I mentioned that last week I had a couple of commitments...one was a "Mom's Night Out" for my homeschool group, SASCH. (Smyrna Area Support for Christian Homeschoolers)
As an aside, I joined this group a few months ago on the advice of a new friend who homeschools. Turns out that several women from my church are part of SASCH, and that there's a bigger network of homeschoolers than I thought! While we're not formally "in school" yet, it's nice to spend time with people who are like-minded about our children's education...plus the boys have met some new friends! We go on field trips a couple of times a month (last month we went to a pumpkin patch and the Center for Puppetry Arts), there's a Mom's Night Out once a month, plus parties throughout the year for the whole family (so the daddies don't feel left out!).
Anyway, at last week's MNO we did an activity bag swap. It's the same idea as a cookie swap...everyone chooses an activity bag project and brings one for everyone who participates. That way you go home with a variety of bags!
In case you don't know what I'm talking about, activity bags are literally ziploc bags filled with a "busy time" activity to keep a younger child entertained while you homeschool the older child. It can also be an activity to teach an older child a simple concept like math or shapes/colors.
Anyway, the MNO was at Rev coffee and it was so much fun getting to know these ladies better! Plus I left with 11 bags of fun games.
If you're interested in making your own stash of bags just google it and you'll find lots of crafty, fun ideas from other moms. For my bags I did a "Pom Pom Stuff It In" activity...basically I used small tupperware containers (4 for $1 at the Dollar Store) and cut a small hole in each lid using a utility knife. Then I stuffed each container with an assortment of brightly colored pom poms (you can buy them in bulk for cheap at Hobby Lobby or other craft store). The idea is, you dump the pom poms out and the child can push them back into the container through the hole. What a simple concept, and they LOVE it! Who would have thought that was so entertaining? Both my boys have spent chunks of time playing with it.
In the photo above Elijah is playing with the pom poms and below you can see Ian working on a "Button Snake" activity...basically small pieces of felt that have a slit cut into them are "buttoned" onto a piece of ribbon. Not only is he getting to practice fine motor skills but it can also be an opportunity to teach about colors and counting.
As we explore our bags and have fun with some of the other activities I'll post more photos and descriptions! If any of my other mommy friends would like to do a similar MNO and bag swap I'd be all about doing it again!
As an aside, I joined this group a few months ago on the advice of a new friend who homeschools. Turns out that several women from my church are part of SASCH, and that there's a bigger network of homeschoolers than I thought! While we're not formally "in school" yet, it's nice to spend time with people who are like-minded about our children's education...plus the boys have met some new friends! We go on field trips a couple of times a month (last month we went to a pumpkin patch and the Center for Puppetry Arts), there's a Mom's Night Out once a month, plus parties throughout the year for the whole family (so the daddies don't feel left out!).
Anyway, at last week's MNO we did an activity bag swap. It's the same idea as a cookie swap...everyone chooses an activity bag project and brings one for everyone who participates. That way you go home with a variety of bags!
In case you don't know what I'm talking about, activity bags are literally ziploc bags filled with a "busy time" activity to keep a younger child entertained while you homeschool the older child. It can also be an activity to teach an older child a simple concept like math or shapes/colors.
Anyway, the MNO was at Rev coffee and it was so much fun getting to know these ladies better! Plus I left with 11 bags of fun games.
If you're interested in making your own stash of bags just google it and you'll find lots of crafty, fun ideas from other moms. For my bags I did a "Pom Pom Stuff It In" activity...basically I used small tupperware containers (4 for $1 at the Dollar Store) and cut a small hole in each lid using a utility knife. Then I stuffed each container with an assortment of brightly colored pom poms (you can buy them in bulk for cheap at Hobby Lobby or other craft store). The idea is, you dump the pom poms out and the child can push them back into the container through the hole. What a simple concept, and they LOVE it! Who would have thought that was so entertaining? Both my boys have spent chunks of time playing with it.
In the photo above Elijah is playing with the pom poms and below you can see Ian working on a "Button Snake" activity...basically small pieces of felt that have a slit cut into them are "buttoned" onto a piece of ribbon. Not only is he getting to practice fine motor skills but it can also be an opportunity to teach about colors and counting.
As we explore our bags and have fun with some of the other activities I'll post more photos and descriptions! If any of my other mommy friends would like to do a similar MNO and bag swap I'd be all about doing it again!
1 comments:
What great ideas!
Post a Comment