100 Skills to Teach Your Kids

These skills used to be considered Life 101 but as kids learn fewer and fewer practical skills, I still say there is a need for everyone to learn these incredibly useful skills as children...

1. How to swim.
2. How to ride a bike.
3. How to dress for the weather.
4. How to dress appropriately for all occasions.
5. How to participate in individual sports.
6. How to participate in team sports.
7. How to ride a dirt bike/motorcycle.
8. How to take care of animals.
9. How to sew.
10. How to cook from scratch.
11. How to fish.
12. How to hunt.
13. How to use a variety of firearms/gun safety.
14. How to express themselves well in writing.
15. How to express themselves well verbally.
16. How to call 911 and request help (provide address, directions, reason for call, etc).
17. How to show compassion and empathy.
18. How to perform CPR/basic first aid skills.
19. How to walk/run long distances.
20. How to save/spend/budget/invest money.
21. How to earn money.
22. How to camp/survive in the wilderness.
23. How to grow a garden.
24. How to preserve food.
25. How to bake.
26. How to defend themselves.
27. How to develop hygiene skills/routines.
28. How to perform basic car maintenance.
29. How to read well.
30. How to perform basic math (add, subtract, multiply, divide, fractions, geometry, etc).
31. How to understand basic science (chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, etc).
32. How to get through an obstacle course (jumping, climbing, bars/rings, etc).
33. How to drive a vehicle (not on public roads until they can legally do so).
34. How to read the weather and take basic weather precautions.
35. What to do if they are lost.
36. How/who to contact if they need help.
37. How to tell if food/plants are edible or poisonous.
38. How to forage for wild food.
39. How to start a fire/fire safety.
40. How to use and care for knives.
41. How to deal with wildlife/roaming dogs/feral cats/etc.
42. How to signal for help in a variety of ways.
43. How to avoid dangerous people.
44. How to avoid dangerous situations.
45. How to barter/trade for things they want.
46. How to shop for things they want.
47. How to make/use a variety of weapons (bow and arrow, sling shot, etc).
48. How to hide from danger.
49. How to tell time (analog and digital).
50. How to secure their belongings and their home.
51. How to stay safe online.
52. How to use GPS as well as a map to find their way.
53. How to take public transportation.
54. How to care for smaller children.
55. How to perform basic home improvement tasks.
56. How to use basic tools/power tools.
57. How to play a musical instrument.
58. How to develop their artistic talents.
59. How to speak a second language.
60. How to take care of their health/teeth/mental health/vision/hearing.
61. How to develop problem-solving skills.
62. How to develop good judgement/impulse control/control anger/etc.
63. How to develop critical thinking skills.
64. What to do in a variety of survival scenarios (fire/active shooter/flood/earthquake/tornado/etc).
65. How to identify multiple ways to exit a home or building.
66. How to deal with authority figures (police, teachers, etc).
67. How to perform basic life skills (pump gas, banking, post office, set appointments, etc).
68. How to develop a full range of good manners/etiquette skills.
69. How to play games (chess, poker, etc).
70. How to travel (nationally and internationally).
71. How to fill out forms and applications.
72. About civic responsibilities (voting, jury duty, protesting, volunteering, etc).
73. How to develop a good moral compass.
74. How to give a speech/address a group of people.
75. How to clean (room, house, vehicle).
76. How to prepare for common disasters.
77. How to shut off water/power/gas during an emergency.
78. How to survive without water/power/gas during an emergency.
79. How to develop a good attitude/outlook.
80. How to negotiate and compromise with others.
81. How to accept criticism and compliments.
82. How to be a follower and a leader.
83. How to make friends and socialize with others.
84. How to manage their time/be on time/estimate the time to complete their work.
85. How to break projects down into manageable steps.
86. How to be resilient in difficult times.
87. How to use basic software/do basic coding.
88. How to be assertive when necessary.
89. How to participate in hobbies they enjoy.
90. How to be knowledgeable about current local, national, and world events.
91. How to determine if a proposal or opportunity is good/worthwhile or not.
92. How to be alone (for an age-appropriate amount of time).
93. How to compete (in a race, in a game, in a challenge, to collect merit badges, etc).
94. How to fail.
95. How to get and keep a job.
96. How to be entrepreneurial/start businesses.
97. How to use nutrition and exercise to be fit and healthy.
98. How to achieve major/long-term goals.
99. How to stay safe in a crowd.
100. How to have a successful road trip.