# 30 Handy Life Skills All Kids Should Learn

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/family/kids/handy-life-skills-all-kids-should-learn/
- Published: 2021-10-02T15:00:00+10:00
- Author: Clare Whitfield

## _There are several 󠀁[skills](https://stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/10-life-skills-we-dont-teach-kids-at-school/)󠁿 we develop as we grow up. We learn them through experiencing situations and we polish them as we grow._

Now, kids need lots of time to enjoy their youth. Eating, sleeping and playing should
be their priority and then us parents gradually give them responsibilities as they
age.

If you don’t know where to start, here are 30 handy life skills all kids should 
learn. You don’t need to pressure yourself or your kids, just have fun while learning!
After all, kids love it when you make them feel like they have a job to do.

## **1. Effectively Take a Message on the Phone**

Sometimes, mums are so busy accomplishing every household chore that they don’t 
want to be disturbed by anyone, and that’s why teaching your child to effectively
take a message on the phone is very handy. Whenever someone calls, you can just 
continue what you’re doing and let your kids handle it.

[⌊Young boy practicing communication skills with a phone promoting important life skills for children⌉⌊Young boy practicing communication skills with a phone promoting important life skills for children⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via shutterstock.com](https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-4770332-close-young-kid-talking-on-phone-home)

## **2. Shake Hands**

It’s important for kids to know how to shake hands because it will help them in 
most social situations they’ll encounter when they become an adult, especially when
they’re already working. Handshake is vital if someone wants to appear more confident
and, well, more polite.

[⌊Kids learning important social skills through handshake practice⌉⌊Kids learning important social skills through handshake practice⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/istockphoto-837860886-612x612.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via istockphoto.com](https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/kids-shaking-hands?assettype=image&sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=kids%20shaking%20hands)

## **3. Wash the Dishes by Hand**

If there’s one thing apart from sweeping the floor that even a kid can do among 
the household chores, it’s washing the dishes. Washing the dishes, while time-consuming,
is pretty basic. You can’t always rely on the dishwasher forever, what happens when
it’s broken? Plus, did you know that there are benefits that your kids can get by
doing it by hand? It can relieve stress, help them be immune to bacteria, and relax
their mood!

[⌊Kid washing dishes at the kitchen sink learning essential life skills⌉⌊Kid washing dishes at the kitchen sink learning essential life skills⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettingKidstoHelpwithDishes.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via metroparent.com](https://www.metroparent.com/daily/food-home/cooking-tips-nutrition/five-ways-to-get-your-kids-to-help-with-the-dishes/)

## **4.****Set a Table**

You shouldn’t train your kids to eat and run. If you let them get used to the life
where the food is already served to them, they wouldn’t even bother knowing the 
importance of hard work (although setting a table isn’t that hard)or even the principle
of “clean as you go”, as well as appreciate the waiters or other restaurant attendants.
Expose them to the table before the food.

[⌊30 handy life skills all kids should learn⌉⌊30 handy life skills all kids should
learn⌉[

[via istockphoto.com](https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/kid-setting-table)

## **5. Plant**

The heat coming from the sun is worsening, and one of the reasons why is the lack
of trees. Instead of exposing your kids to technology, you should let them know 
that what the world needs right now is protection from global warming. You should
put them into the world of nature and let them grow up as people who are concerned
about the world condition. Mother Earth needs them.

[⌊30 handy life skills all kids should learn⌉⌊30 handy life skills all kids should
learn⌉[

[via 123rf.com](https://www.123rf.com/photo_50517884_joyful-preschool-blond-kid-boy-planting-seeds-and-seedlings-of-tomatoes-in-vegetable-garden-happy-ca.html)

## **6. Ask Someone for Help**

Asking for help isn’t something that all people can do. There are people who think
it’s a sign of weakness or it makes people dumb, which isn’t true at all. Tell your
kids that they shouldn’t hold everything inside them because they can always ask
for assistance or a hand to hold. If there’s something bothering them, then be upfront
about it. It’s just normal to not know and be able to do everything.

[⌊Young boy practicing communication skills with a phone promoting important life skills for children⌉⌊Young boy practicing communication skills with a phone promoting important life skills for children⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/178445731.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via understood.org](https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-approaches/educational-strategies/remedial-programs-what-you-need-to-know)

## **7. Say “No”**

Teach your kids to be assertive and say “no” without ever feeling guilty about it.
It’s also one thing that most people struggle about nowadays – to always want to
please other people and agree even though deep inside them they really don’t. Let
your kids be comfortable choosing themselves every single time.

