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by Cindy 10 Comments

How to Build a Hands-On Homeschool. It’s Easy!

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These days, it seems like hands-on homeschool is a buzzword of sorts.  What’s all the fuss about?

Let’s define hands-on first.

It’s best to define hands-on first because I think it’s overall meaning might surprise you. You see, hands-on learning can actually mean several things.

Most obvious, hands-on means “touching” things during lessons. For instance, rather than reading about simple machines, you actually use simple machines to learn about their characteristics. Or, when learning about the rock cycle, you make your own rocks by taking them through a rock cycle simulation.

Similar to the definition above, hands-on can also mean learning by doing. When you learn about Colonial history and actually do several of the tasks that would have been done during that era, that’s hands-on. As is cooking or baking.

Hands-on can also mean connecting somewhat abstract ideas to experiences that build concrete understanding. In other words, real-life experiences become building blocks in the brain so that harder concepts make sense. For example, using snap cubes to help a child “see” the formulas for calculating perimeter, area, and volume. Or, using beans to teach how scientists determine a taxonomy.

When a child is actively engaged in problems solving or critical thinking, we can call this hand-on learning, too. They are “on” rather than simply taking in information. STEM/STEAM type activities can fall into this category, as can can project-based learning.

In all of these, you can see hands-on learning is an active form of learning that requires children to “do” something in order to learn about it.

There are so many wonderful reasons hands-on homeschool. There are even more wonderful ways to go about it. Learn the why's and how's in this perfectly practical post.

Why would someone want to have a hands-on homeschool?

Depending on the type of activity (based on the definitions above) there are many valid reasons for adding hands-on learning to your school day:

  • To build real-life understanding
  • To meet the needs of children who learn visually or kinesthetically
  • To help a child understand an abstract concepts
  • Because it can require higher order thinking skills that are often missing in textbook curriculum
  • To maintain interest in learning

Isn’t a hands-on homeschool messy?

It might or might not be messy, depending on the activity. Nature study is hands-on, but rarely messy. Science experiments are hands-on and can be messy sometimes. Art projects are hands-on and tend to be messier.

The goal isn’t to worry about the mess – instead, teach clean-up part of the process. When messes are necessary, they’re also worth it.

Doesn’t it take a lot more time?

Again, it might or might not take more time to teach in a hands-on way. I would lean toward saying ‘yes’ most of the time, but again – it’s worth it.

If a child isn’t getting a concept or they’re bored to the point of not taking in the information anyway, the extra time spent in hands-on learning will be invaluable in the end.

Hands-On Homeschool

Over the years, we’ve naturally integrated hands-on learning into our schedule. Not every day, mind you. Some days are just perfect for workbooks and literature.

But there are, oh, so many ways to add a little here and a little there – and every little bit can go a long way.

Easy Ways We’ve Been a Hands-On Homeschool

Nature Study

Nature study is hands-on science at it’s best! In fact, I like to call it our outdoor science lab.

NaturExplorers - a great way to study science!

Science Friday & Science Kits

To make sure we take the time for the hands-on side of science for topics that don’t fit well with nature study, we’ve enjoyed the occasional science Friday and have used lots and lots of science kits over the years.

Science Friday is a fun way to get in science experiments.   Elementary science experiments are easy using inexpensive prepared kits.
Living Math

Because we purposely spend a day or two a week outside of the math textbook, we’re able to get in lots of hands-on math. These living math lessons have been SO good for conceptual understanding and practice of higher order thinking skills.

Living Math Resource Page

Unit Studies

Unit studies and hands-on learning go hand-in-hand. We’ve had so much fun with these studies over the years!

Links to all Cindy West's unit studies over the years - history, science, geography, government. Includes living literature and project-based learning ideas.

Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning is easy to do alongside unit studies, but it’s a method that can be used in any subject area at almost any time.

Project-based learning is a great tool when homeschooling middle school!

Gameschooling

Games are very hands-on and many of them are also very educational! We use educational games in our homeschool all the time – even in preschool.

Games are a very important tool for learning in our homeschool!   These educational games for preschoolers will keep your little ones learning AND having tons of fun.
Brain Training

Speaking of games, we have been using games and other hands-on activities to exercise our brains through brain training. Worth it!!

Brain training - fun activities for building cognition, attention, processing speed, and memory.

Field Trips

There are so many wonderful field trip opportunities out there that can engage and inform our children (and us) in unique ways. I consider field trips as important as bookwork in the big picture of homeschooling!

Field trips offer so many wonderful hands-on learning opportunities!

Outside Courses

We’ve been very blessed over the years to have the help of some outside teachers for wonderful hands-on experiences. Our Jr. Master Gardener course was one of the best! We’ve also taken part in hands-on co-op classes like woodworking, pottery, Shakespeare performances and more. Oh, and I can’t forget the little Keepers of the Home group. A few moms got together and took turns teaching our girls skills like cake decorating, flower arranging, crochet, scrapbooking and more. Mercy, these are good memories!

Just one of SO many wonderful, hands-on activities from our Jr. Master Gardener's class at the local extension office.

Can you eat using your pincers?

