What’s your homeschooling philosophy? Whether you focus on academics all year, or take time off throughout the year, there’s always room for a little (or a lot) of learning disguised as fun.
Here are some easy ways to sneak some learning into your homeschool, even if you’re not hitting the books every day.
Spend the Day with a Good Book
Despite the technological evolution, books are still the most transportable, easy to find, fun to read accessory. Throw a few books in your bag and take your teens to the park, the beach before the weather cools, or outside to the hammock.
Encourage your teens to read every single day, even if it means pulling the plug on the phones and other personal devices during non-school hours. Give your teens the freedom to help choose the titles, as they may be more receptive to reading novels, magazines, and nonfiction books that are based solely on their own interests. This is totally fine!
Play Board Games
There are so many cool board games out there that sneak in learning. Here are a few homeschool favorites.
Monopoly – An old stand by that teens still love. They’ll learn to make smart financial decisions and invest.
Blokus – This game requires patterns, math, and serious strategy. Blokus is fun for mid-elementary age kids all the way up to adults.
Settlers of Catan – Like Monopoly, Settlers of Catan is a game of economics and wise investments. Players invest in resources, build settlements, roads, and eventually cities. Generally, the wisest of investors with the most diverse portfolio takes the game.
Get Outside
The natural world is one of the best teachers there is, encompassing every academic subject in a fascinating setting. Not sure where to begin? Try these:
Hunt for rocks, fossils, or artifacts – Even a small backyard or city park is a potential treasure trove for historical and scientific discoveries. Invest in a few field guides and a metal detector, and your teens can become outdoor detectives.
Go bird watching – When it comes to wildlife, birds are probably the most accessible and easy to spot.. No matter where you live, you should be able to find and identify at least a few birds, and if you want to make a project of it, you can contribute your findings to studies around the globe. Check out the Young Birders Network to learn more.
Take a hike – Hiking with your teens is a great way to get some exercise and explore the natural world. Pack a book or two and a picnic and make a day of it.
Whether you create lesson plans or not, learning happens every single day. Inspire your teens to soak up some knowledge with activities that are both fun and educational.
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