Can you suggest any bushcrafty activities that don't involve edged tools for use with early to mid teens. They aren't safe with knives (long story).
Give me your ideas!
Give me your ideas!
"No knife" bushcrafty activities ideas please
- Thread starter Antonymous
- Start date
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Lighting fires?
Fishing? Tracking animals?
Bivvi building.
Basicalky, make a camp, a fire and cook something.
I assume these youth were involved in knife crime?
Fishing? Tracking animals?
Bivvi building.
Basicalky, make a camp, a fire and cook something.
I assume these youth were involved in knife crime?
Making string .... always seems to have a powerfully impressive effect on kids. Also teach them to tie a slip knot. Sort of magical and foundational at the same time.
Antonymous, here are a few (about 15) I could think of after a quick search. Hopefully one of them will pique your interest. I'm sure you can come up with a number of exciting activities that don't require using a knife.
1. Do a Nature Scavenger Hunt
https://www.natureoutside.com/nature-scavenger-hunt-still-good-free-download/
2. Build a natural shelter
https://www.natureoutside.com/how-to-build-a-debris-hut/
3. Turn acorns into spinning tops
https://www.natureoutside.com/turn-acorns-into-spinning-tops-in-just-10-minutes-childrens-toys/
4. Practice some simple wilderness first aid
https://www.natureoutside.com/wilderness-first-aid-and-the-duty-of-care-to-yourself/
5. Create your own field guide and then go look for the creatures (North American Example)
https://www.natureoutside.com/create-your-own-field-guide/
6. Tracking - Practice some simple animal tracking
https://www.natureoutside.com/10-second-tracking/
7. Tracking - Make a plaster cast of an animal track
https://www.natureoutside.com/fox-tracks-in-a-salt-marsh-making-plaster-casts/
8. Make clapper sticks
https://www.natureoutside.com/clapper-sticks/
9. Navigation - Use the sun to find your way
https://www.natureoutside.com/3-clever-tricks-use-sun-hiking/
10. Navigation - Do some simple exercises
https://www.natureoutside.com/put-red-fred-in-the-shed/
11. Learn to nature journal
https://www.natureoutside.com/5-rea...eep-a-journal-and-my-secret-for-how-to-do-it/
12. Select a traditional skill to try
https://www.natureoutside.com/10-traditional-skills-you-should-learn/
13. Leather - Make a deerskin pouch
https://www.natureoutside.com/how-to-make-a-deerskin-pouch-5-easy-steps/
14. Leather - Make bookmarks (does anybody read books anymore?)
https://www.natureoutside.com/simple-leather-project-coyote-and-night/
15. Practice using a firesteel (depends on maturity of children)
https://www.natureoutside.com/how-to-use-a-firesteel/
16. Make a skin salve from locally wild ingredients
https://www.natureoutside.com/making-a-skin-salve/
I hope this helps.
- Woodsorrel
1. Do a Nature Scavenger Hunt
https://www.natureoutside.com/nature-scavenger-hunt-still-good-free-download/
2. Build a natural shelter
https://www.natureoutside.com/how-to-build-a-debris-hut/
3. Turn acorns into spinning tops
https://www.natureoutside.com/turn-acorns-into-spinning-tops-in-just-10-minutes-childrens-toys/
4. Practice some simple wilderness first aid
https://www.natureoutside.com/wilderness-first-aid-and-the-duty-of-care-to-yourself/
5. Create your own field guide and then go look for the creatures (North American Example)
https://www.natureoutside.com/create-your-own-field-guide/
6. Tracking - Practice some simple animal tracking
https://www.natureoutside.com/10-second-tracking/
7. Tracking - Make a plaster cast of an animal track
https://www.natureoutside.com/fox-tracks-in-a-salt-marsh-making-plaster-casts/
8. Make clapper sticks
https://www.natureoutside.com/clapper-sticks/
9. Navigation - Use the sun to find your way
https://www.natureoutside.com/3-clever-tricks-use-sun-hiking/
10. Navigation - Do some simple exercises
https://www.natureoutside.com/put-red-fred-in-the-shed/
11. Learn to nature journal
https://www.natureoutside.com/5-rea...eep-a-journal-and-my-secret-for-how-to-do-it/
12. Select a traditional skill to try
https://www.natureoutside.com/10-traditional-skills-you-should-learn/
13. Leather - Make a deerskin pouch
https://www.natureoutside.com/how-to-make-a-deerskin-pouch-5-easy-steps/
14. Leather - Make bookmarks (does anybody read books anymore?)
https://www.natureoutside.com/simple-leather-project-coyote-and-night/
15. Practice using a firesteel (depends on maturity of children)
https://www.natureoutside.com/how-to-use-a-firesteel/
16. Make a skin salve from locally wild ingredients
https://www.natureoutside.com/making-a-skin-salve/
I hope this helps.
