Low Health Survival
Create a compact low health survival kit using household items, learn basic first aid steps, and practice safe signaling and shelter ideas.
About this activity
Create a compact low health survival kit using household items, learn basic first aid steps, and practice safe signaling and shelter ideas.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all Materials Needed and put them on a clean table so you can see everything.
- 2
Step 2
Choose your small bag or zip-top pouch and open it to make room for your kit items.
- 3
Step 3
Place the bottled water into the bag to make sure you have a drink in an emergency.
- 4
Step 4
Put the nonperishable snack like a granola bar into the bag so you have energy if you need it.
- 5
Step 5
Fold the blanket or large towel small enough to fit and add it to the bag for shelter or warmth.
- 6
Step 6
Add the plastic wrap and duct tape into the bag to use later for waterproofing or quick repairs.
- 7
Step 7
Put the adhesive bandages safety pins and clean cloth into the bag to make simple bandages.
- 8
Step 8
Add the whistle and small flashlight into the bag so you can signal for help and see in the dark.
- 9
Step 9
Write your name and one emergency contact on the paper with the pen and fold it into the bag.
- 10
Step 10
With adult supervision wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to practice clean first aid steps.
- 11
Step 11
With adult supervision press a clean cloth firmly on a pretend wound (or a cut piece of fruit) for one minute to practice stopping bleeding.
- 12
Step 12
With adult supervision place an adhesive bandage over the pretend wound or on the fruit to practice dressing a cut.
- 13
Step 13
Go outside with an adult and practice signaling by blowing the whistle in three short blasts and flashing the flashlight once.
- 14
Step 14
Build a simple shelter inside using two chairs and your blanket draped over them and check that it keeps you warm and dry.
- 15
Step 15
Take a photo or write a short description of your low health survival kit and share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I do the Low Health Survival activity with my child?
Start by explaining the goal: build a compact survival kit from household items, learn basic first aid, and practice safe signaling and simple shelter ideas. Together, choose a small container, gather items, and label them. Teach one or two first-aid steps with adult supervision (clean and bandage small cuts, apply pressure to bleeding). Finish by practicing non-hazardous signaling (whistle, mirror) and building a safe pretend shelter in the yard, then review and restock the kit.
What materials do I need for a compact low health survival kit using household items?
Collect a small waterproof container and simple supplies: adhesive bandages, sterile wipes, clean cloth or bandana, plastic bag, small water bottle, energy snack, flashlight or headlamp, whistle, mirror or shiny foil, duct tape, paracord or sturdy string, gloves, basic antiseptic (wipes), and a waterproof note with emergency contacts. Add a phone in a watertight bag if available. Adjust items to size of container and child’s age.
What ages is this Low Health Survival activity suitable for?
This activity works for ages 5+ with adaptations. Ages 5–7: focus on simple packing, identifying items, and supervised role play. Ages 8–10: let them assemble the kit, learn basic first-aid steps under supervision, and practice signaling. Ages 11+: older children can plan shelter ideas and lead drills with adult oversight. Always supervise first-aid practice and avoid tasks that require sharp tools, fire, or advanced medical care.
What safety tips and benefits come from doing Low Health Survival activities with kids?
Benefits include increased confidence, problem-solving, preparedness, and basic safety skills. Safety tips: always supervise first-aid practice, never use real fire, hot liquids, or dangerous tools, and don’t let children ingest supplies. Emphasize that real emergencies require calling adults or emergency services. Practice signaling and sheltering in safe, familiar areas only. Regularly check and refresh the kit, and discuss when to seek professional medical help.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of bottled water, duct tape, or a small flashlight if they're hard to find?
If bottled water isn't available use a sealed water bottle or juice box, replace duct tape and plastic wrap with a large trash bag or aluminum foil for waterproofing, and use a charged phone flashlight or spare batteries in place of the small flashlight when packing the bag.
My blanket won't fit in the bag and the flashlight won't turn on — how do I fix these problems during packing and practice?
Refold the blanket into smaller sections or swap it for a towel so it fits (step: Fold the blanket...), and check or replace the flashlight batteries or use a phone light before adding it to the bag, then test the whistle and light outside with an adult (step: Go outside...).
How can I adapt the activity for a 3-year-old, a 7-year-old, and a 12-year-old?
For a 3-year-old have an adult place safe items like a water pouch and snack while the child helps identify and name each item, for a 7-year-old let them pack the water, snack, whistle and fold the blanket with supervision and practice the one-minute pressure and bandage steps, and for a 12-year-old add labeling, a longer stop-bleeding drill, and a more complex shelter build using chairs and blanket (steps: Place..., With adult supervision...).
What are some ways to personalize or make the Low Health Survival kit more useful or fun after finishing the basic steps?
Decorate and clearly label the bag with your name and emergency contact (step: Write your name...), add a small comfort item or a waterproof medical/allergy note inside, tape a simple first-aid reminder on the pen-and-paper, and take the photo to share your finished creation on DIY.org.