Lots of parents ask me for a big list of things to teach their kids. So I put this one together.
Make sure you save it so you never run out of things to do with your kids. And add your own in the comments if you have them.
1. Camping: plan a weekend camping trip to explore the outdoors; pitch a tent, build a campfire, enjoy bonding time
2. Fishing: teach your kids the art of fishing and patience, (and how to clean a fish)
3. Woodworking: pick a DIY project to do together (birdhouse, toy car)
4. Sports: get outside and play a game of catch
5. Car maintenance: teach the basics (change a tire, check oil, etc)
6. Grilling: teach proper heat, marinades and rubs, how to flip meat
7. Martial arts: join a boxing or jiu jitsu gym together, or just punch a heavy bag
8. How to throw a punch: proper foot and shoulder position, how to guard your face
9. Gardening: plant a small garden together, learn how to care for & nurture the plants
10. Astronomy: get outside and look at the stars, talk about the constellations
11. Biking: just go do it
12. Home improvement: change lightbulbs, fix toilets together, etc
13. Chess: one of my favorites, teach strategy, thinking several moves ahead
14. Model building: build model cars/airplanes/trains, emphasize attention to detail
15. Geocaching: a modern day treasure hunt
16. Archery: kids love this, teach technique and patience
17. Rock climbing: builds strength, coordination, and trust
18. Metal detecting: more treasure hunting (bonus points for hiding treasure ahead of time)
19. Photography: teach composition, basics of different lenses
20. Emotional intelligence: how to understand and manage emotions, empathize with others
21. First aid basics: CPR, bandaging wounds, Heimlich
22. Cooking essentials: teach basic healthy meals, kitchen safety
23. Goal setting: create achievable goals, strategies to hit them
24. Public speaking: practice confidently & effectively speaking in front of the family
25. Manners: teach proper social behavior in your region
26. Networking: how to win friends and influence people
27. Basic sewing: how to patch clothes, sew a button
(continued on next post)
Make sure you save it so you never run out of things to do with your kids. And add your own in the comments if you have them.
1. Camping: plan a weekend camping trip to explore the outdoors; pitch a tent, build a campfire, enjoy bonding time
2. Fishing: teach your kids the art of fishing and patience, (and how to clean a fish)
3. Woodworking: pick a DIY project to do together (birdhouse, toy car)
4. Sports: get outside and play a game of catch
5. Car maintenance: teach the basics (change a tire, check oil, etc)
6. Grilling: teach proper heat, marinades and rubs, how to flip meat
7. Martial arts: join a boxing or jiu jitsu gym together, or just punch a heavy bag
8. How to throw a punch: proper foot and shoulder position, how to guard your face
9. Gardening: plant a small garden together, learn how to care for & nurture the plants
10. Astronomy: get outside and look at the stars, talk about the constellations
11. Biking: just go do it
12. Home improvement: change lightbulbs, fix toilets together, etc
13. Chess: one of my favorites, teach strategy, thinking several moves ahead
14. Model building: build model cars/airplanes/trains, emphasize attention to detail
15. Geocaching: a modern day treasure hunt
16. Archery: kids love this, teach technique and patience
17. Rock climbing: builds strength, coordination, and trust
18. Metal detecting: more treasure hunting (bonus points for hiding treasure ahead of time)
19. Photography: teach composition, basics of different lenses
20. Emotional intelligence: how to understand and manage emotions, empathize with others
21. First aid basics: CPR, bandaging wounds, Heimlich
22. Cooking essentials: teach basic healthy meals, kitchen safety
23. Goal setting: create achievable goals, strategies to hit them
24. Public speaking: practice confidently & effectively speaking in front of the family
25. Manners: teach proper social behavior in your region
26. Networking: how to win friends and influence people
27. Basic sewing: how to patch clothes, sew a button
(continued on next post)
28. Decision-making: how to make a decision based on facts
29. Digital literacy: online safety, basic excel skills
30. Negotiation: learn leverage, create win-wins
31. Laundry & clothing care: washing/folding/stain removal
32. Home security: secure your living space together
33. Environmental stewardship: leave spaces cleaner than you found them
34. Travel: basic planning, how to create itineraries
35. Map reading: kids love maps, teach how to interpret them
36. Electrical skills: safety and handling minor issues (circuit breaker etc)
