Strewing is like sprinkling little educational surprises around for independent exploration and to spark curiosity. The next thing you know your kids are learning without even realizing it! It’s a great summer boredom buster or fun to add in with your regular homeschool learning or curriculum. Here’s how you can master this magical technique and add fun learning stations with very little effort. Here’s how to strew with kids…
Using Strewing For Fun Learning Ideas
What is Strewing?
Strewing is the art of strategically placing interesting, educational materials around the house for your kids to discover on their own. It’s like planting seeds of curiosity and letting them sprout naturally.
Strewing is defined as, “to spread by scattering.”
So, in strewing with kids you scatter interesting objects around to catch their attention.
The best part? It’s easy, fun, incredibly effective and works for all ages – from toddler learning to teen learning ideas.
(Just be sure to provide age-appropriate materials.)
Strewing is all about sparking curiosity and making education feel like a natural, fun part of everyday life.
It’s a fun way to help kids dive into spontaneous, self-directed learning adventures and also encourages lifelong learning.
The most important thing about strewing is to provide the items to your kids, but then step back and allow them to discover and use them on their own without your interference!
The Magic of Strewing
Strewing works because it taps into your child’s natural curiosity and love for discovery. By providing a variety of materials and experiences, you’re not just teaching them facts you’re fostering a love for learning that will stay with children their entire lives!
From Boredom to Brilliance: Strewing Tips for Parents
There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but it’s fun to offer things that interest kids and new things that they may not know about yet.
Tips for Successful Strewing
Mix It Up: Tailor your strewing to your kids’ interests, but also add in some random things that they may not be familiar with.
Are they into dinosaurs, space, or art?
Use that knowledge to your advantage to provide those materials, but also make some strew stacks with stuff outside of their interests.
Surprise Factor: Keep things fresh and unexpected.
Rotate the items you strew (and the days you strew) to maintain the element of surprise.
Accessibility is Key: Place items where your kids can easily find and reach them.
The kitchen table, living room, or even the bathroom are good choices, but anywhere they hang out can work.
ALSO READ THIS IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT LEARNING: SURPRISING Benefits of Boredom
Less is More: Don’t overwhelm your kids with strew items.
A few well-placed materials are more effective than a cluttered stack of items.
If kids feel overwhelmed, they’re less likely to engage.
Engage All Senses: Incorporate a variety of materials – books, puzzles, craft supplies, nature items, and even kitchen ingredients and tools.
Anything that can engage senses and curiosity will do!
MORE IDEAS FOR INSPIRED LEARNING: Check Out How I Use Busy Bags In Homeschooling
How To Strew For Homeschool, At Home, Or In The Classroom
Strewing can be used anywhere — in your homeschool or if you’re a teacher and need classroom activities.
I’ve listed a few ideas to get you started, but you can honestly use anything — from rocks to recipes — to strew with kids!
Strewing Ideas For Kids:
Nature Nooks: Create a mini nature corner with pinecones, rocks, shells, and a magnifying glass.
Add a guidebook on local flora and fauna for some backyard exploration.
Art Attack: Leave out a stack of paper, old magazines, colored pencils, crayons, and scissors and a fun picture book on famous artists.
Watch as your little Picassos get inspired!
Culinary Creations: Set up a mini kitchen lab with ingredients for simple recipes, measuring cups, and a kid-friendly cookbook.
Let them whip up their own snacks and learn some math along the way.
Puzzle Power: Jigsaw puzzles, brain teasers, Rubik’s Cubes, and logic games are perfect for rainy day strew items.
Storytime Surprise: Leave a new book in a cozy reading nook or start a summer reading treasure hunt with clues leading to the next book.
Science Station: Set up simple science centers with everyday items to observe.
A jar of caterpillars to observe, a DIY slime station, or even a sensory bin of rocks, sticks, and leaves with magnifying glasses, tweezers, and a microscope for observing.
SEE MY RECOMMENDED MICROSCOPES FOR ALL AGES/STAGES
Music Magic: Scatter musical instruments or DIY music kits around.
A ukulele, a tambourine, or even a simple drum can spark an interest in music.
Math Mania: Leave out fun math games, building blocks, or a Sudoku book.
Even a jar of jellybeans can become a counting and estimation game.
Historical Hints: Place artifact replicas or history books around.
A replica of a medieval sword, an ancient Egyptian mask, or a Roman coin can ignite a passion for history.
Garden Gurus: Offer up all the materials for planting seeds in small pots to grow on the windowsill.
Include a little guide on how plants grow and let them tend to their mini-garden.
Add in some garden books to spark interest.
Do you use strewing in your home? I’d love to hear about it!
