60+ Gifts for Homestead Kids: Homestead Kid Gift Guide

Use this homestead kid gift guide for practical & fun gift ideas!

Homestead kids live their lives surrounded by nature and sustainable living ideals. They find joy in many things that most children wouldn’t take a second look at. In my experience, it seems like they lean more toward gifts that they can use for real-life activities and on their adventures in the great outdoors. 

They also want to be involved in the farm chores that they see mom and dad do so why not give them a gift that reflects that desire? Check out this practical holiday season gift guide specifically for homestead kids.

Practical Gifts for Homestead Kids

Rather than buying traditional toys that lose their charm quickly, consider gifting items that encourage exploration and the learning of hands-on skills. 

Kids’ Homestead Apparel

1. Waterproof Boots

These are a must-have for homestead kids! Hisea boots keep feet dry and they are easy to clean. You could even use new boots to hold goodies instead of an Easter basket or Christmas stockings (depending on which holiday you are reading this post for)!

2. Garden Gloves / Work Gloves

Your kids have their garden tools and seeds, and now they need their very own set of gloves to protect their little hands while in the garden. 

A pair of leather work gloves is another practical and inexpensive gift for homestead kids. 

3. Aprons

Kids can use aprons in the kitchen, in the garden, in the barn, and for playing dress up! This one is great for all of those purposes OR you can make a DIY apron for them (like this 4-Pocket Gathering Apron)!

4. Hats

A great gift for homestead kids is a hat. Hats help to protect their little faces & necks from the sun that they are undoubtedly exposed to all year long.

• Kids’ Sun Hat
• Kids’ Ball Cap
• Kids’ Straw Hat
• Kids’ Felt Hat

5. Farm Clothes

Overalls, work boots,  durable jeans, and t-shirts are perfect play clothes for kids on the homestead. 

Throw a few of these in with their gifts this year. You may think they won’t be happy to receive clothes, but you might just be surprised 🙂

Gardening Gifts for Homestead Kids

Gift your homestead kids with a functional gift for the garden this year!

6. Kids’ Garden Tools

My kids LOVE to help in the garden so I like to give them their own set of tools to use. 

Sometimes they also use garden & yard tools to simplify their jobs like my son is doing in this photo. He had just pulled weeds in our landscaping and he decided to use a rake to remove the weeds from the bed instead of picking each one up by hand. 

My favorite kids’ garden tool sets are:

• Green Toys Kids’ Garden Tool Set
• U+Me Montessori Garden Tool Kit

>>Check out more of my favorite garden tools for kids<<

7. Kids’ Garden Cart or Wagon

A garden cart is a great tool for kids to use to help around the homestead! They can also use it to pull their toys (or each other) around.

8. Seeds 

Gift a pack or two of seeds to your little ones so they can plant their own flowers, fruits, or veggies. I recommend purchasing from Hoss Tools or Seeds for Generations, a family-owned seed company that won’t let you down.

You could also make homemade wildflower seed bombs for your children to plant for the honeybees.

9. Worms

Encourage your kids to start a worm compost bin (or a full worm farm) to help out in the garden or even to start their own worm casting business! Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm is the best palce to get worms for your homestead. 

10. Greenstalk Garden Tower

Your kids can practice growing strawberries, greens, herbs, and more in a GreenStalk vertical garden tower without taking up any garden space.

11. Kids’ Garden Journal

The Kids’ Garden Journal is the perfect tool for getting your kiddos excited about gardening! They can keep their own garden records and color on three different garden related coloring sheets!

Homemaking Gifts for Homestead Kids

12. Melissa & Doug Cleaning Supplies

Homemaking is a large part of homesteading. This set of child-sized cleaning suppliesis a favorite for our kiddos and it allows the kids to actually clean instead of just pretending. Our kids LOVE to clean and I want them to know how to care for our home so this is perfect.

13. Recipe Book & Cooking Supplies

Preserving & preparing food from scratch is a huge component of homestead living. Gift your little ones with an apron, a cook book, a cast iron skillet, or child-sized kitchen toolsso they can work alongside you in the homestead kitchen. This year (2023) I am gifting a kids’ knife and cutting board set to my 4-year-old who LOVES to help in the kitchen.

14. Food Dehydrator

If your children are interested in preserving their own food, a dehydrator would be an excellent gift! This is a higher-ticket item, but it is one that children can easily learn to use. They can learn to dehydrate many different food products as well as how to make fruit leather, jerky, and yogurt!

15. Compostable Phone Case

For the kiddos with cell phones, a Pela case is a great gift! These cases are made with 100% compostable material so you can toss them right into the compost bin when they have reached the end of their lifespan!

Outdoor Play Homestead Kid Gift Ideas

Outdoor toys are some of the best toys for homestead kids!

16. Ride-On Toys

Our kids love to go on adventures around the farm. Sometimes they walk, but usually, they take their bicycles or their Powerwheels truck. The bikes promote exercise and the Powerwheels truck boosts their imagination and their sense of independence.

17. Mud Kitchen

Build or buy an outdoor kitchen so your kiddos can make messy “meals” out by the garden. I made one out of an old pallet a few years ago as a gift for my homestead kids and they loved it!

