Making your own toys? On the homestead, everything’s possible. Why spend money on fancy toys when you can have fun and make your own? the satisfaction of watching your kids play with them is out of this world.
Needle felting is a completely no-tech and super low cost crafting “habit.” I opted against using the word hobby to describe needle felting, because once you pick up a piece of wool and the proper needle, it is almost impossible not to get hooked. I discovered needle felting accidentally when browsing Pinterest and ETSY for … Read more
Toys… tools that can keep your child distracted for hours at a time. Every store you visit nowadays has a toy aisle and most of them are a treasure trove of childish distractions. Unfortunately, as the years have gone on, toys have become more advanced and, as a result, more expensive. This price increase can … Read more
Quiet books, whether the no-sew versions or sewn/embroidered books, are educational and interactive toys that are geared toward toddlers through kindergarten-age children. They first popped up in the hands of young children sitting in church pews. Homemade quiet books kept the children engaged and quiet when required to sit still for long periods of time … Read more
Homeschooling using stampers perfectly blends art-based fun with preschool and early elementary-level skill building. We use stamper days in our homeschool twice a week, and the children always look forward to it. Stamper homeschooling activities are perfect for use with multi-age children. Everyone from toddlers through age 10 can be actively engaged in similar learning … Read more
Thanksgiving and Christmas bring joyous gatherings with family and friends. We gather together to celebrate, eat, and share gifts with the folks we love. Gift giving can become quite expensive – and finding ways to entertain children before a big meal is served can also become frustrating. Making holiday Play Doh can become not only … Read more
Making your own toys is not only a great cost saver, but such a fulfilling project. As homesteaders already know, there is just nothing like giving or receiving a handmade gift that was diligently worked on for hours by someone you love. Homemade toys beat the heck out of plastic junk made in China any … Read more
Making your own learning games and resources does not need to be a parent only activity. Infusing the children into the process will not only teach the reward of hard work and the sense of pride that comes with completing a job well done, but can double as an academic and vocational exercise, as well. … Read more
Homesteading and homeschooling are not synonyms, but the two concepts sure fit together well. Even if you are not homeschooling, you can still make some simple, nearly free, and heirloom-style learning supplies to help your little ones bolster their academic progress. Teaching or reinforcing the building blocks can be daunting for someone who does not … Read more
Do you love crafting in your free time? Looking for a creative outlet that will provide hours of fun and relaxation? Needle felting can offer just that! This craft may seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and instructions it can become an easy, enjoyable activity, for making things such as needle felt … Read more
Waldorf dolls will take longer to create than a typical cloth doll, but making one of these sweet old-fashioned toys is so well worth the effort. Once you master making a Waldorf doll head, the rest of the process is easy-peasy…I promise. I allowed myself to be too intimidated by the head-making process, that it … Read more
When I first stumbled upon tree branch blocks online, I was shocked by two things: how beautifully natural and fun they would be to play with and how super ridiculous the price was. Those two facts, coupled with being a DIY homesteader and homemade toy-making fiend, prompted me to go “shopping” in our woods for … Read more
If you possess at least moderate construction skills and have some “junk” lying around you homestead, you too can build an enormous wood playhouse really cheaply. I could no longer stand all of the grandkiddos’ toys and ride-on vehicles cluttering around the shelter house. The cost of cheaply-made plastic playhouses that barely leave children room … Read more
Yard sale season is finally upon us, fellow homesteaders. Now is a perfect time to stock up on homemade toys and gift making supplies for Christmas and all of the birthdays that are coming up this year. The annual countrywide yard sale took place over the weekend and I scored some superb – and super … Read more
I stumbled across wooden peg people, also commonly referred to as wooden peg dolls on Pinterest. Most of the adorable images of these simple and natural wood toys on Pinterest led to links to sale listings for completed – and expensive, dolls on ETSY. If you played with Fisher-Price “Little People” as a child, you … Read more
I am incredibly excited to announce the launch of a new New Life on the Homestead series. This ongoing column is going to be solely devoted to the making of homemade toys and upcycled DIY toys, for the little loved ones in your life. Is there a difference between homemade toys and DIY toys? Oh, … Read more
It has been a combination of a very exciting and a very frustrating week here on the homestead. The weather keeps fluctuating between spring storms (and mud) and then winter rears its ugly head and we get two to four inches of snow – that turns the ground into a skating rink. A big snow … Read more