As a homeschooling mom, I don’t want my children to be sitting on electronic games for hours on end. Sometimes this is a bit of a struggle for us. I want them to be experiencing other things that do not include a screen and so I decided to compile a list of activities that don’t require a lot of preparation.
List of Activities
- Reading and Audiobooks
- Games
- Art
- Fitness
- Cooking and Baking
- Science Experiments
- Puzzles and Riddles
- Creative Writing and Illustrations
- Music
- Drama
- Scavenger Hunts
- Acts of Service
- Woodworking
- Jewelry
- Sewing
- Nature Study
The inspiration for this post was a conversation I had with two friends this week. We were brainstorming about ways to increase our children’s learning while letting them be independent. Basically, we needed some activities that didn’t require us moms to hold their hands.
So I decided to make a list so I would have it handy when I did my weekly schedule and needed to add an activity.
Before I go any further, I will say that we visit our local public library once a week. Our children have a list of books they must check out in the following categories:
- Science
- Craft, Hobby, Art or How-To
- Biography or History
- Chapter Book
- Cookbook
- Geography
I know you are probably thinking why in the world is she telling me this? When our children check out a book from the library in these categories, it gives them a lot of opportunities for independent activities with very little input from me.
For example, if they check out a book about science experiments then they already have a guide to follow. If they check out an art book full of crafts then they already have some ideas for things to make.
Now let’s get onto the list…
Reading and Audiobooks
One of the reasons I always require a chapter book when they go to the library is because we always have at least 30 minutes of reading scheduled into our day. A chapter book is a good way to ensure they will have enough content to read during those times. As the children get older, they have learned to check out more than one to fill their time.
I love audiobooks! I listen to them myself during my drive time and while I am doing my housework. I do check them out at the library but I have accumulated a lot on my Audible membership. If you don’t have Audible check it out HERE.
One of the things we really enjoy is to listen to them together in our living room for some quiet time with the kiddos. They all get a pillow and a blanket and lay on the living room floor while they are whisked away to an imaginary world of mice who are traveling to England.
It allows me some time to regroup and we all enjoy the story together. And you know what? I wouldn’t even need to be there at all!
When freckle-faced orphan Anne Shirley is mistakenly adopted by Marilla and Matthew, they nearly send her back, but Anne falls in love with Green Gables. Her infectious enthusiasm and lively imagination get her into trouble, but slowly she wins their hearts.
Olly’s on a glacier and a blizzard’s coming! He and Bear must trek across frozen lakes and through deep drifts to get home.
Action has a new hero – Sam Fox! With a talent for attracting danger, Sam Fox is an expert at getting himself into (and out of) the most extreme situations. This series has a strong appeal with a courageous young hero and exotic settings and has non-stop action and short chapters which will engage reluctant readers.
A robber has kidnapped Sam Fox and his cousin Nissa during a tropical Cyclone. When the getaway car crashes into the raging Crocodile River, Sam and Nissa must face one ordeal after another to survive against incredible odds.
Games
Games are a wonderful way for them to be learning and enjoying themselves at the same time. I am discovering ways to incorporate games into my lesson plans while filling their day with fun. We have some favorites that I want to share with you.
Apples to Apples
Apples to Apples Junior is probably my kiddos number one game right now and guess what? Mama is okay with that! This is a game with absurd comparisons while learning all kinds of vocabulary words. They are discussing the meaning of the words throughout the entire game.
Uno
Uno is an oldie but a goodie and it works well with the younger ones too. It helps the younger ones with number and color recognition while the older ones work on strategy.
Head Full Of Numbers
Head Full of Numbers is a great math game as they try to create as many math equations as possible while racing against the clock. This is an especially good exercise for those who are learning all forms of math like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Phase 10
Phase 10 is a favorite of mine and I have a hard time letting them do it independently because I want to join the fun! It teaches us all about using strategy and it’s quite challenging as you learn what phases you need to get.
Bingo
This is one that is so versatile to whatever the child is learning or their specific age development. We have several editions of this game, including Sight Words Bingo, and the kiddos like them all. I have to admit sometimes I allow them to have a mini marshmallow or two when they get a bingo, so that might be one of the reasons they like it so much.