37. Reading comprehension: analyze and critically evaluate written material
38. Time management: prioritize tasks, set deadlines, avoid procrastination
39. Job interview skills: do mock interviews together
40. Resume writing: write mock resumes together
41. Self-reflection: learn personal strengths and weaknesses
42. Work ethic: teach dedication, punctuality, dependability, thoroughness
43. Bike maintenance: how to fix a tire, adjust brakes, etc
44. Volunteering: go do it together
45. Art appreciation: visit a museum
46. Resourcefulness: thinking outside the box
47. Personal safety: how to avoid dangerous situations
48. Conflict de-escalation: techniques to defuse tense situations
49. Posture: stand up straight, shoulders back, eyes forward
50. Study habits: learn how to learn
51. Organization: how to maintain a clean, organized living space
52. Public transportation: how to read schedules and maps
53. Swimming: non-negotiable, the sooner the better
54. Musical instruments: pick one he likes, learn together
55. Memory techniques: read "Moonwalking with Einstein" together
56. Sportsmanship: how to act when you win and when you lose
57. Basic plumbing: how to unclog a sink
58. Writing: practice together
59. Typing: do family speed contests online
60. Firearm use and safety: safe handling and maintenance
61. Fire safety: teach how to prevent fires, and how to respond in case of a fire
62. Assertiveness: closed mouths don't get fed
63. Budgeting: create and manage a personal budget
64. Animal care: feeding/walking/etc
65. Weather: learn how weather works, prepare for severe weather together
66. Personal branding: teach the importance of maintaining a positive personal image
67. Sleep hygiene: develop healthy habits early
68. Mentorship: teach the value of guidance from people w/experience
(continued on next post)
29. Digital literacy: online safety, basic excel skills
30. Negotiation: learn leverage, create win-wins
31. Laundry & clothing care: washing/folding/stain removal
32. Home security: secure your living space together
33. Environmental stewardship: leave spaces cleaner than you found them
34. Travel: basic planning, how to create itineraries
35. Map reading: kids love maps, teach how to interpret them
36. Electrical skills: safety and handling minor issues (circuit breaker etc)
37. Reading comprehension: analyze and critically evaluate written material
38. Time management: prioritize tasks, set deadlines, avoid procrastination
39. Job interview skills: do mock interviews together
40. Resume writing: write mock resumes together
41. Self-reflection: learn personal strengths and weaknesses
42. Work ethic: teach dedication, punctuality, dependability, thoroughness
43. Bike maintenance: how to fix a tire, adjust brakes, etc
44. Volunteering: go do it together
45. Art appreciation: visit a museum
46. Resourcefulness: thinking outside the box
47. Personal safety: how to avoid dangerous situations
48. Conflict de-escalation: techniques to defuse tense situations
49. Posture: stand up straight, shoulders back, eyes forward
50. Study habits: learn how to learn
51. Organization: how to maintain a clean, organized living space
52. Public transportation: how to read schedules and maps
53. Swimming: non-negotiable, the sooner the better
54. Musical instruments: pick one he likes, learn together
55. Memory techniques: read "Moonwalking with Einstein" together
56. Sportsmanship: how to act when you win and when you lose
57. Basic plumbing: how to unclog a sink
58. Writing: practice together
59. Typing: do family speed contests online
60. Firearm use and safety: safe handling and maintenance
61. Fire safety: teach how to prevent fires, and how to respond in case of a fire
62. Assertiveness: closed mouths don't get fed
63. Budgeting: create and manage a personal budget
64. Animal care: feeding/walking/etc
65. Weather: learn how weather works, prepare for severe weather together
66. Personal branding: teach the importance of maintaining a positive personal image
67. Sleep hygiene: develop healthy habits early
68. Mentorship: teach the value of guidance from people w/experience
(continued on next post)
69. Body language: how to interpret non-verbal cues
70. Basic nutrition: macro nutrients, calories, metabolism
71. Patience: practice real examples of delayed gratification
72. Gratitude: verbalize gratitude together daily
73. Presentation skills: assign a topic and present
74. Storytelling: how to be captivating, how to keep attention
75. Ice-skating: because why not
76. Giving feedback: learn how others are individually receptive to feedback
77. Receiving feedback: accept critiques gratefully, while considering the source
