building the kiddie bob

**hayshaker** · 05-07-2015, 09:45 AM

how old should a child be before the get their 1st bob. 6-8-10 how old?
waddya put in in it. i would guess age has every thing todo with it as well as gender.
has anyone here made bob's for the kids? and how did you pack theirs? what is the apropreate age for a pack or do they start out with a fanny pack? it does'nt have to be a bob either a camping set up will suffice as well.

**jdbushcraft** · 05-07-2015, 10:33 AM

Some water. Snacks. Coloring books. A toy or two. Maybe a FRS radio ranger banded to the shoulder strap. A change of clothes... As soon as they are big enough to wear a little backpack with this stuff.

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**Rick** · 05-07-2015, 03:24 PM

A child of any age can have a bug out bag. Kids like to think they are helping. You can pack their favorite blanket or stuffed toy even if they are two or three. They want to be like the big folks even at a very young age.

**DSJohnson** · 05-07-2015, 04:11 PM

Rick is right (like always I guess) or rather I agree with him on this. Give them a little pack and put a bottle of water their favorite story book, stuffed animal and their very favorite "comfort" blanket. Let them carry it as long as they can or will and brag on them all the time for being such a great help. By the time they are 8 or 9, if you do it right, they should have already personalized their bags to the point that the bag is really a BOB. Both of my kids kept their "camping" bags ready all the time because I was pretty famous for walking in and saying lets go camping with very little warning. some times we camped in the park or the back yard and some times it was in the motel but they got very good at having the essentials in their bags and throwing some clean clothes on top and being out the door in 10 minutes! they had no idea what part of my agenda was beside getting to spend some real quality time doing weird but hopefully fun things together. Of course we helped the process by choosing to buy them gifts at Christmas like good sleeping bags and my DW did great at using the excuse of teaching both of them how to use a sewing machine by letting them make stuff sacks and gear bags. Be sure and notice when something they do is "Right"(that is the way you want them to do it) and brag on them. Ask them, even when they are young (say 10 or 12) to evaluate and assess their gear and how it works and what does or doesn't work. It always surprised me how much insight both my son and my daughter had about it from their perspective. Above all try to keep it fun and enjoyable. I really screwed that up with my kids on the whole reenacting scene because I had to have everything "just right and period" and sadly I lost sight of the big picture. Wish I had it do over but I don't. Doing better with the grand kids but it is not the same. (stepping down off the soap box now)

**kyratshooter** · 05-07-2015, 06:05 PM

My kids, now 35 and 37, no longer reenact but they do still enjoy the outdoors and are very active, and use the lessons they learned in those reenactment camps.

While not being dyed in the wool "Preppers" they both recognize the need for emergency supplies and equipment and have a flexible "make do" mindset. They both look back at our semi-off grid life when they were 4-12 years old as the favorite part of their childhood.

Since we lived a rural existence there was never a need for the BOB. We were not going anywhere, and if we did have to vacate unexpectedly it would have been to Grandma's house, and she was well equipped with blankets, quilts and chocolate chip cookies.

The basic contents of the child's BOB should be items that will make then comfortable in the FEMA shelter, cause that is where 99% of the bugger-outers are going to wind up.

**welderguy** · 05-07-2015, 06:38 PM

I cant remember but I think I brought this up about 3 to 5 years ago for my sons Bag. When the bag was created it contained some basic survival gear and a few special things.
the basics were, a small poncho, flash light, tape, first aide kit with band aids and hand wipes, mre, compass and a boyscout mess kit and canteen, the special Items were, was an activity book, markers, bag of favorite candy and his favorite stuffed toy.
Now that he is 9, he has been customizing his own bag, and added a pocket knife, a small tarp, a fire kit ( yes he can build a fire and get it light safely) and has since removed the activity book and toy, and replaced it with an old android phone loaded with games and a solar charger ( yeah go figure ).

And his Bug out bag went from being super hero logo too a small tactical bag ( smaller version of Dads). And now he is working on putting together a second bag for when he is at moms house so he dont have to carry it from house to house.

**hunter63** · 05-07-2015, 06:41 PM

The kids always had their Overnight bags......Sleeping bag, pillow, PJ, tooth brush, soap towel and wash cloth, change of clothes, (at least socks and underware) snacks juice/soda/water.......Usually in a pillow case.