- Woodsorrel
If they aren't safe with edged tools it begs the question, "Will they be safe with fire?" (they might be, but the OP doen't give enough info to tell) Regarding fishing, hooks or gigs/spears are edged tools
Tracking games can be good fun.
Some of the more active knots, along with applications. Falconer's hitch, highwayman's hitch, taut lines, truckers, sheet bends, Arbor knot/jam knot , leading to setting up tarps.
Making cordage, can be a bit repetative, so maybe a competition? Make string that has to lift or move a weight, team effort, with prize.
Make char cloth and get using real flint and steel to make fire (tinder bundles of dry hay and cotton wool) Some kids can't even get a cotton wool to light with a ferro rod, but getting fire from real flint and steel can be quite cool. Something that they may only have heard of or seen portrayed in movies.
Some of the more active knots, along with applications. Falconer's hitch, highwayman's hitch, taut lines, truckers, sheet bends, Arbor knot/jam knot , leading to setting up tarps.
Making cordage, can be a bit repetative, so maybe a competition? Make string that has to lift or move a weight, team effort, with prize.
Make char cloth and get using real flint and steel to make fire (tinder bundles of dry hay and cotton wool) Some kids can't even get a cotton wool to light with a ferro rod, but getting fire from real flint and steel can be quite cool. Something that they may only have heard of or seen portrayed in movies.
The thing you have to watch out for is that whatever activity you do, try not to make them too competitive or difficult, as this can cause problems, try to organise small groups, try task swapping, for instance if you have 3 groups each given 3 different tasks, then swap the groups and the tasks over half way through, this means that no one can actually fail to complete the tasks, it also helps team building and multi tasking,unfortunately with so many of today's youths they cannot face feeling inferior or face failure, and you have to cater for this, in order to keep the peace and protect the weaker members of the groups. Working with youths today is not an easy task, but it can be very rewarding, hopefully.
Possibly. i was also thinking of developmental issues. Or just parental fears. Too many possibilities to assume any one.
I don't think I could do any better than what has already been suggested, especially Woodsorrel's list, and Bob's sock war. Cause who doesn't like a good sock war? The most important thing is to get them out and having fun.
pottery, making basic bowls etc.
Baking bread
Water collection and purification - collecting it, cleaning it, filtering it/boiling it etc
Make a raft with brush and a tarp
If it's ok with a saw, you could make a backpack, shelter etc
Rope bridge (between two trees)
Mud maps...
Baking bread
Water collection and purification - collecting it, cleaning it, filtering it/boiling it etc
Make a raft with brush and a tarp
If it's ok with a saw, you could make a backpack, shelter etc
Rope bridge (between two trees)
Mud maps...
Should not Anonymous be more fortcoming with info?
13-15 year olds, are they really interesting in pottery?
Throwing dirty socks at each other?
Is that really bushcrafting? Imo not.
13-15 year olds, are they really interesting in pottery?
Throwing dirty socks at each other?
Is that really bushcrafting? Imo not.
Yes, go to a medical supplies store and buy 30m of theraband or latex hose and make them build big sponge-chucking catapults .. then bivvy the night in the woods in 8x4 plastic bags!
I agree that slinging socks at each other (they don't have to be dirty) is not buschcrafty, but the principal of making and using a sling definitely fits in. Rolled up socks are much safer projectiles than rocks
It’s funny how the focus turns to the OP not being specific enough.
Bushcrafty activities
Early to mid teens
No knives....
That’s probably enough info for us to be helpful.
We use socks at the Moot so the kids can build catapults and have a bit of fun with them while there’s other people milling about, building them is the skilled part.
Pottery, yep, I know quite a few teens that enjoy being creative, especially when you have to mix up your own clay, craft tour pot, fire it etc.
Another idea is grass rope, you can make amazing stuff with it, it’s like cordage on steroids and we’ve made hammocks, sleeping bags, tow ropes etc with it...
Bushcrafty activities
Early to mid teens
No knives....
That’s probably enough info for us to be helpful.
We use socks at the Moot so the kids can build catapults and have a bit of fun with them while there’s other people milling about, building them is the skilled part.
Pottery, yep, I know quite a few teens that enjoy being creative, especially when you have to mix up your own clay, craft tour pot, fire it etc.
