5 Survival Skills Every Child Should Know

When emergencies strike, children are often the most vulnerable. But teaching kids a few age-appropriate survival skills not only prepares them for unexpected situations, it also builds their confidence and independence. Whether you live in a city apartment or on a rural homestead, these five core survival skills can give your child the tools they need to stay safe until help arrives.

1. How to Call for Help

In an emergency, seconds matter. Teach your child:

• How to dial 911 (and what situations warrant calling).
• Your home address, your name, and at least one parent’s full name and phone number.
• How to describe what’s happening clearly (“My dad fell and he isn’t waking up”).

Practice this with role-play. Kids learn faster when they pretend, and you’ll know they can handle it if the real thing happens.

True Story: My nefew went to the city zoo with his kindergarten class on a field trip. Somehow he got separated from his group. He found a woman and asked her to call his mom. My sister was able to get her son reunited with his group. None of this would have been possible if he had not known his mom's phone number.

2. Finding Safe Shelter

Whether lost on a hike or facing bad weather, knowing how to find shelter is crucial. Teach them:

• To look for a safe spot out of the wind and rain (under a tree canopy, rock overhang, or even a sturdy building).
• To avoid dangerous places like rivers, steep cliffs, or abandoned structures.
• A simple phrase: “If I’m lost, I stop, stay, and shelter.”

This reinforces the idea of staying put and conserving energy while waiting for rescue.

3. Basic First Aid

A child doesn’t need to be a paramedic to help. But even young kids can learn:

• How to clean and cover a small cut.
• What to do if someone is bleeding (apply pressure and call for help).
• How to recognize when something is serious enough for adult intervention.

Consider a family first aid night where kids can practice with bandages and role-play emergencies.

4. Fire and Water Awareness

Fire and water are both lifesaving and dangerous. Kids should know:

• Fire: Matches and lighters aren’t toys. Teach “stop, drop, and roll” if clothing catches fire.
• Water: Never drink from streams or lakes without adult help and filtering. Teach them to recognize the signs of dehydration and always drink water when it’s hot. Also teach them to stay away from rivers and not try to cross them even if they look slow and shallow.

These lessons may seem simple, but they prevent two of the most common survival dangers for kids: accidents with fire and unsafe drinking water.

5. Navigation and Signaling

If a child is ever lost, knowing how to be found is critical. Teach them:

• To stay in one place and make themselves visible.
• Simple signaling techniques: waving a bright piece of clothing, using a whistle, or shouting at regular intervals.
• Landmarks: Practice noticing unique features (a red barn, a big pine tree, a playground) and remembering the way back.

Even if they don’t have a compass, awareness of surroundings can help them avoid wandering deeper into danger.

Final Thoughts

Preparedness doesn’t have to be scary—it can be empowering. By practicing these five skills regularly, your child will know what to do if they ever face an emergency. More importantly, they’ll feel confident that they have the knowledge to stay safe until help arrives.

At Ready & Prepped, we believe preparedness is a family effort. Start small, make it fun, and you’ll be building resilience that lasts a lifetime.

No fuss, no fluff, no fear.

To learn more about how to teach your children basic survival skills check out this article.