How to ID a 4-9 year old??

[All7OfUs]

We'll be making a trip this April (2008) for 6 days in FW. I am wondering what the best way to "ID" my kids is. I've heard that they should always have their resort "address", along with our cell phone number on them. What have you used? Necklaces? Bracelets? indelible marker somewhere?? What other info. am I missing? Lost kids would be my worst nightmare come true!!

 

[graygables]

I've used 2 things. One is a "dogtag" from www.usdogtags.com with their name, our names, and our cell numbers on them. When we travel, I print a label with our resort and the resort's phone and attach that to the back. These are worn UNDER their clothing (to avoid getting caught on something and also to avoid prying eyes). I grew up in the Army on a foreign base, so dogtags were part of our daily dressing routine, only now they come in fun colors!

The other thing we have is silicone bracelets (like the livestrong ones) from www.rekeydesigns.com. Those simply have "Mom: {cell#} Dad: {cell#}" They wear them all the time (I order backups in case they break) and I like knowing that our numbers are handy to them in case of an emergency.

The other thing I recommend is as soon as you get there, start pointing out cast member name tags and instruct the kids that if they get lost, they need to find one of those tags *behind a counter or loading a ride* at the closest place where YOU (the parent) got lost. Point out that there are people who wear name tags, but the don't look like the CM ones.

The biggest thing I've done to keep my kids from getting seperated from me is to have them hold my beltloop. Anytime a crowd gathered or they were starting to lolligag, they hook a finger in my beltloop and they can look around all they like without my getting lost. 3 of my 4 didn't particularly like to hold hands, so this was a perfect solution.

 

[All7OfUs]

Thanks graygables! I like the belt loop idea. I've always had them hold my skirt or blouse in crowded or unfamiliar places, and we'll definitely order the wristbands or dogtags (thanks for the links!) and point out the CMs and their nametags. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of heartache!

PS. Tell your DD to have a great time in her performances

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Also make sure you take a daily picture of them if you have a digital camera.

This way if aything does happen you will have the most updatd photo to show the CMs.

We got the Dogtag style ID tage at AK a few years back for DD was she was littler.MCO had one in the Universal store as well and she got a Spongbob one from there.

 

[bear_mom]

I made name tags that hung from a lanyard - which we bought when we got down there. I made them out of card stock and the girls got to pick out princess stickers to put on the front. On the back was our cell phone information. They got lots of compliments from the princesses and cast members (I guess a lot of lost children have no identifying information on them and cast members have a hard time even getting a name out of them).

Emily

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We used Whos Shoes ID tags. They velcro onto any kind of shoes - crocs, flip-flops, tennis shoes, etc. Here is the link:

http://www.whosshoesid.com/

We also take a picture each morning with the digtal camera so we can show exactly what they look like and what they were wearing. The girls also know to look for a CM (we show them the name tags - white for CM, and I think red you can buy in the store, so we make the distinction). They know to go to a ride or a store to find a CM.

Fortunately we have not had to use any of these things, but I'm glad we have been prepared!

 

[Manda]

I bought my son a Road ID (don't know if I can link here, but it's roadid.com). I had a Who's Shoes for his first trip, but it didn't work on all his shoes. I got myself a Road ID for running and liked it so much that I bought one for him. The size small is adjustable enough that he can wear it on his wrist, belt loop, or ankle (he prefers ankle) and it's much more comfortable than other kid-specific wrist/ankle bands I've seen. It's a more expensive option, but it will last for years. My niece wore one of the kid's bands that are advertised all over and it itched her and scratched her like crazy the whole time. I've got his name, his year of birth and NKDA (they say that's important in a medical emergency), and our mobile numbers listed on it.

 

[wrighter]

I really like the idea of those "livestrong" type bracelets, but fear that even the child size would be too small for my little ones (ages 4 and 2.) I bought a jewelry kit for about $4 at the craft store, and made my daughter a necklace with our cell numbers on it. (I'm not a fan of having my children's names appear anywhere that is visible, so I leave that out.) My DS got his in the form of a bracelet. They're not the most stylish looking things, but the letters and numbers are very small, and therefore very discreet. I make sure the kids know if they are ever lost to show their "jewelry" to the first "mommy with a stroller" they can find. I subscribe to the theory that other moms will take special care to help a child. I know I would!

 

[dancin Disney style]

If you can get hospital bracelets they work really well too. They are somewhat water resistant and will last a few days. Get a few so that you can replace them if needed. You can place them on the wrist or ankle.

I also agree with regularly reminding the kids who the CM's are and what they should do if they become lost.

I love the idea of taking a digital photo everyday. If you're in a panic it might hard to remember what the kids are wearing.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Make sure to include your child's footware in the daily digital picture. As muxh as we hate to think about these cases-in the instances where a child is abducted the predator will change what a child is wearing (clothing and hat) but doesn't usually have a pair of shoes to fit. So include your child's footware in your picture just in case.

 

[Disney 'Ohana]

If you're thinking of doing the dog tag thing, at the parks (& at DTD) there are machines that make dog tag/luggage type tags you can personalize, you can add 4-5 lines of info if I'm not mistaken. And for $12 it's quite a steal. And it's a great souvenir to take home.


Also if they're pin lanyards that have a ticket holder in front you can add in your hotel & a phone number in there on a piece of paper, for safe keeping.

Make sure you dialogue (maybe go over scenarios) so your child knows what to do if they do lose you.

 

[noahdove]

What a great idea to take pics each morning Not only are they up to date, but I will also get the kids in their special shirts Thank you for that good idea

 

[JustineMarie]

We just ate at Subway the other day and they have Child id kits. In the kits there are 2 heavy duty stickers that you write on with a permanent marker and you stick them inside you child's shoe. My girls have been wearing them for the past 3 days and they seem to be holding up well. The kits are free. You don't even have to purchase anything.

 

[tink576]

If you're thinking of doing the dog tag thing there are machines that make dog tag/luggage type tags you can personalize, you can add 4-5 lines of info if I'm not mistaken. And for $12 it's quite a steal. And it's a great souvenir to take home.

The Walmart by us has the dog tag machine up front past the check-out...we made tags with the cell numbers on it then connected it to the kids shoes by unlacing and putting the tag on then relacing it up...that way it won't come off...and if your kids wear their sneekers in the park every day there is no way that you could accidently forget to tag them...

 

[druidcat]

I I've got his name, his year of birth and NKDA (they say that's important in a medical emergency.

What does NKDA stand for?

 

[momoftriplets]

What does NKDA stand for?

No Known Drug Allergies

 

[All7OfUs]

Such great ideas from everyone, thanks for them all. I think in the end I will opt for the hospital bands (waterproof, free, durable for the 5 days in parks, and semi-permanent). The daily photos are a great way to start the day, and making sure they know who CM's are the first thing you do when you arrive is most important.

Mom of 5

 

[Kies99]

Here's what we use:

http://www.simaenterprises.com/

We use the first type listed, the "ID Inside" one. There were a variety of reasons we went with this one. Mainly because it could be adjusted throughout the day as well as moved to different spots on their bodies. Sometimes they wore it on their wrist and sometimes on their ankles. The kids (5 & 3yo) knew enough not to play with them and just asked us to adjust them if they got uncomfortable. The cards that came with them to write your info on are waterproof so we didn't need to change it and one card lasted all week. Plus we lucked out when we got them and got a package deal with extra sets of the cards.