10 Ways to Add More Fun to Your Daily Homeschool Schedule Infographic

10 Ways to Add More Fun to Your Daily Homeschool Schedule Infographic

Homeschooling means the parent also becomes the teacher and your home becomes the school. This means that everyone is in the house day in and day out. It can be a challenge to keep things fresh. Sometimes you just need to add a little fun to your routine! Teaching can be done anywhere and in many different ways. Taking a nature walk or a trip to the zoo gets everyone out of doors and gives an opportunity to get some exercise too. Music or language lessons are a great way to give the parent a much needed break. Children also enjoy these fun ways to learn! Why not try adding a new activity each week to your daily homeschool schedule?

1. Invite a Music Teacher Over

Once or twice a week, schedule music lessons in your home so your child can pick up a new, beneficial skill. Music lessons can range from 30-60 minutes and many local teachers have their own studio, if you’d prefer to take a trip outside the house.

Learning an instrument isn’t all fun and games. The right instructor will teach your child discipline and perseverance. There are also numerous physical and mental benefits of learning an instrument, such as improved math and reading skills!

2. Have a Pre-Lunchtime Cooking Class

Home economics, or household management, is an often overlooked but necessary subject for any growing child. And what better place to teach valuable culinary skills than in the safety of your own home?

Take the 30-minute time block before lunchtime and use it to teach your child basic cooking techniques. Depending on your student’s age, you can show him or her how to properly peel vegetables, slice different kinds of fruit, read a recipe, or measure out ingredients. Who knows – maybe your child will become the next family chef!

3. Learn About Art at a Kids Museum

If your child is a visual learner, this fun activity will be the highlight of their week! Get your student’s creative juices flowing by taking him or her to a kids museum. Most children’s museums offer free or discounted admission on certain days of the week.

Museums present the perfect opportunity for a hands-on art lesson. Make sure to browse the museum’s website ahead of time and discuss the exhibits with your child. After the trip, help your student recreate one of their favorite works of art!

4. Picnic at the Park

It can be easy to stay indoors all day when you homeschool, but never neglect the importance of getting some fresh air every now and then! Break up the day and take a trip to the park for lunch. Let the kids roam or play on the playground for a little while. They’ll get some PE time in, and you’ll leave feeling refreshed.

5. Read at a Local Library

There’s something about visiting a library that makes reading more exciting as a kid. Take your child to the local library and let him or her choose from a seemingly limitless number of books in a variety of different genres and themes – it’s language arts paradise!

Having a library card is also an excellent way for your child to learn about being responsible and considerate to others. Pro tip: most libraries offer weekly storytelling programs or puppet shows where the pages really come to life!

6. Mix up your Math Media

Math can be a challenging subject for many children, but here’s an effective solution: try using a variety of media to boost your child’s progress while making learning fun at the same time. Use math games, YouTube videos, and catchy songs as teaching tools. You’ll be surprised how much mixing up your media can help your child more easily master tricky math concepts.

7. Take a Field Trip to the Zoo

Trips to the zoo are a blast for children of any age (parents included)! There are many learning opportunities at the zoo as well. Your child will have the opportunity to explore different habitats, learn about the environment, and pick up some new vocabulary. Many zoos also offer educational programs and discounts for kids.

8. Sign up for Online Language Classes

There are countless benefits of learning another language for young minds. Aside from learning to respect and appreciate other cultures, studying a foreign language has been found to increase attention spans, improve the memory, and boost problem-solving skills.

Other research shows that bilingual students score higher on standardized tests in the areas of reading, social studies, and math. Try the online language classes at TakeLessons Live.  They’re free for your first month, and you get to choose from a variety of experienced instructors. It’s easy to find a class at any time of the day that works best for your child!

9. Do a Nature Walk in the Great Outdoors

Looking for a new science activity to engage the senses? Try doing a nature walk with your child in your community. Prepare a scavenger hunt, go bird watching, or see how many different types of plants your child can spot. For a list of great places to take a nature walk near you, check out TrailLink or NatureFind. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars!

10. Check out Indoor PE Videos

“PE videos” might sound a little contradictory, but in cold and rainy seasons, YouTube can be your new best friend! There are dozens of kid-friendly YouTube channels designed with the sole purpose of facilitating indoor PE sessions.

Just because you can’t leave the home doesn’t mean your child can’t get some much-needed exercise in. For starters, check out the GoNoodle channel to get your child dancing, stretching, and jumping.

Add any of these activities into your daily homeschool schedule and you’ll set your student up for a successful and fun school year!