Looking for learning alternatives to school? We have homeschool alternatives, how to keep learning at home when you need another option or during emergency schooling at home, and information on how can parents support learning at home and supporting student learning at home.
What can I do instead of school?
There are many different ways to learn outside of school and with learning in home!
- Watch documentaries and learning channels.
- Play board games and video games.
- Go on virtual field trips.
- Cook to practice reading and math skills.
- Read about something that you’ve never learned before.
- Take online classes in a topic that interests you.
- Follow artists, authors, and illustrators on their YouTube channels.
- Hike and nature journal, including identifying animals, plants, and trees.
- Learn about a different country and cook a dish from the country.
- Volunteer and learn how to help a non-profit!
SEE OUR FULL LIST OF LEARNING ALTERNATIVES TO SCHOOL BELOW.
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We also get a lot of questions about alternatives to public school, so let’s cover that here, too.
What are the alternatives to public school?
- Private schools
- Homeschool learning
- Schooling at home (yes, they’re different!)
- Independent online courses / online school / learning at home courses
- Charter schools
- Unschooling
For the purpose of this post, we’re going to assume that you’re doing some kind of homeschooling, unschooling or emergency schooling at home.
Let’s get to our learning at home activities (and even good for summer learning at home)!
Cool Learning Alternatives To School
(That don’t involve worksheets!)
Alternatives To School #1: GAMESCHOOLING
Did you know gameschooling is a thing?
(FOR REAL, YOU GUYS.)
With gameschool, people mainly use games as a way of learning because there are SO MANY “subjects” that can be covered with games: math, reading, spelling, history, geography, strategy, critical thinking skills, teamwork, and SO MUCH MORE.
CHECK OUT OUR 58 GAMES RECOMMENDED BY PARENTS
Alternatives To School #2: WATCH AND LEARN
Watching movies is not only fun (AND OH SO EASY), but you can make a learning tool by pairing some theme activities with it.
CHECK OUT OUR THEME LESSONS HERE
Documentaries and historical series are also a great way to learn!
(If you haven’t watched Foods That Changed America on History Channel, definitely put it on your list. It’s interesting enough to hold adults and kids’ attentions and full of cool history!)
Alternatives To School #3: PODCAST & PLAY
Put on a learning podcast (my kid learns SO MUCH from WOW IN THE WORLD) and let them play a quiet game or do arts and crafts while listening.
You can also use audiobooks!
TRY A FREE AUDIBLE TRIAL FOR 30 DAYS!
Alternatives To School #4: GET OUTSIDE.
I know.
I know.
I keep recommending this, but it really is true.
GET OUTSIDE, not just for the exercise and mood booster (BONUS), but there’s so much kids can learn outside:
- Nature journal (draw/write what they see)
- Do a nature scavenger hunt (grab our free scavenger hunt printable)
- Make an “outdoor classroom” using some of these amazing ideas:
- New to hiking/nature walks and being outside? NO WORRIES. Check out our hiking guide specifically for beginners!
Alternatives To School #5: VIDEO GAMES.
Yep.
You read that right.
I’m a big proponent of using tech and video games in learning.
- Kids want to code their own games? There’s a free learning tool (Scratch) through MIT that’s user friendly and easy to get started.
- Read about one of THE BEST tech learning tools we’ve ever used.
- Practice typing/keyboarding with these FREE games.
Alternatives To School #6: COOK.
Cooking is a great way to learn!
(You can learn more about why cooking is important for kids on our sister site!)
And, what’s better than being able to eat something after learning?
- Pair a children’s book and theme recipe
- Watch YOUTUBE cooking classes
- Search out your favorite chefs and watch their FacebookLives or YouTube channels
- Watch cooking shows on TV
Alternatives To School #7: GO ON A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP.
Did you know many museums, zoos, aquariums and nature centers have some sort of virtual field trip or live webcam you can use?
Here’s an awesome list to get you started.
You can use many alternatives to school work to learn! Let your imagination run wild!
STARTING HOME SCHOOL? CHECK OUT OUR HOW TO HOMESCHOOL GUIDE
