The outdoors offers endless opportunities for families with kids to bond, learn, and explore. Scouting wildlife is one of the most rewarding ways to introduce children to the outdoors and, eventually, hunting. Long before they shoulder a firearm or sit in a blind, kids can be engaged in the process of observing, understanding, and preparing for a successful hunt. It is a hands-on learning experience that creates meaningful time together.

Scouting isn't just about locating game. It's about teaching awareness, responsibility, and curiosity. Done right, it becomes a powerful tool to grow both skills and character. A child has the ability to learn quickly, and we can teach them through experience.

The best scouting trips for kids are short, simple, and light-hearted. Instead of a full day in the field, try an evening drive to glass for deer or moose, or to identify grain fields that might attract waterfowl later in the season. Make a game out of spotting animals and let your kids be the first to shout "moose" or "mallards." Maintain a low pressure and focus on enjoyment. As their interest grows, you can gradually extend outings and introduce more tasks and learning opportunities.

Every trip outside can be a lesson if approached the right way. Help your kids learn to identify animals, birds, and even insects by sight and sound. Challenge them to listen closely and guess what's making a noise in the bush. Teach them how to track animals by prints, droppings, or broken branches. When setting up trail cameras or stands, explain why you chose a particular location. Is it downwind of a game trail used when travelling to feed? Is it overlooking a food source? Involving them in these decisions helps develop strategic thinking.

Kids love to be part of the action, so give them tasks they can take ownership of. Let them set up trail cameras and explain how to position them, covering a game trail, avoiding glare from sunrise or sunset, and framing the entire animal instead of just a head or antlers. Get them to walk past the camera with their hands extended off their ears to resemble antlers. The picture will be priceless and add giggles to the engagement. Teach them how to glass effectively, use a camera, or scan with a spotting scope. Hand over the call and show them how it works. Let them try bugling for elk or quacking like a duck. It may not be perfect, but it will be memorable. Turn scouting into a multi-sensory adventure. Walk through the mud, not around it. Play guessing games about animal tracks or habitats. The goal is to make learning a natural and enjoyable experience.

Repetition is a powerful teacher. Ask the same questions on every outing. What's the wind doing today? Where would the deer bed down in this area? What crops do you see, and what animals might eat them? You'll be amazed at how quickly they start answering with confidence. When they begin recognizing patterns or spotting animals before you do, it's a clear sign that the lessons are sticking. Children are natural sponges. Feed that curiosity with meaningful experiences, and you'll build not just knowledge, but confidence and pride.

Teach the kids how to use and properly set up optics to see clearly. Knowing how to adjust the diopter and focus will automatically show them why it is crucial to take the time to know and understand how things work. Let them carry their own optics, and they will soon be doing the spotting.

Get the kids to create a packing list, from insect repellent and sunscreen to hand wipes. They'll learn what is essential, including their favourite snacks and drinks.

Scouting is about far more than finding game. It's about preparing mentally, physically, and emotionally for the hunt. Use this time to talk about ethics, responsibility, and respect for wildlife. Reinforce that hunting isn’t just about pulling a trigger. It’s about understanding nature and our place in it. These moments shape the next generation of ethical, informed, and passionate hunters.

If your goal is to raise kids who love hunting, don’t start with the shot. Start with the scouting, the walk in the woods, the call of a distant goose, or the excitement of checking a trail camera. Make every outing an adventure. Make every question a lesson. And make every answer a reason to go back out again.