It’s mid-February, have you hit the homeschool slump yet? If so, you are not alone.

We feel it too.

The excitement of the holidays has long passed and we are counting the days until Spring.

If you find yourself in this predicament, here are some fun ways to beat the mid-winter blues.

1. Relocate

Sometimes all it takes is moving to a different setting to put a whole different spin on the day.

If you typically work in a designated room or the dining room table, choose instead to sit on a bed, lounge on a blanket on the floor, or even head outdoors.

We enjoy piling the pillows up on a comfy rug, then take turns reading aloud from a shared book.

2. Take the day off

One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the ability to set your own schedule.

Whether you call it a snow day, mental health day, or just a much-needed break, taking a day off to relax and refresh can kick start renewed enthusiasm for school.

3. Play Games

This is one way to continue school on the sly. Your kids won’t know it, but they are learning!

So many skills can be learned during game play that this idea deserves a post of its own. Briefly stated, game play teaches math and reading skills, hones fine motor skills, and introduces littles (and their older siblings) to winning (and losing) gracefully.

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4. Have a ‘Life Skills’ Day

Bake, cook, do laundry, clean… by the end of the day they may be begging for school to resume! (ha ha).

But seriously, these are skills they need to learn anyway, so why not take a break from routine and focus on this for a bit.

If you are uncertain of all the skills you should be teaching your kids, there are plenty of lists around. Keep an eye on my blog, as I will be sharing a list of my own in the next month or so.

5. Go on a Field Trip

Sometimes you just need to get out of the house.

Many museums, science centers, and zoos offer free or reduced admissions for homeschooling families or co-op groups.

To access these discounts you may need to get a Homeschool ID card.

You can purchase one or make it yourself. For details and instructions, click here to read my ID Card blog.

 

6. Host a “Natural Disaster Week”

Yes, really! We did this a couple of years ago and it proved to be interesting and practical. It took a bit of prep work, but it was worth it.

Each day we focused on a particular weather event such as hurricanes, volcanoes, or avalanches. We learned what caused them, how to prevent them (if possible), how they are measured and, most importantly how to stay safe and what to do in case of an emergency.

First aid and preparedness training can be a part of this disaster unit too.

I found information online, checked out books and DVDs from the library. We also watched several YouTube documentaries which led to some interesting discoveries.

Did you know about the molasses flood? Neither did we – look it up!

7. Let’s Party!

Everyone loves a party!

You don’t really need a reason but if you want, there are several calendars which display special days (National Pi Day, Son/Daughter’s Day), or silly celebrations like Backwards Day or National Scribble Day, which is March 27th (created by self-published author Diane Alber in honor of her Scribble book series- see a few of her books below).

You might want to celebrate the birthday of a favorite author, missionary, explorer, or scientist.

Another option is to celebrate achievements.

When my kids were in public school they had a ‘100 Days of School’ party. You can adapt this to whatever goal you’d like. Learning to read, a perfect score on a spelling test, or learning to tie their own shoes are some of the ideas I can think of off hand.

(I created a 100 Days of School countdown calendar, you can view it by clicking here).

8. Learn a Handicraft

Crafts such as cross-stitching, knitting, or crochet are wonderful for developing fine motor skills, ecnouraging creativity and are a productive alternative to screen time.

Simple patterns and tutorials are readily available in craft stores and online. If you are on a budget, check out thrift stores for supplies such as yarn, knitting needles, or even Aida cloth (for cross stitiching).

I’ve even bought a few pattern books at yard sales!

9. Start a Family Tree Project

Put on your roving reporter hats and grab a microphone!

Interview members of the extended family, then take photos (or draw pictures) to complete a family scrapbook.

Interview questions might include jobs they have held, places they have lived, their thoughts or beliefs on specific topics (such as world events), and tendencies which migh have been passed down (such as dimples, being double-jointed or a genetic disorder).

Not only will they be interacting with loved ones, but honing interview and writing skills. Win-win!

10. Join a Church Group, Homeschool Co-op, or 4-H Group

Many denominations offer youth groups. These typically meet on a weekly basis, during the evening. Popular clubs include AWANA, Pioneer Clubs, American Heritage Girls, and Trail Life USA. The church of my youth offered Cadets and Calvinettes (now Gems). These groups were similar to Boy and Girl Scouts with crafts and activities, but teach scripture and church doctrine as well.

You may opt to join a homeschool co-op, which essentially is a group of families who get together for educational classes, extracurricular activities, and socialization.

Finally, 4-H Clubs offer kids hands-on experience in a wide variety of skills. Leadership, civic engagement, science, health, and argricultural classes are offered. Kids may participate in competitions including the State Fair.

Well, that is my list for now. I hope these ideas get you energized and excited to try something new.

If you have more fun ideas, please don’t hesitate to share them in the comments.