Keeping in touch with the change in seasons can be difficult in a busy homeschooling life! One way your family can stay connected to the seasons is by decorating a family tree.

Photo by Clearlyambiguous

Find a stick or twig in the shape of a tree. We chose quite a large one (probably too large!!) but any size will do. As the seasons change decorate the tree to reflect the season. Use your imaginations! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Spring – make pretty blossoms from rolled up pieces of tissue paper. Glue them to string and tie them to the branches
• Summer – cut summer vacation shapes from construction paper such as buckets & spades, deck chairs, & sunglasses
• Fall – make & cut out handprints to represent beautiful autumn leaves
• Winter – make snowflake cut paper art to make a lovely winter tree

Decorating your tree will become a ritual to welcome each new season, and will give your children a feel for the passing of time. The tree has become part of our life – and our home – reflecting the season outside.

When she is not writing for Homeschool Hacks, Julie is thinking up creative ideas for her website Homeschooling-ideas.com – and bribing her children to try them out!