Why is Children's Comfort Items important for emergency preparedness?

Familiar objects calm children faster than anything else

How should I store Children's Comfort Items in my emergency kit?

Include a duplicate of the most-loved comfort item — original may be lost in the rush

Which organizations recommend Children's Comfort Items?

Children's Comfort Items is recommended by CDC, Red Cross, USA.gov, Germany, Sweden as part of a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan.

How much does Children's Comfort Items cost?

Children's Comfort Items typically costs between $5-50 depending on quality and quantity. It's a cost-effective investment in emergency preparedness.

Children's Comfort Items

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Why this item matters

Recommended by

CDC, American Red Cross, USA.gov, Germany, Sweden

Key reasons

Familiar objects calm children faster than anything else
A loved stuffed animal or blanket helps with sleep in strange places
Drawing and writing materials process emotions kids cannot articulate
Quiet activities work in shared shelter spaces where active play does not

Where to buy

Search for Children's Comfort Items on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Other items in Child care

Related essentials

About this item

Children's Comfort Items in your emergency kit

Familiar comfort items (a favourite stuffed animal, a known book, a beloved blanket) help children feel safe in unfamiliar emergency conditions. They also occupy creative time when other activities are not possible. Children's Comfort Items appears on the recommended-supplies lists published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Red Cross, USA.gov, Germany's Federal Office of Civil Protection, Sweden's Civil Contingencies Agency. It is rated Medium urgency in our checklist, meaning households in high-risk regions should treat it as a baseline item rather than a "nice to have".

Why you need it

Familiar objects calm children faster than anything else
A loved stuffed animal or blanket helps with sleep in strange places
Drawing and writing materials process emotions kids cannot articulate
Quiet activities work in shared shelter spaces where active play does not
Reduces parental stress when children self-soothe

Storage and rotation tips

Include a duplicate of the most-loved comfort item — original may be lost in the rush
Pack drawing pads with crayons or washable markers
Choose sturdy hardcover or board books that survive packing
Add a small stash of unfamiliar new items as backup distractions
Refresh the kit when the child outgrows specific items

How it fits the 72-hour baseline

The EmergencyKit.app checklist follows CDC and American Red Cross guidance to cover the first 72 hours after a major disaster, the period during which public services such as power, water, and emergency response are most likely to be disrupted. Children's Comfort Items sits in the Child care category and should be packed in your stay-at-home kit at minimum, with a smaller portable version in your evacuation go-bag. Review your stock at least once a year, and replace anything past its use-by date.

About the EmergencyKit.app checklist

How we built it

EmergencyKit.app combines the official emergency-kit recommendations published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Red Cross, USA.gov's Ready.gov campaign, and the German Federal Office of Civil Protection (BBK) and Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). Each item on the checklist is tagged with the organisations that recommend it so you can see at a glance how well-supported it is.

The 20% body-weight rule

A go-bag should weigh no more than roughly 20% of the carrier's body weight. Above that threshold, evacuating on foot becomes painful, slow, and risky for older or smaller adults and for children. The weight checker on the homepage estimates your kit's total weight from the items you select and warns you when you cross the limit, so you can swap heavier items for lighter alternatives before you actually need to leave.

Three days, then more

The baseline kit covers a 72-hour window because that is how long it typically takes public services to restore basic supplies after a major disaster. Households in high-risk regions for hurricanes, wildfires, or earthquakes should plan for at least two weeks of food, water, and prescription medication on top of the baseline kit.