9 Bushcraft Projects for Beginners

DISCLOSURE: DisasterShelters.net is reader supported so if you buy any products featured on this site I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.

Bushcraft is a genre of outdoor activity that typically focuses on living in the wild with only natural materials.

It is one of the most popular trends in outdoor culture today, and for a good reason! Bushcraft skills are useful both in wilderness survival situations and day-to-day life.

In this article, I will discuss nine bushcraft projects you can make to get started with your new hobby!

1. Fire Starter

One of the most basic bushcraft skills is starting a fire. A fire starter is an easy project that will help you get a flame going in any condition.

You can make a simple fire starter out of a few pieces of wood. You can use cotton balls or cotton pads soaked in Vaseline if you want to keep costs down.

If you have some flammable pieces of cloth on hand, you can also make a fire starter by simply wrapping the cloth around something dry and burnable (like paper).

SaleBestseller No. 1
Shwuevei 65 pcs Fire Starter - Natural Fire Starters for Fireplace, Pellet Stove & Wood, Fire Pit, Smoker, BBQ, Chimney, Pizza Oven - Fire Starters for Grill, Charcoal Starter
  • [All-Natural]: Fire starter sticks is made of Hand-woven from premium...
  • [Long Burn Time]: Fire starter cubes burn up to 10 minutes, which is great...
  • [Every Occasion]: The organic charcoal starter is an excellent choice to...

2. Knife Handle

A knife is an essential tool for bushcraft. Unfortunately, not everyone has a “bushcraft knife” lying around the house.

You can make your own with just a few simple steps! All you need is a piece of wood, some cordage, and a knife that you don’t mind covering in tape.

I opted for a thicker handle to provide more stability during my projects, but you can go for a thinner handle to save supplies. It’s up to you!

SaleBestseller No. 1
Mossy Oak Survival Hunting Knife with Sheath, 15-inch Fixed Blade Tactical Bowie Knife with Sharpener & Fire Starter for Camping, Outdoor, Bushcraft
  • ✅ 15" Fixed Blade Knife: Ultra-sharp combat knife, stronger than any...
  • ✅ Razor Sharp Clip Point Blade: The survival Knife is made of stainless...
  • ✅ Rubber Handle & Nylon Sheath: Classic rubber handle of survival knife,...

3. Drinking Cup

When you think of bushcraft, drinking water might not be the first thing that comes to mind! However, it is an essential part of your outdoor activities.

You don’t want to get dehydrated and faint in the middle of nowhere, do you? A drinking cup is a simple project that will help you stay hydrated on your next bushcraft trip.

All you need is a piece of metal (I used an old can), some tape, and a knife. You can also use a small pot or pan if you have one handy.

Bestseller No. 1
Prep-Right Survival - 4-Stage Water Filter Bottle, BPA-Free Water Bottle for Survival Gear, Camping, and Travel, Teal
  • Four Stage Filtered Water Bottle - The hollow fiber filter purifies...
  • High Quality Material - Reusable, durable, and, BPA-free for safe drinking...
  • For Your Camping Accessories - Use for outdoors, such as a river or stream,...

4. Cordage

Cordage is an essential part of bushcraft. You need it for everything from making a knife handle to tying down your tarp.

It’s easy to make your own cordage out of some natural materials. All you need is some fibrous material (I used straw), a knife, and a fire.

You can also use a sharp rock to create cordage if you don’t have a knife or other tools. I would recommend practicing this project before using it in the wild!

Bestseller No. 1
SGT KNOTS Tarred Twine - 100% Nylon Bank Line for Bushcraft, Netting, Gear Bundles, Construction, Lacing Twisted Cord, Weatherproof | #36-1/4 lb (120 ft)
  • Tarred Twine: An all-purpose utility twine perfect for many indoor and...
  • 100% Nylon: One of the strongest and most popular materials on the market...
  • Limitless Uses: Our general purpose nylon twine can serve hundreds of...

