Harnessing the Power of Hands-On Learning in Homeschool

Hello Reader! Welcome back to NEO Homeschool Connections! I'm so excited to dive into today's topic with you…

As any homeschool parent can attest, homeschooling offers incredible flexibility and opportunities to tailor education to a child’s unique needs and interests. Hands-on learning, especially, engages children in ways that traditional methods sometimes cannot. Interactive activities can spark curiosity, foster creativity, and cultivate problem-solving skills. Today, I want share some of my favorite resources for hands-on learning that can enrich your homeschooling experience.

1. National Geographic Kits: National Geographic Kits are a treasure trove of adventure and discovery. From rock and fossil collections to science lab kits and archaeological digs, these kits bring the wonders of the natural world into your home. They're perfect for nurturing a love of science and history through engaging, tactile experiences.

I've gotten a couple of these science kits for my daughter, Maureen, and she's absolutely loved them! My current favorite kits are the junior chemistry kit and the mega sensory science kit.

We made play-doh using the Junior Chemistry Kit (pictured above) and not only did Maureen have fun playing with the play-doh, she also really enjoyed getting to help mix the ingredients!

The slime from the mega sensory kit was a favorite for Maureen. She spent a good 30-45 minutes playing with it, and even learned the term, "non-newtonian fluid."

2. Outside the Box Creations: Art education often gets overlooked, but it’s crucial for developing creativity. Outside the Box Creations offers comprehensive art kits that include everything needed for a range of projects inspired by famous artists and cultural themes. The kits come with step-by-step instructions that make it easy to follow along and learn about the art world hands-on.

As a homeschool mom who struggles artistically, this is one resource I fully intend to incorporate into Maureen's education. I'm so excited to see what kinds of crafts she'll get to make with this subscription service!

3. Reading Bug Box: Ever struggle to figure out what books to get your child? Reading Bug Box is a personalized subscription service that delivers books tailored to your child’s interests and reading level. Each box also includes related activities and books to extend the learning experience beyond the pages. It's an excellent resource for encouraging a love of reading while also incorporating hands-on projects related to the books. Plus, by subscribing to Reading Bug Box, you'll be supporting a small business. Oh, and be sure to check out their podcast, Reading Bug Adventures! I listened to Reading Bug Adventures when I worked as a nanny prior to becoming a mom, and my nanny kids loved it! I highly recommend The Reading Bug bookstore and their products.

4. Lovevery Play Kits: Lovevery Play Kits are designed for younger children, focusing on developmental milestones. These kits include age-appropriate toys and activities that encourage learning through play. Each kit comes with a guide for parents to help facilitate and expand on the learning experiences.

My husband and I have used Lovevery Play kits with Maureen since she was around eight or nine months old. We love the play kits! Lovevery also offers a book bundle subscription that I'd recommend as well. Below are pictures of the 3 books I'm using most with Maureen right now as well as a picture of one Lovevery toy that has stood the test of time as Maureen's favorite toy.

With potty training on the horizon, this has become a staple book in our homeschool.

Pooping can be a challenge when potty training, so I'm grateful Lovevery delivered on helping us work through the pooping challenge.

Manners are a big part of Maureen's toddler/preschool education, so this Lovevery book is a daily read right now.

Maureen & her long-standing favorite Lovevery toy... the ball run.

In case you're curious, this is what the ball run looks like w/o a toddler sticking out of it. Haha! Pardon the background in this photo.

5. CodeSpark: With a dad who works in software development, Maureen's education is destined to include coding. Plus, with today's tech-driven world, coding is an essential skill for the upcoming generations. CodeSpark teaches children the basics of coding through fun, interactive games. The platform uses a no-words interface that makes it accessible for pre-readers and kids struggling with language, creating an inclusive learning environment.

6.Little Passports: As a student in the public school system, I always struggled to find value in History as a subject. It was hard for me to feel that history at all related to me. That's why Little Passports excites me as a resource for Maureen's homeschool. Little Passports is a subscription service that offers globally-themed boxes to help introduce children to different countries and cultures. Each box contains souvenirs, activities, and a travel-themed booklet with fun facts and educational information. It’s a fantastic way to teach geography, culture, and world history in a hands-on manner.

7. Raddish Kids: Cooking was never something I had much of an interest in as a kid, and that was in spite of a significant effort on my mom's part to spark my interest in cooking. As a homeschool mom, I want cooking to be a core part of Maureen's education. Cooking is a life skill, and I believe it's essential to get Maureen engaged in the kitchen from a young age. Raddish Kids is a subscription service I hope to use to aid in my effort to encourage Maureen's interest in and knowledge of cooking.

Raddish Kids combines culinary skills with educational lessons. Each monthly box includes recipes, a shopping list, kitchen tools, and activity cards. This resource not only teaches children how to cook but also integrates lessons on math, science, and nutrition, making learning tasty and fun.

8.Greenlight Card: As someone who struggles with financial literacy and budgeting, I feel very strongly that starting to teach Maureen financial literacy skills young is important. Greenlight card is something I've seen ads for numerous times, and after doing some research, I intend to use this resource as a part of Maureen's homeschool education beginning around age 7 or 8.

The Greenlight Card is a practical tool to teach kids about money management. This debit card for kids allows parents to allocate funds, set spending limits, and track transactions. It also includes features like savings goals and investment options, providing a hands-on approach to learning about finances.

Conclusion: I hope exploring these resources helps you make hands-on learning an exciting and integral part of your homeschool. With tools like the resources listed above, I believe homeschooling parents can create a rich educational experience that fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Hands-on learning not only makes education more engaging but also equips children with essential life skills that will serve them well beyond their school years.

P.S. If you found this post helpful in any way, please consider subscribing so you get all new posts sent directly to your inbox via newsletter. I'll be down in the comments section, so drop your favorite homeschool resources down there, and check back next week for another new topic. Thanks for reading!