Kids’ Homestead Tools & Supplies

18. Kids’ Tools

Okay, so we haven’t purchased power tools for our littles despite what this photo would have you believe. I just couldn’t help but share her little face here 🙂

Our youngest kids have real child-sized tools that they love! You should see my little boy’s face when mama asks to borrow his wrench… pure pride. 

To take this homestead kid gift even further, you can make a screw, nut, & bolt board for them to practice on. 

>>Check out this tool set as a gift for homestead kids. <<

19. Firewood Carrying Sling

If your kiddos help you carry firewood around the farm, this firewood sling is a must!

20. Fishing Rods & Lures

When I was a kid, my favorite pastime was fishing with my parents… I even wrote a song about it in high school!

There is something relaxing about sitting by the water and it is thrilling as a child to see your bobber dip under the water. Our son received a fishing-themed basket one Easter and it is his favorite one to date! 

Throw a fishing rod, bobbers, and lures into their basket or stocking this year for a fun & practical gift they will love!

21. Buckets

So buckets aren’t typically what you think of when you are trying to pick a toy for your kids, but they are free and kids apparently LOVE them! 

Our girls filled buckets with water and climbed right in while we were feeding one day. Now they try to do this almost every time we are outside! 

You might even want to use a bucket instead of a basket for Easter this year!

22. Pocket Knife or Multi-Tool

Knowing how to properly use a Pocket Knife is a good skill for a homestead kid to have. We use pocket knives every day around here so we want our kids to be familiar with them. 

You know your child and if he or she is ready for the responsibility of a knife / multi-tool or not, so use your discretion with this gift.

23. Slingshot

A slingshot is a perfect gift for older homestead kids! Just be sure that they are properly supervised and/or they know how to safely use a slingshot without harming livestock (or their siblings).

24. BB Gun

Gift a BB Gun to farm kids who are responsible and want to practice their aim and learn proper firearm handling and safety. 

25. Bow & Arrow

You can find bow & arrows for almost any age group. There are plastic bow and arrows with suction cups on the end of the arrows as well as rubber tipped arrows for younger kids. 

Older kids can use dull tip arrows or the real deal if they are ready. My oldest son has his own bow and arrow and he has recently joined a local archery team with it.

26. Flashlights & Headlamps

Farm kids can use flashlights and headlamps to help around the farm, to play flashlight tag with siblings and friends, and so much more! 

This is an inexpensive and very practical gift for homestead kids!

For Homestead Creatives

27. Farm Themed Stationary and Art Supplies

Stuff stockings for children of all ages with farm-themed pens, note paper, and art supplies! Here are some of my favorites:

• Farm Animal Mini Notepads
• Farm/Fruits & Veggies Notepads 
• Pig Pen
• Sunflower Pens

28. Vlogging Camera

My homestead kids have been BEGGING to start their own vlog. This year for Christmas, they are each getting their own camcorder so they can get started!

Homestead Animals

Raising animals can give your kiddos a sense of pride as well as teach them responsibility & care for living creatures. 

But, please be responsible with this one, y’all. If you are equipped to raise animals (have the land, resources, and time) then this is a good option. 

Just don’t buy a bunny for your toddler only to resell it or, even worse, turn it loose when the new wears off. 

Have the kiddos keep solid livestock records as well.

29. Chickens

Chickens are a great place to start with livestock for homestead kids. 

They can raise chicks to show in a 4 H livestock show, sell eggs at the local farmer’s market, and learn proper animal husbandry with backyard birds. 

You can purchase chickens locally, receive chicks from the 4H program, or order from a trusted hatchery like Murray McMurray.

>>Grab The Chicken Record Book here<<

30. Rabbits

Rabbits are another good homestead animal for kids to raise. They can raise them for meat or as pets. We have an indoor rabbit that we keep as a pet. 

My kids are learning how to care for the rabbit and how he requires different nutrition than our other animals.

You can find rabbit breeders to buy from pretty easily, but I suggest going through a rescue if you are able.

>>Grab The Rabbit Record Book here<<

31. Goats

Goats are good for kids who are a little older. If your kids are in 4H, they can show goats to earn money or they could raise them to sell!

Find a local farm that keeps good records on their goats so you don’t buy an animal with undocumented issues.

>>Grab The Goat Record Book here<<

Toys for Homestead Kids

32. Schleich Farm Animals

We buy Schleich Farm Animalsat our local farm store. They are super durable & kids play with these for hours! We also use them when we do livestock unit studies in our homeschool. They make a perfect practical gift for kids who love animals!

33. Toy Tractors

My 2-year-old son LOVES his toy trucks and tractors. He could play with them for hours and I’m sure that’s the case for most other farm kids as well. 

DIY and Handmade Gifts for Homestead Kids

34. DIY Gathering Apron

This 4-pocket gathering apron is great for kids who want to help gather eggs from the hen house or herbs & produce from the garden. 

35. Homemade Fort Kit

Put together a little kit so your kids can build their own forts. This one will provoke lots of imagination and endless fun!