5. Natural Shelter

A natural shelter is a must-have for any bushcraft trip. It can provide you with much-needed protection from the elements.

You can make a simple natural shelter from tree branches, leaves, and other natural materials.

You can also use your cordage to tie down a tarp or other material that will keep the rain away.

This project is quite easy, and I recommend practicing it before making one in a dangerous environment.

SaleBestseller No. 1
FREE SOLDIER Waterproof Portable Tarp Multifunctional Outdoor Camping Traveling Awning Backpacking Tarp Shelter Rain Tarp (Brown)
  • WATERPROOF&UV PROTECTION:Hammock Camping Tarp made of 150D ripstop...
  • STRONG&STABLE:This Camping Awnings using heat sealing and melting...
  • HEAVY DUTY&PORTABLE:Large size in 118" × 126" when expended,enough for 2...

6. Campfire Grill

A campfire grill is a great way to cook your food while camping or bush crafting. It’s easy to make out of some sticks and stones.

You just have to find a sturdy base for your grill and then pile up the stones around it.

I like to use bigger stones because they make removing them from the grill easier. If you have a flat stone, this can also be used as a cooking surface.

Bestseller No. 1
Branded Boards Portable Bushcraft Stainless BBQ Large Cooking Grill Grate & Burlap Hemp Drawstring Bag. Camping, Campfires, Backpacking, Hunting & Fishing. (Large Grill & Bag ONLY)
  • Size: Large 6 x 12 inch (15 x 30cm). Food grade 304 Stainless Steel...
  • Burlap Hemp Drawstring Carrying Bag included. Made from natural and...
  • Great for Outdoor Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Fishing, Travel and RVs. Cook...

7. Basic Spear

A spear can be very useful in some situations. If you plan on hunting a game, a spear is one of the best options.

It’s easy to make out of natural materials if you have strong, straight branches.

I would recommend using long sticks about arm’s length for easier handling in use. You can also sharpen your spears with rocks or sharp pieces of wood.

Bestseller No. 1
Full Tang Fixed Blade Survival Knife for Camping, Hunting, and Outdoor Bushcraft - 1095 High Carbon Steel with Kydex Sheath - Perfect for EDC and Self Defense Weapons
  • ✅ Always be prepared for emergencies: These premium 8.6" long pocket...
  • ✅ Smart Design Handle: These knives for men includes a black G10 camping...
  • ✅ Keep Your EDC Knife Safe In The Kydex Sheath: Your bushcraft knife...

8. Bow

A bow can be a very useful tool in the right situation. It’s not the easiest thing to make, but it’s definitely doable with a bit of practice.

The best part is that you can use natural materials like saplings and vines to make your bow.

You just need to find a sturdy piece of wood for the frame and then use vines or other materials to attach the bowstring.

Bestseller No. 1
SAS Tactical Survival Bow (45# at 28" Draw, Right)
  • Compact Longbow (arrows not included - sold separately)
  • Maximum draw length - 31 inches
  • Bow Length - 60 inches (strung), 21 (inches folded/stored)

9. Trap

A trap can be a lifesaver in some situations. It’s important to know how to make them so you can catch a game or other food sources.

There are many different types of traps that you can make, but I will just focus on one simple trap here.

The snare trap is made out of a noose and a stick. The noose is made out of some sturdy cordage, and the stick holds it in place.

This trap can be used to catch small game like rabbits or squirrels.

SaleBestseller No. 1
The Trapper's Bible: The Most Complete Guide to Trapping and Hunting Tips Ever
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 408 Pages - 07/01/2012 (Publication Date) - Skyhorse (Publisher)

Beginner Friendly Bushcraft Projects

Here are the nine bushcraft projects for beginners;

  1. Fire starter
  2. Knife handle
  3. Drinking cup
  4. Cordage
  5. Natural shelter
  6. Campfire grill
  7. Basic spear
  8. Bow
  9. Trap

Bushcraft is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature. It can also be a valuable skill for survival in dangerous situations.

