Why Building Decoys with Kids Builds More than Just a Spread

Teaching the Next Generation: How Building Decoys with Kids Builds Bonds, Skills, and a Love for Hunting

Waterfowl hunting has always been more than just a sport. For many of us, it’s a tradition, a way of life passed down through generations. At Fowl Foolers, we believe the best way to keep that tradition alive is to involve kids early, teaching them not just how to hunt, but how to build and care for their gear.

One of the simplest and most rewarding ways to get kids excited about hunting is to let them help build and paint their decoy. In this post, we’ll talk about why building decoys with kids is such a powerful way to bond, teach life lessons, and instill a love of the outdoors.

Building Together Means Bonding Together

In today’s fast-paced world of screens and schedules, finding meaningful time with kids can be tough. Working side-by-side on a decoy is a hands-on way to slow down and connect.

When you sit down at a workbench with your son, daughter, niece, or nephew and unwrap a Fowl Foolers DIY kit, you’re giving them your undivided attention and showing them that this sport is about more than just the hunt.

For many families, these moments become cherished memories. Years later, they’ll remember the smell of paint, the feel of burlap in their hands, and the quiet pride of seeing their decoy floating in the water on opening day.

Teaching Patience, Skill, and Craftsmanship

Building a decoy teaches kids valuable skills that go beyond hunting:

• Patience: Burlapping, gluing, and painting take time and care.

• Attention to detail: Understanding how texture and color matter in fooling birds.

• Problem-solving: Figuring out how to fix mistakes and make adjustments.

These lessons carry into the blind and life, giving kids confidence and pride in what they’ve accomplished.

Keeping Kids Engaged in the Off-Season

If you’re like most hunters, you know the off-season can feel endless. Kids can lose interest during those long months waiting for opening day. Working on decoys gives them a project that keeps them connected to the sport year-round.

When they finally get to hunt over decoys they built with their own hands, the pride and excitement they feel is unmatched.

How to Get Started

At Fowl Foolers, our DIY kits make it easy to start this tradition. Each kit comes with everything you need: a decoy body, head, pre-cut burlap, waterproof adhesive, and instructions. All you need to add is paint and a few free hours to work together.

Let your young hunter pick the species and color scheme. Encourage them to be creative. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s building something together.

Your Tradition Starts Here

Hunting is about more than filling your bag limit. It’s about passing on values, skills, and respect for the outdoors. Take the time to teach the next generation, and you’ll both walk away with more than just a new decoy; you’ll walk away with a shared love for the hunt.

Ready to build your tradition? Shop DIY Decoy Kits here.