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What to do once the schoolwork runs out??

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Keep reading for over 25 ideas and activities to do at home with kids!

crayons on a white background. title image of blog post "Activities to do at home with your kids."

I’m going to let you in a little secret. Just because I homeschool my kids doesn’t mean I love being around them all the time 😱Huge shock I know. The stereotype of homeschool moms directing every aspect of their children’s lives is very real. But most homeschool moms do schoolwork, in some form or other, and then everyone goes about their day playing and living life.

We have a basic schedule, but for the most part my kids spend a majority of their day playing, reading, or enjoying screen time that they have earned. We only have about an hour of sit-down school work each day. Not because I don’t want to teach them, but because that isn’t how they want to learn.

They want to explore, play, build Legos, read books, invent games, ride bikes, play with the neighbors, go to the library, play video games, etc, etc, etc. And rather than fight them, I have embraced the play-based homeschool life that we have.

It’s why I always recommend playing when people ask what their kids should do when they are done with schoolwork. Just let them play! Fred Rogers said “Play is often talked as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

Tips for Free Play

We started homeschooling in 2013 so my kids have had A LOT of practice perfecting the art of play.

And your kids can learn the art of play also! All you have to do is give them the chance. Set aside a dedicated amount of time as free play. Let your kids know what they can and can’t do. Then get out of the way! Don’t micromanage it. Let them play. Then let them clean it up.

Things to do at Home With Kids

Legos!!

My kids can play Legos all day everyday. Sometimes they build the sets, other times they just build what they want

The BEST Oobleck Recipe

This simple (but messy!) activity will keep your kids busy for hours. No exaggeration.

15 Sensory Activities 

If you don't want oobleck in your house (totally get it) these other sensory activities are also a hit with kids. Hint, not ONE of these is slime!

Boredom Busters 

If your kids aren't used to unlimited playtime, help them get the ball rolling with these simple boredom busters. Plus, you have the option to sign-up for 50 more!

American Flag Craft

If you have leftover craft paper, don't miss this post for an easy American flag activity.

20 Olympic Activities and Crafts

A round-up post with 20 Olympic-themed activities and crafts!

Disney's Frozen Printables

Photo Credit: www.withashleyandco.com

Free printables from Disney's Frozen! My kids played with these paper Olaf's longer than I care to admit. In fact, now that Frozen 2 has come out, they would probably play with them again if I printed them 😂

Printable Crafts

Photo Credit: learncreatelove.com

My kids L.O.V.E. these printable paper crafts from LearnCreateLove. We have been using them for YEARS!! Print a bunch of them off, color and glue them together, INSTANT new toys. It's magic I tell ya!

Read Alouds Chapter Books

Read alouds are the single most important thing we do in our homeschool and we have read A LOT of books. This post has all our favorites and every.one has been listened to by me or my kids.

The Easiest Activity for Read Aloud Time

Jigsaw puzzles to keep hands busy during read aloud time!

Reality Shows You Can Watch as a Family!

Don't shy away from screen time if you need it. In fact, there are some great tv shows out there for families to watch together. Shows like Life Below Zero, Pioneer Woman, and more!

Competition Shows for TV Time

Competition shows are a great way be engaged in what you are watching. This post features shows like American Ninja Warrior, The Amazing Race, Chopped, and more!

20 Family Friendly Movies That the Whole Family Will Love

After my kids gave up naps, they were too young for most of the kids tv shows so they would watch a movie during quiet time. These are some of my favorites that parents will love too!

Be Monica Geller for the Day! 

Take it from the mom with the world's best chocolate chip cookies (that's me!), you won't regret baking these with your kids. Have no patience to bake with kids. Don't worry, I have you covered.

The Impatient Mom's Guide to Cooking with Kids

You can do this. I promise it's not as hard as you think it is.

Play Games!

10 of our favorite board games. I'm not super patient with board games but this list has games that our whole family loves. Plus games they can play independently.

Books, books, and more books! 

The Ultimate Guide to Books for 3rd Graders

Did I mention books??

The Ultimate List of Fourth Grade Books

Keep reading!! 

The Ultimate List of Books for 5th Graders

And yes . . . . . . More books.

The Ultimate List of Books for 6th Graders

State Books for Kids!

Learn more about each of the 13 colonies with these state books for kids! Each list includes fiction and nonfiction picture books AND chapter books about the first 13 states.

More preschool activities! 

This link will take you to ALL our homeschool preschool activities. Even if your child is older than preschool aged it contains TONS of books and printables that kids love.

Mark Twain said, “I never let schooling interfere with my education.” Once the schoolwork is done, don’t stress. Let the kids play. That’s when the real learning begins.

Thanks for reading!

Do your kids get bored when they finish their schoolwork? Interested in play-based learning? Don't miss this post for activities to do at home with kids!

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Welcome, I’m Katie!

Welcome, I’m Katie!

The Surly Housewife is dedicated to helping homeschool moms go from doubtful and overwhelmed to confident and capable. Click on the picture above to learn more about me!

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