50 Simple and Useful Life Skills You Can Teach Your Teen Quickly

Due to the current worldwide circumstances, most of us are finding that we have quite a bit more time on our hands. Or if we’re still having to work full-time, just suddenly from home, there’s a good chance your teen now has quite a bit of blank space on their schedule that could be put to better use.

It may feel like these days are never going to end. But before we know it, life will go back to normal and in no time at all our teens will be heading off to college and and a more independent life.

There are probably things that we’ve thought to ourselves “Oh, I should probably teach him/her to do that when we’ve got a few minutes.” Or perhaps some of the items below hadn’t even crossed your mind, but you’ll be like “yep, that would be kinda good for them to know.”

Oh, and if you think “surely they know how do that!” Ummm, don’t be so sure. I was shocked that my teen had NO idea how to address an envelope. But in their modern world of technology and email, many of these simple non-tech basics get easily overlooked and taken for granted.

Either way, these aren’t overly involved things and shouldn’t be too terribly stressful to teach. But there is no time like the present to check a few boxes on that “how to be a functioning adult” list.

50 Simple and Useful Life Skills You Can Teach Your Teen Quickly

Fill out a form (do they know all the info they would need like SS #)
Make an online appt. or an appt. by phone (role play works!)
Address an envelope (are you sure they know where the stamp goes?!)
Changing a lightbulb (different watts for different lights)
Replacing the batteries in the smoke detector
Fixing a blown fuse (breaker box)
Loading and Unloading the dishwasher
Running the dishwasher (what type and how much soap)
Safely using knives/ Chopping food/Sharpening knives
Ironing a shirt, pants or dress
Shining shoes
Sewing on a button
Writing a check (no they aren’t totally obsolete yet)
Paying a bill
Depositing a check using a banking app
Sending an online check or payment
Transferring funds online
Doing laundry/Folding Laundry
Cleaning the lint trap on the dryer and why
Unclogging a toilet or a drain
Using a vacuum and a mop
Sending a package
Wrapping a present
Setting up a basic budget
Different ways to cook an egg
Using a grill/ Cleaning grill
What medications to take for what symptoms
Mowing the lawn
Trimming trees or bushes
Identifying and pulling up weeds (other basic yardwork)
Checking the oil in the car
Changing a tire
Checking tire pressure and putting air in a tire
Writing a thank you note or email
Ordering food online or by phone
Creating a grocery list
Replacing the A/C filter
How to use basic tools (hammer, wrench, screwdriver)
Cooking a quick and simple meal (grilled cheese, quesadilla, pasta)
Putting gas in the car
Washing a car or going through a car wash
Folding a fitted sheet/Making a bed
Scanning and sending a document using an app
Getting a stain out of a garment or furniture
Signing their name (like in cursive)
Changing car wipers and refilling wiper fluid
Cleaning a toilet and a shower/tub
Dealing with customer service representatives politely by phone or online
Jump starting a car (jumper cables)
What can and can’t go in a microwave, stove, washing machine, etc.

I actually asked for input on this post from a ton of FB friends. I got some other excellent answers, but they were for things that aren’t exactly quick and easy to teach, but probably necessary like financial literacy and taxes. So, we’ll be working on a second post with tools and tips to help you if you want to tackle some of this bigger life skills while your teen has some time on their hands.

Raising Teens and Tweens can be hard. Maybe some of these other popular posts that other parents found helpful will make it a little bit easier:

How To NOT Raise Entitled Teens

Apps For Supporting Your Teen To Use Their Cell Phone Responsibly

How to Talk to Your Teen About Anxiety and Stress

Give Yourself Grace Mama, You’re Doing The Best That You Can