My approach to homeschooling is to keep things as simple as possible. However, there’s no denying that kids love to do things with their hands, some more than others. Rather than invest in pre-packaged “hands-on” curriculum, I have chosen to take a more natural approach. I provide my children with a variety of construction toys (Basic LEGOs , Lincoln Logs, K’nex , Playmobil, etc.) and allow them to “play” with them while I read to them. I used a literature-based curriculum with a lot of reading, and I discovered my children listen better if their hands are busy. Often they will build something that goes along with what they are learning!

I also keep a cupboard stocked with arts and crafts supplies. (Shop in August for back-to-school specials and buy enough glue, crayons, markers, construction paper, etc. to last the rest of the year.) They have to keep it at the table, but I allow my children to come up with their own craft projects to supplement school work, or just for fun when chores are done.

If your children enjoy coloring I highly recommend the quality educational coloring books published by Dover. Or do a search online for “printable coloring sheets.” I have found some really nice ones that way, as well.

Karla Cook rambles about family life, road trips, outdoor adventures, and all things vintage at Ramblin’ Roads.

Photo credit: sxc.com

On our last trek to the woods, we gathered seeds and leaves. My daughter was fascinated by the miniature acorns. The tops reminded her of fairy hats, so we pushed the books aside, gathered supplies, and created dolls. Here is how we did it:

Supplies

• Two complete acorns
• One acorn top (optional)
• Silk flower (stems and leaves removed)
• Yarn for hair
• Glue (I used hot glue)
• Permanent ink or paint

Instructions

1. Glue silk flower on the top of one acorn. Glue second acorn (head) on top of the silk flower.
2. If the bottom is unstable, add the optional acorn top for feet.
3. Cut short pieces of yarn or string for hair. It can always be trimmed if uneven, so don’t worry about length. Put a line of glue around 3/4 of the top acorn just below the stem. Add yarn. Trim when glue dries.
4. Draw or paint a face on the acorn.
5. Enjoy your miniature treasure crafted from nature!

Renae delights in the daily discoveries of her three children. She records the memories at Life Nurturing Education.

I’ve seen many people make beautiful pictures with autumn leaves, but I didn’t know how to describe it to my children. Then we found The Leaf Man at the library.

It has wonderful illustrations of animals made out of leaves. My children and I were excited to go home and try it for ourselves.

Try this simple fall activity with your children:

1. Gather pretty leaves in different colors.
2. Press them in a phone book.
3. Glue the leaves to a large sheet of poster board.
4. Color grass, water, sun, etc…
5. Hang the poster board on the wall for continual admiration.

Simple science observations:

• Notice the colors of the leaves.
• Explore why leaves fall.
• What happens to the leaves after they fall?
• Research the animals you create.
• Discuss animal habitats (water/land).

Every family has a box or bag filled with broken crayons. Instead of running to the store to buy a new box, recycle them! It’s a fun and easy project you and your child can do together.

What you’ll need: Broken crayons, metal baking pan, aluminum foil, cookie cutters

Age range: 2-8 yrs.

Completion Time: Approx 30 minutes

What To Do:

1. First, peel all the paper off the broken crayons and discard. If your child is toddler age, you will probably have to do this part yourself.
2. Have your child dump the broken crayons into a foil lined baking pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes or until crayons are completely melted into a solid, rainbow block.
4. Let the melted crayons cool for about 20 minutes.
5. Using the foil, lift the block out of the pan and place it on the counter. It will still be warm and soft. This is the consistency you want, because the fun part is next!
6. Pick out a few chunky cookie cutters and let your child help to carefully press them all the way down into the wax, making a new crayon each time. You’ll want to start cutting around the edges where it’s cooler, saving the middle for last.
7. Place the cut out crayons on a plastic dish to fully cool. Soon you will be coloring together with your chunky, rainbow crayons!

Talk about recycling while you cut out the new crayons. If your child is a bit young for that, point out the different colors you have made together.

They will love this hands on project, and the chunky size of this new batch of crayons will be much easier for their little hands to hold, and hopefully more difficult to break!
Photo by laffy4k

Visit Barb’ at Backdoor Homeschool Tools for more fun ideas like this one.

Been on a homeschooling nature walk? Brought a few sticks home?

Why not make a stick doll?

A stick doll is easy to make with great results even for little ones. You will need:

• 2 sticks - one with a Y shape and one straight(ish!).
• Some yarn - thick ‘arty’ yarn is best.

To help your child make the doll :

1. Using the Y part of one stick as the legs, place the other stick crosswise to make arms.
2. Starting at the head begin to wind the yarn around the sticks. Catch in the end of the yarn to hold it in place.
3. Keep winding - changing the yarn whenever you like.
4. Tie or stick the end of the yarn in place.

A simple craft using nature - and it makes a great gift too!

For more information on this and other ideas, visit Julie at Homeschooling-ideas.com.