Introduction
Hay Day is easy to start but surprisingly easy to mess up early. Many new players level too fast, run out of coins, fill their storage with useless items, and end up stuck wondering why everything feels expensive and slow.
This beginner guide focuses on what actually matters first in Hay Day (Android). Instead of trying to do everything, you’ll learn how to build a strong foundation that makes the rest of the game smoother, faster, and far less frustrating.
The Most Important Beginner Rule: Coins Matter More Than XP
In Hay Day, coins are the real bottleneck, not XP.
Leveling up unlocks machines, but:
- Machines are expensive
- You must buy them with coins
- Unlocking too many too fast causes coin shortages
Early on, your main goal should be earning and protecting coins, not leveling as fast as possible.
Priority #1: Focus on Crop Production
Why Crops Matter First
- Crops cost nothing to plant
- Crops are always needed
- Crops can be sold for pure profit
- Crops fuel every production chain
Your farm should never have empty fields.
Best Early Crops to Focus On
- Wheat
- Corn
- Soybeans
These crops:
- Grow quickly
- Are used constantly
- Sell well in the roadside shop
Wheat, in particular, is your early-game money maker.
Priority #2: Master Wheat Farming (Wheating)
Wheating means:
- Growing wheat nonstop
- Harvesting quickly
- Selling excess wheat
- Collecting random expansion items
This single habit:
- Generates steady coins
- Gives XP without risk
- Provides tools for barn and silo upgrades
Early-game players who wheat consistently progress much faster.
Priority #3: Upgrade Barn and Silo Early
Storage problems are the #1 reason beginners get stuck.
Why Storage Is Critical
- Full storage blocks production
- Forces panic selling
- Slows leveling and coin gain
What to Upgrade First
- Barn (for goods)
- Silo (for crops)
Upgrade whenever possible using expansion tools you earn from farming.
Priority #4: Buy Machines Slowly and Intentionally
The Beginner Mistake
- Buying every machine as soon as it unlocks
- Running out of coins
- Ending up unable to buy future machines
Smart Machine Strategy
- Only buy machines you can actively use
- Skip machines you can’t support yet
- Save coins for essential production
If buying a machine will drain most of your coins, wait.
Priority #5: Use the Roadside Shop for Profit
Why the Shop Is Better Than Orders Early
- You control prices
- No penalties for skipping
- Instant coin generation
What to Sell Early
- Wheat
- Corn
- Soybeans
- Excess dairy and sugar products
Avoid selling rare items or upgrade tools.
Priority #6: Be Careful With Truck Orders
Truck orders give XP, but:
- They often cost more than they pay
- They drain crops and goods
- They push leveling faster than coins can keep up
Beginner Rule
Do truck orders only when:
- You already have the items
- Rewards are clearly worth it
Skipping orders is normal and smart.
Priority #7: Manage Dairy and Sugar Carefully
Dairy and sugar machines:
- Are used constantly
- Become bottlenecks fast
Beginner Tips
- Keep these machines running
- Do not stockpile too much
- Avoid selling dairy products early
Milk, cream, butter, and sugar are more valuable as ingredients than coins.
Priority #8: Expand Your Farm Gradually
Land expansion:
- Makes farming easier
- Provides space for machines and animals
However:
- Expansion materials are rare
- Expanding too fast can stall storage upgrades
Alternate between:
- Barn upgrades
- Silo upgrades
- Land expansion
Balance is key.
Priority #9: Avoid Decorations Early
Decorations:
- Cost coins
- Provide no functional benefit
- Take up land
Early on, decorations slow progress. Save them for later when coins are plentiful.
Priority #10: Play Events Carefully
Events can be rewarding, but:
- They drain resources
- Encourage overspending
- Distract from farm stability
As a beginner:
- Participate lightly
- Avoid events that demand rare items
- Never spend diamonds to finish tasks
What Beginners Should Avoid Completely
- Selling expansion tools
- Spending diamonds on speeding production
- Buying every machine immediately
- Overdoing truck orders
- Hoarding low-use items
- Decorating instead of upgrading storage
Avoiding these mistakes saves weeks of recovery time.
A Simple Beginner Daily Routine
Short Sessions (10–15 Minutes)
- Harvest crops
- Replant wheat or corn
- Run dairy and sugar machines
- Sell excess crops in the shop
Longer Sessions (30+ Minutes)
- Wheat actively
- Fill shop slots
- Upgrade storage if possible
- Check machine queues
Consistency beats long playtime.
How to Know You’re Playing Correctly
You’re on the right track if:
- You can afford new machines comfortably
- Your barn is rarely full
- Crops are always growing
- Coins steadily increase
- You don’t feel rushed to level up
That’s the ideal beginner experience.
Final Thoughts
The best Hay Day beginners are not the fastest levelers — they are the best planners.
If you:
- Focus on crops
- Master wheat farming
- Protect your coins
- Upgrade storage early
- Buy machines carefully
You will build a farm that supports everything the game throws at you later.
A strong beginning in Hay Day saves months of frustration down the line.