Survival Skills You Can Practice at Home (For Any Age)
You don’t need to head out into the wild to develop essential survival skills. In fact, many life-saving abilities can be learned and practised right at home, in your living room, kitchen, or garden—regardless of your age or experience!
This guide covers a range of practical survival skills that anyone can try, including fun activities for kids and adults alike. Prepare for emergencies, boost your confidence, and turn preparedness into a family-friendly challenge!
Why Practise Survival Skills at Home?
- Safety: Home is a controlled, low-risk environment for learning.
- Repetition: Regular practice builds muscle memory and confidence.
- Family bonding: Skills can be learned together, making it fun for kids and adults.
- Preparedness: Real emergencies require calm, practiced responses.
Core Survival Skills to Learn Indoors
| Skill | Why It’s Important | At-Home Activity Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Knot tying | Secure shelters, gear, rescues | Practice with shoelaces, rope |
| First aid basics | Treat wounds, burns, injuries | Bandage wrapping on teddy bears |
| Fire safety/prep | Fire is warmth, cooking, signalling | Learn to make fire starters |
| Water purification | Clean water is vital | DIY water filter demo |
| Signalling for help | Attract rescuers | Make signal signs, learn SOS |
| Navigation/orientation | Find your way, avoid getting lost | Use maps, make compass at home |
| Improvised shelter | Stay dry and warm | Build blanket forts/tarps |
| Resourcefulness | Use what you have | Repurpose household items |
1. Knot Tying: The Foundation of Survival
Knowing a few key knots can make all the difference outdoors—or in an emergency at home.
Must-Learn Knots
| Knot | Uses |
|---|---|
| Square knot | Joining two ropes |
| Bowline | Fixed loop for rescue/anchors |
| Clove hitch | Securing rope to poles/posts |
| Figure-8 | Stopper, climbing safety |
| Sheet bend | Tying ropes of different sizes |
Practice Tip: Use old shoelaces, charging cables, or string. Try teaching kids with coloured ropes!
2. First Aid Skills
Everyone should know the basics of first aid.
Home First Aid Challenges
- Bandage a “wounded” arm or leg (use a doll or family member).
- Practise the recovery position.
- Learn how to treat burns, cuts, or nosebleeds.
- Recognise symptoms of shock or allergic reaction.
Bonus:
Make a DIY first aid kit from household items: clean cloth, tape, plasters, antiseptic, tweezers.
3. Fire Safety and Making Fire Starters
While you can’t light real fires indoors, you can learn the principles and prepare materials.
Safe Activities
- Learn about fire triangles (heat, fuel, oxygen).
- Make fire starters from cotton pads & Vaseline, dryer lint, candle wax.
- Practise laying out kindling (using sticks/toothpicks) for fastest ignition.
- Teach fire extinguisher basics and how to call emergency services.
4. Water Purification and DIY Filters
Clean water is always priority one. You can simulate purification techniques at home.
Water Purification Demos
| Method | How to Practise at Home |
|---|---|
| Filtering | Make a mini filter with a bottle, gravel, sand, and coffee filter |
| Boiling (theory) | Explain, show videos |
| Bleach disinfecting | Measure using droppers (never drink!) |
| Solar disinfection | Set bottles in sunlight as experiment |
Tip: Use muddy water (tea with dirt) to see how filters remove sediment.
5. Signalling and Communication
Knowing how to signal for help can save lives.
Indoor Practice
- Flashlight SOS: Learn Morse code (… --- …).
- Make large signal signs (HELP) with tape or blankets.
- Whistle codes: 1 = attention, 3 = distress.
- Family signal plan: Have a code word for emergencies.
6. Navigation and Map Reading
Getting lost is easy—learning to find your way is crucial!
Fun Map Challenges
- Draw a map of your house or garden.
- Hide an “object” and mark it on the map for a scavenger hunt.
- Use a compass app or make a DIY compass with a magnetised needle and bowl of water.
- Learn cardinal directions by tracking where the sun rises and sets from a window.
7. Building Shelter (Blanket Forts!)
Shelter is a survival priority—and fun to practise indoors.
Shelter-Building Ideas
- Use blankets, chairs, and cushions to make a “survival fort.”
- For a challenge, limit materials (only 2 chairs and 1 blanket, etc.).
- Practise making a waterproof “roof” with bin bags.
8. Improvising and Resourcefulness
In survival, creativity with what’s available is key.
| Household Item | Survival Use Example |
|---|---|
| Bin bags | Rain poncho, water carrier, shelter layer |
| Duct tape | Repairs, first aid, cordage |
| Tin cans | Cooking pot, candle holder |
| Old sheets | Bandage, sling, rope |
| Plastic bottles | Water storage, float, funnel |
Challenge:
Pick 5 random items in a room and invent a survival use for each!
9. Cooking Without Power
Test how you’d eat if the electricity went out.
- Make “no cook” meals from pantry items (canned food, crackers, nut butters).
- Practise using a camping stove in the garden (with adult supervision).
- Make a solar oven with a pizza box and foil (on sunny days).
10. Mental Resilience: Staying Calm
Practise staying calm under pressure.
- Try 1-minute deep breathing exercises.
- Do a “silent hour” where no one talks—focus on listening and observation.
- Mindfulness or “grounding” games for stress.
Sample Survival Skills Practice Chart
| Skill Area | Activity | Done? |
|---|---|---|
| Knot tying | Bowline | |
| First aid | Bandage wrapping | |
| Fire prep | Make fire starter | |
| Water filter | Build mini filter | |
| Map skills | Draw home map | |
| Shelter | Build blanket fort | |
| Improvise | Duct tape repair | |
| Cooking | No-power lunch |
FAQ
Are these skills really useful in real life?
Yes! They build confidence, problem-solving, and readiness for any situation.
Can kids practise these skills?
Absolutely—most activities are family-friendly. Supervise anything involving sharp tools or heat.
How often should we practise?
Monthly “survival skill nights” or rainy day challenges keep things fun and fresh!
Conclusion
You don’t need to trek into the wild to become more self-reliant.
Practising survival skills at home is safe, fun, and will prepare you for whatever life throws your way.
Start small, involve the family, and turn learning into an adventure!
Want more ideas or printable charts? Let us know in the comments!