I think this is better marketed to College kids. We used to write phone numbers and addrs on the addresses of visiting friends at college. Then after partying late at night they could get someone to point them in the direction of getting back to our place.

I use a luggage tag that I attach to my daughter's shoe with my name and phone number. She's 2 1/2 and I travel alone (that is, without my husband) with her frequently, so it's reassuring to know that if I lose my grip on her going through security, people will know who she belongs to. I picked a luggage tag for kids that's shaped like a frog and she loves showing people the frog on her shoe.

great idea.

We printed a dog or cat tag in the machines at PetSmart for our 2 year old for our trip to Disney World. We laced it through her shoelaces (high up, not near the tie). It had her name and our cell numbers on it. The day we forgot it, I just took a Sharpie to her leg with my number on it.

Toddlers, Bid Kids, College Kids, Adults and Seniors, I think this is a great idea whether it's a tattoo or a luggage tag, etc. There's nothing wrong with extra precautions. For me, it's always better safe than sorry.

It's worth saying that they also make these for food allergies, which is very comforting as a parent of a child with food allergies.

We'll sometimes Sharpie our cell numbers on our young kids' bellies. That way if they're lost, they can find help and show them our number. It's cheap and easy, plus the number isn't always exposed.

We got the idea from Parent Hacks:
http://www.parenthacks.com/2006/08/sharpie_your_ce.html

I was at a huge concert on a lawn a few summers ago, where there were lots of kids running around. I saw one mom had written her child's name and phone number on her daughter's arm with a sharpie. (The girl was 2 or 3 maybe?) I thought that was pretty clever parenting on the fly.

I've done this with a pen at some really crowded events, like our state farm show. The tat is nice and neat, but a pen is cheaper and almost always available.

This is a great idea for special needs children. My son has autism and the thought of him lost is horrifying.

My daughter has a peanut allergy, and I was JUST thinking how great a tatoo would be when she is out and about.

As someone who was lost not once but twice in large public places as a child, having a phone number at the ready seems like a worthwhile procaution when at the zoo, amusement park, airport, etc. I love that they have blank ones for aunts, hotels, etc, since when traveling, the home phone number that the child has memorized isn't necessarily the one they need.

@EmilyS - Great idea, too!

This is a great idea, and one that actually makes me thankful we live in a world where we're always connected.

I bought these before our last trip to Disneyworld with my then-14-month old, and while she (thankfully) was never out of our sight, it was worth the peace of mind it gave me to know my cell number was on her if she got away from us. Hers lasted 5 days even with multiple days of swimming, baths and sunscreen. I have 5 more to use on any other trips we take where we'll be in crowds. You really can't beat these for the price. I got lots of comments on it too from other moms asking where I got it.

If you don't want the number exposed, just put the tattoo higher up or under the clothing.