Here’s 50+ Old-Fashioned Skills That Kids Need to Know (And You Can Teach Them At Home)

These old fashioned skills are things everyone should know, including kids of all ages whether they are older children or younger children. Plus, these old fashioned skills are a fun way to keep your kids busy when they’re bored. Whether you’re at home or in the classroom these teachable and forgotten old fashioned skills are important to know!

Old Fashioned Skills

Are your kids telling you they’re bored? This past week was the first week that my 11-year-old son told me he was bored. We’ve done all the crafts, projects, workbooks that he wants to do so now it’s time to find something else to keep him busy.

So, I found an awesome list on Facebook that is titled “Old-Fashioned Skills That Kids Need to Know. I read through the list and realized that a lot of these weren’t things that I was necessarily taught but things I had to learn on my own when I moved out at 18. Now that I have this list, these are the things that I am going to work on with all my kids (21, 17, 11) and make sure they know how to perform these skills.

Related: Teaching kids the life skills of being a good friend.

50 + Old-Fashioned Skills That Kids Need to Know

1. How to write a letter
2. How to make a phone call 
3. How to take a message
4. How to converse with an elder
5. How to play with a baby
6. How to sew on a button
7. How to genuinely apologize
8. How to hammer a nail
9. How to introduce yourself
10. How to notice the needs of others

11. How to make scrambled eggs
12. How to balance a checkbook
13. How to write a thank you note
14. How to do laundry
15. How to garden
16. How to fix something
17. How to plan a healthy meal
18. How to hang a picture
19. How to wash dishes
20. How to budget

21. How to wait and save for something
22. How to check tire pressure
23. How to ask questions to get to know someone better
24. How to read a map
25. How to find a book in the library
26. How to seek counsel from someone more experienced
27. How to care for a pet
28. How to select a thoughtful gift
29. How to admit a mistake
30. How to set the table

31. How to iron a shirt
32. How to give someone the benefit of the doubt 
33. How to weight pros and cons
34. How to have good table manners

35. How to dust
36. How to read a recipe
37. How to vacuum the stairs
38. How to change a light bulb 
39. How to open, close and lock windows
40. How to use a fire extinguisher 

41. How to make a salad
42. How to make a smoothie
43. How to clean the refrigerator
44. How to clean the bathroom
45. How to clean the kitchen
46. How to address and stamp an envelope
47. How to write a check
48. How to refill a stapler

49. How to put air in a bike tire
50. How to pump gas
51. How to change a flat tire

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE WAYS TO KEEP KIDS BUSY:

• Get kids off technology and back to basics with learning worksheets you can print at home!
• Make being stuck at home fun with our favorite indoor games for kids.
• Coloring is fun! Especially with our Fortnite coloring pages.
• Check out how to make bubbles.
• What’s the best kind of party? A unicorn party!
• Learn how to make a compass and go on an adventure with your kids.
• Create an Ash Ketchum costume.
• Try these fun edible playdough recipes!
• Kids love unicorn slime.
• Set up a neighborhood bear hunt. Your kids will love it!