Recent events have had parents searching for new ways to keep their kids busy. How about a few problem-solving skills that seemed lost to time? There are lots of activities from the past that teach life skills, help with math, teach time management, and are also fun! We’ve collected our favorites below—scroll down to re-discover engaging traditional life skills that your kids will love.
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Woodworking
Kids will feel such a sense of accomplishment after building something with their own two hands. There are easy ways to get kids interested in woodworking from woodworking kits that have all the pieces you'll need to books with awesome inspiration and step-by-step instructions like Girls Who Build. Get your woodworker set up with a multi-tool like the Leatherman Curl that has tools like wire cutters, pliers and scissors.
Knitting
Have an 18" doll that needs some accessories? Knit her a loop scarf! Needlepointers.com has directions on how to knit without having needles. Best part? You don't have to know how to knit to make it.
Cooking
Cooking seems to be a lost skill with all of the options of take-out and fast food. But why not teach the importance of knowing how to cook while making it fun for kids? We've come up with some easy ideas for cooking with kids. And they won't even realize that you're teaching them time management, math skills and great techniques.
Candle Making
Candle-making is one of those lost life skills that is very easy to learn, plus, your results make great gifts! The Spruce has an easy tutorial on how to make candles, see it here.
Crochet
In fashion since the 1800s, crochet is the skill of looping yarn through a crochet hook to create a variety of items. Merry About Town has a whole series about learning how to crochet. Find out what tools you need, different yarns to use and how to read a pattern.
Sewing
Big Crazy Life has been sewing since she was a child. And now, her daughter is sewing and has even started her own mask business. According to Cam, Learning to sew from her grandmother taught her to make her clothes and helped her gain both business and life skills. You don't have to a kid's sewing machine to get started; if you don't have one—kids can learn on a regular sewing machine or even by hand.
Quilting
Once your kids learn how to sew, why not teach them to quilt? Swoodsonsays quilted with her five-year-old and said it's not as hard as you think. Her tips on what fabric to start with, tools to use, and the idea that it's fun will make it easier for everyone.
Making Jam
Not quite ready to start the kids cooking just yet? Busy Creating Memories has a simple, tasty recipe for no-cook strawberry jam that is perfect for getting the kids helping in the kitchen. And it has all the benefits of cooking, without having to turn on the stove!
Whittling
When's the last time you saw someone carving something out of wood? Usually, it's an older gentleman on a porch with a piece of wood and a knife. But Rachel McClary's girls have learned how to whittle, and she has tips on how your kids can safely whittle too. Rachel's info helps with everything from how to appropriately pick up a knife to ideas on what to start making.
Making Soap
This is both a fun craft project and experiment for kids, plus, it's a lost life skill you can continue to use at home. This fun PBS tutorial was created with kids in mind, but we also love this Good Housekeeping tutorial that will have you making soap that'll you want to use to get clean!
Origami
First invented in China in the 1st century, origami is a great way to develop fine motor skills. But there's more to origami than just making a paper fortune teller, so check out our list of origami paper crafts to get the kids making bracelets, bookmarks and more!
Flower Arranging
A beautiful flower arrangement can always cheer someone up, but it's a lost art form for many. Rhythms of Play has come up with steps that even kindergartners can learn. While you might not think of flower arranging as a life skill, Rhythms of Play says that it teaches a variety of lessons including pouring, carrying, contributing to the household and more. It'll also brighten up your house!
Pickling
Your hard work will pay off for months to come when you teach the kids how to pickle! There are lots of different veggies you can try, too, including cucumbers, onions, green beans and more. We've got an easy tutorial for pickles that's perfect for kids, click here to see it.
—Marcea Cazel
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