... and maybe a piece of rolling luggage to carry it all?

Just kidding ... maybe.

Will an 8 year old carry all that stuff for very long? Soon enough it will be laid down, put in the tent, set on the picnic table, left in the canoe, .... while they go out and have fun. I was an 8 year old once ... I know. :-)

I think Doug Ritter's Survival for Kids link has it dead nuts on target. Minimal. Something that they'll REALLY carry. If not in their pockets, I tend to think they'll be more likely to wear a small simple fanny pack than something bigger.

People are starting to think a bright cobalt blue trash bag is actually more visible than an orange bag ... if you've ever flown over a city with roof damage - with all the cheap blue tarps spread out - you'll agree.

For the flashlight ... definitely get something with an LED. I'd fasten it to the whistle. Its for signaling in the dark and removing some fear - not for lighting up a football field so something tiny is fine ... and check the batteries often.

For the pocket knife ... check out the Kabar Dozier folding knives. Great folders for the money.

For the fire starter I'd go with a butane lighter they have experience with and a snack bag of PJ-covered cotton balls.