Homeschooling is what you make of it. It can be as expensive or as cheap as you want. However, just because you don't drop a lot of money doesn't mean you child will have a bad educational experience. Here are my top ten activities that will enrich your whole family's homeschool experience and not break the bank.
1. Battle of the Books
Most libraries around the country will host a battle of the books tournament for free year year. We live in Grand Rapids, MI and our local library puts on a battle every spring for 5th- 8th graders. Each battle looks different depending on the library but all contain so many skills that are so important for kids to learn. The kids have to read, write notes, comprehend, retain information, and stand up on a stage in front of a lot of people give their answers. It's public speaking, writing, reading, teamwork, and memorization all rolled into one! It's such a great event. Our library picks such great books every year and there is something magical about standing in an auditorium full of kids who love to read. I feel like this event reinforces so much of what I want for my kids.
2. Junior Ranger Program
The National park system has a FREE program call the junior ranger program. Students fill out paper work that has information about the park on it and then once they complete the packet they turn it in to a ranger and then they get a free badge. These packets really help the kids learn and remember the special things about the parks. Some parks you can print off the packet at home and complete it before you enter the park. Also, 4th graders can get a car full of people into the national park system through the kid in every park program.
3. Attend a program at a nature center
Nature Centers often have free or cheap quality programs. There are plenty of learning opportunities to be had. We have experienced a lot of great programs at nature centers. We have also purchased nature center memberships and then had access to nature centers all over the United States.
4. Attend story time at the library
When your kids are preschool and kindergarten age story times at your local library provides wonderful opportunities for your kids. These are usually free. Kids learn to sit and listen to another adult. They get to interact with kids their own age. Story times also provide great books and sometimes crafts too. They also give you an excuse to drop off and pick up new books once a week. It's also a good opportunity to meet other stay at home parents.
5. Join a Rock and Mineral Club
Many towns will have rock and mineral clubs. These are usually free or very cheap. Our club was free but if you wanted to earn badges it had a small annual fee. We met once a month and at each meeting the kids would learn about rocks and minerals and also get to take home 10 new rocks each week. The kids learned a lot and had a lot of fun.
6. Learn a new sport through your local parks and recreation program
When homeschoolers are in middle school and high school they can join sports in their local school districts. Most elementary schools do not offer sports. Team sports offer lots of learning opportunities. Kids learn team work, how to follow directions, learn about sports, and of course get physical activity. Club sports are very expensive but local parks and recreation programs are usually affordable and often offer sibling discounts.
7. Get an ASTC membership
ASTC museums are apart of a network that allow you free entrance into each others museums. Their are over 350 museums that share this reciprocity. Not only do you get entrance to all these museums but you get extra privileges in your home museum. There are endless learning opportunities with these memberships. Our home museum offers a family membership for $65 for the whole year. We get alot for our money with this membership!
8. Take advantage of your local college
Pay attention to the community outreach that your local colleges offer. Our local community college has a science day each year. We've toured the culinary division too and learned about how someone becomes a chef. We've visited the veterinarian department at Michigan State University. My son had done a math circle at another local college. All of these are free or cheap events and not only to your kids learn while they are there but they are getting exposure to the idea of higher education.
9. Join an AWANA program
These programs are fantastic. Our church did not have an AWANA program so we found one in our community. The kids work hard to memorize scripture. These programs help the kids to have some of those public school experiences. They get to have themed days like crazy hat day. They say the pledge of allegiance. They get to experience scooters during game time. They also get some great socialization and you get a night off which is so life giving for homeschool moms.
10. Join or create a nature club
Wild and Free is a homeschool nature program. They have curriculum and conferences and local chapters all over he United States. The program itself is free but the extras are additional costs. I've never done a wild and free group but I have organized nature walks on a regular basis with friends. We've also organized a running club and put on our own 5k. It is so good to get kids outdoors and moving.
Bonus: Teenpact and First Robotics
Teenpact is a mock government experience for students. Students meet at there state capitals and get tours of the building and then they get to work. Students learn how a bill becomes a law and how politicians are elected. The kids write their own bills and then some of the kids bills become laws through out the day in their mock government. I was pretty impressed. It is cheap for the younger one day conference but the older kids stay for a week and it gets pretty pricy. It is a great experience and the kids will learn alot.
First Robotics leagues are so cool. The first year is expensive. But all the years after are affordable. The kids build robots and compete each year. These are the same teams that will compete when the kids are high school that can lead to college scholarships or immediate job opportunities. When the kids are young they often have lego leagues.
There are so many learning opportunities for kids that don't cost a lot of money. They just cost time. As homeschoolers this is our most precious commodity. Because we don't send our kids to school for 8 hours a day we have more time to give them different opportunities that allow them to explore things they are interested in.
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