Family Hunting Blog Part 1: Tips for Taking Kids 6 and Under Hunting

Tips for Taking Kids 6 and Under Hunting

By Melinda Stanisch

Whether you’re trying to figure out how to hunt with no babysitter—or you simply want your child to experience the outdoors—I'm glad you're here. Taking kids hunting can feel overwhelming at first, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. As a mom of two little ones who are curious about nature, here's what I've learned so far about hunting with young children.

1. Set the Rules: Safety First, Fun Second

Your top priority is safety, followed closely by fun. Before taking your kids hunting, make sure they understand a few ground rules. Talk openly about weapons—yes, even the fact that they can kill. Don’t shy away from using honest language. Children need to grasp the seriousness of hunting to behave responsibly.

Even if your child isn’t handling a weapon, they should understand basic firearm safety and the importance of following directions. That said, in the early years, don’t stress too much about keeping them silent or perfectly still. Focus on creating a positive experience so they want to go again.

2. Let Them Have Fun Their Way

Last year, I brought my daughter Sadie with me during archery season. She was 4 at the time (turning 5 mid-season), and I wasn’t sure what to expect. We’ve actually taken her a few other times since she was 2, but this was the first she tagged along consistently in one season. She surprised me—she loved it. This is a girl who adores Barbies and makeup, yet there she was, completely at peace in a ground blind with her blanket, toys, snacks, and iPad.

We had such a fun time together. She played quietly on her blanket, and when deer or other wildlife came by, I’d quietly let her know. She would slowly stand to watch, totally captivated. She also showed interest in learning—asking about tracks, tree types, and signs of wildlife.

 

 I also got to show her the old wooden treestand where I shot my first deer, at the age of 12. That was super special to me!

Show them all the poop (kids will always laugh at poop), let them make noise on the call, click the button on the rangefinder and let them help take video. Let them be part of the whole thing, even if it's loud and silly.

This year, I’m planning to use a see-through blind so she can watch from the ground while enjoying her “tea party” setup again. Some hunters may frown upon bringing toys or electronics into the woods—but I believe in keeping things low-pressure and fun at this age. If that means I get my toenails painted in a deer blind, so be it.

3. Keep Expectations Low (and Then Lower Them Again)

Hunting with a child under 6 is very different from taking a preteen. Your child might get bored, move too much, or want to leave early. That’s OK. You’re not out there to fill a tag—you’re there to plant the seed of outdoor adventure.

The key to taking kids hunting is to remember: it’s not about the kill, it’s about time spent together, building memories, and creating comfort in nature. Social media might show perfectly behaved smiling kids in camo, but no one’s posting the whining or the meltdowns. Trust me, we all have them.

4. Make Sure They Understand What Hunting Means

Once Sadie started asking to come hunting more regularly, I realized it was time to have a real talk about what happens if we’re successful. Our conversation went something like this:

“Sadie, do you know what happens if Mommy shoots a deer?”
“Yes.”
“What happens?”
“You decide if you want to cook it on the grill or in a frying pan!”

While I laughed at her answer, I still made sure she understood that the deer would die. She said she was OK with that—and I continue checking in with her to make sure. She's seen harvested animals before and watches hunting shows, but I want to be sure she's emotionally prepared for seeing it happen in real life. We haven’t had that experience yet while she's with me, but I’ll definitely share an update when we do!

5. Don’t Stress Over Hunting Gear

You don’t need to spend a fortune on kids hunting gear—especially for little ones who may outgrow everything in a season. Here are a few tips:

• Ask around: Friends and family often have old gear lying around they’re happy to lend. Hunting enthusiasts absolutely love to pass down old gear, or see something harvested with a weapon they no longer use!
• Check thrift stores: I’ve scored jackets and pants for $1–$5!
• Reuse snow gear: Warm socks, boots, gloves, and snow suits work great for cold weather hunts.
• Get creative: If your kid is hanging out in the blind playing Barbies, high-end camo isn’t necessary. Don’t be afraid to bring along some extra blankets or heating sources they can cozy up to.

Sadie's Gear List in this photo: 

• Backpack: her dads
• Coat: normal winter coat she was wearing that year, her mimi got it on sale
• Orange hoodie: Cabelas, bought a few sizes bigger to last a few years
• Pants/bibs: $1 at local thrift store
• Boots: Walmart
• Socks: socks she wore for softball (only high socks we had) 
• Blanket: from her personal blanket collection
• Hat: Longbranch Game Calls

A friend recently lent us his old crossbow, which both of his kids used. We’re (maybe) going to try it this year. Thanks, Matt from WIDO Outdoors! 

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been on the fence about taking your young child hunting, I hope this encourages you to give it a shot. If you keep it low-pressure and fun, you’ve got nothing to lose. Whether you see a single animal or not, the real win is the time spent together. Some days, we didn’t see wildlife for miles—but I wouldn't trade those hunts for anything, not even a world record buck.

So pack the snacks, grab the toys, and bring a sense of humor. You might not tag out, but you'll create something even better: a child who feels at home in the woods.