You probably spent much of your time in elementary homeschooling completing hands-on activities and projects to enhance your child’s learning, but these tend to taper off as kids get older and play is replaced by textbooks. Here are forty hands-on activities that your older kids will love (and will keep them learning!).
One-Time Activities & Projects
History & Geography
- Use invisible ink to write a spy communication
- Perform an archaeological dig
- Create authentic-looking uniforms for the Civil & Revolutionary Wars
- Make your own historic newspaper
- Bake some pioneer hardtack
- Direct your own historic film
- Make a topographical map
- Create a salt dough map to represent an area
- Determine north with a homemade compass
Science & Math
- Plant dissection project
- Create an animal cell / plant cell
- Anatomy resources (tons of hands-on fun!)
- Model the human brain
- Create a robotic hand
- Practice taxonomy with candy
- Bake an eyeball cake
- Make your own lava lamp
- See how enzymes work
- Grow your own mushrooms
- Learn the constellations
- Watch crystals grow
- Set up a compost system and watch it in action
- Maintain an ant farm
- Use red cabbage to learn about acids and bases
- Study the mathematical concept of Pi
- See surface tension in action
- Create working circuits and electrical connections
- Practice statistical concepts using M&Ms
- Apply math using real-world concepts
Culture & the Arts
- Cook meals from around the world
- Study contemporary art with Andy Warhol templates
- Throw handmade pottery
- Japanese Shibori craft
- Chalk Pastel (free e-book)
- Get up close with nature photography
- Study digital technology by making a Lego stop-action design
- Bake up homemade bread (learn how to donate it for good!)
Download a printable checklist of hands-on activities for upper grade kiddos!
Subscription Box Projects
- Craftsman Crate (See a full review here) This is the perfect box for teen guys who want hands-on projects. It’s also a convenient way to try out new hobbies, use your hands to create, learn skills you can keep using, and have fun, too! Comes with real tools, complete kits, and a new project every month. There are also video reviews for this box on our YouTube channel. Use coupon code FIRSTTEN to take 10% off The Cost: $33.77 / month (price drops with 3, 6, and 12 month subscriptions)
- Creation Crate Learn how to program and build electronics with new and more challenging projects delivered to your door each month! Creation Crate uses hands-on projects to teach 21st century skills! Users receive a new project/course every 30 days with access to an Online Classroom. Projects become more challenging as you learn new skills. All projects and courses are approved by STEM.org. Original Crate $29.99 / month
Summertime is for campfires, outdoor sports, enjoying nature, and fun! Head over to In All You Do to check out these great entertainment ideas that are both frugal and fun for the whole family.
Summer is synonymous with fun and games, but who says learning can’t join the party? This summer-themed math fact game board from Schooling With Grace, turns fact practice into an engaging math fact adventure for your early elementary age student.
The American flag is probably the most easily recognized flag in the world. In this American Flag Mini Unit Study from Homeschool Helper Online, your elementary kids will learn about Betsy Ross, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Star Spangled Banner, the significance of the stars and stripes, how the flag has changed over time, and more with multi-subject, hands-on activities and lessons.
In this S’mores and Camping Unit Study for Early Learners from Whole Child Homeschool, your kids will learn about the process of making s’mores, the science of marshmallows, and the history of our national parks, as well as reading cute camping stories and pretend playing “going camping” and “making s’mores”. There are also several activities for your older kiddos too, like planning a campfire cookout for the family so be sure to read through and find the activities that will work best for your family.
Whatever adventures await you this summer, more than likely you’ll want to avoid a crisis. No one likes to have the perfect summer outing hijacked by a child’s inability to handle water on shorts, a nagging need for a snack when no allergy-friendly options are available, or a serious medical issue. Our Crazy Adventures In Autismland shares some ideas on How To Pack The Perfect Backpack For Autism Summer Adventures.
Looking for fun and affordable ways to keep your kids busy this summer? This list from My Joy-Filled Life is packed with simple, budget-friendly ideas like backyard games, DIY crafts, and outdoor adventures that are perfect for keeping kids entertained without spending a fortune.
Whether you are planning a stay-cation or want to plan a mini backyard camp, Ten Minute Momentum shares some great ideas for summer fun with kids!
Summer is the perfect time for play…regardless of age. Homeschool on the Range has forty hands-on activities that your older kids will love (and will keep them learning!).
Looking for a fun summer boredom buster? Look no further than these cute summer-themed I Spy Find and Count printables from Heart and Soul Homeschooling. Practice counting skills and more with these colorful worksheets. Includes some tips for using them creatively to keep kids engaged with learning skills this summer.
