From Infants to Grandma —
The Complete Family Go Bag Guide

• Formula — 7-day supply in pre-measured single-serve packets. Powdered is most compact. Include a small insulated bottle warmer that works off a car 12V outlet. Do not assume you'll find formula at a store during a major disaster.
• Diapers — 10 per day × 7 days = 70 minimum. Compress in a vacuum storage bag. Add 2 full packs of wipes.
• Baby carrier / wrap — keeps hands free during evacuation through debris. Critical if you're also carrying bags or managing other children.
• Infant medications — infant Tylenol, infant gas drops, oral rehydration solution (Pedialyte packets), thermometer.
• Comfort items — pacifiers (3), familiar small toy or blanket. Familiarity reduces infant stress which reduces everyone's stress.
• Clean water for formula — LifeStraw for parents, bottled water pouches for formula mixing. Never use flood or storm water for infant formula.
• Changing pad — waterproof, folds flat. You will change diapers on hotel floors, car seats, and shelter cots.
• Medical documents — immunization records, pediatrician contact, any prescriptions, insurance card.

• Familiar foods — 7-day supply of their favorite non-perishable foods. Pouched apple sauce, peanut butter crackers, dry cereal. A toddler refusing to eat unfamiliar food during a disaster creates a crisis within a crisis.
• Sippy cup + extra lids — toddlers won't drink reliably from strange cups. Bring their cup.
• Pull-ups or training pants — regression is common under stress. Pack pull-ups even if the child is mostly potty trained.
• Comfort items — their specific stuffed animal, their blanket, their pacifier if still used. These are not optional — they are mental health management for a 2-year-old.
• Entertainment — no screens for this age group: small board books, stacking cups, a few small familiar toys that fit in a zip-lock bag. Toddlers need physical play, not screens.
• Change of clothes — 5 sets. Toddlers are messy under normal conditions. Under stress they are messier.
• Sunscreen and bug spray — if evacuating in summer, a toddler outside for hours during entry/exit burns fast.

• Their own backpack — children 4+ can and should carry their own bag. It gives them a sense of responsibility and control during a frightening situation. Keep it under 10 lbs.
• Snacks they love — 5-day supply: granola bars, fruit pouches, trail mix, goldfish crackers. Pack what they'll actually eat, not what you think they should eat.
• Entertainment — analog first, screen second: activity books, colored pencils, small sketch pad, travel-size board games. When the tablet battery dies, these are what keeps them occupied for hours.
• Tablet pre-loaded with downloaded content — movies, kids' games, e-books. Downloaded before evacuation — no streaming needed. Include a kids' headphones set.
• Their own small battery bank — 10,000mAh so they can charge their tablet and don't drain the family power supply.
• The family communication card — rally points, out-of-state relay number, parents' cell numbers. Children 6+ should be able to use this independently. Practice it.
• Comfort items — one small stuffed animal is not a luxury. It is a stress management tool. Allow it.
• Change of clothes — 4 sets including a light jacket.

• Full adult-size bag — teens can carry 20–25 lbs. Give them real responsibility in the evacuation. Assign them a specific role: carry the water, be in charge of the pet, hold the family documents.
• Their own 20,000mAh battery bank — this is non-negotiable for teens. Their mental health during displacement is directly tied to their phone. A charged phone with downloaded music, games, and communication ability keeps a teenager manageable for days.
• Charging cables — USB-C and Lightning both in their bag. Teens lose cables. Pack extras.
• Downloaded entertainment — music library, podcasts, Netflix/Spotify downloads, their favorite games. Do this before the storm, not during.
• Card games and portable board games — teens will resist this and then love it on day 3. Uno, Skip-Bo, a deck of cards, Bananagrams. Family game nights during displacement are genuine morale savers.
• Personal hygiene kit — teens are self-conscious. Acne care, deodorant, dry shampoo, personal items. Dignity matters during displacement.
• The communication plan memorized — a teen who knows the rally point and the out-of-state number is an asset, not a liability, if the family is separated.
• Snacks they choose themselves — let teens pack their own snacks. They'll eat what they chose. They'll refuse what they didn't.

• All family documents in waterproof pouch — birth certificates, passports, social security cards, insurance policies (home, auto, health, flood), deed or lease, vehicle titles, medication lists for all family members, immunization records, veterinary records for pets.
• Cash — $300–500 minimum in small bills. ATMs fail. Card readers fail. Post-disaster gas stations, motels, and stores often go cash-only. Small bills matter — $20s and $10s.
• Full 7-day medication supply for all adults, pre-sorted in a labeled organizer. Include a typed list of all medications, dosages, and prescribers in case of emergency refill.
• Water filter — LifeStraw or Sawyer Squeeze for the whole family. One filter per adult bag. Clean water from any source.
• 7-day food supply per adult — freeze-dried meals, protein bars, nuts, nut butter packets. High calorie, compact, no refrigeration.
• Compact survival stove + 2 fuel canisters — hot food and hot coffee make an enormous difference on day 4. Esbit solid fuel stove weighs 3 oz and boils water in 4 minutes.
• Family battery bank — 30,000mAh minimum for the adult bag. This is the family power hub. Everyone recharges from this when their personal banks run low.
• Multi-port USB charging hub + all cable types — charge 4–6 devices simultaneously. Critical for families of 4+.
• NOAA hand-crank radio — the information lifeline when cell service is down. Weather updates, evacuation route changes, shelter openings.
• Adult entertainment — a novel or two, crossword books, playing cards. Adults who are bored and stressed make poor decisions. Pack something to read.
• First aid kit — family size with blister care (you will walk more than normal), wound care, OTC medications (ibuprofen, antihistamine, antacids, anti-diarrheal), and any prescription backup supply.

The senior go bag has its own complete guide with in-depth coverage of medications, insulin cooling, cooling pack strategy, heating packets, compact stove, familiar flat sheets, and extended entertainment.