Bushcraft isn’t just about survival, it’s about adventure, creativity, and discovering the world in a whole new way! Whether it’s building a shelter, learning to purify water, or mastering simple knots, these hands-on skills help children develop confidence, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper connection with nature. The best part? They don’t need to be in the wilderness to get started.
In this blog, we’ll explore five fun and practical bushcraft activities that students can try at home, in the garden, or at a local park. From fire-lighting techniques and foraging basics to knot tying and water filtration, each activity is designed to inspire curiosity, encourage resilience, and make learning fun. Whether they’re beginners or budding outdoor explorers, these skills will help them engage with nature in a meaningful way.
What Are Bushcraft Activities, and Why Are They Important for Students?
Bushcraft activities encompass a variety of skills that allow individuals to thrive in natural environments. These skills include shelter building, tracking, firemaking, foraging, and navigation, among others. At their core, bushcraft activities teach children how to engage with their surroundings, understand nature, and develop practical survival techniques.
The importance of bushcraft skills for students extends beyond mere survival. Here are several key benefits these activities offer:
- Fostering Resilience and Confidence
By taking on challenges such as building a shelter or starting a fire, pupils learn to confront obstacles and develop a sense of accomplishment. This resilience translates to other areas of their lives, empowering them to tackle challenges with confidence.
- Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills
Bushcraft activities often require creative thinking and resourcefulness. Students learn to assess their environment, identify solutions, and adapt to changing situations, honing their critical thinking abilities.
- Encouraging Teamwork and Communication
Many bushcraft skills are best learned in groups, fostering collaboration and communication. Students must work together, share ideas, and support one another, which builds social skills and strengthens relationships.
- Connecting to Nature and Promoting Well-Being
In an increasingly digital world, spending time outdoors is essential for children’s mental and physical health. Bushcraft activities encourage exploration and connection to the natural world, promoting well-being and reducing stress. Research shows that outdoor activities can enhance mood, improve focus, and foster a sense of belonging.
- Linking to Academic Learning
Bushcraft skills can also complement academic learning, particularly in areas such as science, geography, and environmental studies. For example, identifying plants during a scavenger hunt can deepen the understanding of local ecosystems, while navigation skills can introduce basic geometry concepts.
Overall, bushcraft activities offer a unique and valuable opportunity for students to learn essential life skills, develop a love for the outdoors, and foster a sense of community. As you encourage these activities at home, they can help children grow into capable, confident individuals equipped for the challenges of both nature and everyday life.
5 Bushcraft Ideas to Try at Home
Bushcraft isn’t just for the great outdoors, it’s a fantastic way for pupils to develop practical skills, boost their confidence, and connect with nature, even from home. These five hands-on activities encourage exploration, creativity, and problem-solving, all while making the most of their garden, local park, or nearby woodland. Whether they’re tracking wildlife, building shelters, or learning navigation, these activities provide a fun and educational way to experience the natural world.
1. Tracking
Tracking is a fantastic way for students to develop observation skills and learn about local wildlife. This one can even be done in the garden. Tracking is all about identifying the animals that roam about in a certain area. Using footprints and other clues, your pupils can try and find evidence of animals in their garden, or even on a walk in their local forest.
Think about where the animals might be looking for shelter, perhaps somewhere quiet and out of the way. Some animals they can expect to be visiting their garden include birds, foxes, badgers, rabbits, squirrels, and mice.
They can create a nature journal to document their findings, noting the types of animals they encounter and their behaviour. This activity fosters patience and attention to detail, as well as an appreciation for local ecosystems.
2. Den/Shelter Building
Shelter building is a valuable skill to have, and your pupils can work on this either in their gardens or in a local forest. If they don’t have the natural materials to do this in their garden, they can always build a den from things that they do have. But if they can, then heading to their closest area of woodland and trying to build a shelter can be super fun!
Using sticks, twigs, logs, leaves and anything else they can find, they can attempt to pitch up their very own shelter in the wild!
Encourage them to think about the purpose of their shelter (e.g., protection from weather or as a hideout) and how they can make it sturdy and safe. This activity nurtures teamwork and critical thinking while giving pupils a sense of accomplishment.
3. Nature Scavenger Hunt
What can your pupils find in their garden or their local park? You could set them on a task to find certain items or allow them to explore and find natural items first before researching. This is the perfect activity for younger pupils when on a walk, as they’re usually very inquisitive about things that they find.
This activity encourages curiosity, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of the local flora and fauna.
4. Navigation
This is one of the best bushcraft skills to practice at home! Teaching basic navigation skills can be both educational and entertaining. They can grab a compass and/or a map and head for an adventure with their parents. Encourage them to learn the basics, and then they can begin challenges like finding the way back to the starting point. It’s a fun skill to learn and will always come in handy!
Set up a simple course in a park or garden where they need to navigate from one point to another using their chosen method. This activity helps build confidence and teaches valuable skills such as spatial awareness and planning.
