The alarm pierces the dark coolness of my room, jolting me awake. Is it morning already? As I wipe my eyes and stumble to the bathroom, the thought of another day of teaching overwhelms me. I don’t feel like homeschooling today. I need a break, and my kids probably do too. But I still need this day to count towards our school year.
This post contains affiliate links
We all have days where we feel like this. Maybe we went to bed late the night before, perhaps we’re sick, or maybe the baby indulged in an all-night kegger (of milk, that is). Whatever the case, some days we just need a break from doing normal homeschooling.
There is no need to feel guilty about that. Here are 5 low maintenance and educational things you can do instead when you don’t feel like homeschooling.
#1 Have a Read-A-Thon
Remember read-a-thons from elementary school? They were so much fun, and the teachers loved them too. All you need are books, puzzles, and all things cozy. Don’t forget a book for yourself! Read-a-thons are fabulous on rainy winter days.
Lighting candles around the house and making a cup of hot chocolate really sets the mood. My kids love read-a-thon days. My fourth grader devours Minecraft books, while my second grader bounces between picture books, beginning chapter books, and Epic!.
What if your child isn’t reading yet? No worries! Did you know there are hundreds of read-aloud books on Youtube? If you’re sick or not in a position to actively read to your child that day, this is a great option.
#2 It’s Baking Day
When I don’t feel like homeschooling, I’m probably (definitely) in the mood for homemade treats. A baking day is a great alternative. I’m pretty sure it’s in the homeschool mom guidebook that we must use baking to teach real-world math, so why not make a day of it? Have the kids plan a menu, order groceries, and have at it!
Pro tip: Cooking with kids is more enjoyable when you work with one child at a time. Also, it’s a pretty special milestone when the kids can cook on their own without burning down the house.
#3 Watch a Documentary
Pull out the blankets, pop some popcorn, pile on the couch together, and turn on a documentary. There are so many great options! From Disney+ to Netflix to YouTube, you can find a documentary on anything you’re currently studying or something the kids want to learn more about.
After it’s over, have a group discussion. Then, the kids can then write a movie review, draw a picture of something they learned, or act out their favorite scene. Seriously, the possibilities are endless.
#4 Pull Out the Board Games
I love board games. Love. Being an only child, I didn’t get a chance to play them as much as I wanted. Well, I’m making up for lost time now! Board games teach so many essential skills.
So many benefits! I really appreciate how there are options for cooperative board games these days. They are a fun way to build up sibling relationships, and it is so sweet to see the kids encouraging each other.
We really like games where everyone either works together for a common goal or everyone benefits from each other’s successes. Some of our favorite board games are:
#5 Pack Up for a Day Outside
Have a change of scenery and get out of the house! Seriously, the forest cures just about any woes, in my opinion. But if hiking in the woods isn’t your thing, that’s ok! Head to a playground, a pond, your own yard, or even a random empty parking lot.
Wherever you can go, you can make it work. My perspective on spending the entire day outside changed when I realized that There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather. We just need the proper gear.
So, friend, pack up all the snacks, lunch, water bottles, blankets, and good outerwear, and enjoy the outdoors! It’s literally a breath of fresh air.
These are all things I do when I don’t feel like homeschooling, whatever the reason may be. I hope this sparked some inspiration for you when you are needing a break.
Did I miss anything? I want to hear about it. Tell me in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to share this post, because these things are more fun when you do them with friends.
Every kid needs a mental health day, it’s so important for their overall health. I think these are great ways for them to enjoy themselves while still learning.
My boys are a bit older now, but we still take out the board games occasionally! Charades is always a winner as is monopoly (which you do need a full day for!) and good old fashioned scrabble! They definitely enough lots of great conversations!
Great post!
Thank you for the ideas! I can use these for weekend activities as well.
Saving this list for those days ??
Yes- I home schooled my kids for 2 years and all I can say is YES! We have done all of these, board games for learning math, reading and geography was fantastic and they had no idea they were learning. We also did art days and would go on a nature hike and paint what we saw or look up a bird that we saw that day and learn about it.
This is timely with spring coming…. I just may need to do a game day soon! We haven’t done that for quite some time!
These are such great ideas for when you’re having a burnout, honestly.