They say each new generation loses a few “old-school” skills, but gains new ones in return.

Even so, there’s something fascinating about the life skills many of our grandparents knew by the time they were ten — things that now seem rare or borderline exotic.

They weren’t child prodigies — they simply grew up in an era that demanded practical know-how.

Below, I’m sharing 9 of these skills, and why they might still matter.

They’re not about nostalgia for the “good old days,” but about looking back at a generation that learned to be handy, resourceful, and accountable before hitting double digits.

1. Lighting a fire safely

It wasn’t unusual for kids back then to gather kindling or help prep the wood stove.

They learned how to strike a match without burning down the house, and how to stack logs so they’d catch easily.

Why was this taught to someone so young?

Because heating the home or cooking often depended on it.

Modern life rarely requires building a fire for survival. We flip a switch for heat or use an electric stove.

Yet the skill teaches respect for danger and a sense of self-reliance.

They understood that flames demand care and attention.

Even if you never plan to roast marshmallows without a gas burner, knowing how to handle fire can build confidence — and remind you that nature deserves caution.

2. Navigating by landmarks

Grandparents might chuckle at how we rely on GPS to get from A to B.

They walked to the store or a friend’s house, memorizing key markers along the way — a particular tree, a bend in the river, or a barn with a distinct color.

If you didn’t pay attention, you risked getting lost and running late for dinner.

This early training in observation fostered a sharp spatial awareness.

Kids knew their neighborhood intimately, could find shortcuts, and developed a comfort with exploring beyond their usual spots.

Today, we have constant digital guidance, but there’s a subtle thrill in navigating by real-world clues.

Next time you head out, consider ditching the app, just once, and see if you can rely on landmarks or memory.

You might discover a fresh sense of mastery over your surroundings.

3. Sewing a button or patch

Imagine being eight or nine and already adept at fixing a popped button on your shirt.

That was normal for many kids in the past, especially in households where new clothes weren’t bought frivolously.

The idea was simple: a loose button shouldn’t ruin a perfectly good garment.

Sewing taught fine motor skills and a can-do attitude: no panic, no immediate run to the store, just a quick fix.

Even if you never become a tailoring whiz, learning to reattach a button or mend a small tear can extend the life of your clothes and save you money.

Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to fix something yourself instead of tossing it out.

4. Taking care of animals

In rural settings, kids often had daily chores involving chickens, cows, or goats — feeding them, cleaning up, and sometimes even helping with minor vet tasks.

Even urban kids might have a role in looking after the family dog or cat, ensuring fresh water, or taking them on walks.

This responsibility taught empathy.

Animals depended on them, so skipping a chore had real consequences. Kids learned to observe subtle changes — like if a hen seemed off, or if a dog acted sluggish.

They’d catch potential issues early.

Today, many children still have pets, but structured care often falls to adults.

Letting kids handle more of these tasks can foster compassion and accountability.

It’s a gentle reminder that living beings aren’t disposable and rely on us for their well-being.

5. Canning and preserving food

Your grandparents might recall summers spent picking berries or tomatoes, then canning them for the colder months.

A ten-year-old might have known how to boil jars, test seals, and help label everything.

It was a way to stretch the harvest, reduce waste, and stay stocked when fresh produce wasn’t available.

This skill taught planning and patience.

You had to follow each step carefully—no skipping or shortcuts—or you risked spoilage.

It also instilled an appreciation for nature’s seasons: strawberries didn’t magically appear year-round.

While grocery stores now offer any fruit at any time, canning can still be a fulfilling practice.

There’s pride in opening a jar of homemade jam on a gloomy winter morning.

6. Basic carpentry

Ever see an old photo of your grandparent building a birdhouse or repairing a fence?

Some kids grew up hammering nails, sanding rough edges, or helping saw boards.

They weren’t making masterpieces, but they learned the fundamentals of measuring, leveling, and sturdy construction.

Modern kids might design virtual worlds in video games, which develops creativity in its own way.

But handling real tools builds a tactile understanding of materials and structure.

Cut a plank too short, and you see the immediate consequence. It’s a great lesson in precision and foresight.

If you’ve got a small DIY project, maybe let a child watch or assist with the simpler steps.

You never know — it could spark an early interest in hands-on creation.

7. Cooking a simple meal

A kid in the 1940s or ’50s might’ve been expected to whip up scrambled eggs, boil potatoes, or help prepare a soup.

Families were larger, and parents needed extra hands.

Cooking was also vital if parents worked long hours—children needed to fend for themselves at times.

Learning to cook built confidence:

Once you’ve handled a stovetop without burning the house down, you realize you can tackle other tasks, too.

It also encouraged healthier eating—when you know the effort that goes into a dish, you don’t waste it so easily.

In an age of takeout and ready-meals, reintroducing kids to basic cooking might teach them that good food doesn’t have to come in a box or from an app.

8. Using basic first-aid

Your grandparent probably could clean a scrape, apply a bandage, and wrap a sprained ankle — all before they entered high school.

Rushing to the doctor wasn’t as common, especially for minor stuff.

Children learned how to handle small emergencies and keep a cool head if accidents happened.

This skill fosters self-reliance.

If you know what to do when someone falls off a bike or gets a tiny cut, you’re less likely to panic.

Of course, professional medical care is crucial for serious injuries, but having basic first-aid knowledge can be life-saving in immediate moments.

It’s a shame we don’t emphasize it more, given how often minor mishaps occur in daily life.

9. Public speaking with confidence

Sounds surprising, right?

But many grandparents honed public speaking by reading scriptures aloud at church, reciting poems in class, or participating in local events.

Communities were smaller, and kids had a role in gatherings.

This practice of standing up in front of others, however informal, taught them to articulate thoughts clearly and project their voice — no fancy speech classes needed.

Now, with everything online, kids might film a video or post a livestream, but the face-to-face element can be lacking.

If you can help a child find opportunities to present in real-life settings — like a local club or a small family celebration — they can pick up poise that tech alone doesn’t teach.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that times have changed, and some of these old-school skills might not feel as urgent.

We have modern conveniences, apps, and services that fill the gaps.

But when you look at these nine abilities, you can’t help but sense the groundedness they gave to those who mastered them at such a young age.

Maybe you’ll choose to pass along a few of these lessons—teach a child to sew a button, let them help with cooking, or show them how to navigate a short route without a GPS.

Even tiny slices of that practical know-how can foster independence, resilience, and a little spark of pride.

After all, the simplest tasks sometimes yield the biggest confidence boost, reminding kids (and us) that we’re capable of more than we think.