Ways to Add More Fun into Your Homeschooling Lessons

Are you and your children looking for fun and creative things to add to your homeschooling lessons? Getting into a rut of all work and no play can make learning stagnant. In fact, your student is more likely to succeed in learning when you purposefully make it fun to learn. Even the toughest of subjects or concepts and be comprehended when adding fun activities.

Homeschooling can become boring and monotonous so it’s important to create ways to keep your children interested and motivated. Adding fun things to your homeschooling lessons can help your students learn the concepts of their lessons while creating an inviting environment. Even as an adult we attain information in creative and fun ways.

7 Tips for Adding Fun to Your Homeschool Lessons

• Play more games – Look over your current lesson plans and write down what subjects can easily incorporate games. Just about every lesson you teach can add a game element to that lesson. For example, Bingo can be used for math and reading. There are versions of number bingo and word bingo. Search online to find games related to your specific lesson.

• Add Music – Incorporate music into your homeschooling day can bring a sense of peace and calm. There is music that contains lyrics or even just instruments. Depending on the lesson your child is learning, try to match that concept with music. If your student is learning new vocabulary words see if you can find instrumental music and allow your student to create the lyrics using their new words.
• Go on Field Trips – Leave the classroom and going on a field trip is the most popular way to bring fun into your homeschooling lessons. You may be surprised at how many field trip options are available to you today. Keep in mind that field trips are not limited to just one subject, in fact, you can combine lesson concepts into one field trip. For example, if you are introducing math and nutrition you could schedule a trip to a local bakery. Many bakeries offer field trip experiences just be sure to call ahead and find out their rules.
• Let The Kids Decide – A student-led curriculum is often overlooked but shouldn’t be. Many students know how they learn best and what is considered fun. Give your students the opportunity to let you know what they enjoy and what is fun.
• Keep It Simple – The best way to add fun to your homeschooling lessons is to just start where you’re at and don’t overthink it. Look at your local community and see what type of activities are available to you and your children. Is there an after-school group that allows homeschooled children to participate? Can you use your backyard as a scavenger hunt that’s focused on natures’ study?
• Aim For Connection – Homeschooling is not about perfection, it is about progress. Keep in mind that your fun activity should bring you and your children together in a fun and enjoyable way without having any drama. If things don’t go exactly as you envisioned, don’t worry, because this is all part of the learning process.
• Be Flexible – If you have a fun activity planned and for some reason, it cannot be completed then have a backup plan in place. Homeschooling requires you to be flexible and this is an important part of life that your children will need to learn and understand.

Now that you have covered some top tips for adding fun to your homeschooling lessons, let’s delve deeper into those tips.

10 Fun Ideas for Homeschool Lessons

1. Board Games – Look through your closets and storage shelves. Pull out all the games you own and let everyone decide on one game to play. You can even allow one person to create new game rules with the idea of incorporating a school lesson
2. Play Music – You can have music playing in the background throughout the house during school hours. Another option is to make a game of guessing what song is playing. These types of quick fun breaks throughout your schooling day can help the students release any built-up energy.
3. Incorporate Art – Get out those watercolor paints, markers, glitter, glue, and scissors. Let your students create any art piece they want, even if it’s messy. Remember, messes can be cleared up after the fun ends. If you would like to give them official art lessons be sure to look online for homeschooling art classes.
4. New Language – Learning a new language is both fun and educational. Ask your child if they prefer the language they want to learn. If you want to make this even more fun, then consider having the entire family take language classes together.
5. Craft Time – Consider purchasing craft kits for each student and allow them to take time throughout the week to work on this project. This is especially fun and welcomed when a student is learning a new concept that might be causing them some stress. It’s always a good idea to keep extra kits on hand for last-minute activities
6. Outside Breaks – Break up your day by going outside, taking walks, or just going for a ride. Getting out of the homeschool setting gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy fresh air and sunshine.
7. Movie Night – Come together as a family and decide what documentary or movie you would like to enjoy. Make this even more enjoyable by adding everyone’s favorite snack and beverage. Consider making this a monthly family date that everyone can look forward to.
8. Cooking Lesson – Cooking is a great activity that allows you to incorporate math and science in a fun way. Make this even more special by allowing your child to choose an age-appropriate recipe. Keep it simple and easy at first, then build on your child’s strengths and interests. Don’t force your child to try something that is of no interest to them, but instead encourage them to try something new.
9. Scavenger Hunt – This is a fun activity that can take place indoors or outdoors, whatever you and your family enjoy. Children of all ages can enjoy this scavenger hunt by either using word clues or picture clues. Have a fun prize for everyone that participates and encourage your older students to help the younger ones.
10. Party Time – Be sure to schedule monthly celebrations where you can highlight each student’s accomplishments. Be sure to include every student and make them each feel that they are appreciated. Include prizes, snacks, and even party decorations. You could even invite other homeschool families to join in the celebration.