78. Computer maintenance: troubleshoot common computer issues together
79. Poker: reading other people, probabilities, avoiding tells
80. How to set boundaries: assertively and empathetically
81. Theater: go to plays together
82. Time alone: learn to be content by yourself
83. Drawing: practice together
84. History appreciation: remember, it's always written by the winners
85. Human nature: people are predictable, human nature never changes
86. Active listening: how to be attentive and show you're listening
87. Sartorialism: how to dress
88. Morning routine: develop one and practice it together
89. How to host: the art of hospitality
90. How to be a guest: the art of graciousness
91. Build a library: let kids pick books and add to family library
92. Foreign language: learn one together
93. Chivalry and respect: treat others with timeless kindness
94. Calligraphy: practice various styles and techniques together
95. Speed reading: read Breakthrough Rapid Reading by Peter Kump
96. Writing thank you notes: what to include, when to send
97. Basic strength training: start with pullups/pushups
98. Hill sprints: race each other, one day your kids will win
99. Bushcraft: build shelter and survive using the nature around you
100. Family tree: map yours together
101. How to tip servers: amount, when to do it
Thanks for reading this far
Couple things you'll notice as you look through the list, these items usually fall into one of two categories
1) they're things you do in your daily life anyway. The secret is to simply include your kids. Teachable moments are everywhere
2) if they're not things you do every day, then they're things that will make you a better, more well rounded person. By learning new skills and hobbies, you're setting the best possible example for your kids. You're showing them a man who is never "finished." You're always getting better. And that's the only real example that matters at the end of the day.
70. Basic nutrition: macro nutrients, calories, metabolism
71. Patience: practice real examples of delayed gratification
72. Gratitude: verbalize gratitude together daily
73. Presentation skills: assign a topic and present
74. Storytelling: how to be captivating, how to keep attention
75. Ice-skating: because why not
76. Giving feedback: learn how others are individually receptive to feedback
77. Receiving feedback: accept critiques gratefully, while considering the source
78. Computer maintenance: troubleshoot common computer issues together
79. Poker: reading other people, probabilities, avoiding tells
80. How to set boundaries: assertively and empathetically
81. Theater: go to plays together
82. Time alone: learn to be content by yourself
83. Drawing: practice together
84. History appreciation: remember, it's always written by the winners
85. Human nature: people are predictable, human nature never changes
86. Active listening: how to be attentive and show you're listening
87. Sartorialism: how to dress
88. Morning routine: develop one and practice it together
89. How to host: the art of hospitality
90. How to be a guest: the art of graciousness
91. Build a library: let kids pick books and add to family library
92. Foreign language: learn one together
93. Chivalry and respect: treat others with timeless kindness
94. Calligraphy: practice various styles and techniques together
95. Speed reading: read Breakthrough Rapid Reading by Peter Kump
96. Writing thank you notes: what to include, when to send
97. Basic strength training: start with pullups/pushups
98. Hill sprints: race each other, one day your kids will win
99. Bushcraft: build shelter and survive using the nature around you
100. Family tree: map yours together
101. How to tip servers: amount, when to do it
Thanks for reading this far
Couple things you'll notice as you look through the list, these items usually fall into one of two categories
1) they're things you do in your daily life anyway. The secret is to simply include your kids. Teachable moments are everywhere
2) if they're not things you do every day, then they're things that will make you a better, more well rounded person. By learning new skills and hobbies, you're setting the best possible example for your kids. You're showing them a man who is never "finished." You're always getting better. And that's the only real example that matters at the end of the day.
My all time favorite activity to do with my kids is reading
If you want a bunch of free books (100 total) to read with your kids, click the button on my profile called "ParentSmart" and they're yours
If you want a bunch of free books (100 total) to read with your kids, click the button on my profile called "ParentSmart" and they're yours
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