in trouble. If the fire starter would be a problem, the stove definately will be. I'd say tell him he can help with your stove or fire starter on a weekender with you. Taking him out for a couple of days will make the pack come to life for him and cement memories and lock you into the "cool uncle" category.

 

[cmeier117]

Good call. Although I was thinking more for his dad to do and him to help and dad keep the stove and fuel put away but you are probably right on that one. My kit is getting a little big too so I will leave that out for now.

 

[orionsbrother]

One thing I just thought of. If you have a place like American Science and Surplus out there, pick up a Mini or Micro Microscope. You could order one online, but you'll pay more in shipping than the $3-$3.50 for the microscope. Huge score with my kids for looking at fish scales, clam shells, bugs, butterfly wings, quartzite, etc.

Crushed at work.I'll be home late, but I'll post those books.

 

[arffdog875]

I guess I have always had some sort of pocket knife growing up, but I had a Grandfather that showed me how to use it and take care of it. In Boy Scouts we had a project of making a small back pack survival kit with a compass, matches, a garbage bag ( a quick pancho ) a small knife, and some cordage, signal mirror and a BSA survival handbook. If he is shows an intrest keep him going in the right direction!

 

[cmeier117]

So far this is my list and I am still under $ 20 as most of this I have at home.

Camel back backpack (Probably a 10L pack)
Signal Mirror
Compass
Paracord
6x8 tarp with guy lines and 6 stakes
Stainless Steel Water bottle
Space Blanket
Poncho
Life + Gear Glow stick (This is a strobe, flashlight and whistle)
Duct tape
Basic First aid
Small Survival guide of some sort
Glow sticks

 

[colonel00]

For the tarp, what do you have in mind? I picked up one of these the other day and followed the video below to create a very cheap emergency shelter. I think this would be a fun project for a kid and have minimal cost so you wouldn't have to worry about them trashing it. This also crosses two things off your list as it is also a space blanket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PktX1SxDTQs

I know you were debating a knife but a little, cheap multitool might serve a better purpose and still contain a little knife.

 

[cmeier117]

For the tarp, what do you have in mind? I picked up one of these the other day and followed the video below to create a very cheap emergency shelter. I think this would be a fun project for a kid and have minimal cost so you wouldn't have to worry about them trashing it. This also crosses two things off your list as it is also a space blanket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PktX1SxDTQs

I know you were debating a knife but a little, cheap multitool might serve a better purpose and still contain a little knife.

SOL makes some good gear. I am thinking either 3 MIL plastic drop cloth for painting and having him and his dad put some guy out points on it and teach him how to make a lean to or A frame style shelter. But I will go look at tarp at lowes and see. My dad has a 6x8 green poly tarp, like for covering loads of debri in your truck and it actually is pretty light and small. It costs $4 so just something for him to learn how to make a shelter and tie knots etc... We are all going camping in a month and maybe he would want to sleep outside in it instead of the family tent but who knows. I would go the 3mil plastic route for a smaller package just don't really want to mess with duct taping the corners and putting in gromets.

 

[TradBow]

The kid is gonna love it. Good job and thanks for giving me some ideas for my nephew!

 

[orionsbrother]

Just got home. Glow sticks and funky assortment including bacon band aids pulled together. They should hit the mail tomorrow am.

Books to consider:

Trekking on a trail

Wishing on a star

Kids gone campin'

Cooking in a can

Who pooped in the Northwoods?

Each book is very basic with simple phrasing that works with young readers. My kids and our friends' kids have enjoyed them and they enjoy quickly developing the skill set that surpasses what's in the books. They still refer to the books, especially with friends who are not in outdoor families. But they offer corrections and improvements. The exception being Who pooped in the Northwoods? Which is a tracking primer. The kids will keep that with the tracking guide to help identify scat and tracks. When you're under ten, a book with poop in the title fits right in with your humor.

OK. For some of us, it lasts a little while longer.

Hope this helps. I'll be here working on the computer for another couple of hours.

 

[cmeier117]

Thank you very much!! I will look at those books and get one. Probably the one with poop in the title

 

[muleman]

Include a picture of the completed kit.

I think this is a great gift. Especially if it lures the kid away from electronics.

 

[cmeier117]

I will. Probably won't have it all until Friday. Any other cheap things a kid would like post it up.

 

[muleman]

I will. Probably won't have it all until Friday. Any other cheap things a kid would like post it up.

"Survival" candy. Seriously some snacks are always a hit with my kids.

 

[larryschwartz]

I wouldn't go with that long list and the idea of needing different gear to survive in the woods. Instead, I would teach him that he needs to have the tools and knowledge to provide for Fire, Water, Shelter, Signalling, and Tools. Then teach him how to use the simple things in his survival kit and/or what he finds in the woods to provide those things. When I think of a personal survival or emergency kit I think of something small and simple that will fit in a cargo pocket so that it can and will be carried every time he goes into the woods.

Fire - waterproof matches, a Bic lighter maybe, fire steel and magnesium, and firestarters of some sort like cotton balls with vaseline or esbit tabs. I would not include an Esbit stove in a survival kit as I don't see cooking something as in scope for the survival kit.

Water - don't worry about boiling water, instead keep it simple with aquamira or similar drops or tablets that are sized for a quart of water, and a collapsible water bottle that holds a quart of water (like those offered by Playtpus/Cascase Designs or Evernew) so that the bottle and the pills are sized for each other.

Shelter - a space blanket (the orange one; it is easier to see from the air, the silver ones look like water) to use as a heat reflector with a fire or as some insulation between him and the ground, a plastic sheet/poncho for use as a tarp with the paracord already on it, and some more paracord, and two leaf size trash bags which can be used to make a tarp or filled with leaves to make an insulating layer to lay over or under him for the night.

Signalling - a whistle, and a signal mirror so he has something to use during both day and night. Also teach him different techniques for signalling and when they are most effective.

Tools - a swiss army knife or small multitool, a compass (and teach him how to use it and to read a map and how to use them together), and a small LED light of some sort (either the little key fob kind or a small streamlight or maglite).

 

[cmeier117]

Those are great points Larry. But this is a birthday gift and the more little things I can include the more excited he will be. I agree on the knowledge comments 100% I just think all these different things he will think is so cool. It started out being a simple not real serious kit and now actually has some good stuff and things a kid will think is cool. I am leaving a knife and fire starter out for now. My wife said her sister would flip and I will let that be for now

 

[orionsbrother]

Larry - A simpler, smaller sized emergency kit in a possibles bag makes sense. I wasn't approaching this from a true survival angle, more like a bug-out bag for the six year old.

Glow sticks in truck, rolling in a few. Need coffee. Waiting on coffee maker. Waiting. I need to get one of those Bunn coffee in thirty seconds coffee makers. Waiting. Out of here.