As passionate homesteaders, my husband and I are thrilled about our lifestyle. We enjoy tending to plants, caring for animals, and building projects together. Yet, we’ve found it challenging to get our children as excited as we are. When we transitioned from city living to homesteading with kids, this was a significant hurdle we faced. Now, I’d like to share some strategies that might encourage your little ones to join in on the fun and become more invested in the homesteading process.
Cater to Their Interest
As we embarked on our homesteading journey, I faced the daunting task of persuading my three sons – all avid electronic enthusiasts around 7 years apart – to trade their screens for the simple life. It wasn’t an easy feat, but I had to find a way to make it appealing to them.
To start, my youngest, who was obsessed with pizza at the time, took on the responsibility of growing his own pizza ingredients from seeds.
We dedicated a separate area in our garden for this project, and he was thrilled to tend to it as part of his daily routine.
Next, I had a preteen who preferred indoor activities and initially thought we were driving him crazy by swapping Xbox time for outdoor adventures. However, when we introduced baby chicks and ducklings into the mix, he took on their care with glee. As they grew into full-fledged birds, he beamed with pride at having played a role in their development.
Lastly, my teenage son was just starting to drive and quickly adopted the ‘country boy’ look (which made for great selfies). While he wasn’t initially enthusiastic about planting and harvesting, we found that putting him on a tractor to help build our homestead sparked his interest. He soon fell in love with the process.
The key takeaway here is that you need to identify what sparks each individual’s interest and incorporate it into the homesteading experience.
When they have a personal stake in the process, they’ll be more receptive to helping out and develop a positive attitude towards contributing to the homestead.
Let Them Get Their Hands on Equipment
The universal appeal of tools is undeniable – children and adults alike can’t help but be fascinated by their functionality. When it comes to engaging your little ones in hands-on activities, providing the right tool can have a profound impact. Not only does it lay the groundwork for future endeavors, but it also instills a sense of ownership and responsibility. Of course, it’s essential to strike a balance between offering tools that are both accessible and safe.
Small garden tools like trowels and weeder sets are excellent starting points. For an added layer of fun and educational value, consider investing in a comprehensive gardening tool set designed specifically for kids.
Make It Educational
As we embarked on our homesteading journey with kids, little did we know the profound impact it would have on our lives. One significant decision was to homeschool our children, which allowed them to thrive in an environment tailored to their unique learning styles. Our oldest took the reins, while our younger two energetic boys flourished with a more hands-on approach.
Homesteading became a particularly captivating aspect for them, as it presented opportunities for experiential learning that didn’t involve hours of sitting still. As such, incorporating homesteading into family life can be an excellent way to foster a love of learning in children.
For kids with a scientific bent, consider using simple soil test kits to investigate the acidity levels of your land.
For artistic youngsters, provide cameras or easels to capture and express the beauty surrounding your homestead. Meanwhile, language arts enthusiasts can be encouraged to record their experiences through journaling – an activity that will also help preserve cherished family memories for years to come.
There are numerous ways to make your child’s homesteading experience both enjoyable and enriching, allowing them to develop a deeper appreciation for the process.
Cut Them Loose in the Kitchen
Recently, I’ve been incorporating cooking activities into my daily routine with my preteen. He derives a tremendous sense of accomplishment from contributing to meal preparation, enjoying the feeling that he’s helping me out and serving his family. In his mind, this silent act of service is a way of saying ‘I love you!’ without needing words. I’m particularly fond of involving them in the process of preserving and preparing food we’ve grown ourselves on our homestead.
This not only gives them a tangible connection to the fruits of our labor but also provides a valuable learning experience, teaching them why all our hard work is worth it. Moreover, it lays the groundwork for their future independence, empowering them to prepare their own meals and manage their finances effectively.
Let Them Be Small Entrepreneurs
Let’s face it – money isn’t the only motivator for our kids, but sometimes, teaching them how to generate income from the homestead can be an effective way to get them excited about being involved. We’re not suggesting that financial rewards should be the sole focus of your children’s experiences, but rather a means to an end.
By giving them ownership and autonomy over certain aspects of the homestead – such as selling eggs, raising animals for market, or tending to the garden – you can help them develop essential life skills while also fostering a sense of financial literacy. As they learn that their efforts can translate into real earnings, it’s likely to spark a newfound enthusiasm and appreciation for their role in the family business.
So, if you’re struggling to find ways to engage your kids in the daily operations of the homestead, consider giving them the opportunity to run their own mini-enterprise. We predict that once they catch on, they’ll be eager to contribute and take ownership of their projects.
