Let the kids help you shop at the dollar store for items to stock or restock your emergency kits. Give them a list and let them see what they can find.
Here’s what I found at my local Dollar Tree:
Flashlights of different kinds
LED candles
LED lanterns
LED lights
Trash bags (for trash & for rain protection)
Duct tape
Drop cloths (Use with duct tape to seal doors and windows to shelter in place in a chemical emergency.)
Bungee cords
Carabiners
Rope
Work gloves
Utility knives
Dish soap
Disinfecting wipes
Hand sanitizer
Multi-purpose wipes
Baking soda (For toothpaste, deodorant, cleaning, and other needs)
Body wipes
Paper towels
Pocket facial tissue
Toilet paper (Find a trowel to go with this. Flatten the roll of toilet paper and store it in a zip top sandwich bag to keep it dry.)
Pocket first aid kit
Alcohol prep pads
Gauze rolls
Instant cold compress
Instant hot compress
Waterproof first aid tape
Elastic bandage
Roll bandage
Adhesive bandages
Anti-itch cream
Pain relievers (in travel size and regular size packaging)
Lip balm
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Travel size toothbrush and toothpaste
Soap
Feminine sanitary supplies
Deodorant
Variety pack of combs
Towels
Washcloths
Fleece blanket
Earplugs (when there are noisy sleepers)
Socks (Always have a dry pair of socks to put on. Keep them in a plastic zip top bag.)
Cans of liquid fuel (like Sterno)
Matches
Paper plates
Paper bowls
Plastic cups
Plastic silverware
Can opener
Peanut butter (in small sizes which are good for individual emergency kits*)
Fruit snacks
Trail mix
Nuts
Granola bars
Beef sticks
Canned meat and tuna
Tuna and Spam pouches
Fruit cups
Canned fruit
Individual cereal bowls
Pudding cups
Hard candy
Cookies
Playing cards
Puzzles
Small toys
Coloring books, crossword puzzle books, activity books
Notebooks
Pencils
Crayons
Not all dollar stores are created equal but there is a lot available at them that can help keep costs down when you are putting together emergency kits. Letting the kids help put them together will help them feel a part of your family’s preparedness.
Note: Do be careful about prices when buying food at the dollar store. Food is often more expensive at dollar stores than at a grocery store with good house brand items.
*Another Note: Dollar stores often have smaller sizes which work better in backpack emergency kits than regular sizes.
