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    8 Basic Survival Skills You Can Teach Your Kids

    Mar 7, 2023 · Modified: Feb 9, 2026 by Ali · Leave a Comment

    Colab post

    Kids are the future and teaching them essential survival skills is an important part of their upbringing. Of course, not all kids will be called to use these skills in a life-threatening situation, but it's always nice to know that they have the knowledge and confidence to handle whatever comes their way. Teaching your kids basic survival skills can give them the edge they need if ever faced with an emergency or hazardous environment. Here are 8 basic survival skills you can teach your kids so they become self-reliant problem solvers. 

    outdoor gcee76aefd 1920

    https://pixabay.com/photos/outdoor-hammock-bushcraft-survival-3681924/

    1) Making A Fire

    According to bugoutbill.com/, knowing how to build a fire is an invaluable skill in any survival situation as it can provide warmth, light and protection from predators, as well as the ability to cook food. Teach your children the basics like gathering tinder, kindling and fuel wood and setting up a fire bed, as well as showing them some of the different methods for creating friction such as bow drills or hand drills. Explain the safety elements too so they understand why it's important to keep fires contained and supervised at all times. With these skills firmly embedded in their minds, your kids will have the confidence to get a fire going when needed.

    2) Building Shelter

    Teaching your children how to construct various types of shelters from natural materials is a great way to teach them key survival skills. From building an effective lean-to using branches and foliage, or creating a debris hut with sticks and leaves; explain the steps involved so they can build their own in an emergency situation. 

    3) Finding Water

    Knowing how to locate water is necessary for any survival situation. Teach your kids about following animal trails, looking for low spots or damp soil that may indicate the presence of water, as well as checking the bases of trees for moisture. 

    4) Navigating By Stars

    While GPS and other technology have their advantages, teaching your kids how to read a map and navigate by the stars is still an important skill. Show them how to use a compass, how to identify constellations and orientate themselves in unfamiliar terrain. 

    5) Signaling For Help

    In an emergency situation, your children may need help from outside sources. Teaching them basic signaling methods such as building smoke or fire signals can be extremely useful if they ever find themselves lost in the wilderness. 

    6) Creating Snares

    Provide your children with the knowledge of trapping small game using various types of snares. Teach them about pinch snares, loop snares and drop-in-the-hole snares so they can put their skills to the test if ever faced with a lack of food. 

    7) Foraging For Food

    Knowing which plants are edible and safe to consume in the wild is an essential skill in any survival situation. Teach your kids about identifying edible plants, as well as warning signs for poisonous ones so they won't put themselves in danger when searching for sustenance. 

    8) First Aid Knowledge

    Teaching your children basic first aid knowledge is always important, even if they never find themselves in a survival situation. Show them how to treat minor wounds and how to perform CPR on someone who has suffered cardiac arrest, just in case. 

    In Conclusion 

    Teaching your kids basic survival skills doesn't mean you want them to lead a life of danger, but it does provide them with the knowledge and confidence they need in order to handle any situation that comes their way. Knowing how to make fire, build shelter, find water, navigate by stars, signal for help, create snares, forage for food and apply first aid can all be incredibly useful skills if ever faced with an emergency or dangerous environment. So why not teach your kids these 8 basic survival skills today? Who knows when they might come in handy!

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    About Ali

    Hi I'm Ali, a vegan mummy of four from Wales in the UK. I love reading, cooking, writing, interiors and photography, all of which I share on here. I also make videos on my YouTube channel. Come and follow us and share our journey.

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