36. DIY Peg Dolls

Peg dolls are perfect to use in dollhouses instead of plastic Barbie dolls that seem to always lose limbs. Use wooden clothespins and decorate them to your liking.

37. Hot Chocolate Mix

Homemade hot chocolate mix is the perfect addition to a stocking or a Christmas Eve box.

38. Cocoa Bar in a Box

If you don’t want to make your own cocoa mix, grab this kit from Farmhouse Teas. CeAnne has crafted a Cocoa Bar box that includes hot cocoa mix, vanilla marshmallows (with honey & coconut sugar), caramel sauce, and recipe sheets. 

Homestead and Farm Books for Kids

Check out these books to teach your homestead kids more about farming and food production.

For the Youngest Homestead Kids:

Usborne (now PaperPie) books are clearly loved in our household and they have a plethora of farm options! My dear friend, Janet Garman, has also opened a publishing company that focuses on homestead authors. There are currently 4 children’s books available and they are incredible! Please go check them out at Sawdust Publishing.

39. Farm Sounds

This is an interactive book that allows children to push buttons to make the sounds of the corresponding animals.

40. That’s Not My Sensory Books

Usborne has an entire “That’s Not My” touchy-feely board book series including “That’s Not My Cow”, “That’s Not My Tractor”, “That’s Not My Pony”, “That’s Not My Duck”, “That’s Not My Piglet”, and “That’s Not My Goat”.

41. Baby’s Very First Tractor Book 

This baby board book is shaped like a tractor and it has wheels that actually roll so it doubles as a toy!

42. Colorful World: Farm

This book is full of colors, questions, and puzzles relating to farm-life. 

43. Lift & Look Tractors

Lift the flaps on each page of this book to reveal surprises hidden around many different types of tractors. 

44. The Cow Said Neigh by Rory Feek

I got this book from Rory when we hosted a Homesteaders of America conference on his farm. The kids love this one! Each animal tries to be like another animal by making its sound leading to a load of confusion. In the end, they realize it is best to be who they really are.

45. Sawdust Publishing Children’s Book Bundle

This bundle from Sawdust Publishing includes “Tully the Bully”, “Cisco’s Best Day”, and “Margarita and the Beautiful Gifts”. The pre-order for “Chicken Math” is also available now (2023)!

46. The Long-Necked Sheep

This story tells about a llama who feels out of place with his flock of sheep until he realizes that his differences give him a vital purpose on the farm.  

47. Henry Meets a Honeybee

In this book, Henry goes for a walk and stumbles upon a honeybee that teaches him all about life in the hive. 

48. Big Book of Tractors

This book has large fold-out pages with vibrant pictures of tractors and other farm machines!

49. Wipe Clean Garden Activities

Give this book to your kiddos along with a dry-erase marker so they can complete the garden-themed activities. 

50. On the Farm Shine-A-Light Book

Shine-A-Light books are so fun! Shine a flashlight behind the pages to reveal hidden farm images.

51. Secrets of the Vegetable Garden Shine-A-Light

Shine a flashlight behind the pages in this book to reveal images from the garden. 

52. Lift the Flap Why Do We Need Bees?

Lift the flaps on this book to learn about the importance of honeybees.

For Older Homestead Kids:

Children who are a little older and want to learn homestead skills may enjoy these books. 

53. Vet Academy

This book covers veterinary topics with cool illustrations, fun activities, quizzes, and more!

54. The Usborne Book of Growing Food

All of the growing tutorials in this book can be used in the ground or in containers.

55. See Inside Where Food Comes From

This lift-the-flap book shows kids inside the farm & food industry.

56. Gardening for Kids: Learn, Grow, and Get Messy with Fun STEAM Projects

Get in the garden with these STEAM projects for kids between 8-12 years of age!

57. Beginner Beekeeping Books

These books are my favorites for learning about beekeeping. 

58. My Favorite Homesteading Books

This article contains a long list of my favorite homesteading books. Some are inspirational and some are practical, but all of them deserve a spot on your shelf. Look through the list to see which ones fit the interests of your homestead kids. 

>>Check out this list of my favorite dairy animal books for kids<<

59. The Julia Rothman Collection: Farm Anatomy, Nature Anatomy, and Food Anatomy

These fun coffee table books are filled with vibrant illustrations and basic information about farm animals, nature, and food.

60. Vegetable Gardening for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Growing Vegetables at Home

This book contains instructions for building raised beds and mixing healthy soil as well as in-depth plant profiles, companion planting information, and more!

61. Backyard Homesteading for Dummies

Your kids aren’t “dummies” but the “for dummies” books are always great resources for beginners. This book can be a resource for your children to learn the basics of homestead skills like raising livestock, composting, food preservation, and more!

62. Gardening for Beginners

This book teaches kids how to grow plants with or without a garden. 

>>Check out this list of homesteading books for teens and adults<<

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MORE GIFT GUIDES

• Homemaking Mom Gift Guide
• Purposeful Christmas Gifts for Kids
• Homestead Mom Gift Ideas
• 19 Practical Gifts for Homemakers

What are your favorite gifts for homestead kids??