Fun-Schooling: Ways to Learn Without Math Worksheets

We all need a break every now and then. Mom and kids both get drained and need a change in routine. Sometimes we need to make space to take a more relaxed approach to homeschooling. To do the activities that are enjoyed by all.

Homeschooling is more than educating our kids. It is relationships and a family lifestyle. We have the freedom to take a much needed break. We are able to adjust lessons to fit into the morning so that we can have the afternoon free for some fun family activities. Or even take the whole day off.

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Fun-School Learning Ideas:

• Go to the library and pick a subject that sounds interesting to learn about together.
  • Get a big stack of books and read them for fun.

• Find a cookbook and make some recipes that you enjoy.

• Go hiking on a nature trail.
  • Bring a camera and take pictures of cool plants and flowers.
  • Bring paper and colored pencils. Make some drawings of things that you find and see.  (Google: “Nature Journaling” for ideas)

• Poetry Performances:
  • Use the poetry books from the library to read poems together as a group.
  • Make it fun and include a snack or drinks. Read silly poems and have everyone pick favorites.
  • Have student read or perform one poem aloud and send a video text message to a grandparent.

• Do a different art project every day. 
  • Paint, clay, collage, pipe cleaners, pearler beads, cardboard box creations, duct tape, origami

• Take the kids grocery shopping and give them a list.  Teach them what do buy, what sales to look for, how to pick out good fruit, price per ounce vs. price per item, different types of meat and what to look for, ads & sales…

• Listen to an audiobook together.
  • For more ideas see this article: How Audiobooks Have Enhanced My Life

• Look up kitchen science experiments and have fun making a mess in the kitchen.
  • Then teach them how to clean it all up.

• Board games and card games!! (this is my go-to on break days)

• Turn the living room into an indoor fort.

• Give them a specific amount of money and go out to lunch.
  • Let them figure out what everyone will eat and how much everything will cost. 

• Create a physical challenge to complete: long bike ride, learning how to fly a kite, go on a long walk, make an obstacle course, making 10 baskets in a row, playing Frisbee, 20 bunny hops on the sidewalk, throwing a ball up in the air and catching it 15 times.

• Have the kids work together to create a restaurant.
  • They make the food, create a menu, serve the parents, prepare the table.. etc.

• Go on a field trip to a local museum or art display.
  • Here are some of my Mesa, AZ favorites:
    • Natural Museum of History in Mesa
    • Lost Dutchman Museum
    • Gilbert Historical Museum
    • AZ Airforce Museum – at Falcon Field
    • IDEA museum
    • Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum

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I plan my homeschool yearly calendar so that every 5 weeks we have a break. I am able to catch up on household projects, deal with the mountain of laundry, and also do some Fun-Schooling.

When I am in the midst of the homeschool day I can get very task-focused. I tend to keep moving forward so we can check all the boxes. But I am learning that time off is just as valuable as another box on my checklist.

Sometimes we need to make space to take a more relaxed approach to homeschooling. To focus on relationships and fun family experiences.

Sarah Makenzie calls these days “Just Because We Can Days”. You can read more about that here.

Homeschooling is about relationships, and of all the decisions you make this coming school year, the days you spend making that your top priority are when you get the most important thing right.

Sarah Makenzie – Just Because We Can Days

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Have fun doing activities that involve learning in a new way.

Also, take advantage of all the public-school kids being in school.

Most places are quieter during the school day. 😊

Happy Homeschooling! – April

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