9 Fun Family Preparedness Projects Dad Will Love
Do you ever wonder if your children or grandchildren will embrace preparedness?
It can be frustrating when you understand how important it is—but they don’t seem interested. The day will come when they’ll need to be ready for an emergency, and you want to pass on the mindset that’s helped you prepare.
Here’s the key: make preparedness fun and hands-on. These 9 projects are great for kids and grandkids. They’re educational, practical, and might just be the best Father’s Day gift you receive.
1. Create a Family Emergency Plan
Hold a family meeting to talk about what to do in different emergency situations. Include:
- How to contact each other
- Where to meet if you can’t return home
- Evacuation routes
- What to pack in a go-bag
Review the plan regularly so everyone knows their role when the time comes.
2. Build a Custom First-Aid Kit
Kids can help assemble the kit and learn what each item is for. Include:
- Gauze, bandages, tape
- Burn salve, ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea meds
- A finger splint, wrist brace, and a suture pack
Add any personal medical needs (inhalers, EpiPens, etc.). Keep kits at home and in your vehicles.
3. Start a Garden and Save Seeds
Teach kids about food security by growing vegetables from seed. Start small with raised beds or containers, and use non-GMO heirloom seeds. Let them help:
- Pick a sunny spot and prepare the soil
- Water and care for plants
- Harvest crops like tomatoes, zucchini, and carrots
- Save seeds from mature plants for the next season
It’s a lesson in self-sufficiency—and a healthy, budget-friendly activity.
4. Backyard Camping Skills Challenge
Set up a tent, build a fire or use a portable stove, and practice:
- Cooking meals
- Pitching tents
- Reading the stars or compass navigation
Turn it into a friendly competition. Finish the night with s’mores and survival trivia!
5. Build a Rainwater Collection System
Teach sustainability by collecting and storing rainwater for garden use. Show them how to:
- Cut a downspout and direct it to a barrel
- Set up a basic filter
- Use the stored water wisely
It’s an eye-opening way to introduce conservation and water preparedness.
6. Make Hardtack Crackers
Hardtack is a shelf-stable survival food with a long history. Let kids help mix and bake:
- 5 cups flour
- 1 cup water + ½ tbsp salt
- Roll to ⅜-inch, cut into squares, and bake at 400°F for 30 mins
Add fun by letting them use cookie cutters or edible glitter.
7. Make Homemade Survival Pet Food
Let the kids help prep for furry family members. Choose a protein, grain, and veggie:
- 1 part meat (chicken, beef, etc.)
- 1 part rice or oats
- 1 part carrots, peas, or sweet potato
Freeze or can the mix. Kids can design fun storage labels, too.
8. Regrow Food from Scraps
Regrow produce like green onions, celery, or romaine lettuce using just water. Kids will love:
- Tracking daily growth
- Learning how food waste can be reused
- Transferring to soil once roots form
It’s a simple science lesson and a great intro to food independence.
9. Craft Newspaper Seedling Pots
Kids who love arts and crafts can fold newspaper into small pots for seedlings. It teaches:
- Recycling and sustainability
- How to start plants indoors
- That even scraps can be part of preparedness
Once the seedlings grow, transfer the whole pot into the garden.
These fun, hands-on activities teach life-saving skills, spark curiosity, and strengthen family bonds. You’re not just prepping supplies—you’re preparing the next generation.
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