What to teach a 7 year old (girl) from the suburbs

Well she said she'd like to go on a hike - we have some trails in the woods nearby in the park. I told her we'd look for animal tracks in the snow if she wanted which was a hit because she loves animals (what 7 year old girl doesnt). She still wants to go hunting sometime...baby steps!

I told her we could melt some snow with a little fire, boil it, and then make hot chocolate - also a hit.
 
In my experience (3 kids, now ages 20, 17, 16), the first thing most kids take to, is fishing. Other than that, take her out for a walk. No agenda, no bushcraft, just show them what things are. Explain the names of plants, trees, animals, etc...

Show them how to navigate in the woods, maybe picking a landmark (we're going to walk towards this tree, that rock, that pond, that way we remember where we're going).

After that you can work your way up to short hikes and the lot. Get her a compass, teach her how to use it. Show her maps of where you are going. It's definitely a matter of working up to the heavier stuff. If you make it light, I'm sure she'll take to it.

SP
 
Kids LOVE tracking or finding marks or indications of wildlife... take a break in the middle to start a fire and brew up some tea or hot chocolate and have a snack.

Keep it light and fun and she'll have a positive special memory of her first trek into the woods with pop.
 
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