One of the things we love most about homeschooling is how seamlessly we can blend real-life skills into our lessons. It’s not just about hitting the books—it’s about creating hands-on, meaningful experiences that our kids will carry with them for a lifetime. Homesteading has been a huge part of that for our family.
When we first started growing a small garden in the backyard, I didn’t realize how much it would teach us. From counting seeds to studying the life cycle of a pumpkin, every step was a learning opportunity. Over time, we added more—raising a few chickens, trying our hand at preserving vegetables, and even tackling some fun DIY projects. What started as a way to grow our own food has turned into an integral part of our homeschool journey.
Homesteading is more than just planting seeds and baking bread; it’s about fostering responsibility, problem-solving, and creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or just dipping your toes into this lifestyle, here are five practical and engaging ways to incorporate homesteading into your homeschool curriculum.
1. Grow a Garden Together
A garden is more than just a patch of soil—it’s a living classroom.
Through gardening, kids can learn about biology, ecology, and even basic economics.
- Start with the basics. Teach your kids about soil composition, plant life cycles, and the importance of pollinators. Choose fast-growing plants like radishes or lettuce for quick results that keep kids motivated.
- Math in the garden. Use gardening to teach math by measuring planting distances, calculating harvest yields, or budgeting for seeds and supplies.
- Track progress. Create a garden journal for your child to document planting dates, growth rates, and any challenges encountered. This doubles as a science project and a memory keepsake!
Pro Tip: Introduce companion planting and explain how certain plants work together to thrive—this is an excellent tie-in to teamwork and ecosystems.
2. Raise Animals Responsibly
Caring for animals teaches children empathy, responsibility, and respect for living creatures.
Even if you don’t have space for a full barnyard, there are smaller-scale options to consider.
- Start small. Chickens, rabbits, or even bees can provide a manageable introduction to animal husbandry. Kids can learn about their care needs, life cycles, and how they contribute to the homestead (e.g., eggs, manure, or pollination).
- Science in action. Use your animals to teach anatomy, biology, and genetics. For example, show how different breeds of chickens produce different egg colors, or discuss the life stages of a rabbit.
- Character-building chores. Create a chore chart to assign daily animal care tasks. This builds responsibility and consistency, valuable life skills that transcend the homestead.
If larger animals are an option, consider goats for their milk or sheep for their wool and tie these into lessons on sustainability and historical agriculture practices.
3. Cook and Preserve Your Harvest
Turn the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor into delicious, homemade meals while teaching valuable culinary skills.
Cooking and preserving also link directly to math, chemistry, and even history.
- Kitchen science. Explain the science behind fermentation, pickling, or baking. Why does bread rise? What makes vinegar preserve food? These processes are fascinating ways to explore chemistry.
- Real-world math. Measuring ingredients, doubling recipes, or calculating cook times offer natural opportunities for applying math skills.
- Tie into history. Discuss the origins of canning or how early settlers preserved food without refrigeration. This makes history tangible and relevant.
Let your kids take ownership of a family recipe book, adding their own entries and illustrations as they learn.
4. Incorporate DIY Homesteading Projects
Homesteading isn’t just about growing food—it’s also about self-sufficiency.
DIY projects can range from simple crafts to more complex tasks, depending on your child’s age and interests.
- Build something together. Younger kids can help build birdhouses, while older ones might tackle raised garden beds or compost bins. Projects like these teach engineering, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
- Learn fiber arts. Teach kids to knit, sew, or weave using materials from your homestead. This is a great way to integrate art and creativity into your lessons.
- Create natural products. Make soap, candles, or herbal remedies together, and use the process to discuss chemistry, plant properties, and even entrepreneurship if you decide to sell them.
Pro Tip: Encourage trial and error—it’s a natural part of the learning process and teaches resilience.
5. Use Homesteading for Environmental Lessons
Homesteading and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
It’s a chance to teach kids about sustainability, conservation, and their role in protecting the planet.
- Composting lessons. Show kids how to create and maintain a compost pile, explaining the breakdown process and how it enriches the soil.
- Water conservation. Install a rain barrel together and measure how much water you collect and use. This is a great way to discuss the water cycle and the importance of conserving natural resources.
- Renewable energy projects. Explore solar ovens or small-scale wind turbines to teach about renewable energy sources. This ties in physics and environmental science.
Engage in discussions about the impact of our daily choices on the environment. For instance, how does eating local produce or using natural fertilizers make a difference?
Homeschooling and Homesteading
Homesteading isn’t just a set of skills—it’s a mindset of resourcefulness, sustainability, and respect for nature.
By incorporating these principles into your homeschool curriculum, you’re not only teaching your children academics but also preparing them for a future where they can think critically, solve problems, and live responsibly.
Start small, involve your kids in the process, and let their interests guide you. Whether it’s growing their first tomato plant or building a chicken coop, these experiences will be lessons they carry for life.
Homesteading in your homeschool isn’t just education—it’s a way of life. And it’s one your family will cherish for years to come.