Another idea is grass rope, you can make amazing stuff with it, it’s like cordage on steroids and we’ve made hammocks, sleeping bags, tow ropes etc with it...
How about teaching the main lashings and make camp gadgets. Then they could make their own siege weapons to launch the socks to add the fun element 
The basics of shelter, fire and cooking without cutting tools is a challenge but a useful exercise in my opinion.
And I agree with Tony, we've been asked for ideas, the rest is none of our business really
The basics of shelter, fire and cooking without cutting tools is a challenge but a useful exercise in my opinion.
And I agree with Tony, we've been asked for ideas, the rest is none of our business really
First I would tech them the basics.
How to choose clothes, footwear, layering.
How to dress, basic hygiene, respect for nature.
This can be done anywhere.
How to choose where to walk.
The first night I would spend with them sleeping under a tent, as a more open system can be scary.
Fire discipline, choosing firewood, choosing camp site, choosing and digging toilet trench,
So basically the first basics.
After that - you guys have suggested lots.
How to choose clothes, footwear, layering.
How to dress, basic hygiene, respect for nature.
This can be done anywhere.
How to choose where to walk.
The first night I would spend with them sleeping under a tent, as a more open system can be scary.
Fire discipline, choosing firewood, choosing camp site, choosing and digging toilet trench,
So basically the first basics.
After that - you guys have suggested lots.
Putting my scout leader head on. Here are a few of my suggestions:-
Broch has already suggested Pioneering. If you have enough long poles lash them together to make a large frame.
I have just built some climbing frames with my scout pack. One simple task they seemed to like was the challenge to build a ladder that a person could climb so they were above head height.
Another activity is moving through the woods quietly. Teaching them how to put there foot down to make least noise. I was taught side of heel, then down onto side of foot then roll foot over so completely on the ground.
We practice this by blindfolding one person and the others have to creep up with out being heard. If a noise is heard the blindfolded person points in the direction of the noise. If there is a person in the line of pointing they are out. It works best/more difficult when the ground has twigs and dry leaves to make the most noise.
Another activity I call "Sniper" You need a large clearing surrounded by lots of cover. The kids go and hide and have to observe the clearing without being spotted. The person(s) in the clearing has to spot the people hiding. One person in the clearing every now and again walks around a small designated area carrying an object for the hiders to spot and remember (designate a small area in the clearing that the spotters stay in and person can walk around holding the object so it can be seen from all angles). This means the hiders have to spot the object and risk being spotted themselves. Its amazing how even the smallest movement or a small amount of colour on someone's clothes can stand out a mile in woodland.
A quick fill in game which I have used reminds them about always trying to know where you are and importantly where you have come from should you need to retrace your steps.
Stand in a tight circle with a leader in the middle. Everyone in the circle is blindfolded. the leader calls out simple instructions, such as five paces forward, when they have done that two to the left etc . Give them about 5 simple instructions then tell them with the blindfolds still on to retrace their steps. If they get it right they should end up back by the leader all together. If they are good at that increase the instructions.
Chalkflint
Broch has already suggested Pioneering. If you have enough long poles lash them together to make a large frame.
I have just built some climbing frames with my scout pack. One simple task they seemed to like was the challenge to build a ladder that a person could climb so they were above head height.
Another activity is moving through the woods quietly. Teaching them how to put there foot down to make least noise. I was taught side of heel, then down onto side of foot then roll foot over so completely on the ground.
We practice this by blindfolding one person and the others have to creep up with out being heard. If a noise is heard the blindfolded person points in the direction of the noise. If there is a person in the line of pointing they are out. It works best/more difficult when the ground has twigs and dry leaves to make the most noise.
Another activity I call "Sniper" You need a large clearing surrounded by lots of cover. The kids go and hide and have to observe the clearing without being spotted. The person(s) in the clearing has to spot the people hiding. One person in the clearing every now and again walks around a small designated area carrying an object for the hiders to spot and remember (designate a small area in the clearing that the spotters stay in and person can walk around holding the object so it can be seen from all angles). This means the hiders have to spot the object and risk being spotted themselves. Its amazing how even the smallest movement or a small amount of colour on someone's clothes can stand out a mile in woodland.
A quick fill in game which I have used reminds them about always trying to know where you are and importantly where you have come from should you need to retrace your steps.
Stand in a tight circle with a leader in the middle. Everyone in the circle is blindfolded. the leader calls out simple instructions, such as five paces forward, when they have done that two to the left etc . Give them about 5 simple instructions then tell them with the blindfolds still on to retrace their steps. If they get it right they should end up back by the leader all together. If they are good at that increase the instructions.
Chalkflint
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