[⌊Child demonstrating important life skills with a serious expression outdoors⌉⌊Child demonstrating important life skills with a serious expression outdoors⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6a00e54f0d3801883401bb086fb8ee970d.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via amberdusick.com](https://www.amberdusick.com/woodmouse_loves_crafts/homeschooling/)

## **8. Say Sorry and Mean It**

Knowing how to say sorry and mean it is a good thing people should learn at a very
young age. If you teach them the importance of apologising whenever they hurt someone,
they will also learn that it isn’t avoidable to cause someone pain unintentionally,
so they should be mindful of their actions as well as the words they say.

[⌊Two young girls outdoors one comforting the other with a stuffed toy demonstrating empathy and emo⌉⌊Two young girls outdoors one comforting the other with a stuffed toy demonstrating empathy and emo⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/heres-what-works-way-better-than-forcing-your-kid-to-say-sorry.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via todaysparent.com](https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/heres-what-works-way-better-than-forcing-your-kid-to-say-sorry/)

## **9. Admit When They are Wrong**

There are a lot of people who grew up as liars, and we know too well how terrible
they are. If you don’t want them to not learn to own up their mistakes and to be
like those liars, they should be told to always be aware of themselves and know 
and admit when they are wrong. But before that, you should tell them it’s just normal
to be wrong because people are naturally flawed.

[⌊Mother comforting sad boy on porch⌉⌊Mother comforting sad boy on porch⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sad-kid-mum.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via amicuslaw.com.au](http://amicuslaw.com.au/blog/do-the-kids-get-a-say-about-which-parent-they-live-with/)

## **10. Adapt to Changes**

Change is inevitable, as they say. But kids don’t have enough experience yet, so
they tend to be overwhelmed when changes occur to them and their surroundings. And
that’s fine, actually. After all, they’ll eventually realise that changes are normal.
Although they can be able to adapt to changes themselves, you should, of course,
talk to them and be there for them in case there are some things they can’t understand.

[⌊30 handy life skills all kids should learn⌉⌊30 handy life skills all kids should
learn⌉[

[via parenting.firstcry.com](https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/growth-spurts-in-toddlers-and-children/)

## **11. Forgive**

To fill the heart with too much anger is unhealthy. It can even make a person vengeful.
If you teach your kids to forgive or let them know the importance of forgiveness,
they wouldn’t see the world as a terrible place to live in. They’d rather see the
goodness of life, which will help them be understanding and sympathetic.

[⌊Three happy children embracing outdoors showcasing friendship and emotional support⌉⌊Three happy children embracing outdoors showcasing friendship and emotional support⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/maxresdefault-1-2.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-70DJ5iFJRo)

## **12. Wake Themselves Up On Time**

Waking up in the morning, especially for school, is just so difficult for kids to
do. And if you wake them up forcefully, they’d get mad because they were sleeping,
and you disrupted it. If you train them to wake themselves up on time, be it through
the help of an alarm clock or just conditioning their body clock, they’d be more
likely to have a good mood because, well, should they be mad at themselves? It’s
also a good thing because it will make them disciplined.

[⌊Young boy practicing communication skills with a phone promoting important life skills for children⌉⌊Young boy practicing communication skills with a phone promoting important life skills for children⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Morning-Hack-for-Happy-Kids-1.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via thesoccermomblog.com](https://thesoccermomblog.com/how-music-made-our-mornings-fun/)

## **13. Self-Control**

It’s a psychological thing that kids don’t seem to have the ability to control themselves.
Whatever they feel, they show it to the world. If they don’t practice self-control
now, they will have a hard time managing their emotions when they grow up. Hence,
don’t tolerate your kids’ tantrums every time. Talk to them and tell them there’s
a right place for that.

[⌊Young boy showing frustration or anger outdoors emphasizing emotional expression skills⌉⌊Young boy showing frustration or anger outdoors emphasizing emotional expression skills⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/angrychild.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

via allthemoms.com

## **14. Take Challenges**

Taking challenges makes one brave so if you expose your kids to them, they’ll not
be scared of taking risk and will not give up that easily. There are several ways
to do that. You can involve them to different activities that require strength, 
surround them with bold and successful people, or just let them go after what they
want and encourage them to try again whenever they fail at it.

[⌊Kids enjoying muddy fun and learning resilience through outdoor activities⌉⌊Kids enjoying muddy fun and learning resilience through outdoor activities⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Tough-Kids-.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via fun107.com](https://fun107.com/4th-annual-tough-kids-challenge-in-westport/)

## **15. Manage Time**

If your kids don’t learn the importance of time management at a young age, they’d
believe that it’s just okay to procrastinate. And it’s not a good thing because 
if they don’t know how to do things one step at a time and are multi-tasking all
the time, then they’ll be more prone to stress and perhaps illnesses as well.

