Did you always think you’d be the fun mom but your reality is falling short of your goal? We’ve all been there. It isn’t easy to make homeschooling fun and engaging every day, especially once your kids are no longer small and easily impressed. Today I’ve got an idea for you to make your homeschool more fun that is easy and inexpensive.
Make Your Own Cards
If you have a color printer, you can create your own card games to go with almost any topic. Simply search for cards or flashcards about your chosen topic. It could be anything from types of amphibians, to historical figures to artwork. Using the term “Montessori” will often bring up tons of options for printable cards.
Once you find cards that go with your lesson, print 2 sets.
Classic Card Games with Not-So-Classic Cards
Now, you can use those cards to play Go Fish!, or Memory. Remove one card, and you can also play Old Maid. This is a great way to get your kids playing with the information they have learned. The games are quick and asking “Do you have Van Gogh’s Starry Night?” is more fun than asking for a four.
This game also works with purchased flash cards of almost any variety. Just purchase 2 sets of whatever you want to study. If there are too many cards, pick and choose which ones you play with and when. For example, if you’re going to play Memory with cards for each US state you might want to start with just 10 states in round one.
Shake Things Up!
Different games may work better for different sets of cards. Just be open to new ideas. I’m sure there is an exciting round of Old Maid just waiting to be played with flashcards of all the Presidents! You can even let James Buchanan be the Old Maid since he was the only US president who never married.
About the Author
Laura Sowdon, OTR/L is an occupational therapist, writer, speaker, educator and creator of the Five Senses Literature Lessons homeschool curriculum. She has worked as an occupational therapist with children in public and private schools, as well as private practice. Laura has taught and managed homeschool co-ops as well as homeschooling her own three children. Laura is dedicated to the idea of educating children at a pace that aligns with brain and physical development milestones and respects neurodiversity in all its forms.