Forgetful Momma

Secular Homeschooling in Canada

Outside

Taking Homeschool Outside this Spring and Summer

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Homeschooling changes quicker than the seasons change, but it also changes with the seasons here. Now that spring is here, we homeschool outside for the most part. For example, once winter hits and the ice rink is frozen, we get our school work done fast so we can head there. Now that the warmer temperature are here, well, things have changed again. These are some of our outdoor homeschool ideas that we enjoy during the warmer months.

Taking Homeschool Outside this Spring and Summer

Taking Homeschool Outside this Spring and Summer

*This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.*

The weather is warm, the sun is shining bright, and who wants to be inside on such a nice day? Not me, and definitely not my children. There is nothing that says you have to be stuck inside in order to be homeschooling and or learning.

Reading Outside this Spring and Summer

Grab some books and a blanket and read. Either quietly to their/yourself, or out loud. These could be pleasure reading or reading textbooks for upcoming work.

Get creative on where you read, change it up. We recently started laying and sitting on the trampoline which is really comfortable. We also just received a lovely platform swing that is going to make a great reading spot.

Science Outside this Spring and Summer

Take science outside. Whether you are setting up a table and doing a science experiment outside or grabbing a magnifying glass and exploring your backyard. Take an up close look at some bugs or leaves, or even dirt.

Garden Outside this Spring and Summer

Planting and growing a garden is an amazing opportunity to learn. There is the plant life cycle to learn about, photosynthesis, the importance of bees, and so much more! Even at 5 my kids were understanding how plants grew, what they needed and why.

Plus, you get a delicious, healthy snack. It is a great way to encourage your children to eat healthy too.

Taking Homeschool Outside this Spring and Summer

Nature Study Outside this Spring and Summer

Under nature study there are a lot of things you can do, that is going to be fun and educational.

Photography.

Nature journal.

Science again.

Do you take your homeschool outside once the weather turns warmer?

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Let Kids Be Kids Outside

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Kids hear often enough that they need to use quiet voices and walking feet in the house or in the school. When we get kids outside let them be kids! Let them run and yell, and be kids.

They need to get that energy out. That’s part of the reason why recess is so important in school. Once they get to be kids outside: having fun, yelling, running, etc; they can concentrate a lot better.

Let Kids Be Kids Outside

let kids be kids outside

Let Kids Be Kids Outside

*This post contains affiliate links, see my discourse policy for more information.*

Tag – Let them Run

Tag is so much fun when you can run as fast as you want. The energy they burn off now will also help their bodies to still calmer at the dinner table or sleep more soundly at bedtime. There are a lot of different versions of tag too. Introduce them to some of them, it will keep the game fresh.

Mud Pies – Let Them Get Dirty

Let them make mud pies with some extra things from your kitchen. A container that you lost the lid to will make the perfect mixing bowl. A spoon that you won’t miss from the drawer.


Hide and Seek

There are so many places to hide outside when your a child with an active imagination… and when you think you can hide behind the truck of a tree.

Chalk – Let Them be Creative on the Sidewalk or Rocks

The great thing about chalk is that it washes away with just water. It doesn’t matter what your kids draw on – sidewalk, trees, toys, etc. Let them get creative where ever they get inspiration. I just washes away with water.


Visit a Playground

We like to go to the playground at least once a week, in the summer, very early in the morning, because the local playground equipment can get really hot. But any time that you can visit a playground is the best time.

Remember to Just Have Fun

My biggest piece of advice here is to let your kids be. Remember how much you loved the playground as a child and let your children love it too. Hubby sits back and cringes as our kids play, but he remembers how much he loved it, and how much they love it.

As a parent it can be hard to let your kids do things that you know can hurt them at some point, but they need to be kids.

let kids be kids outside

Other things for to do outside:

Soccer. Baseball. Kite flying. Science experiments (really get their minds working). The possibilities are endless.

