20 Forgotten Skills Our Grandparents Considered Essential
Long before smartphones and instant gratification, our grandparents mastered a toolkit of timeless talents that stitched resilience into everyday life. Rediscover the lost arts that once defined a generation—and might just inspire the next.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
In a fast-paced, digital world, many hands-on skills from previous generations have faded from memory. Our grandparents lived through times when knowing how to cook from scratch, mend clothes, or grow food was part of everyday life. This article shines a light on 20 of those essential skills, offering insight into how they were used and why they still matter today. Reviving these forgotten arts can help us live more mindfully, save money, and become more independent.
1. Cooking from Scratch
Kampus Production on Pexels
Before prepackaged meals, people cooked everything using raw ingredients. Knowing how to make bread, soups, and stews without recipes was a common skill. It brought families together and made every meal an act of love.
2. Sewing and Mending Clothes
Little forest 작은 숲 on Pexels
Grandparents didn’t throw away clothes with holes—they fixed them. Simple sewing skills like patching jeans or replacing buttons saved money, and this also taught people to value their belongings.
3. Growing a Garden
Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels
Growing food in your backyard used to be normal. Families relied on gardens for vegetables, fruits, and herbs. It kept food fresh, healthy, and always available.
4. Preserving Food
hello aesthe on Pexels
Canning, drying, and fermenting food helped extend the harvest. These methods were key to getting through winter without modern refrigeration. It also reduced waste and saved money.
5. Making Homemade Cleaning Products
SHVETS production on pexels
People once cleaned their homes with vinegar, baking soda, and elbow grease. These homemade cleaners were safe, cheap, and effective. They avoided harsh chemicals and helped protect health.
6. Chopping and Stacking Firewood
Ron Lach on pexels
Keeping warm meant knowing how to chop and store firewood. It required strength, patience, and good technique. Properly stacked wood burned cleaner and lasted longer.
7. Navigating with a Map and Compass
Catalina Carvajal Herrera on pexels
Before GPS, people used maps and compasses to find their way. It was a skill that required attention and memory. This basic knowledge was vital for safe travel.
8. Writing Letters by Hand
Ylanite Koppens on Pexels
Handwritten letters were a key form of communication. They showed thought, care, and personal connection. Grandparents knew how to express emotions clearly and beautifully in writing.
9. Basic Carpentry
Pixabay on Pexels
Fixing a fence or building a shelf was part of normal life. Grandparents used hand tools to create and repair what they needed, which saved money and gave them a sense of pride.
10. Bartering and Trading
Beyzaa Yurtkuran on Pexels
Money wasn’t always the answer—people traded goods and services. Bartering built community trust and helped in tough times. It was a creative way to get what you needed.
11. Repairing Household Items
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Instead of replacing broken items, people fixed them. Whether it was a toaster or a chair, repair was the first option. This taught resourcefulness and problem-solving.
12. Caring for Livestock
Ivan Babydov on Pexels
Raising chickens, goats, or cows was a daily responsibility. It provided fresh eggs, milk, and meat for the family. Grandparents had deep knowledge of animal care.
13. Making Butter and Cheese
Felicity Tai on pexels
Dairy wasn’t always bought at the store—it was homemade. Churning butter and making cheese were common kitchen tasks that connected people to the food they ate.
14. Making Clothes
Precious Memories Vietnam on pexels
Some grandparents made clothes from scratch, often by hand. They chose fabric, measured, cut, and sewed everything themselves, creating lasting, personalized garments.
15. Whittling and Carving Wood
cottonbro studio on pexels
Whittling was both a hobby and a useful skill. People carved tools, toys, and decorations with just a knife and a block of wood. It required focus and creativity.
16. Home Remedies and Herbal Medicine
lil artsy on pexels
People once treated common illnesses with herbs and home remedies. Grandparents knew what plants helped with colds, cuts, or headaches. This knowledge was passed down through generations.
17. Caring for the Elderly at Home
Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
Family members cared for aging parents and grandparents themselves. Nursing homes were rare, and home care was normal. It taught patience, love, and respect for elders.
18. Using a Clothesline
Maria Ilaria Piras on pexels
Before dryers, everyone used clotheslines to dry laundry. It saved energy, smelled fresh, and made clothes last longer. Hanging clothes was part of the weekly routine.
19. Making Quilts by Hand
Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
Quilt-making was a tradition and a form of storytelling. Scraps of fabric became family treasures. Each stitch held history and love.
20. Cooking Over an Open Fire
Quang Nguyen Vinh on pexels
Many grandparents knew how to cook meals outdoors. Campfire cooking wasn’t just for fun—it was a survival skill. It taught them how to make a fire and cook without electricity.