@Blain Smith

Thanks! Good to know at least someone has done it for 0-10

For strictly the ability to communicate with parents when away from home, I suspect a handheld HAM radio or Meshtastic messenger is a possible option. Or just wifi messaging via a tablet that can only do that.

I don't have (or want) a smartphone or to have my family dependent on Google, Apple, or cellular carrier ecosystems, so alternative distance communication for kids away from home will be a need.