Our youth preparedness programs are now being offered in-person or virtually to students nationwide. Contact your local Red Cross for more information.
The American Red Cross works closely with schools and youth-serving organizations to provide emergency preparedness education to young people to build resilience in communities across the country and abroad. Our age-appropriate preparedness materials include engaging activities and easy action steps that youth will find both fun and effective.
Prepare with Pedro is a 30- to 45-minute preparedness education program for grades K-2 that teaches students how to BE PREPARED and TAKE ACTION for either home fires or a local hazard. Prepare with Pedro compliments The Pillowcase Project in scope and mission, by reading a story featuring a penguin named Pedro.
The Pillowcase Project is a preparedness education program for grades 3-5 that teaches students about personal and family preparedness and safety skills, local hazards, and basic coping skills. Red Cross volunteers lead students through a “Learn, Practice, Share” framework to engage them in disaster preparedness and survival skills. Upon completion, students receive a sturdy pillowcase in which to build their personal emergency supplies kit.
Enjoy our library of fun and engaging animated videos that help children learn how to help stay safe during a variety of emergencies and cope with any thoughts or feelings that might come up along the way.
Check out our Red Cross Kids Videos playlist on YouTube to view them all! All videos are available in English and Spanish.
This activity book, created in collaboration with FEMA, guides children through major local hazards they may encounter and basic preparedness actions they can take to BE PREPARED and TAKE ACTION.
Available in English and Spanish.
Play Pedro’s Fire Safety Challenge. Pedro’s Fire Challenge is a fun and engaging interactive game created by the Red Cross for children ages 4-8 years old that teaches age-appropriate skills for handling a home fire emergency and other stressful situations. Pedro the penguin guides children through a set of activities on topics such as home fire safety, coping skills, and good old-fashioned penguin fun! At the end of the challenge, children earn a fire safety badge.
Or say “Alexa, enable Pedro's Fire Challenge by American Red Cross”
Become a Preparedness Champion by learning how to stay safe and healthy with the American Red Cross! Through this online learning resource, you'll learn about the American Red Cross, proper hand washing techniques, coping skills and home fire safety. Perfect for grades 3-5!
After a stressful situation, such as an emergency or disaster, children may act differently as they experience new emotions they are unsure how to handle. Increasing resilience is particularly important for children and can be further developed through learned coping skills.
25% of Red Cross volunteers are age 24 or younger. Being young is no barrier to being able to help people in need, in your community and around the world! Visit redcrossyouth.org to learn more about our many youth programs.
The Red Cross IHL Youth Action Campaign empowers young people, ages 13-24, to learn about International Humanitarian Law (IHL)—the body of law that governs armed conflict.