[⌊Young boy holding a red alarm clock learning time management skills for kids⌉⌊Young boy holding a red alarm clock learning time management skills for kids⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ls_timeperception_free.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via sciencenews.org](https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/growth-curve/children-sense-time-starts-early)

## **16. Basic Self-Defence**

Nowadays, there are numerous people who have terrible and even inhumane intentions
so you shouldn’t let your kids go outside unarmed and without enough knowledge on
how to fight for themselves. Knowing self-defence is important because, sometimes,
there are no one to help them. Enroll them in a self-defence school so you don’t
lose them!

[⌊30 handy life skills all kids should learn⌉⌊30 handy life skills all kids should
learn⌉[

[via girlskickass.org](https://girlskickass.org/product/daughters-self-defense-course/)

## **17. Budget**

Letting your kids know how to budget will be very beneficial for them especially
when they’re already working and earning their own money. If they’re exposed to 
budgeting at young age, they’ll know what to prioritise and they won’t overspend.
Plus, they’ll also know the importance as well as the benefits of saving money, 
which comes next.

## **18. Save Up for Something They Want**

Kids should know that money isn’t unlimited and that it’s something that doesn’t
come from trees. If you teach them how to save money, they’d learn that being materialistic
is terrible because it’s expensive to be one! So, as a consequence, they’ll be smart
about deciding where they’ll spend their money on and will know the difference between
needs and wants.

[⌊30 handy life skills all kids should learn⌉⌊30 handy life skills all kids should
learn⌉[

[via kidstart.co.uk](https://www.kidstart.co.uk/blog/5-brilliant-pocket-money-apps-kids/)

## **19. Put on a Load of Washing**

If you don’t want your child to be clueless about how washing machines are operated,
then teach them how! There will come a time that your kids will grow up and will
do the washing of their clothes themselves. So, don’t wait for that time and teach
them how to do the laundry now. You can start with the basics, such as separating
the whites from the coloured ones or putting the clothes into the washing machine.

[⌊Young girl helping mother load laundry in washing machine⌉⌊Young girl helping 
mother load laundry in washing machine⌉[

[via sheknows.com](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/838397/how-to-teach-your-kids-to-do-the-laundry/)

## **20. Wrap a Gift**

Teaching your child to wrap a gift is the right thing to do because it’s very handy
especially if you want to have someone who’ll help you on Christmas! Apart from 
that, however, it will also be very beneficial for your child because, well, isn’t
it such a huge disadvantage if he or she still doesn’t know how to wrap a gift at
the age of 20?

[⌊Child practicing a simple life skill with a striped object at a table⌉⌊Child practicing a simple life skill with a striped object at a table⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/maxresdefault-2.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-YUVcjwGFA)

## **21. Swim**

There are some occurrences wherein those people who know how to swim are at an advantage.
For example, when the ship sinks or when there’s a huge flood. That said, teaching
your kids how to swim is very important because swimming skills are a life saver.
Plus, they won’t appreciate the beach or the pool if they’re scared of drowning,
right?

[⌊Child swimming with floatation device and goggles in pool⌉⌊Child swimming with floatation device and goggles in pool⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/indoor-swim-lessons-for-kids.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via chicagoparent.com](https://www.chicagoparent.com/learn/indoor-swim-lessons-for-kids/)

## **22. Take Care of Another Living Thing**

Yes, I’m talking about pets. Did you know that when you surround your kids with 
pets, they’ll become more sensitive to the feelings of others? It’s true. Exposing
your children to pets at a young age can have a long-term good result. Let them 
feed them, hug them, play with them, and so on and you’ll be thankful soon.

[⌊Boy and dog relaxing together outdoors in a lush green park setting⌉⌊Boy and dog relaxing together outdoors in a lush green park setting⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/142352014-H.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via parenting.firstcry.com](https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/dog-information-for-kids-50-facts-your-child-must-know/)

## **23. Read Books**

These days, people are very much into technology that books are already fading from
the picture. Actually, reading itself is not a preferred activity anymore because
of the existence of videos, social media, and the likes. But then, you see, there’s
a pleasure one can get from reading. So, before you introduce modernity to your 
children, give them the opportunity to experience the traditional.

[⌊Child reading a book surrounded by stacks of books developing early literacy skills⌉⌊Child reading a book surrounded by stacks of books developing early literacy skills⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LittleGirlReadsABookSittingNextToStackOfBooks.jpg.653x0_q80_crop-smart.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via mnn.com](https://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/stories/having-lots-books-kid-helps-later-life)

## **24.****Be Street Smart**

Teaching your kids to be street smart can help them because it will make them bold
enough to go on adventure. Plus, if you let them remain oblivious about what’s going
on outside their usual route, they will be scared of exploring different places 
and even be panicky when they found themselves in an unknown place.