Art
This is where those craft books we check out at the library comes in handy. They have already picked out something they like and so it’s game on. As I am writing this post, my oldest daughter is making “Mason Jar Playdough” from a recipe in a library book she checked out.
I keep a supply of art supplies that is always available for the children to use at any time. We do have a rule that they have to clean up after themselves before they move onto something else. When they have to clean it up, they are more likely to be extra careful.
Explore beloved art styles from the late 1800s through the 1920s with the Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco patterns included in this gorgeous coloring book. Try your hand at completing tapestry designs, Nouveau lampshades, and an art deco building-scape, and many more while indulging in a little art therapy.
This inspiring book is brimming with ideas for drawing cartoons. Easy step-by-step instructions show you how to create all kinds of cartoons, from funny animals and superheroes, to flick-book animations.
Today Luna is going on a school trip to The Art Gallery. We meet Luna’s mom, celebrate great art and new friendships, and learn that not all families are the same.
Fitness
I believe in our children being active! I plan for them to have as much exercise and outside playtime as I can. I prefer for them to be outside playing because the fresh air and activity wear them out in a special kind of way. However, during the wintertime, this can be a bit of a challenge, so they play ping pong or foosball. If they are old enough, they walk on the treadmill for a little bit.
Cooking and Baking
Recently, our kiddos are having a lot more say in the dinner menu. They are picking what they want to make and then on their designated evening, they make it for the family. Not only is this helping me and Rick, but this is also teaching them how to manage a kitchen. They are really enjoying it and I think it’s because they get to choose what they fix.
Science Experiments
One time, I laid out a bunch of supplies and a list of science experiments and told them to go for it. They spent hours mixing baking soda and vinegar while the littles painted ice and watched it melt. Now they check out books from the library and want to perform those experiments.
These simple step-by-step activities combine hands-on fun and scientific investigation.
Find out about the key advances in science through 100 amazing pictures. Discover how scientists invented life-saving medicines, probed the secrets of the smallest particles and sent people to the Moon – and how ground-breaking scientific theories changed our world again and again.
The Usborne Illustrated Elementary Science Dictionary tells it straight and simple, explaining everything children and parents need in order to understand basic level science. This book will help to lay a firm foundation for confidence and success in science. Readers can dip in for quick explanations or work through by subject to build knowledge step-by-step.
Puzzles and Riddles
Puzzles are a great way to pass time and they take a lot of focus and concentration to do. Plus, I did a free unit study that you can check out HERE. It is designed to be an independent task for your kiddos! My kiddos loved it!
Creating their own riddles and seeing if their siblings or friends can solve them is a fun pastime. When you can stump someone else, it always makes your day!
A pocket-sized puzzle book full of games and activities to put children’s math skills to the test. Children can add up the numbers in a mouse maze, complete pizza division puzzles, search for starfish by their coordinates in the ocean and lots more. Full of colorful illustrations and space to draw, color and complete the puzzles, this book is perfect for long journeys and other quiet times. Includes answers at the back of the book so children can play alone or with a friend.
Piece together a wonderfully illustrated 30-piece jigsaw puzzle to complete the breathtaking picture of Cinderella, taken from the hugely successful picture book, also featured in this gift set.
A pocket-sized book packed full of fun, mind-bending puzzles and games. Children can put their brain power to the test by figuring out a pattern puzzle, doing space sums on Saturn and solving riddles. Full of colorful illustrations and space to draw, color and complete the brain teasers, this book is perfect for long journeys and other quiet times. Includes a page of answers at the back of the book.
Creative Writing and Illustrations
I have some very artsy kiddos and so they like to draw pictures and then write stories about them. One of our daughters is working on her very own book! Sometimes, they will draw pictures and then entertain the littles with a little storytime. Everyone really enjoys that!
In this box you will find everything you need to start your writing career: two books loaded with tips and prompts for writing stories, poems and essays, and a handy journal to write down your notes, observations and chapters. Includes Creative Writing Book, Write Your Own Storybook, and Writing Journal.