There really is no limit to the fun you can include in your homeschooling lessons. Try thinking outside of the classroom and see what is in your local community and state. What is unique to your area? How can you include those elements into your homeschooling day?

Celebrating achievements and milestones in a party setting can really make your child feel special, but don’t stop there. Consider looking online for unique and weird national holidays that you can put on your calendar. This will really make your homeschooling lessons more fun.

Hands-On Activities to Boost Learning

Learning does not just come from textbooks and flashcards, in fact, most learning happens when we least plan for it. Consider the age and maturity of your child before you begin with any of these hands-on activities. Below are some hands-on activities that you can include in your homeschooling lessons.

• Interactive Map – Create and build a 3-D map that includes both history and geography. Explain things such as why Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt are mislabeled on a flat map. These types of maps can explain wars, civilizations, and cultures from around the world. Maps can be created out of paper mache, salt dough, cookie dough, and crispy cereal.
• Create Costumes – This would be especially fun for your budding tailor. All kids seem to love to play dress-up. When they are allowed to make the costumes themselves then it can be even more enjoyable. You can incorporate store-bought or DIY costumes, or a combination of both. Sewing is an activity that requires math skills and is a great way to help children of all ages to learn new math concepts.
• Puppet Show – Puppets can be store-bought but are so simple and fun to make using socks. Allow your student to help write the storyline and design their own puppet character. Allow the student to perform their play without interrupting them. Remember, you are not looking for perfection or to critique your child because the focus of this activity is for the child to learn creativity, imagination, and understand the people, places, and events that they are currently studying.

The skills that could be included in this type of activity may include the following, as well as other related skills:       

• Dialogue
• Descriptive Writing
• Public Speaking
• Art
• Creativity

• Public Speaking – This is one of the most dreaded adult responsibilities and the sooner you involve your children in this activity the better off they will be later in life. Allow your student to research their topic in-depth, then use software such as PowerPoint slides. Students of all ages can learn this skill. Keep in mind that each student prefers to learn in the ways they like and understand best. Many students may be shy. If you are dealing with an extremely shy child be kind and do not pressure them with a long or speech.
• Earth Models – These are fun for students to make, just be aware that is it messy. This type of project works great for learning or understanding history, science, and geography. This is a popular project for creating a 3-D model of the earth and solar system. You can get ideas for projects by looking online for ideas or even the pictures that are in the textbook.
• Themed Meals – Meals can represent concepts of any lesson you are learning. For example, if you are learning about Pi Day you could make a dessert pie or even a pizza pie.
• Book Reports – Instead of having your child write a book report allow them to find items or draw pictures that represent the story. As the child collects these items allow them to place them in a container such as a box or a bag. When it comes time for the students to give their report, all they must do is take one item out of the bag at a time and tell you how that item fits into the story.
• Notebook Stories – No longer are you and your student reliant on paper notebooks for reports. Today’s technology allows you to create interactive stories by using laptops, computers, and even smartphones. There are apps available to homeschooling families that allow you to create digital forms of written stories.
• Plastic Models – You are no longer limited by model airplanes or cars. There are unlimited plastic models for every person of every age. These models are often used in a diorama. However, you can use these on their own. If you want a unique, option have your child create a diorama using a shoebox and construction paper.
• Alphabet Book – This is not just for elementary students. In fact, high schoolers can have a lot of fun with this type of project. This is often called an “ABC Book” and can be adapted for every subject and lesson being taught.

Don’t allow yourself to rely completely on textbooks and workbooks to teach lessons as this can lead to boring schooldays and make your entire homeschool family dread learning at home. Once you have your school lessons planned for the week, try to take some of these ideas and incorporate them. You may be surprised at just how much your student learns all the while you are creating educational and fun memories.

Homeschooling gives you freedom and flexibility to add any curriculum, celebration, and field trip at any time you desire. It is up to you to direct the lessons and activities but be sure to listen to the students’ ideas because they may have ideas and suggestions of their own.