Are you worried that you aren’t getting in enough hours in for your homeschool?
Let’s take some of that pressure off. Did you know that learning goes beyond the books? It encompasses things you do throughout the day. Here are some homeschooling ideas that don’t involve books, but count as homeschooling. These are homeschool fun ideas.
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I see worried mom posts in some of my homeschool groups. They are concerned that their kids aren’t doing enough hours for homeschool. The concern comes from kids finishing their bookwork quickly. Some states require a certain number of daily hours, so the concern is valid. But it doesn’t need to be stressful.
Find out more about your specific homeschool laws.
We think that school hours only happen when the curriculum books are open. Mom, let me walk you through this worry, so you and your kids can know that freedom of homeschooling. Whether you are a new homeschool mom or a veteran, these home education ideas will help you liven up your homeschool. Find homeschool activites for 6 year olds or 16 year olds. These are homeschool activities for high schoolers and elementary kids.
The School Day
First, let’s travel back in time to your days sitting in a public school classroom (if you did). How many hours did your class spend learning?
Think about a 7-hour school day. There is lunch and recess. Subtract an hour right there. Then other recesses. Let’s have another hour here. We are already down to 5 hours. Then there is busy work. You know the extra coloring or reading you did because you were waiting for the other students to finish the subject.
Let’s add classroom management. In a class of 30 students, the teacher is probably spending most of her time managing the classroom.
We can easily say that less than half of the time spent in school is spent doing schoolwork. Does this give you a better perspective on your homeschool? Is your brain sparking with homeschooling ideas?
I bring this up because we typically use our own public school experience as the reference point for our homeschool.
Homeschool is not public school at home. You are free to tailor learning to meet each child’s need. And that learning can be outside of the books.
Jodie the Mom
Homeschooling Ideas Beyond the Books: 15 Everyday Activities that Count as Homeschooling
If you are counting hours, then you need a list of activities you did for each day. Here are homeschooling ideas that count towards your homeschool learning.
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If you are part of a homeschool group, like a co-op, then this also counts as homeschool.
1. Board games
It doesn’t just need to be chess. Homeschoolers are known for their mad chess skills. But there are so many board games that teach unique skills. It doesn’t just have to be chess.
Monopoly and Payday both teach math skills. Phase 10 and Uno number recognition. Risk and Ticket to Ride teach geography and strategy.
The list could go on. I don’t play all these board games, my kids do. They learn a lot from playing. Including conflict resolution, how to lose well, and how to win well. These are all future life skills.
2. Cooking…I mean home ec
If your kids cook, this totally counts towards homeschooling. Think of all the skills they are learning: fractions, following directions, kitchen safety, general life skills, and more.
You can even include this in their high school transcript.
Since I hate cooking. Yes, I really do. I always encourage my kids to learn this life skill. And to test it out on the family.
3. Reading
You can read here or there. You can read everywhere. All reading counts as a homeschool activity. Yes, they can read graphic novels, read out loud to younger siblings, or read chapter books.
I am going to climb up on my soapbox for a minute and debunk a myth. The myth is that your kids need to read classics or something deep and profound. If you want to create lifelong readers, then you need to teach them to fall in love with stories. And you can’t do that if they don’t understand what they are reading, or it is hard to read.
Let them read comics and graphic novels. It is ok for them to read books below their grade level or above their grade level. Just let them read.
4. Audio books
I saw a mom post that she didn’t let her kids listen to audio books, and she was really struggling to get her kids to read. Honestly, mom, I wanted to cry when I read her post. Audio books are a great way to introduce classics or books above grade level.
If you want your kids to be lifelong learners and know how to find good information. Then you need to teach for their strengths. If your children are audio learners, then bring on the audio books. There is more than one way to read a book.
LibriVox has free public domain audio books. You can also check out audio books from your local library using the Libby app.
5. Driving
Teaching your kids to drive is a homeschool activity worthy of the transcript. And you should get a medal for it too.
If you are teaching your kids to drive or they are taking driver’s education. This is homeschooling ideas that count as school.
6. Imaginative play
Kids can learn so much from playing. It encourages social, emotional growth. And it is just fun. Unstructured play is excellent for your child’s development.
Let them play!
7. Drawing and painting
This is one of my favorite homeschooling ideas because kids can do it on their own. One of our favorite sites is Art Hub for Kids. He teaches in a way that makes kids very successful with their art.
For older kids, Skillshare is a great site for traditional and digital mediums. Canva is another tool your kids can use to learn the concepts of digital design. If you have a premium account, then you can invite your kids to use your account. That’s what I do.
8. Research
Any research your kids do is school. Whether it is for a paper or because they are exploring a topic that sparks their interest.
There are so many ways to learn. Create lifelong learners by teaching your kids how to find the answers to their questions.
9. News
Learning about current events and different sides of the argument will prepare your kids for later in life. Homeschoolers get a bad rap for being sheltered. Understanding current events, in a balanced way, removes this stigma.
10. Puzzles
Do you need to occupy little people for a while? Puzzles are a great way to occupy little fingers and minds.
Or for the bigger kids, setup a puzzle table for the winter months and work on it throughout those long, cold months.
11. Grocery shopping
This falls under life skills, home economics, and mom needs help lifting heavy things category.
Learning how to budget and shop for groceries is a life skill kids can start learning at a young age. And it will serve them for the rest of their lives.
12. Taking a walk
This can fall under science and PE. Go for a walk. Or let them ride bikes. Get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors. Look for bugs. Find cloud animals. Teach your kids to appreciate the world around them, and the wonder of it.
13. Online classes
I love adding online classes to our homeschool. This is my favorite homeschooling idea. If we are tailoring school for our children’s interest. Then the online classroom is a tool you need to use.
My older kids really like Skillshare classes. Actually, my elementary son also watched one to learn how to solve a Rubik’s cube.
You can also check out Pluralsight and Masterclass.
14. Documentaries
This is a great way to break up information. If you just need a break from homeschool, but still want to learn something. Then watch a documentary. Animal ones are always fun.
15. Gym
This is a great place for lessons and to learn different skills. And it is a great homeschooling idea.
Conclusion: Homeschooling Ideas that Aren’t Textbooks
Mom, there are so many ways to teach and to learn that don’t involve textbooks. I hope you experience the freedom to learn your way.
Grab your copy of the Momtrepreneur’s Guide to Curriculum. Let me help you take the pain out of finding a curriculum that works for the mompreneur.
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