5. Campfire & Safety
This should always be an activity done with adults. Students can learn about fire safety and the steps involved in building a campfire. Discuss the materials needed, how to arrange them, and the importance of safety precautions when dealing with fire. Students can practice fire safety skills, such as how to extinguish a fire properly and what to do in case of an emergency. If possible, they can even practice starting a fire using safe methods, such as a fire starter or a stove. This activity instils responsibility and respect for fire while teaching essential survival skills.
Encouraging a Love for the Outdoors Through Bushcraft
Bushcraft activities are not only about survival skills; they also play a crucial role in fostering a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors! By engaging in these activities, children can develop a strong connection to nature, which can lead to a greater understanding of the environment and a desire to protect it. Here are several ways to encourage a love for the outdoors through bushcraft:
- Make It a Regular Activity
Integrating bushcraft activities into a routine can help children develop a lasting love for the outdoors. Set aside specific times each week for outdoor exploration, whether it’s a nature walk, a scavenger hunt, or a simple picnic. Regular exposure to nature encourages curiosity and allows children to discover the changing seasons, wildlife, and plants in their local environment.
- Foster Curiosity and Exploration
Encourage children to ask questions and explore their surroundings. Provide them with tools like magnifying glasses, field guides, or notebooks to document their discoveries. Encourage them to learn about the plants and animals they encounter and to observe their behaviour. By fostering curiosity, children will develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world and its wonders.
- Promote Creativity
Bushcraft activities offer endless opportunities for creativity. Encourage children to use natural materials for crafts, such as making art with leaves, twigs, or stones. They can also create stories or legends about the animals they see or the places they explore. By allowing their imaginations to flourish in the outdoors, children will develop a strong emotional connection to nature.
- Connect with Nature Through Storytelling
Sharing stories about nature, survival, and outdoor adventures can inspire children to engage with the outdoors. Whether it’s reading books about bushcraft or sharing personal experiences, storytelling can ignite a passion for exploration and learning. Encourage children to share their own experiences and stories as they participate in bushcraft activities, creating a narrative that deepens their connection to the outdoors.
- Emphasise Conservation and Sustainability
Teach children the importance of protecting the environment as they enjoy outdoor activities. Discuss concepts such as Leave No Trace, the impact of human activity on wildlife, and ways to contribute to conservation efforts. By understanding the importance of sustainability, children will develop a sense of responsibility and become advocates for the natural world.
Through these approaches, bushcraft activities can cultivate a lifelong love for the outdoors in children. By encouraging exploration, creativity, and an understanding of the environment, we can inspire the next generation to appreciate and protect the world around them.
How to Track Progress and Build Bushcraft Skills Over Time
As your students engage in bushcraft activities, tracking their progress and skill development can enhance their learning experience and keep them motivated. Here are some effective strategies to help pupils build and monitor their bushcraft skills over time:
- Keep a Nature Journal
Encourage students to maintain a nature journal where they can document their experiences, observations, and skills learned during bushcraft activities. They can include sketches, photos, and notes about the plants, animals, and landscapes they encounter. This journal serves as a personal record of their journey, allowing them to reflect on their growth and revisit their experiences over time.
- Set Goals and Challenges
Help students set achievable goals for their bushcraft skills. For instance, they might aim to master shelter building, learn five new plants, or improve their tracking abilities. Setting challenges can make the learning process more engaging and give students a sense of accomplishment when they achieve their goals. Celebrate their successes to reinforce their progress.
- Create a Skill Checklist
Develop a checklist of bushcraft skills for students to work through. This list can include various activities, such as starting a fire, building a den, or identifying specific plants. As they complete each task, they can mark it off, providing a tangible way to see their progress. This checklist can also serve as a guide for new skills to learn, helping to keep the activities varied and exciting.
- Encourage Reflection and Discussion
Regularly encourage students to reflect on their experiences and share what they’ve learned with peers, family members, or educators. Group discussions or sharing sessions can foster a sense of community and allow students to learn from one another. Reflection helps reinforce learning and encourages students to think critically about their experiences.
- Long-Term Projects
Consider introducing long-term bushcraft projects that allow students to develop skills gradually. For example, they could work on growing a small vegetable garden, creating a wildlife habitat, or building a more complex shelter over several weeks. These projects provide opportunities for sustained learning and allow students to see the fruits of their labour over time.
- Connect Skills to Real-World Applications
Help students understand how their bushcraft skills apply in real-world situations. Discuss scenarios where these skills might be useful, such as camping trips, outdoor adventures, or emergencies. Making these connections can deepen their understanding and appreciation of the skills they are developing.
By tracking progress and building bushcraft skills over time, students can cultivate a sense of achievement and confidence in their abilities. Encouraging reflection, goal-setting, and hands-on projects will not only enhance their skills but also inspire a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a commitment to protecting the natural world.
Develop Bushcraft Skills at PGL
Our residential MASTER! programme offers Year 5 pupils an experience they’ll never forget, where they can learn a variety of bushcraft skills and try a fantastic range of adventurous activities such as zip wiring, archery, and much more!
We provide residential school trips for primary schools and secondary schools that are all about outdoor education!
At PGL, we have an exceptional offering of trips, locations and activities to enjoy, so get in touch today to discuss your next school trip.
