I wasn’t originally planning to share two holiday gift guides on the blog this year. My first gift guide included farm gadgets, warm weather essentials, kitchen favorites, and farm-themed toys. What else could you possible need in a gift guide?! But then it hit me while doing early morning farm chores with two little ones in the snow. Clearly, we need a gift guide all about how to make homesteading with kids easier!
Holiday gift ideas to make homesteading with kids easier
I love doing morning farm chores solo. Don’t get me wrong, I adore my little ones, but I also love starting my mornings with the goats and chickens without worrying about my 17 month old eating chicken poop. Because there’s only so much I can handle when I’m already a sleep deprived mama, it’s before 7am, and I haven’t had any coffee yet. My solution? I sneak out for early morning farm chores while Ben gets ready for work and stays inside with the kids. I truly believe that farm chores are the perfect start to a morning.
The way Ben and I divide chores usually works great, but it’s not foolproof. Sometimes I press snooze too many times and the kids need to come with me in the morning. Other times, we simply want to include our kids as much as possible on the farm. Homesteading teaches young kids incredible life lessons, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to raise our kids on a farm. With that being said, homesteading with kids is really hard (especially during Chicago winters!) Despite the challenges, we couldn’t imagine raising our little ones any other way.
If you’re trying to figure out what to purchase your favorite homesteader with little ones, then check out my favorite gift ideas to make homesteading with kids easier below!
Babywearing
If you follow me on Instagram, then it’s no surprise that I absolutely love babywearing. If you’re looking for the number one way to make homesteading with (young) kids easier, then babywearing is such a necessity! Depending on the type of babywearing apparatus you choose, you can often times continue wearing little ones through toddlerhood. I personally prefer to use unstructured carriers (baby wraps + slings), while Ben prefers structured carriers. Below are our favorite carriers to make homesteading with kids (so much!) easier.
- Solly baby wrap: I love using this wrap for newborns – it keeps them supported and super close to your chest. Perfect for snuggling!
- Ring slings: Ring slings are my absolute favorite way to wear my little ones. Every time I bring Beckham out on the farm, I wear him in a ring sling. He’s a snuggler and loves to stay close, and I don’t need to worry about him picking up and/or eating questionable items. Win win! My two favorite brands are here and here. Bonus points that you can nurse while slinging!
- Tula: Personally, I think structured carriers are too bulky. With that being said, if Ben babywears, he prefers this carrier over my wraps and slings. (We have the standard black color, but it’s not available via the link.)
Farm gear essentials
In order to make homesteading with kids easier, I prefer to choose farm gear that can be used throughout the seasons. Simply layer with extra warm clothes during the winter months, and ditch the layers during the warmer months.
- Bibs: These bibs keep clothes clean even when your little one falls down. Less laundry is always win when you live on a farm!
- Coat: I might have a minor obsession with Carhartt, but I love how warm and durable their products are. Layer underneath with a sweatshirt to stay extra warm, and ditch the coat all together during summer.
- Boots: These boots are my ALL. TIME. FAVORITE for little ones. They are ridiculously durable and the handles make putting them on super easy. Our kids wear these boots throughout the entire year, but layer with some extra warm socks during winter.
- Gloves: We always lose gloves, so I prefer to purchase packs similar to these. I can easily throw an extra pair in my coat if a pair gets dirty or a little one loses a pair.
- Hats: Despite how cold it is, Beckham constantly rips his hat off. (It drives me insane!) Hats with a chin strap are slightly more baby proof, but it definitely doesn’t work every time.
Ride along
Best tip to make homesteading with kids easier – keep them close, contained, and entertained! If your little one is too old to be worn, then consider different ride along options. I always see mamas with their little ones in strollers on the farm, but for some reason I haven’t tried that option yet. Below are some of our favorite ride along toys for the farm.
Give them chores
Last but not least, give your little one (developmentally appropriate) chores! While Beckham is too young for chores, Finley loves them and takes it very seriously. Feeding the goats, spreading straw, and chasing chickens are just a few of her favorites.
Seeing as this was a homesteading gift guide, it obviously included items to purchase. With that being said, you don’t always need to buy anything! To make homesteading with kids easier, sometimes the simplest ways are the best, aren’t they? Fancy toys are fun, but little ones love the simplicity of farm chores too 😉
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