I've been putting the kids' names and our contact information on dogtags and hanging then around the kids necks. It's near impossible to bang up embossed steel tags to the point where they're illegible. Tag-Z was the company I ordered from IIRC.

As far as dayhiking goes: backpacks with water bottle, munchies, jacket, whistle, light, and sunscreen. Sunhat on head, sunglasses on lanyard. I'll add an all weather blanket or poncho as they get older.
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Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane