Here is a complete list of all the maple sugar events happening in Northeast Ohio in 2020. If we missed one, let us know and we'll add it! Ashtabula County Maple Sugaring Tour at Bissell Maple Farm When: Saturdays only, March 7 & 14, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 82 W. Ashtabula St., Jefferson, OH 44047 Cuyahoga County Maple Sugaring When: Saturday, February 29, 2020; 10am-11am Where: Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Pkwy., North Olmsted, OH 44070 History of Maple Sugaring at Cleveland Metroparks When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 1, 7-8, 14-15, 2020; 10am-3pm Where: Rocky River Nature Center, Maple Grove Picnic Area, 24000 Valley Pkwy., North Olmsted, OH 44070 Science of Maple Syrup When: Friday, March 6, 2020; 6:30pm-8pm Where: North Chagrin Nature Center, 401 Buttermilk Falls Pkwy., Willoughby, OH 44094 Geauga County Tree Tapping Ceremony at Burton Chamber Log Cabin Sugar Camp When: Saturday, February 8, 2020; 10am-4pm Where: 14590 E. Park St., Burton, OH 44021 Maple Town Tune Traders at The West Woods When:Thursday, February 27, 2020; 7pm-10pm Thursday, March 26, 2020; 7pm-10pm Where: 9465 Kinsman Rd. (Route 87), Russell, OH 44072 Sap's-a-Risin'! at Geauga Park District When: Sunday, March 1, 8 & 15, 2020; 12pm-4pm Where: Swine Creek Reservation, Swine Creek Lodge, 16004 Hayes Rd., Middlefield, OH 44062 Maple Sugaring Time at Geauga County Public Library When: Thursday, March 5, 2020; 4pm-4:45pm Where: Middlefield Branch, 16167 E. High St., Middlefield, OH 44062 Timbertots: Maple Sugar Time! at Geauga Park District When:Saturday, March 7, 2020; 10am-11am Monday, March 9, 2020; 10am-11am or 1pm-2pm Where: Swine Creek Reservation, 16004 Hayes Rd., Middlefield, OH 44062 Tappin' Sunday at Geauga County Maple Festival Sugarhouse When: Sunday, March 1, 2020 Where: Historic Chardon Square, Chardon, OH 44024 Maple Sugaring Tour at Pleasant Valley View Farm When: March 7-8, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 8810 Madison Rd., Montville, OH 44064 Maple Sugaring Tour at Mother Hen Farm When: March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 8801 Pettibone Rd., Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 Maple Sugaring Tour at Butternut Maple Farm When: March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 12911 Butternut Rd., Burton, OH 44021 Maple Sugaring Tour at Red House Honey When: March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 12831 Auburn Rd., Munson, OH 44024 Maple Sugaring Tour at Seldom Seen Farm When: March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 12831 Auburn Rd., Munson, OH 44024 Pancake Breakfasts at Sirna's Farm Fresh Kitchen & Pizza When: Saturdays, March 7 & 14, 2020; 9am-2pm Where: 11773 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 Maple Madness Tour at White House Chocolates When: Saturdays only, March 7 & 14, 2020; 10am-6pm Where: 14609 Kinsman Rd., Burton, OH 44021 Maple Sugaring Tour at Burton Chamber Log Cabin Sugar Camp When: March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-4:30pm Where: 14590 E. Park St., Burton, OH 44021 Grossman Brothers Maple Products Open House When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 12147 Claridon-Troy Rd., Chardon, OH 44024 Maple Madness Tour at Sugarbush Creek Farm When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 13034 Madison Rd., Middlefield, OH 44062 Maple Madness Tour at Sugar Valley Maple When: Saturdays only, March 7 & 14, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 15771 Chipmunk Ln., Middlefield, OH 44062 Maple Madness Tour at IQ Maple Syrup When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 18266 Thorpe Rd., Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 Maple Madness Tour at Maple Valley Sugarbush When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 13262 Chardon Windsor Rd., Chardon, OH 44024 Maple Madness Tour at KC Maple Syrup and Candy When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 16350 Hard Rd., Montville, OH 44064 Maple Madness Tour at Salo Maple Products When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 16434 Leggett Rd., Montville, OH 44064 Maple Madness Tour at Messenger Century Farm When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 17098 Messenger Rd., Auburn, OH 44021 Maple Madness Tour at Richards Sugarhouse Maple When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 545 Water St., Chardon, OH 44024 Ma & Pa’s Gather Sap with the Horses Maple Tour When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 15161 Main Market Rd. (Rt 422), Burton, OH 44021 Lake County Maple Sugaring Weekends at Lake Metro Parks Farmpark When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 7-8 & 14-15, 2020; 9am-5pm Where: 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094 Lorain County Maple Sugaring Weekend at the Lorain County Metro Parks When: February 29 & March 1, 7-8, 2020; 11:30am-3:30pm Where: Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH 44050 Mahoning County MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL Dates: March 21, 2020 Time: 8am-2pm Location: Boardman Township Park 375 Boardman Poland Rd, Boardman, Ohio 44512 Medina County Fulton Farm Maple Syrup Tour & Pancake Breakfast When: Saturday, March 21, 2020; variou times Where: Buffalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Rd., Seville, OH 44273 Phone: (330) 722-9364 (Registration is required.) Summit County Maple Sugar Festival at Hale Farm & Village When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 14-15 & 21-22, 2020; 10am-4pm, Breakfast served until 3pm Where: 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, OH 44210 Wayne County Maple Madness Tour at Elm Run Farms When: Saturday, March 7, 2020; 10am-5pm Where: 16808 Burkhart Rd., Orrville, OH 44667
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While it has been fairly mild for a Northeast Ohio winter, by February, it always starts to feel like winter is getting a little long. So, here is a list of fun local things to do to survive the last month of winter! 1. Visit the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Rink at Wade Oval. A great way to feel like you're getting fresh sunlight while keeping warm indoors is to visit the Cleveland Museum of Art. The atrium lets in gorgeous natural light, as does some of the gallery rooms. And, when you're ready to go back outside, you can ice skate at Wade Oval's seasonal outdoor rink. 2. Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park. A nature hike in winter can produce marvelous sights including ice formations, winter wonderlands and more. But be careful! Some areas can be dangerous in winter. 3. Visit Black River Archery & Indoor Range in Elyria. This is a great place to take the kiddos to hone their archery skills during winter! 4. Check out Alien Vacation Mini Golf in Medina. Located at Castle Noel, this is a 3-D mini golf experience. So much fun for the whole family! 5. Spend the day in Highland Square in Akron. From funky and eclectic to classic historical, this area of Akron boasts cool restaurants, local artists, and retro shops. And it's never too cold for ice cream! Check out Mary Coyle's! 6. Visit the James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor. A great way to get in a history lesson and some outdoor activity at the same time! Learn about the nation's 20th president and stroll the grounds on a self guided tour. 7. Check out the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum in Canton. Can't get enough history? No problem! Canton is the place to learn about our 25th president. The museum includes interactive learning for kids and a planetarium! 8. Head down to Grandpa's Cheesebarn in Ashland. You've seen the billboards. Now, take a trek to check out the wide selection of cheese and other yummy treats! 9. Visit the Smucker's Store in Orrville. Located in Wayne County, the Smucker's Store is a sweet way to spend the day with the kiddos! 10. Check out OH WOW! in Youngstown. OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science & Technology is a hands-on play and learning space based in STEM education. A fun day well spent in Youngstown! Hey frugal homeschool mamas! Here is the current list of consignment sales in Northeast Ohio this season! As homeschool families, we're always looking for affordable ways to raise our families, often with only one income. Consignment sales are amazing resources to help us reach our budget goals. And, there are always incredible finds at these sales! From toys, to clothes, to equipment, to games and puzzles and books....there is just no better way to stock up on stuff for the kiddos. So go out and get your shop on! February 29, 2020 Strongsville Rec Center Kids Garage Sale (table-style) 18100 Royalton Rd, Strongsville 9-10…$3 early bird, 10-12…Free admission 440-580-3260 for information February 29, 2020 Brunswick ECPTA (table-style) Brunswick HS, 3581 Center Rd. Brunswick 9-10…$5 early bird, 10-12…$2 admission, 12-1…free admission http://www.becpta.com/ March 6-7, 2020 Brecksville-Broadview Hts Preschool Mother's Club (consignment) BBH Middle School, 6376 Mill Rd, Bdvw Hts 3/6...7-9pm...$5 preview sale 3/7...8-9...$5 early bird, 9-12...$1 admission *accepts credit cards www.preschoolmothersclub.com March 7, 2020 Canton Mothers of Multiples (consignment) North Canton Church of Christ, 1301 E Maple St, N. Canton 8:00-8:30...$5 early bird, 9-1...$1 admission https://facebook.com/events/s/cmomc-spring-childrens-clothin/2334969686720303/ March 8-15, 2020 Rhea Lana Children's Consignment (consignment) 31143 Williams Reserve Blvd. (Wadsworth Crossings) Wadsworth 3/8.....10am-6pm, 3/9.....10am-8pm, 3/10.....10am-8pm, 3/11.....10am-8pm, 3/12....10am-4pm (25% off sale), 3/13....10am-8pm (50% off sale), 3/14.....10am-2pm (50% off sale), FREE admission FREE parking *accepts credit cards https://medina.rhealana.com/ March 13-14, 2020 Fairview Park ECPTA (consignment) Gilles-Sweet Elementary, 4320 W. 220th St., Fairview Park 3/13…7-9pm - $5 early bird 3/14…8-9…$5 early bird, 9-1…$2 admission, 1-2 closed to public, 2-3pm ($5 bag sale/50% off large items) *Accepts credit cards https://www.facebook.com/events/s/fpecpta-spring-resale/1006966129686020/ March 13-14, 2020 COTL Lil' Lambs Closet Spring/Summer Sale (consignment) Church of the Lakes United Methodist Church, 5944 Fulton Dr NW, Canton 3/8 - 10am-9pm, 3/9 - 8am-12pm...Free Admission http://www.cotl-lillambscloset.com/ March 14, 2020 Rocky River ECPTA (table-style) Rocky River HS, 20951 Detroit Rd, Rocky River 7:30-9:30...$5 early bird, 9:30-11:30...$2 admission https://www.facebook.com/events/597288587481400/ March 14, 2020 Olmsted ECPTA (consignment) Olmsted Falls Middle School, 27045 Bagley Rd, Olmsted Twp 8-9...$5 early bird, 9-12...$2 admission Bag sale 1:30-2:30, $3 per bag www.oecpta.com March 14, 2020 Summit County Mothers of Multiples (consignment) (new location) First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, 85 Heritage Dr, Tallmadge 8am-1pm...free admission 12-1...many items half price *accepts credit cards https://www.facebook.com/groups/3402083043195332 March 21, 2020 Avon Lake ECPTA (table-style) Avon Lake HS, 175 Avon-Belden Rd., Avon Lake 7-9...$5 early bird, 9-12...$2 admission https://alecpta.com March 21, 2020 Independence Primary PTO (table-style) 6100 Archwood, Independence 8-9…$5 early bird, 9-12…$1 admission https://www.facebook.com/events/429174214421942/ March 21, 2020 Westshore Mothers of Twins Club (consignment) Rocky River Rec, 21018 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River 7-9...$5 early bird, 9-12...$2 admission *accepts credit cards https://www.facebook.com/events/854039051691413/ March 21, 2020 North Royalton ECPTA (table-style) (new location) St Michael's Woodside, 5025 E Mill Rd, Bdvw Hts 8-9...$5 early bird, 9-12...$1 admission www.nrecpta.com March 21, 2020 Westlake ECPTA (table-style) Westlake HS, 27830 Hilliard Blvd, Westlake 8-9...$5 early bird, 9-12...$1 admission https://wecpta.org/kiddiekloset March 21, 2020 Parma ECPTA (table-style) Parma Senior HS, 6285 W 54th St, Parma 8-9...$5 early bird, 9-1...$1 admission https://www.facebook.com/events/s/parma-early-childhood-pta-spri/1519973211511193/ March 28, 2020 Avon ECPTA (table-style) Avon Middle School, 3445 Long Rd, Avon 7-9...$5 early bird, 9-12...$2 admission www.avonecpta.org March 26-29, 2020 Big Red Wagon - Medina Area (consignment) Medina Co Fairgrounds, 735 Lafayette Rd, Medina 3/26 & 3/27...9am-7pm 3/28...8:30am-5pm 3/29…8:30-5 (many items 1/2 price) *Free admission, accepts credit cards http://www.thebigredwagon.com/sale-locations/medina/ April 2-7, 2020 Solon Council of PTAs (consignment) Arthur Road School, 33425 Arthur Rd, Solon 4/2 - 10am-8pm, sale day 4/3 - 10am-7pm, sale day 4/4 - 10am-3pm, 30% off day 4/5 - closed 4/6 - 10am-2pm, 30% off day 4/7 - 9am-11am, $5 bag day www.freewebs.com/budgetbin April 4, 2020 Lakewood ECPTA (table style) Garfield Middle School, 13114 Detroit Ave, Lakewood 8:30-9:30...$5 early bird , 9:30-12...$1 admission www.lecpta.com April 16-19, 2020 Big Red Wagon – Cleveland West Area (consignment) Cuyahoga Co Fairgrounds, 19201 Bagley Rd, Middleburg Hts 4/16 & 4/17...9am-7pm 4/18..8:30am-5pm 4/19…8:30am-5pm (many items 1/2 price) *Free admission, accepts credit cards http://www.thebigredwagon.com/sale-locations/cleveland-west/ April 25, 2020 North Ridgeville ECHPTA (table-style) N Ridgeville Academic Center, 34620 Bainbridge Rd, N Ridgeville 44039 7:30-9...$5 early bird, 9-12...$2 admission http://nrechpta.org/kiddiekloset/ April 25, 2020 To Good To Be Threw sale (consignment) Wooster Church of the Nazarene, 3100 Oak Hill Rd, Wooster 8:30-12:30...free admission *no strollers allowed before 10am due to crowd/fire code https://www.tgtbtwooster.org/ April 29-May 2, 2020 The MotherLoad- Kids & Maternity Consignment Event (consignment) The West Side Irish-American Club, 8559 Jennings Rd, Olmsted Twp FREE admission 4/29…4pm-8pm preview night/early shopping 4/30...9am-1pm, 5/1...9am-1pm, 5/2...9am-1pm...1/2 price sale http://www.themotherloadsale.com May 1-3, 2020 Super Savers Kids Consignment Sale (consignment) Summit Co Fairgrounds, Virginia O'Casek Hall, 229 E Howe Rd, Tallmadge 5/1...10am-8pm 5/2...10am-8pm 5/3...8am-12pm (1/2 price day) Free admission www.supersaversconsignment.com May 2, 2020 Westlake Big Kid Resale/Westlake Elementary PTA (table-style) Westlake Elementary, 27555 Center Ridge Rd, Westlake 8-9...$5 early bird, 9-12...$1 admission https://westlake-big-kid-resale-2020.cheddarup.com May 30, 2020 Boardman Park Baby Bargain Boutique (table-style) Boardman Park, Rte 224, Masters Pavilion, Boardman 9am-1pm...FREE admission with canned good donation www.boardmanpark.com February is for lovers.....library lovers, that is. If you and your kiddos are book readers, this is the perfect time to express your love for your local library! All month, there are great opportunities to warm up and get cozy with a book or join some friends at your local branch. The Akron Main Library is holding their 13th Annual Family Reading Festival this Saturday with music by Jim Gill, storybook characters, Outback Ray, and more. Each child will get to take home a free book! Other activities going on all month at local libraries include family story times, book sales, a Reader Boost Camp, homeschool classes, book discussions and more! This month, we are celebrating mysteries, and series with our February Book Club! Click here to go to our Book Club Page, where we have February's list of recommended books for all age groups, and links to all of the area library systems. Homeschool families are typically well-read and aware that there is much more to the world than just themselves. Spiritual Literacy Month is a time to reflect on that and challenge ourselves and our children to reach further, inquire more, and celebrate our spiritual connections to each other and our world, and to learn the different ways that people around the world do that. It is cultural exploration, spiritual discovery, and soul-searching. Reading books about different forms of spirituality and religion is an educational pursuit and provides deeper understanding of others. It helps us to see how we are all connected. And, in our differences, there is a beauty that can be celebrated. Spiritual literacy gives us a multitude of perspectives which can be enlightening and helpful in learning how to deal with so many of life's challenges and circumstances. It can give us comfort, peace, and a deeper sense of self and purpose. It grants us wisdom and a reminder that life is precious and sacred. Medieval Catholic monks referred to spiritual literacy as "reading the book of the world." Muslims describe everything that happens in us and around us as "a letter to be read." Native Americans believe that signs of a higher spirit can be seen all around us. And, even if you are not a spiritual person, it is an interesting endeavor to learn about why people believe what they do. Spiritual Literacy Month is a time to "promote respect for and among the world's religions and spiritual traditions." William Blake wrote, To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wildflower To hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour." Here are some books and authors that you can read to expand your learning of spirituality and religion. 1. Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life, Frederic & Mary Ann Brussat 2. The Art of Happiness, The Dalai Lama 3. Tao Te Ching, Lao Tze 4. Bhagavad Gita 5. The Bible 6. The Koran 7. The Torah 8. Confucius 9. Deepak Chopra 10. The Celestine Prophecy 11. The Secret 12. The Alchemist 13. A New Earth 14. The Road Less Traveled 15. The Four Agreements 16. Siddhartha 17. The Purpose Driven Life 18. The Power of Now 19. Peace Is Every Step 20. Wherever You Go, There You Are 21. Books about ancient mythology: Greek, Roman, Native American, etc 22. Books about ancient civilizations: Mayans, Aztecs, Incas, Egyptians, etc 23. Shinto There are so many more, but this is a list that will get you started on your journey. Enjoy! Tired of giving "stuff" for Christmas? Well, experiencing the world outside our doors is a common element in the homeschooling lifestyle. So, the holidays are perfect times to give gifts that will support that lifestyle. In 2013, the LA Times reported that the average American home held over 300,000 items, and there were over 50,000 storage facilities nationwide. Our grandparents had an average of nine outfits. The average American child has over 200 toys but only plays with an average of 12 of them per day. The United States only claims 3% of the world's children, yet those children possess over 40% of the world's toys. What's worse, while we own all this stuff, over 50% of us report being overwhelmed by it. We aren't as happy as were were 50 years ago. And, research shows that while we are less happy with our stuff over time, we are more happy over time with experiences. Our experiences are a bigger part of who we are than our stuff is. Shared family experiences lead to:
So with that, here is a list of ways to give experiences for the holidays: 1. Escape room challenges 2. Museum memberships 3. Science center memberships 4. Orchestra season tickets 5. Theater season tickets 6. Sports team tickets 7. Camping trip 8. A family hobby like bowling 9. Enormous puzzles the family can work on together 10. Local attraction season passes 11. Family day trips 12. Art classes 13. Music classes 14. Sports activity classes 15. Summer camps 16. Workshops 17. Recreational activities like skating or rock climbing 18. Movie tickets 19. Show or concert tickets 20. Magazine subscriptions 21. Learning program kit subscriptions 22. A Family adventure like canoeing or white water rafting 23. Gardening supplies 24. Craft supplies 25. STEM supplies like a 3D printer 26. Skill tools like a sewing machine 27. Zoo membership 28. Aquarium membership 29. Family vacation 30. Outdoor activity supplies like fishing poles or skis The following list of gratitude for homeschooling is courtesy of Lindsay Banton and homeshcoolingfacts.com. Can you identify with it? What are you most thankful for as a homeschooling parent? I am thankful for homeschool because I get to have a front row seat to my kids’ development and learning. There aren’t any other people obstructing my view of this great show we call “growing up”. I am thankful for the freedom to homeschool, and to homeschool how I see fits us best. I am thankful for slow mornings and extended projects. I am thankful my kids are learning and developing at their own pace. I am thankful for homeschooling because my kids have strong relationships with each other, they are one another’s best friend. I am thankful for homeschooling because it feeds my love of office supplies and my childhood dream of “becoming a teacher when I grow up”. I am thankful for homeschooling because of the other incredible families I have met through local groups and activities. I am thankful for homeschooling because it has caused me to think through choices I make in other areas of life. Am I doing things a particular way because that’s how it’s just done or that’s the way I grew up doing it? Or is there a way that suits us better? I am thankful for homeschooling because of the broadness of our potential activities, places to study, things to learn, and choices of interest. I am thankful my kids are growing up loving the library and beg to look through the book sections of stores we shop. I am thankful for homeschooling because I get to help my kids become good friends to others. I am thankful for homeschooling because it makes me a better mom. My kids’ education is an important enough reason to pause my entire To-Do List and focus on them for a portion of each day. I am thankful I don’t have to pack lunches or race to the school bus each day. I am thankful for the flexibility homeschooling provides in our schedule, both on a daily basis and yearly. I am thankful for homeschooling because we can always turn anything into a learning moment. I am thankful for homeschooling because I am now getting a chance to read all of the great literature I wasn’t able to read as a child due to limited time and simply not knowing about them. I am thankful for homeschooling because I feel like I am reliving, and re-writing, a part of my childhood – for the better. I am thankful my daughter has the time in her day to dive deeply into her love of mysteries and code-cracking – or spend time drawing pictures of how she thinks serfs lived in the medieval time period. I am thankful for the resources and respect offered to homeschoolers in our day and region. I am thankful my kids are learning in an environment where they don’t feel heavy pressure or stress. Recently, we posted about giving back as a family. One way to do that is to volunteer your time. There are many opportunities in the community to volunteer as a family. And there are many benefits. Aside from the obvious benefit of helping the community, this is also time spent together as a family, and it's an opportunity to teach valuable lessons to the kiddos. Here is a list of ways to volunteer as a family. 1. Spend time at a nursing home. This is a great opportunity for the kiddos to spend time with older people, which is a valuable experience. Taking board games, or helping with Bingo, bringing a craft or playing instruments for the residents are all ways that you and your family members can cheer up elderly folks. 2. Help out at the local animal shelter. This may require some paperwork and commitment and you should consider if all of your kids are aged appropriately for this activity, but helping at an animal shelter can be rewarding. It also teaches the kiddos about the responsibility of caring for a pet. Bathing or walking the animals, as well as feeding and cleaning cages are all options. But so is just playing with them! 3. Serve at a local soup kitchen or food pantry. Soup kitchens are always happy to have helpers serve food and clean up after a meal. This is popular though, so you may have to sign up in advance and wait. Pantries need help filling boxes of food for families and stocking shelves. 4. Clean up the parks. The Cleveland Metroparks as well as local municipal parks often have clean up days where volunteers can sign up to do things like pick up litter or clear away invasive plants. It gets you outside, it's great exercise and it's fun! 5. Participate in a walk or run. Another great way to get exercise while helping out is to do a 5K together. There is usually a fundraising mission attached to local 5K's so you can get the kids out and moving while making a difference. 6. Work with Habitat for Humanity. For this one the kids needs to be at least 16 years old, but this is an awesome way to help out as a family and the kids learn valuable skills. 7. Help out Meals on Wheels. This is another one that may require kids be of a certain age but taking food to people who are sick or shut in is a generous and loving thing to do and will warm your heart. 8. Join Caring Cubs. This is an amazing organization that offers monthly volunteer opportunities for kiddos ages 2 and up. Check their website for the different monthly projects. 9. Participate in projects at your church. Churches always have service projects going on. If you attend a church, ask how you can help. And even if you don't attend, anyone is always welcome to participate in projects. It's also a great way to meet other people in your community. 10. Help older neighbors. If you have older neighbors nearby, your family can "adopt" them by mowing their lawn, shoveling their snow, running errands for them, spending time with them or many other things. November is Family Stories Month, which is perfect timing as people begin gathering for the holidays, As families come together around the dinner table, they can, and often do, share stories. It's a great way for kiddos to learn some family history. If you're interested in turning this into a homeschool project, here are some suggestions:
Here are some other fun ways to celebrate the month:
Here are some questions you can ask at the dinner table:
Storytelling is both healing and bonding. This is a great opportunity to get closer to your kids and other family members and to enrich your homeschool lifestyle. Have fun! As homeschool families, we often have the unique opportunity to experience learning together. And, one lesson that many of us find important is the lesson of being of service to others. Children benefit dramatically from opportunities to be charitable and giving. This holiday season, consider taking on a giving project as a family. Here are several ideas: 1. Bake cookies or make dinners for others. This is a great way to incorporate homeschool math AND give back. And it's quality time together. Baking and cooking together is a bonding experience and what better way to bond than by giving the gift of food. Pass out food to local police and fire departments or drop off meals and baked goods to your local church or to neighbors who might be in need. 2. Fill stockings for those in need. This is fun because you and the kids can shop together, which means considering the need, making a budget and then making the selections. Then, once you have all of your stocking stuffers, you can stuff them together and then drop them off at a local church or charity. 3. Do a toy sweep. One way to reduce clutter before the holidays AND give back at the same time is to clear out old toys and donate them. This is also a great way to teach kids the act of giving as well as the act of minimizing stuff and leading a simple, grateful life. 4. Visit a nursing home. There are so many opportunities here. The whole family can take board games or a craft to do with the residents. Or, you can let your kids show off their talents by singing or playing an instrument for them. Another option is to make simple gifts and hand them out. 5. Adopt a family. So many organizations offer an opportunity to adopt a family or a child for Christmas. This involves selecting a family or child, getting their wish list and then shopping for them and dropping off those items at the organization for them to distribute to the family. It helps kids learn gratitude and generosity to shop for toys for someone other than themselves and it's a lot of fun. 6. Donate to a food bank. There is never a shortage of need when it comes to food. As a family, check your own pantry or go shopping for items that will help another family have nourishment during the holidays. 7. Do your own fundraiser. Ask your kids what world problem they want to tackle and then do some research on practical ways you can help locally. Brainstorm ideas for raising donations and let them lead the charge! 8. Pack gift boxes for military overseas. This is fun because the sky is the limit. Any comfort from home that you think someone overseas might enjoy, you can add to the box. Many organizations collect these boxes for mass shipment, too so find out where you can drop yours off. 9. Make crafts to donate to the children's hospital. Kids who have to spend time in the hospital like having things to do to pass the time. Choose a craft, shop for the supplies together and put the kits together and drop them off together. 10. Make a random acts of kindness Advent Calendar. This is creative and fun. Brainstorm together all the acts of kindness you can do each day of the month and make your own calendar as a craft project. Then, follow through on your acts of kindness each day. |
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