Mom asks: Do you have any ideas for winter fun?Help! Any suggestions for activities for the kids to make it through the winter blues of February? or a muddy Spring?

Mallory:  Every. Single. Homeschooling. Mom is wondering the same things . Seriously can’t wait for spring to get here so we can go outside regularly.

Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them and purchase I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Oh we also dyed the dog blue. 

(Yes, that’s right. One of my mom friends shared this picture with me. Apparently the kids were so bored, they asked her if they could dye the dog’s coat. She let them dye the dog blue. I give the kids bonus points for creativity and she gets mom points.)

Homeschooling Ideas for February Winter Fun

So as you can see from all the comments above from the Homeschooling Forums*, obviously February should be called Homeschool Mom Mental Health Awareness Month.

Valentine’s Day Gift for Homeschooling Moms: Winter Fun!

So for Valentine’s Day this year, here are some ideas for winter fun:

🎨1) With my art background, I like using art to teach. A fun project is to take one still life and then to render it in different media (acrylic paint, pen and ink, markers, crayons, watercolor).

What is a still life? Generally it means painting things that aren’t alive. A still life can include all kinds of man-made or natural objects, cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, a teapot and so on.

One year we drew a large maple leaf, about 18 inches by 24 inches. Then we divided it into different sections- one for each child to complete. I love that maple leaf painting because it represents the whole family!

You can also paint in the style of different artists: da Vinci or Rembrandt (Renaissance), Monet (Impressionism), Picasso (Cubism) and Jackson Pollock (Abstract Expressionism) for example. Use a smaller piece of paper for each one (4 x 4 ” square) and then display them all together on a poster board. It makes a great display and helps them remember the different periods of art history.

2) You can make a family quilt that shows what the past year has been like in your family. Include your own unique way to memorialize births, weddings, any trips you could take, deaths, frustrations, schooling, etc. There are so many fabrics and ideas out there, you will have to put time limits on finding ideas, ordering or finding material, and putting it all together.

3) Have an Oregon Trail unit (age appropriate): Include costumes, cooking, medicine, routes, care of animals, read diaries and then write your own diary of a “Day on the Trail.” There’s a lot of info on this topic to help you. Older children can research a particular person and “interview” them, recording the video and sharing it in my Homeschool Christian Mom FB group.

From my friend Cassandra: I like trying to get my kids to do minute-to-win-it challenges. For example, I gave them red plastic cups and asked them to build the tallest structure and have it standing by the time the minute is done. Or have a whole-egg-on-a-spoon walking challenge.

4) Some people work on getting their vegetable gardens started for winter fun but it is still a little early for that here in upstate New York. Still, it is rewarding to see the plants coming up and growing happily when it is all cold and snowy outside. If you don’t have a green thumb and want to try having some plants in the house, try some hardy indoor plants. I recommend spider plant, peace lily, snake plant, jade plant or Christmas cactus.

5) You might want to turn your plant project into a science fair project. For example, each child gets 10 bean seeds. They have to come up with a watering and fertilizing schedule and journal their progress. Find out which strategy works to get the first bean crop!

6) Birdwatching can be fun. What birds come to your feeder? What if you switch foods or add suet? What time of day does each bird show up? See if you can get some good photos. We enjoy interacting with our feathered friends up close. If you can stand really still outside, chickadees will land on your outstretched hand to eat sunflower seeds.

7) Paper airplanes are a good activity. My brother and I used to make paper airplanes and mount them on a string from the ceiling at one end of the hall to the floor at the other end. We had 2 lines so we could race each other. Hot Wheels tracks can be used the same way.

8) Play a new card game but first make your own cards! The 8-10 year crowd usually gets into this project. One of my students who liked cars made a card game where you had to collect the letters to spell A-U-T-O-M-O-B-I-L-E.

9) Other kids like the idea of making up their own  board game. This takes more skill than you would think. Problem solving is involved here. Designing and coloring the board and making game pieces uses all those creative juices.

10. And of course, get outside when you can. Bundle up and make it a goal to spend some time each day out in the fresh air. Go for a walk in the woods. Do you have snow and a hill? Go sledding, tubing, or snowboarding.

Are you in town?

Walk for 15 minutes one direction and then 15 minutes the other direction. I would probably end up walking to the library so I could read when I got back home. Ahhh, fresh air! There’s just something about being outside that is both refreshing and rejuvenating.

Bonus Ideas for Winter Fun

You can change your schedule as needed. You have heard that your children will grow up quickly but this is also true: The years go fast but the days go slowly. So what do you do on those slow days?

• Have a daylong study of a topic of Interest: Medieval knights, Castles and Keeps, Coming to America, How Does a Laser Work, Magnets

• Be a Reporter for a Day: Interview an Older Person about their childhood days and write out what you find.
• Plan out an elaborate party for an upcoming holiday. Even if you don’t get to use all your ideas, it is fun to plan.
• Read a book by your favorite author and write a book report. If you don’t want to write, be ready to talk about your book to an adult for 4-5 minutes.
• Draw flags from your favorite 4 states or countries and be able to tell about them.
• Draw 10 interesting and odd bugs! We loved this project.
• Make a personality flag art project! You may be surprised what you learn about your child through this project. Details here.
• Write the grandparents. They will be so excited to hear from you!
• Make soup for a themed dinner.  Chicken and Rice Soup is delicious, and  Rich Tomato and Vegetable Soup is comforting.

I post recipes that our family actually eats! Why? Because no matter how good a homeschooling day you have, you (usually) still have to make something for dinner! I hope you enjoy this recipe.

You might also like: Cream of Asparagus Soup

Warm and Comforting Spinach Artichoke Dip

No More Repetitions with 3 Sanity-Saving Tips to help your homeschool day go better!

I am Elizabeth Estelle, Homeschool Christian Mom, providing timely  access to homeschooling answers for moms who have an “I’m stuck” moment during the day.

Homeschool Christian Mom Elizabeth Estelle is ready to help you!

© 2023  www.homeschoolchristianmom.com

Let’s connect:

• Join me! Homeschool Christian Mom FREE Facebook group with tips on grading, scheduling and more!
• Youtube: Homeschool Christian Mom These videos discuss homeschool scheduling, working with your Littles, thinking long term, and many other topics.
• Twitter   @hmschchristnmom
• Instagram @HomeschoolChristianMom
• Do you need some extra homeschooling help? Use this link to get on my calendar and let’s chat! Move from being a hesitant homeschool mom to a happy homeschool family.

*All quotes used with permission