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A4 checklist with all illustrated steps. Tick the boxes on paper as you go.

FeatherSticks · Skills

Bushcraft with Kids: Skills by Age, Knife Safety, Fire and the First Night Out

A stick, a peeler and a den for teddy – that is how kids start bushcraft.

Quick facts

Time
2–3 hours for a first outing
Difficulty
Easy – the adults set the pace
Best for
Children aged about 3–14 and their adults
You need
Snacks, warm layers, whistle, peeler or kids' knife

What you need

  • Whistle and small headlamp for every child
  • Swivel vegetable peeler for first carving
  • Kids' knife with rounded tip, finger guard and sheath
  • Cut-resistant glove for the holding hand
  • Foam sit mats
  • Spare clothes in a dry bag
  • First aid kit with tick remover and burn dressings
  • Thermos flask

Step by step

  1. Start small and close to home

    1 Start small and close to home

    Pick a familiar wood near home, plan two to three hours and keep an easy way back. Short, successful trips build more enthusiasm than one long epic.

  2. Agree the safety rules first

    2 Agree the safety rules first

    Walk the boundaries together, give every child a whistle and practise "stop, stay, whistle" before anyone goes exploring.

  3. Teach knife use as a routine

    3 Teach knife use as a routine

    Sit down, check the blood circle, cut away from the body and sheathe the blade before standing up. Start with a peeler, always supervised.

  4. Light a small fire together

    4 Light a small fire together

    The adult owns the fire. Mark a safety ring, let children kneel to light it and keep water ready – only where fires are allowed.

  5. Build a den and play

    5 Build a den and play

    Build a stick den for a teddy, test it with a "rain shower" from a bottle, then play tracking and nature games.

  6. Keep them warm, fed and proud

    6 Keep them warm, fed and proud

    Snack every hour, add a layer before they get cold, give real jobs and head home while everyone is still having fun.

Common mistakes

  • Planning a long hike to a "perfect" spot instead of starting close to home.
  • Letting children carve while standing, walking or sitting close together.
  • Giving a blunt or non-locking folding knife to a beginner.
  • Leaving a child alone near the fire, even for a moment.
  • Waiting until children complain of cold before adding layers.
  • Forgetting spare clothes – one wet sock can end the whole trip.
  • Doing all the interesting jobs yourself instead of handing them over.