One of my favorite ways to support independent learning is by setting up a simple homeschool learning center. It is nothing fancy and definitely not permanent. It is just a small, welcoming space that invites children to joyfully follow their curiosity. Learning happens naturally as children browse books, handle tools, engage in simple activities, and…
I recently received a question from a longtime member asking if you can use No Sweat Nature Study in high school for science credit. That’s a great question, and I have good news! Take a peek at the original question. My daughters do not want to stop studying with you! We have decided that one…
Rather than eat all that candy sitting around the house after trick-or-treating (or another holiday), why not put it to good use? These fun candy math and science lesson ideas will keep your kids busy, happy, and learning! What will we do with all this candy? Honestly, most of the candy that comes into this…
Are your children overjoyed to learn about soil? Probably not. But, oh, I bet they will be when you introduce these unique activities! Eli and I have had so much fun playing in the dirt AND doing some pretty incredible chemistry experiments. I received free products and compensation from Home Science Tools in exchange for…
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 its overall meaning might surprise you. You see, hands-on learning can actually mean several things. Most obviously, hands-on means “touching” things during lessons. For instance,…
Why would you want to identify rocks and minerals during nature study? Heck, why would you even care to observe rocks when there are so many other things to see in nature? Rocks are boring. They’re dull and colorless. Once you’ve seen one, you’ve pretty much seen them all. Be honest. You’ve thought some of…
Imagine an activity where your child explores creativity, practices art, and enjoys nature—without fear of mistakes. That’s the magic of how nature journaling builds artistic skills in a fun, pressure-free way! This simple practice blends observation, creativity, and self-expression in a relaxed and fun way. Whether your child loves art or feels unsure, nature journaling…
We veered off the “typical homeschool path” this year to teach out-of-the-box homeschool high school chemistry instead. This isn’t the first time we’ve chosen a different path for our son, a smart kid who doesn’t thrive in the textbook world of science. Do you remember how we chose an out-of-the-box biology course last year? Because that course…
Have you ever been to the same nature study destination so often that you almost forget there are always new things to discover? My friend Tracy and her children had visited the same ponds many times over. They never really got tired of exploring, but she found a simple way to refocus their attention, which…
Teaching simple machines through hands-on, experimental lessons is a hit for children. While gathering materials takes just a bit of time, the engagement factor makes this quick and straightforward unit study worthwhile. This post includes affiliate links. Simple Machines Unit Study Before reading the first book about simple machines, set up some little centers for self-discovery….
Your elementary homeschool children will love these spring nature study play dough mats. Playing with dough is more meaningful than you might think! Sculpting with play dough sounds like a preschool activity, but older children can benefit, too. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can practice important science and artistic skills through a motivating…
Looking for a meaningful way to combine math and art in your homeschool? Positive negative symmetry art is the perfect project! This hands-on activity introduces important concepts like symmetry, spatial awareness, and the artistic principles of positive and negative space—all in one simple lesson. It’s a fantastic example of how living math can bring abstract…