Category Archives: Activity Ideas

Target Releases Its Cheapest-Ever Thanksgiving Meal Deal

Target is lowering the price of its Thanksgiving meal bundle, adding to the roughly 8,000 products that have been discounted as it attempts to attract inflation-weary shoppers during the holiday season. Priced at $20, a $5 decrease from 2023, the Thanksgiving meal feeds four people and includes all the usual holiday fixings: a frozen turkey (up to 10 pounds), potatoes, canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, a boxed stuffing mix and jarred gravy. The deal is a mix of name brands and the Target-owned Good & Gather label. “One of the themes we consistently hear is the need for … Continue reading →

Learning Social Skills in the Summer

Nothing has plagued the homeschooling movement more than the idea that a child, who is not immersed in a traditional classroom setting, would be deficient in social skills.  In fact, some families have shunned the idea of educating their children at home because they feel the choice would turn their kids into social outcasts. This is a complete fallacy. There are a myriad of opportunities for homeschooled children to learn how to get along with their peers, though, summer often provides the most varied choices.  Some of the most popular include: Camps:  Some homeschool co-ops organize their own summer camps, … Continue reading →

Homeschool Field Trip: Peachy Keen

Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of Mother Nature’s bounty and look beyond the walls of your home for some fantastic homeschool lessons. For clans with students of varying ages, a field trip to a u-pick farm can be a real treat.  Most states feature fields, orchards and sprawling acreage designed to give city folk a taste of country life.  These green spaces are bursting with seasonal produce including corn, strawberries, tomatoes and my daughter’s favorite—peaches. Picking sweet, juicy, tree-ripened peaches lends itself to a slew of hands-on lessons.  For starters, a field trip to a peach orchard … Continue reading →

Make the Most of Summer Travel

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Whether you homeschool year-round or take time off during the summer months don’t let the season of sunny days fly by without a few fun lessons. Family road trips are the ideal vehicle for hands-on learning.  Rather than allow your kids to blow travel time watching movies, playing video games or annoying their siblings have them master geography using colorful flashcards or practice math facts using your vehicle’s odometer and mile markers along the highway. By involving the entire family in some interactive “car-schooling” your kids will have the states and capitals memorized in no time.  To test your children’s memory … Continue reading →

Free Homeschool Resources

Cut down on your homeschooling expenses by taking advantage of getting free homeschooling materials. Hurry, because some of these offers will only be available for a short time. Free Romping & Roaring Letters D, E, and F Printable Packs Letters are more fun to learn when you play great games. Download a free Romping & Roaring Letters D, E, and F printable packs. Free Write Through the Bible Cursive Copywork Bundle Printables  These materials usually cost almost $18, but you can get them free through July 26, 2013. The kit, Write Through the Bible Cursive Copywork Bundle,  includes three full years … Continue reading →

My Favorite Backseat Traveling Toys

Homeschool is a misconception since most who homeschool are rarely home.  As summer hits we are home even less.  Each of my kids are signed up for an activity, a day summer camp, or a volunteer opportunity.  I make sure they are not overloaded but with four kids I am always dropping off or picking up someone.  My two little ones are always in tow no matter whose day it is to go somewhere.  As you can image they get bored with all the driving around.  Since my older two kids have the most to do it leaves my little … Continue reading →

iPad App: Skip Counting

Product:  Skip Math Format:  iPad/iPhone App Made by:  Math File Folder Games Grades:  K-3rd Objective:  To teach skip counting through play. Features: Game can be customized for a boy or girl by choosing an avatar.  In addition, the child can take an image and use that on the avatar.  Game has several levels with increasing difficulty from practicing skip counting from 2-11. Can be used as a multi-player game using Bluetooth. The game keeps track of speed and score. Navigating the Skip Counting App Once you begin the game your child will be prompted to type in his or name … Continue reading →

Glee Gum: Candy Kits to Make Education Delicious

  At a Glance Product:  Candy Kits:  Chocolate Candy Kit, Chewing Gum Candy Kit, and Gummies Candy Kit By:  Glee Gum Cost:  $13.95 each or $37.67 for all three. Use:  Critical thinking, social awareness, hands-on activities, science, following instructions Ages:  5 and up Homeschool Method:  Any Rating:  4 out of 4 Stars What are Candy Kits? Candy Kits will add just the right amount of sweetness to your homeschool naturally.  Each kit comes with pure and natural ingredients to make favorite treats for kids and adults.  Not only does the kit provide what you need to make delicious treats but … Continue reading →

Quilled Easter Crafts

Quilled Easter Crafts What You Need: Strips of construction paper approximately ½” wide, in assorted colors Toothpick or other object to wind the paper around Craft glue Card stock What You Do: Have him press the end of a paper strip onto the side of a toothpick. If he is using a slotted tool, ask him to thread the end of the paper through the slot. Show him how to carefully twirl the paper, keeping the edges as aligned as possible. If he is using an un-slotted tool like a toothpick, instruct him to hold the tool in place as … Continue reading →

Spring Activities

  Pine Cone Bird Feeder Supplies Needed: A large, open pine cone Vegetable shortening, lard or suet Oats or corn meal Bird seed A few feet of string Directions: Tie a few feet of string to a pine cone. Cover the pine cone with the mixture below. Roll the pinecone in birdseed and then suspend it from a tree branch outside. Food mixture: Mix 1/2 cup Vegetable shortening, lard or suet with 2 1/2 cups cornmeal or uncooked oats until well blended. Optional: add dried fruit (chopped up), chopped nuts, seeds (especially sunflower and millet), and/or suet, which are high-energy … Continue reading →