How to Start a Mini Homestead in Your Backyard (Even with Kids!)

Introduction

Homesteading may sound like something that requires acres of land, barns, and endless time – but the truth is, you can start right where you are. Whether you live in a suburban neighborhood or on a small plot of land, a mini homestead in your backyard is a beautiful way to provide your family with fresh food, teach your children valuable life skills, and embrace a simpler, more intentional lifestyle.

And yes – it’s absolutely possible to do it even with kids in tow! In fact, kids often thrive when they’re included in homestead life, learning responsibility, patience, and an appreciation for God’s creation. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of collecting fresh eggs in the morning, cooking meals with home-grown vegetables, or making your own natural products, this guide will help you get started.

1. Start with a Vision (and Keep It Simple)

Before you begin, picture what a mini homestead looks like for your family. Do you want a small vegetable patch? A few backyard chickens? A spot for herbs and flowers? Write down your goals and start small. Remember – you don’t need to do everything at once. Even growing one tomato plant can be the beginning of your homestead journey.

Kid Tip: Ask your kids what they’d like to grow or care for. Giving them a voice makes them more excited and invested.

2. Grow Your Own Food (Even in Small Spaces)

You don’t need a big garden to grow your own food. Start with raised beds, container gardens, or even vertical planters. Herbs like basil, mint, and parsley thrive in pots, while easy vegetables such as lettuce, radishes, and cherry tomatoes are perfect for beginners.

Kid Tip: Assign each child their own small planter or raised bed. Let them paint the pot or decorate a plant marker to make it “theirs”.

3. Consider Backyard Chickens

Chickens are one of the most rewarding (and entertaining) additions to a homestead. They provides fresh eggs, natural pest control, and valuable lessons in animal care. Most cities allow a small number of hens (no roosters needed).

Kid Tip: Children can collect eggs daily, refill feeders, and gently pet chickens under supervision. It’s a simple, but exciting responsibility.

4. Learn Basin Skills Together

Homesteading is about more than just food – it’s about self-sufficiency. Simple skills like baking bread, sewing a button, or making homemade soap are perfect for busy moms and curious kids. These skills can save money, reduce toxins in your home, and create beautiful family traditions.

Kid Tip: Have “homestead Saturdays” where you pick one skill to practice together, like making butter in a mason jar, pickling cucumbers from your garden, or creating a simple herb salve.

5. Compost and Reuse

Even with a small backyard, composting is possible. Food scraps, leaves, and grass clippings turn into rich soil that can feed your garden. Teach your kids the cycle of life by showing them how yesterday’s leftover vegetable scraps can help tomorrow’s plants grow.

Kid Tip: Kids love “feeding the compost” and watching worms work their magic within the outdoor compost pile or a worm farm in a recycled styrofoam box.

6. Cook with What You Grow

One of the best rewards of homesteading is bringing your own harvest into the kitchen. From simple salads to homemade soups, cooking with your garden produce connects your family to the food they eat.

Kid Tip: Invite your children to wash veggies, tear lettuce, or stir the pot under supervision. One of the most essential life skills to learn is cooking nutritious meals. Cooking together is just a valuable as growing together.

7. Focus on Community and Faith

Homesteading is not just about survival – it’s about living with purpose, gratitude, and community. Share extra eggs or veggies with a neighbor, host a seed swap, or simply thank God for the blessings that come from your backyard. As moms, we set the tone in our homes – and creating a homestead rooted in faith and simplicity will leave a legacy for our children.

Kid Tip: Encourage your children to draw a picture or write a small note of gratitude to go along with any eggs, herbs, or garden produce you share with neighbors. It’s a fun way to teach generosity, kindness, and the joy of giving.

Conclusion: Your Backyard, Your Homestead

Starting a mini homestead in your backyard is less about having the perfect setup and more about embracing the journey. Even small steps – like growing herbs in pots or teaching your kids to gather eggs – can bring you closer to a lifestyle that’s healthier, simpler, and more fulfilling.

Remember, this is not about perfection – it’s about connection. It’s about nurturing your family, growing what you can, and learning as you go. With patience, creativity, and faith, your backyard can become a place where both food and family flourish. So grab your garden gloves, gather your little helpers, and take the first step – you may be surprised at how much joy (and life!) you can grow right outside your back door.