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Summer Sun Screen Protection Activity

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We are already applying sunscreen here, and as of mid May, we have gone through three bottles! Have your kids ever asked why they need sunscreen? This is the perfect way to explain it to them with this sun protection activity. Most kids learn from seeing and doing, so grab sunscreen and a piece of construction paper and get outside.

sun protection science activity

Sun Protection Activity

*This post may contain affiliate links. You can learn more about them in my disclosure policy.*

Once you are outside and have this going, enjoy being outside as a family with some other fun experiments like making a lava lamp, or maybe something a little more messy like a mento and pop eruption.

What you need:

What you do:

  • spray the balm of your hand
  • press it onto the paper before it dries
  • set the paper out in the sun

Before:

sun protection science activity

How long you leave it out is up to you. Try to keep it for the length of time that you spend outside. We left ours out for two hours, the recommended time to go before reapplying. Sooner if you are in water, whether swimming or jumping through a sprinkler.

After:

sun protection science activity

You can see the difference, the purple of the paper without sunscreen is much more faded. When you look at the very first picture in this post, you can see where the rocks with holding our paper down in the wind to get to a better idea of how much it faded.

What does sun damage look like?

When your skin gets damaged by the sun’s rays, it makes even more melanin to try to protect your skin from being damaged even more. That causes the skin to change color:

  • Dark-skinned people usually turn darker brown, or tan, when they go in the sun.
  • Light-skinned people usually turn more red, or burn, when they go in the sun.

Make sure that you talk about the importance of sunscreen and protecting yourself from the suns harmful rays.

What are the top five reasons you believe everyone should wear sunscreen?

  • The ozone layer is depleting and your body needs shielding from harmful rays.
  •  Skin cancer rates are on the rise and sunscreen has been proven to decrease the development of skin cancer.
  • It helps to prevent facial brown spots and skin discolorations.
  • It also helps to reduce the appearance of facial red veins and blotchiness.
  • It slows down the development of wrinkled, premature aging skin.

I’m the mom that loves spray on sunscreen, I can’t help it! The ease of applying it to three active kids every two hours makes it my favorite.

Resources for this Activity

Summer Sun Screen Protection Activity

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Frozen Chalk Paint for Hot Days

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I’m always looking for new ideas for some fun with my girls, whether it’s for inside or for something for outside. I often turn to Pinterest for ideas, and just for something to do in the evenings. You can find a lot of great ideas and kids activities on Pinterest. This frozen chalk paint is easy to do, and fun for kids.

Frozen Chalk Paint

Frozen Chalk Paint for Hot Days

This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.

We’ve painted outside with chalk paint (which is just equal parts water and cornstarch with food color) and my kids always enjoy it, so I though I would add a new element to it. Freezing it! A fun, cool activity on a hot summer day.

What you need:

How to make Frozen Chalk Paint:

Mix equal parts water and cornstarch together. I used a small bowl, and mixed the colors individually this way. I used small popsicle molds. But you could also use ice cube trays with popsicle sticks for the handles.

Apparently my girls are messy painters and would prefer waiting until the ice melts and then pouring the paint on the ground. In the 30°C that we are experiencing they are quickly melting.

Frozen Chalk Paint

After painting a number rooms in a few different houses, I can attest to the fact that they get their messy painting skills from me, their mothers.

The main thing is, they had fun, no matter how they went about it.

Frozen Chalk Paint

We’ll be doing this again and again. It is an easy to make activity and something you can make up and keep in the freeze for some fun through the week.

Tip – add a tiny drop of Dawn to the water and cornstarch mix for easier clean up off hands and clothing.

Frozen Chalk Paint

Ice Chalk Paint

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Active Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Homemade chalk paint for hot summer, art time outside.

Materials

  • cornstarch
  • water
  • Food Coloring
  • Dish soap

Tools

  • ice cube tray & popsicle sticks
  • popsicle tray

Instructions

  1. Mix together equal parts of water and cornstarch. Add in food color.
  2. For easier clean up add a tiny drop of Dawn dish soap.
© Ashley Mullen
Category: Kids Activities