In case some disaster happens,
- Does everyone in the family have a recent family photo to help you find one another if separated?
- Do you have a copy of the paperwork you need to get your life back on track?
Here are some ideas for family activities to help you be ready:
-Divide into two teams:
–Team One makes a video/takes pictures of all the valuables you have, for insurance claims (electronics, bikes & recreational equipment/vehicles, collections…), as well as pictures of each member of the family and/or the whole family.
–Team Two gathers all the important family documents and makes copies (at home, or take a field trip to the copy shop). Store copies on a thumbdrive in your Go Bag/72-hr kit, in a ziploc bag disguised in a pizza box in the freezer, or in a safe deposit box.
—Here’s what to gather and copy:
- home/renters/vehicle insurance
- health insurance (medical, dental providers, life insurance, extended care, etc.)
- financial papers (bank accounts, investments, retirement)
- wills/power of attorney/estate papers/advance directives
- proof of ID (birth & marriage certificates, proof of citizenship, military service records, social security & medicare cards, passports, etc.)
- Keep a recent photo of each member of the family with your copies of important papers.
-A game for younger children: Silly-Face Simon Says (try different facial expressions, body poses, body language . . .), and take pictures. Little ones will love looking at them later, if you keep them in an inexpensive album.
-A literary extension could be the Cheshire Cat, from Alice in Wonderland. Older kids might enjoy a discussion about the nuances/meanings of the story, younger ones might like to watch the Disney version.
-As an extension for older children, you may want to hold a family counsel about Insurance, Finances, parents’ end of life choices.
-treat ideas:
- picture purrrfect party food
- pretend kitty chow made with cold cereal/mini marshmallows or candies/nuts/dried fruit
- or, google “kitty theme party food”
Here are some picture cards you can use for Bingo, Concentration, Go Fish, or just as reminders of what to collect. If using for games, make more than one copy.
Emergency Prep--some ideas and options 