3 Activities to Teach Your Son Essential Life Skills

gun safety. Bring targets and cleaning gear so your little one can practice his shot with the BB gun and learn all of the parts of a gun by helping you clean one of your own. Once you’re confident that he understands the mechanics of the weapon and is ready for this responsibility, set up some targets and work on refining his skills.

Hunting and Outdoor Skills

Teach him how to carry his weapon: Older kids and teens might already know how to carry their rifle, shotgun or bow the correct way, but younger kids and children on their first hunt will need a weapon carrying lesson. Teach him the basics like making sure the gun is unloaded when you’re crossing fences or when the weapon is not in use, don’t let the barrel touch the ground, and to never point his weapon at something he doesn’t intent to shoot.

Teach hunting ethics: Use the time that you spend in the woods to teach your son about the ethics of hunting. Many non-hunters think that hunting is disrespectful to nature, however seasoned sportsmen respect nature in the highest regard. Teach your son to never hunt without a license, proper tag or during the nighttime hours. Teach him not to waste any part of the animal and explain why harvesting the animal is good. This is also a good time to talk to your son about the natural happenings of life and death.

Take time to talk: Our lives are more busy today than ever. Take time to have a meaningful conversation with your son between tracking game and traversing through trails. Carry a dialogue about your surroundings and what he likes about the outdoors. Talk to him about what’s going on in school and tell him stories about some of your most memorable hunts. He’ll recognize that hunting is a great way to connect and bond with dad.

Off the Grid

Take a weekend off: Bring all of your teachings full circle with a boys weekend off the grid. Head into the woods to camp, hunt and fish and teach your son how to enjoy life in its simplest form: Mother Nature. Skip bringing a tent and build a shelter on your own. Other essentials to cover should be building a fire and purifying drinking water. Learning basic survival techniques may be one of the most important things you ever teach him.

Teach him motor vehicle basics: Mobility is a necessity, on or off the grid, so a general understanding of basic auto mechanics is helpful. Teach you son the basics by giving him a general overview of the engine components and vital parts, show him how to choose quality tires, change a tire, change the oil and replace the brakes.