5 Activities for Bushcraft Beginners
Bushcraft, the art of wilderness survival and thriving in the natural world, has become much more popular in recent years. For beginners, bushcraft may seem daunting, but it doesn’t require an expensive kit or advanced skills. Many essential activities can be practiced using minimal equipment, relying primarily on the resources around you. To help you get started in your bushcraft journey, here are five beginner-friendly bushcraft activities, that offer detailed instructions, and suggest excellent locations to practice them. These activities are perfect for anyone wanting to learn what bushcraft is all about without spending too much money.
1. Building a Basic Shelter
One of the first skills to master in bushcraft is creating a shelter. Shelter protects you from harsh weather, keeps you warm, and provides a sense of safety in the wild. For beginners, building a simple lean-to shelter is an ideal project. Using only natural materials like branches, sticks, and leaves, you can create a structure that shields you from rain, wind, and cold.
(A lean-to built with a piece of tarp, which is much easier and faster than using natural materials)
To start, locate a sturdy ridgepole—a long branch that will act as the central support for your shelter. Secure this between two trees or use natural supports like large rocks. Lean smaller branches at an angle against the ridgepole to form a roof-like structure. Finally, cover the shelter with layers of leaves, pine boughs, or grass for insulation. This layering keeps rain out and traps warmth inside.
Where to Try It:
Look for wooded areas with an abundance of fallen branches, such as national parks or forest reserves. Some excellent beginner-friendly options include the Adirondacks in New York, where dense forests provide ample materials, or Epping Forest near London, which offers accessible wilderness close to the city. Many public lands allow shelter-building as long as you don’t harm live trees. Check local regulations before starting.
2. Starting a Fire Without Matches
Fire-making is a core bushcraft skill, essential for cooking, warmth, and safety. For beginners, using a ferrocerium (ferro) rod is a great way to learn the fundamentals of fire-starting. Ferro rods are affordable, durable, and easy to carry, making them a practical choice for novice bushcrafters.
(A feather stick is one of the best ways to start a fire in wet conditions. Made by shaving the dry, inside layers of the wood into thin strips)
To build a fire, gather dry tinder like birch bark, dead grass, or wood shavings. This fine material will catch sparks from the ferro rod. Next, collect kindling—small twigs that will help the flame grow—and larger logs to sustain the fire. Strike the ferro rod with the back of a knife or a scraper to create sparks. Direct these sparks onto the tinder and gently blow on the ember to encourage a flame. Add kindling gradually, followed by larger sticks. If you have a knife with you, it might be worth practicing making feather sticks. These will help you to start a fire in wet conditions or after rainfall.
Where to Try It:
Look for campsites with designated fire pits, as they provide a safe and controlled environment for fire-starting practice. National parks like Yellowstone or Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the United States are ideal. In the UK, Dartmoor National Park allows wild camping and bushcraft activities in certain zones. For a beginner-friendly experience, local camping grounds are a great option, offering convenience and safety.
3. Foraging for Wild Edibles
Foraging teaches you to identify edible plants and mushrooms in the wild, connecting you to the natural world in a tangible way. As a beginner, focus on simple, easily identifiable plants to avoid mistakes. Dandelions, wild garlic, clover, and nettles are great starting points. Each is widely available, safe to eat, and requires little processing. For example, dandelion leaves can be eaten raw in salads, and wild garlic makes a flavorful addition to soups or bread.
(Be extremely careful when foraging not to pick something dangerous, and give mushrooms a miss until you have the experience to identify them properly)
When foraging, always follow a few basic rules. Research plants thoroughly before heading out and carry a guidebook with clear illustrations or photos. If you’re unsure about a plant, don’t eat it. Avoid foraging near roadsides, industrial areas, or fields treated with pesticides. Sustainable foraging means taking only what you need and leaving enough for wildlife and plant regrowth.
Where to Try It:
Urban parks and trails are surprisingly rich in edible plants. For beginners, places like public parks and sports fields offer safe, accessible foraging opportunities. Woodland will provide the most authentic wilderness experience and have the greatest range of wild foods. Local foraging workshops or guided walks are also excellent for building confidence and knowledge.
4. Whittling and Carving Basic Tools
Carving is a fundamental bushcraft activity that hones your knife skills while teaching you to create useful tools from raw materials. Beginners can start with simple projects like crafting a tent peg, spoon, or feather stick. A tent peg is a straightforward project that helps you practice controlled cuts, while a feather stick is a practical fire-starting aid.
To begin, select a piece of softwood like pine, birch, or willow, as it’s easier to carve. Strip the bark and use a small bushcraft knife to shape the wood. Work slowly, cutting away from your body for safety. For a tent peg, carve one end into a point and notch the other to hold a rope. For feather sticks, create thin, curly shavings along a branch to use as tinder.
Where to Try It:
You don’t need to venture deep into the wilderness to practice carving. Your backyard, a local park, or a quiet picnic area are great starting places. If you prefer a more natural setting, head to places like Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park or the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. Many bushcraft schools also offer carving workshops that provide materials and guidance for beginners.
5. Navigating Without a GPS
In today’s tech-driven world, learning to navigate using traditional methods is a valuable and satisfying bushcraft skill. Start by mastering the basics of compass navigation and map reading. Practice aligning your compass with a map and plotting simple routes. Once you’re comfortable, try using natural signs to find direction. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, while the North Star provides a reliable guide at night.
To make navigation practice engaging, plan a small hiking loop where you must rely on a compass and landmarks to find your way. As you progress, challenge yourself by venturing into less familiar terrain or navigating without a map.
Where to Try It:
Choose open landscapes or forested areas with clear trails and features. In the US, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is perfect for beginners, with well-marked paths and stunning scenery. In the UK, the Peak District offers accessible trails with varying levels of difficulty. Look for orienteering events or navigation courses in your area to improve your skills. When it comes to the UK, there are few dangerous areas to practice navigation. Unless you’re on something dangerous like a mountain range, you only need to walk a few miles before finding the next village or town, making it very difficult to become stranded.
Why These Bushcraft Activities Are Perfect for Beginners
These five activities—shelter building, fire-starting, foraging, carving, and navigation—are not only practical but also affordable and accessible to beginners. They require minimal gear, such as a knife, ferro rod, or compass, and make use of free resources available in nature. Practicing these skills builds confidence, self-reliance, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Each activity offers more than just technical expertise; it immerses you in the rhythms of the wilderness, teaching patience, observation, and problem-solving. By starting small and practicing regularly, you’ll be well-prepared for more advanced bushcraft techniques.
So, pack your basic gear, head to a nearby park, forest, or campsite, and begin your journey into bushcraft. With time and dedication, you’ll develop the skills to thrive in the wild while enjoying the satisfaction of living in harmony with nature.