[⌊Young girl with a blue backpack walking outdoors on a sunny day⌉⌊Young girl with a blue backpack walking outdoors on a sunny day⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WAKING_2450478b.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via telegraph.co.uk](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/11334052/School-trips-and-uniform-unaffordable-for-many-parents.html)

## **25. Cope with Failure**

Failing is normal, and that’s one thing that kids don’t know yet at a young age.
In order for them to understand that, of course, you should tell them that it’s 
okay to fail. Other than that, don’t get mad at them whenever they get an F grade.
Just tell them they can always try again next time. If you motivate them instead
of make them feel bad about it, they’ll be stronger to take risks when they grow
up.

[⌊Teaching kids important life skills for independence and success Practical tips for parents to help⌉⌊Teaching kids important life skills for independence and success Practical tips for parents to help⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fail-withdraw-from-glasses.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via collegexperience.net](https://collegexperience.net/grades/withdraw-before-you-fail/)

## **26. Cook Scrambled Eggs on Toast**

Everyone should know how to cook because they shouldn’t expect other people to always
cook for them. Teaching your kids how to cook at an early age is handy especially
on those times that they get hungry and you’re not around. But, of course, you should
be considerate of their age and not ask them to cook a difficult dish. Scrambled
eggs are fine. Still a good start.

[⌊Young girl cooking on stove learning essential life skills at home⌉⌊Young girl cooking on stove learning essential life skills at home⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_2531.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via neartonothing.blogspot.com](http://neartonothing.blogspot.com/2016/07/kids-in-kitchen-april-makes-scrambled.html)

## **27. Write a Letter Properly**

There are people I know that don’t know how to write a cover letter properly, and
they’re already in their 20s! So, if you don’t want your kids to be so clueless 
about the proper way of writing a letter, you should teach them it as early as possible.
After all, if you don’t, they’ll pester you to write one for them every single time.
Do yourself a favor!

[⌊Kids learning to send mail at home for life skills⌉⌊Kids learning to send mail at home for life skills⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BaymaxLetter.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via simplyshellie.com](https://simplyshellie.com/pen-pal-ideas-for-kids)

## **28. Sew by Hand**

Sewing is easy, and although there’s the presence of needles, it could be a safe
activity for your kids if proper guidance will be given on the early stages of their
learning. Teaching your kids to sew by hand is handy in cases where their clothes
need to be repaired and you don’t have the time (or even just the motivation) to
do so. You see, it’s minus one on your responsibilities!

[⌊Young girl sewing with scissors learning essential life skills at home⌉⌊Young girl sewing with scissors learning essential life skills at home⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6a011570915aed970b014e5f3d222d970c.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via craftingfunforkids.typepad.com](https://craftingfunforkids.typepad.com/hatchings/2011/02/kids-hand-sewing-workshop.html)

## **29. Check the Tyre Pressure**

Kids are too young to fill in and change tyres but there’s no harm in introducing
them to their world, right? One good way to do that is to teach them how to check
the tyre pressure. Checking the tyre pressure is fairly easy because there’s an 
equipment for that, and it’s called a gauge. The experience will be helpful especially
when they already grow up and have their own car.

[⌊Kids checking car tyre pressure with a gauge outdoors⌉⌊Kids checking car tyre pressure with a gauge outdoors⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/tire-pressure.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

[via affordableautohopkins.com](http://affordableautohopkins.com/how-often-should-i-check-my-tire-pressure/)

## **30. Treat Wounds**

It’s not all the time that you’re there beside your kids when they get a wound, 
so you should inform them about the things that they should do on those times. Give
them a kit where medications like band-aids, alcohol, or any disinfectant can be
found. Tell them the use of each and let them know that a wound can be dangerous
if they don’t clean it as soon as possible, so they should learn how to treat it
themselves.

[⌊30 handy life skills all kids should learn⌉⌊30 handy life skills all kids should
learn⌉[

[via freepik.com](https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/fresh-wound-blood-from-injured-child-knee-after-she-has-been-accident_2845432.htm)

### _If you know other handy life skills all kids should learn, share them with us!_

=[⌊Child saving money in a pink piggy bank teaching kids about financial responsibility and money mana⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/30-Handy-Life-Skills-All-Kids-Should-Learn.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/
12/clare_whitfield_profile.webp?quality=80&ssl=1)

 Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

 Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical
home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney,
she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school 
age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience
in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

 [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [  ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)