While it may seem daunting at first, don’t let that stop you from giving it a try! Get out there and explore!

Bestseller No. 1
Full Tang Fixed Blade Survival Knife for Camping, Hunting, and Outdoor Bushcraft - 1095 High Carbon Steel with Kydex Sheath - Perfect for EDC and Self Defense Weapons
  • ✅ Always be prepared for emergencies: These premium 8.6" long pocket...
  • ✅ Smart Design Handle: These knives for men includes a black G10 camping...
  • ✅ Keep Your EDC Knife Safe In The Kydex Sheath: Your bushcraft knife...
Bestseller No. 2
3-Piece Outdoor Survival Tool Kit, 7-Inch Fixed Blade Knife, Fire Starter, and a Bonus Worklight - Perfect to Toss in Your Backpack, Bug Out Bag or Glove Box for Camping, Hiking, Fishing and Emergency
  • [COMPACT AND VERSATILE KNIFE]: 7-Inch solid stainless steel outdoor knife...
  • [FERRO ROD FIRESTARTER]: Create instant sparks and start fires with the...
  • [COMPLETE WITH SHEATH]: The knife and firestarter comes in a sturdy canvas...
SaleBestseller No. 3
Mossy Oak Survival Hunting Knife with Sheath, 15-inch Fixed Blade Tactical Bowie Knife with Sharpener & Fire Starter for Camping, Outdoor, Bushcraft
  • ✅ 15" Fixed Blade Knife: Ultra-sharp combat knife, stronger than any...
  • ✅ Razor Sharp Clip Point Blade: The survival Knife is made of stainless...
  • ✅ Rubber Handle & Nylon Sheath: Classic rubber handle of survival knife,...
SaleBestseller No. 4
The Trapper's Bible: The Most Complete Guide to Trapping and Hunting Tips Ever
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 408 Pages - 07/01/2012 (Publication Date) - Skyhorse (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 5
BeaverCraft Bushcraft Knife Camping Knife Survival Knife with Fire Starter - Camp Knife Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath Bush Knife Full Tang Carbon Steel - Outdoor Knife, Hiking Knife BSH4F
  • Full-Tang Knife Design: This survival knife features a full-tang design,...
  • Bushcraft Knife Carbon Steel Blade: This tactical knife features a 1066...
  • Fixed Blade Knife for Various Tasks: The fixed blade knife design ensures...
SaleBestseller No. 6
FLISSA Survival Hunting Knife with Sheath, 15-inch Fixed Blade Tactical Bowie Knife with Sharpener & Fire Starter for Camping, Outdoor, Bushcraft
  • 15" Fixed Blade Hunting Knife: Ultra-sharp combat knife, stronger than any...
  • Razor Sharp Clip Point Blade: The survival knife is made of stainless steel...
  • Hunting Knife with Sheath & Rubber Handle: Classic soft rubber handle of...
SaleBestseller No. 8
Poshland BC-1092 Handmade Damascus Steel 8 Inches Full Tang Skiner Knife
  • Great piece of Art
  • Handle made of Camel Bone, Buffalo Horn and beautiful Brass Work.
  • Exotic Handle with stunning Blade
Bestseller No. 9
SaleBestseller No. 10
Viking Axe of Ragnar Lothbrok Hunting Axe with Rose Wood Handle - Hand-Forged High Carbon Steel Sharp Blade, Handmade Camping Axe, Hatchet-Norse Axe, Tomahawk Vikings Bearded Axe, with Leather Sheath
  • Viking Axe of Ragnar Lothbrok Hunting Axe - Hatchet The Chopper Axe -...
  • Viking Axe Beautiful Design Over All Length = 21 Inches (Approx), Cutting...
  • Material: This handmade axe consists of a 1095 high quality carbon steel...

Last update on 2024-07-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API