Homeschool Ideas I:

Time Out For Fun!

Use these homeschool ideas for simple but rewarding activities you and your children can enjoy together. You will find some that are appropriate for tots through teens. Make an ordinary day extraordinary!

(Put them into action to relieve frustration, as a fill-in, as a reward, as a distraction, for family night, etc.)

Activities for the Younger Set

*Balloon Expert--Keep a supply of balloons on hand. Blow up several and try to keep them in the air in a variety of ways, using only: the left foot, head, right elbow, a spoon, flyswatter. Have the youngsters alternate or play catch.

*Homemade Finger Paint--Mix 2 cups flour with 2 teaspoons salt. Add 2 1/2 cups cold water. Stir until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to 2 cups boiling water. Boil until smooth and thick. Add food coloring, then stir until smooth.

*Create a City--Pick a spot that can be undisturbed for at least several days. Then help the children "design" a city. They can name it. Use a train set, blocks for buildings, toy figures, animals, cars, boats, etc. Let their imaginations soar. For instance, cardboard tubes make perfect tunnels and race tracks!

The children can make up stories and "act them out."

*Hidden Pictures--Draw a mass of curving and straight lines on a white sheet of paper. Ask the child what he sees. Then color it. Reverse the process; he draws, you color. Just see what you'll find!

*Picture Puzzle--Find a large picture in an old magazine. Cut it up into as many pieces as there are people playing. Give each a picture piece and have them work together to put it back together. Just glue it to a white sheet of paper for a keepsake. (Don't laugh. I save all of the children's "stuff." You should see our basement!)

This can be adapted. For example, once the youngsters "get the hang of it," you could cut the picture into twice as many pieces as there are players. Each gets two pieces.

*Personal Notebook--Find scraps of fabric. The children can cut and arrange them in an appealing design. Then glue them onto the cover of a notebook. Their personal notebook can be used for prayers, Bible verses, favorite saints and other heroes, creative writing, goals, etc.

*Historical Word Jumble--Have your child complete the one for this month.

*Dominoes--Line up the dominoes. Watch them fall. See how many patterns they can create. It's fascinating and the possibilities are endless.

I always have to set a timer for this homeschool idea. The children can really "get into it."

Grab these opportunities to spend unstructured, quality time with your youngsters. Relax and enjoy making pleasant memories.

Art Projects

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