Art & Artist Study

Art is naturally hands-on and an important addition to a well-rounded homeschool. We’ve braved the mess many times over and lived to tell about it.

A huge list of lesson ideas and resources for monthly artist study!

Character Building Lessons

It might be hard to believe, but we’ve even found ways to turn character-building lessons into worthwhile hands-on activities!

Practical Lessons for Teaching Values Across the Curriculum

Timelines

Even something as simple as keeping a timeline can add valuable hands-on learning experiences to your homeschool.

Timelines help with the understanding and retention of history. This post shares all kinds of timeline ideas.

Charlotte Mason Narration 

This one might be the hardest to believe…but there are even ways to turn a seemingly non-hands-on lesson into hands-on when a certain kiddo would benefit from some more active or visual stimulation. This Charlotte Mason narration help lesson is a good example.

When Charlotte Mason narration is a struggle, this story order lesson can give just the visual (and active) stimulation your child might need.

Hands-On High School

Yep. Even high school has had some fantastic hands-on moments. Two notable moments you might like to read about: at-home high school dissection and our student-led equine course and apprenticeship.

Five easy steps to teach high school dissection at home.   A high school science plan with a bent toward equine studies

That’s a Wrap

I hope you can see that adding hand-on learning here and there into your school day is really pretty easy. And worth it – especially for kiddos with learning styles that require something more than a textbook.

Please remember that adding hands-on learning to your schedule doesn’t have to mean a complete revamp of your day-to-day homeschooling life! As you’ve heard me say many times over – DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOUR FAMILY.

Share your thoughts about a hands-on homeschool! How has it helped your homeschool – or a particular child? Do you consider it overwhelming or worth it – or both? Where have you found the most benefit? Any tips for us?

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Last Updated: August 24, 2017 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, History & Geography, Living Math, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature, Unit Studies Tagged With: hands-on, multi-age, project-based

Previous Post: « 40 of the Best Ways to Homeschool in the Car
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  1. Pam says

    March 6, 2017 at 9:21 am

    I love all things hands-on. When my sons were younger we used Five in a Row and it was wonderful. Now that they are teens I find it harder to incorporate this. I want to and we do but not as much as I’d like to. I am looking for a Physical Science for my 8th grader. He just finished up General Science using Apologia and it was a lot so I’m looking for something different. I love the suggestions you made for high school biology using Ellen McHenry’s books and my 10th grader is happy for that change. I’d love to pull together my own curriculum but I’m not sure how to do that. Any suggestions? Thank you for always inspiring me and other moms.

  2. Mimi Pollack says

    March 7, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    Hello, I am very impressed with your living literature grammar packs. Are you planning to create something equivalent for older grades? Thank you.

  3. Cindy says

    March 7, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    Mimi, that’s the #1 question I get asked. 🙂 Maybe one of these days I’ll write a similar curriculum for older kids, but it’s not currently in my plans.

  4. Homeschool Literature says

    March 7, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    I love the idea of gameschooling! I never knew this was actually a thing until recently, but it sounds perfect! What a fun way for younger kids to learn!

  5. Tina says

    April 20, 2017 at 12:51 am

    I am not a hands-on person (I’d rather read a book), but all 3 of my kids really need it. I have discovered that if I’m planning to do a particularly involved project one day, my best chance for success is to do it during the time of day when I’m most awake and alert. So for instance, if you’re not a morning person, or if you typically find yourself starting to droop after lunch, don’t plan a big project for that time of day! Even if we normally do that subject that our project fits with during one of these less optimal times, I always try to rearrange the schedule that day so we do that subject at my best time of day. Projects always end up being more fun and more fruitful when I am at my best!

  6. Cindy says

    April 20, 2017 at 8:10 am

    Totally agree!

  7. cassandralynndorman says

    June 6, 2017 at 9:12 am

    Great ideas. Love that so many of the hands-on things are just life learning. I admire you for getting into messy science EVERY friday. Wow… (bows). 🙂

  8. Cindy says

    June 6, 2017 at 10:27 pm

    Oh, not every Friday. (Shudder) Occasional Fridays are fun. Every Friday would take me out. LOL

  9. Danielle says

    July 14, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    Hi we will be new to homeschooling. Is there a program out there that has more lessons with hands on activities rather than 100% worksheets. I want more hands on learning.

  10. Cindy says

    July 14, 2020 at 9:53 pm

    Hi Danielle. Welcome to homeschooling. There are lots of hands-on programs depending on what age level and subjects you need. I have written a hands-on science program called NaturExplorers that you might like to check out. 🙂 https://ourjourneywestward.com/product-category/nature-study/

Primary Sidebar

NaturExplorers Science Curriculum

NaturExplorers guides are perfect for the 1st-8th grade homeschool, co-op or classroom. This highly adaptable curriculum series uses nature study as the starting point for science lessons that reach into every other subject and meet all learning styles.

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As I was sorting bookshelves earlier this month, I stumbled across this sweet book again. I decided the blessings are still as pertinent today for my bigger boy as they were years ago. So, we’re starting our day yet again with a quick, but powerful “letter from God” before jumping into our daily Bible studies.
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