Give Your Little Ones a ‘Job’
As the parent of smaller children, it can be disheartening to see them left out of family activities. In our household, we make an effort to include our little ones in daily chores and tasks around the homestead. This not only gives them a sense of purpose but also encourages their participation and a feeling of belonging. When their father is working alongside our eldest son, I take it upon myself to find age-appropriate tasks for my ‘littles’ to tackle.
This approach has proven successful in keeping them occupied and involved, as well as fostering a sense of responsibility. If you’re struggling to find suitable chores for your smaller children, rest assured that there are plenty of opportunities for all ages to contribute around the homestead. To get started, consider assigning tasks such as collecting eggs, sweeping out the barn, pulling weeds, picking fruits and vegetables, feeding small animals, or watering them.
As your children demonstrate what they’re capable of handling, you’ll likely discover unique tasks that play to their strengths and interests. By involving our little ones in household responsibilities, we can instill valuable life skills and create a sense of belonging within the family.
Let Go of Your Sanity
When I’m asked to describe my personality, ‘neat freak’ is a label that might come close to capturing the essence of who I am. But as a parent on a homestead, embracing chaos has become an essential part of my daily routine. Despite the initial desire for order and efficiency, I’ve learned to surrender to the unpredictability of life with kids. The memories we create are what truly matter, not the state of our surroundings.
Of course, it’s easy to get frustrated when things don’t go as planned – seeds aren’t planted just right, vegetables aren’t harvested perfectly, or (my personal pet peeve) someone ‘accidentally’ undoes a job I just finished. But here’s the thing: things always seem to find their way back on track in the end. I’ve come to realize that stressing over every little detail only leads to increased blood pressure and less joy for my kids.
So, I’ve adopted a more relaxed approach, trusting that everything will get done – even if it doesn’t happen exactly as planned. For those of you who might be thinking, ‘This all sounds like a recipe for disaster,’ I understand where you’re coming from. But let me assure you that I too have been there – once a slave to my schedule, only to find that life is much more enjoyable when we don’t have to control every moment. Now, do I get everything done as quickly as I’d like? No, not always.
But somehow, it all still gets done. And the most important thing: our homesteading life with our kids is filled with laughter and memories.
Start Them Young
As I reflect on my life, one thing that stands out as a regret is not starting our homesteading journey earlier with my kids by my side. Although we didn’t begin until later, I want to encourage fellow homesteaders with tiny tots to seize the moment and incorporate your little ones into the process. With playpens, strollers, and baby carriers at your disposal, there’s no excuse not to involve them in the fun.
I understand firsthand how challenging it can be to juggle childcare while tackling homesteading tasks, but remember that this too shall pass. When your children grow up surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of homestead life, they’ll adopt it as their norm – just like my kids took to grocery shopping and video games without a second thought.
Let Them Provide for the Family
One of the most effective ways I’ve encouraged all three of my sons to participate in homesteading is through hunting and butchering animals. While it’s true that many children are fascinated by guns, blood, and guts, it’s not just about the thrill – it’s also an opportunity for them to learn valuable lessons about responsibility, appreciation, and respect for life.
Even those who aren’t yet old enough to handle a firearm can still benefit from learning hunter safety and watching the butchering process. Through my own experience, I’ve found that none of my children have been negatively impacted by these experiences. On the contrary, they’ve developed a deeper understanding and appreciation of the food on their plate, as well as a greater sense of pride and ownership in our homesteading efforts.
By participating in the process of raising animals for meat, they’ve come to value the effort required to fill our freezer with wholesome provisions. Ultimately, this approach has allowed my sons to grow in knowledge, respect, and appreciation for the life we’ve built on our homestead.
If It’s Broke, Let Them Fix It
When it comes to homesteading, being handy is a must. I learned this the hard way when my phone rang during church service – my mother-in-law was calling because our goats had escaped! I had to leave and fix a hole in the fence that our mischievous Billy goat had created, as well as patch up a damaged board in their cabin that he’d pried loose with his horns.
It’s crucial to involve your kids in this process not just for their sense of purpose but also to teach them valuable skills they’ll use later in life. Every household will face repairs and maintenance issues – it’s an inevitable part of life. By including your children, you’re not only teaching them practical skills but also showing them the value of hard work and self-sufficiency.
It may take time for them to adjust to this new way of living, especially if they’re used to convenience, but with patience and persistence, they’ll come to appreciate the rewards that homesteading brings.
