Every kid should learn a few good knots. They come in handy more than you’d think.

Quick answer Square knot: ties two ends of the same size rope together (right over left, then left over right). Two half hitches: tie a rope to a post or ring. Clove hitch: a quick hitch around a pole. Taut-line hitch: an adjustable loop for tent lines. Bowline: a loop at the end of a rope that won’t slip or tighten.
Basic Knots Everyone Should Know
Photo: Matanya (uploader) / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Tools & materials

  • A few feet of rope or paracord to practice with
  • A pole, post or chair leg

The knots

  1. Square knot (joining two ends of the same size). Pass the right end over and under the left. Then pass the end that’s now on the left over and under the right. “Right over left, left over right.” Don’t trust it for heavy or critical loads.
  2. Two half hitches (tie off to a post or ring). Pass the end around the post. Bring it over and around the standing part and back through the loop it made. Repeat the same way to make the second half hitch, and snug it up.
  3. Clove hitch (around a pole). Wrap the end around the pole, cross over the first wrap, wrap around again, and tuck the end under that last crossing. Pull both ends tight.
  4. Taut-line hitch (adjustable tent line). Pass the rope around a stake. Wrap the end twice around the standing part, inside the loop. Then wrap it once more around the standing part outside the loop and pull tight. Slide the knot to tighten or loosen the line; it holds under tension.
  5. Bowline (a fixed loop that won’t slip). Make a small loop in the standing part. Bring the end up through the loop (“the rabbit comes out of the hole”), around behind the standing part (“around the tree”), and back down through the small loop (“back down the hole”). Hold the end and the loop and pull the standing part to tighten.
Safety: Never trust a knot you just learned for climbing, lifting or holding a person. That takes rated gear and real training.