Most kids will be excited to learn these basics. But if you have any stragglers or pessimists in the mix, don't let them spoil the fun. Look at the list below and draft up some make-believe scenarios that would make each of these basic skills necessary. If you're working with 4 or more kids, add a challenge by assigning teams and timing their results. Kids love competing with one another, so make it a fun activity they'll enjoy. And most importantly, something they'll remember.

1. Stay Put
My top recommendation for kids in a wilderness emergency is that they stay put. One trick (especially useful for younger children) is to have them find a favorite tree, rock or other natural feature if they get lost. The children should give that thing a name, make friends with it, talk to it, and stay with this new “friend” until someone comes to help them.

2. Insulate Clothing 
Hypothermia is a major risk for any outdoors person, but especially for children. Their smaller size puts them at risk to cool off dangerously at night or if they get wet, even in the summertime. Teach your young outdoor adventurers to use insulation in their clothes if they start to feel cold. Have them tuck their pants into their socks and fill the pants with vegetation. Then tuck their shirt into their pants and fill the shirt.

3. Build Shelter 
Shelter building can be a lot of fun for children, especially if you make it fun for them. Simple leaf huts and lean-tos are easy to build, and the kids can use it as a fort when you’re done. If you teach them to build the frame in a sturdy manner, and insulate the walls with thick vegetation, their shelter could certainly save their life.

5. Signal For Help 
Have each child carry a whistle on a necklace in the outdoors, and do some signal drills to teach them how to use it. Let the kids blow the whistle three times, as loud and long as they can. This can be done as a version of hide and seek. One child can go off several hundred yards and hide. The rest of the family can [play the role of] the searchers

Next on our list would be teaching them how to build a fire and what to do if they run out of water. Building a shelter can be a very fun activity for kids to participate in. For additional information on these items as well as other useful tips for survival check out Outdoor Life.

What Have You Taught Your Kids About Survival?

If you have kids and have begun training them on survival skills, we commend you! If there is anything we missed, or if you have some additional information that you found helpful with your children, share it with us. We love hearing your feedback, learning what worked well and what didn't, etc. Photos and videos are encouraged, so please utilize the comments below and keep in contact with us.