Apples of Gold Home School News

You probably have so many plans for summer that you don't even want to think about anything school related. So don't.  Relax. Have fun. Look at some old activities in a new way. It's all education anyway.

Here are some ideas:

1.) Throw stuff out. Have the kids help you sort out the books you no longer need. Clean the shelves. Empty the bins. Downsize on "stuff". Feel refreshed.

2.) Garden. Go to farmers' markets. Visit nurseries. Buy flowers, or better yet, make a regular occasion of going out to pick fresh, wild bouquets.

3.) Hunt for treasures at flea markets and rummage sales. I love sales, but after the first couple, the summer begins to implode and I don't get to as many as I'd like. If you can manage it, allow your kids the fun of finding hidden and inexpensive treasures at garage sales. 

4.) Enjoy church activities that you don't always have time to be involved with during the school year. Get together with friends. Enjoy small group studies. Find a ministry that suits your family.

5.) Find a book that you'll read together ONLY when it storms and the power goes out. Something funny, maybe, or whatever appeals. Strongly. (Okay, if you have to, create a forced power outage:)

6.) Go camping, even if it's in the back yard. Roast things on sticks (preferably not frogs or anything weird like that -- haha!) Learn a new outdoor skill like orienteering or outdoor photography.  Post your experience online for your family and friends to share.

7.) Send your kids on a scavenger hunt while you enjoy a good book or some other relaxing activity.  Plan ahead enough to be able to keep them at it for a while. Offer a reward at the end to spur them on. Then let 'em go!

8.) Have lots of picnics! I'm bad at this because I'm disorganized. If you're like me and feel grilling impaired, develop a system. Organize your stuff so you can enjoy more outdoor meals.

9.) Watch movies with the express purpose of having your kids give an oral review of them afterward. Or better yet, ask them what favorite movie they want to watch, and have them persuade you why the family should choose theirs. (Good persuasive speech skills!) If they win, maybe they can hand out movie tickets, and choose the snack.

10.) Spend time drawing and painting, preferably outdoors in good light. Whether it's fingerpainting, painting on mats, chalk drawing on the sidewalk, or making silly or serious sketches in a notebook, encourage an artistic flair. If you take a road trip, you could encourage a drawing from each place you visit, or one from each state you cross, or whatever else you think of.

I hope this gives you some ideas for adding a twist to regular summertime activities. Mostly I hope it helps you have fun in the sun and a great summertime!