This is a companion to the very successful Write Your Own Storybook – for kids who want to tell stories, but gravitate toward pictures. Has a mix of partially-drawn comics and blank panels with intro comics as instructions – lots of space for kids to draw their own comics, but they’re never left fully alone with a scary blank page.
A new addition to Usborne’s popular Write Your Own series, this book explains how to make homemade magazines or ‘zines’ from scratch. With step-by-step instructions and tips on everything from making comics or writing advice columns to printing magazines and finding readers.
Music
This one can go one of two ways: They can listen to it or create their own. I will warn you that with either one the parent will probably need earplugs! My kiddos really enjoy both, however, in some cases, their talent doesn’t match their amount of enjoyment.
Little children can hear the sounds of more than 70 musical instruments with these delightfully illustrated sound cards. There are four double-sided cards showing groups of instruments from a cello to a didgeridoo and trombone. Slot a card into the frame, then press the picture of an instrument to hear its sound.
This book and touch-sensitive keyboard is a perfect way for children to start making music. There are ten famous tunes to play with both hands, from nursery rhymes to a theme from Swan Lake. Each key has a shape on it to show how to play the tunes and you can listen to all the tunes at the Usborne Quicklinks website to hear how they go.
Learn to play 10 simple, well-known tunes on the sturdy keyboard attached to the book. Each note is represented with a different color and a different shape, which corresponds to the same color and shape on the keyboard, allowing even young children to pick up the tunes. Children will love being able to play with both hands on this keyboard!
Drama
One of the things our kiddos like to do is act out their favorite stories. Sometimes, one of the older siblings will write a play and then direct their younger siblings in a performance. I always enjoy those as a mom!
In fact, one of my favorite childhood memories is when my sister and I acted out the Christmas story for my parents. There were only two of us and so we had to do multiple costume changes between each scene. Even now, I look back on it fondly!
This book will help you write all kinds of scripts – scary ones, exciting ones, and hilariously silly ones. It’s full of tips and ideas that will help you every step of the way – from planning and writing to putting on your very own shows.https://g10289.myubam.com/p/8349/write-your-own-scripts-ir
Nutcracker and Mid Summer Nights Dream come to LIFE as your child can put on these plays over and over again. The sturdy punch-out pieces fit together to make the theater and the child can change the scenery, put up and down the curtain, read the script for the characters as they act out the plays. The QR codes can be scanned to even play music for the various scenes.
Slot the different pieces together in order to build your own theater. There are set pieces to create and play out two famous plays: The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. There’s different scenery to slot into the theater for scene changes and of course, all the characters and everything you need to put on those two productions. There are six sets of scenery altogether. In the book, you get text and instructions for how to put the plays on, as well as QR codes for specially arranged and produced music to go along with your plays.
Scavenger Hunts
Now, your first thought is I am going to have to create the scavenger hunt… Well, not me! I have my kiddos create it for each other. By simply looking around, they can come up with ideas of items they can place on their hunt. Have them add in a riddle or two and everyone has a lot more fun trying to figure it out.
Acts of Service
Doing things for others is something I encourage all the time but I think I am going to add this to our schedule from now on. I think it will teach them to not only be kind to others but also be on the lookout for what specifically someone else may need.
Jewelry
Making jewelry is an easy pastime and all our kiddos enjoy making these little trinkets. It is a great motor skill activity for all ages and can even be used to teach patterns and tying.
Sewing
Learning to sew all kinds of different creations makes their imagination go crazy! Plus, it is a much-needed life skill for when that button pops off.
I keep my sewing stuff in a sewing kit, so it is easily accessible for whoever wants or needs to use it.
Nature Study
Give them access to a magnifying glass and let them go! You will be surprised at what they come in and tell you. A note of caution; make sure they don’t try to catch the leaves on fire using the sun and the magnifying glass. How do I know this? Yep, I caught my boys just in time because they were fascinated when the leaves started to burn!
I hope this list helps you and the next time you feel like your kiddo is having too much screen time, redirect them to one of these things! As always, thanks for reading!
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