When it comes to teaching our kids how to survive in the wilderness, most of us immediately think of camping trips or day hikes. But what if you don’t have to leave your own backyard? It turns out that there are a lot of skills and activities we can teach our children right at home that will help them thrive in any environment.
Here are ten survival skills you can teach your kids in your own backyard – without ever having to leave!
1. Fire-Making Skills
According to https://bugoutbill.com/, teaching kids how to start a fire is one of the most essential skills they should learn as part of their wilderness education. In your own backyard, this could involve starting small fires with matches or lighters, using sticks and flints, or making a fire-bow.
2. Shelter Building
Teaching kids how to construct makeshift shelters is an important part of wilderness survival, but it can also be a fun activity right in the backyard! Constructing lean-tos and debris huts will help your kids learn about natural construction techniques and get creative with building materials from around the house and garden.
3. Plant Identification
Teach your kids how to identify plants in your backyard, including useful ones like edible berries and medicinal herbs, as well as poisonous plants they should avoid. You can also introduce them to wild edibles that grow in the area so they’ll know what to look for when they’re out exploring on their own.
4. Water Procurement
Learning how to find and purify water is an essential skill for survival, and you can practice this right in your own backyard! From gathering rainwater off the roof, to collecting dew from plants, to building a solar still, your kids will learn important techniques for finding safe drinking water.
5. Navigation Skills
Teaching your kids navigation skills can be a lot of fun – even if you’re just teaching them in the backyard. Have them use their own created maps or compasses to navigate around obstacles or find hidden treasures. This will help them develop a mental map of their environment and gain confidence with using navigational tools outdoors.
6. Tracking Animals
Teach your kids to observe animal behavior and read tracks in the dirt. This can be a great way to introduce them to the natural world and help them better appreciate the unique traits of different animals.
7. Foraging
Encourage your children to become amateur foragers by teaching them how to identify wild edibles like berries, plants, nuts, and mushrooms in your own backyard or nearby areas. Not only is this a valuable skill that could help keep them fed if they ever get lost in the wilderness, but it’s also fun!
8. Knot-Tying Skills
You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment for practicing knot-tying skills – just some rope and imagination! Have your kids practice with different knots, from simple slip-knots to more complex ones like the figure eight or clove hitch.
9. First Aid
Knowing how to respond in an emergency is an important skill that all kids should learn – even in your own backyard! Teach them basic first aid, such as administering CPR, using household items like bandages and splints, and knowing when to call for help.
10. Mental Preparation
Survival skills are just as much about mental preparedness as physical ability. Talk to your kids about their fears and worries so they can cultivate a positive attitude towards the wilderness and be ready to face any challenge that comes their way.
In Conclusion
Teaching survival skills doesn’t have to involve extreme expeditions or dangerous wilderness adventures. All it takes is a little imagination and the willingness to get creative with what’s available in your own backyard! The skills that you teach your kids now could potentially save their lives one day, so don’t underestimate the importance of teaching them these vital lessons.
