I really like the idea of a child carrying a whistle and tiny flashlight, a brightly-colored cotton bandanna for his backpack (which has many uses, as we all know) and the compass (kids can learn languages at that age so why not the concept of N-S-E-W). You might put a map in there with your home marked, too. (how big is his backpack?)

When I was little growing up in Los Angeles, we had ID bracelets that had our name, address, phone number and also had our blood type. I believe mother ordered them through our school. First, second and third grade. I wore mine everyday -- had the flag and pledge on the outside and info on the inside. I still have it along with my charm bracelet.

Do kids wear stuff like that anymore?

Here's an excellent company that specializes in ID's for athletes -- for wrist, ankle, shoe, lanyard. I carry one when hiking that has a few ICE phone numbers on it.

The shoe ID might be good for a child, though I'm not sure you want their name and address visible. It could at least go in his backpack.

http://www.roadid.com/common/id.aspx?hash=shoe


This is a terrific discussion.