As a homesteading and homeschooling family living off the grid, many of our lessons happen outdoors. So when we had a chance to review THiNK OUTSIDE BOXES — a monthly subscription box for kids ages 7+ that encourages children (and parents) to get outside – we were thrilled!
Besides having fun, we’re finding so many ways to use our THiNK OUTSIDE BOXES in our homeschool. Oh, and if you’re interested, I have an exclusive coupon code for your first purchase. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the link!
When my two youngest children opened their Initiation Boxes (they included fun gear and activities), my brain started swirling. I thought of English, nature studies, foraging lessons, history discussions, even technology lessons based on the box’s contents.
So I created a list of thirteen different ways to use THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES in your homeschool.
13 Ways to Use THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES In Your Homeschool
- Learn about technology in the wild. Getting outside helps get your kids off their screens, but this is also a good opportunity to explore geocaching and GPS capabilities using your phone.
- Add a sketch pad, pencil crayons and/or use the pencil in your box (spoiler: it changes color with the heat) and enjoy an outdoor art lesson.
- Make it about math – how heavy should your backpack be to avoid back injury? How much water should you pack for your outdoor adventures?
- Hike a historic trail near your home – or pretend you’re homeschooling and homesteading pioneers!
- Communication is key when you’re outdoors. Our initiation box came with a Morse Code postcard – a great lesson in communicating without a smartphone.
- Whether you’re hiking over to the closest city park or heading into the wilderness, teach your children basic first aid. Create a first aid kit together or hold off for the THiNK OUTSiDE BOX First Aid box – it’s full of good stuff!
- Get outside with your pack and complete a nature scavenger hunt is so much fun for kids of all ages. Focus on any theme that fits with your current homeschool science lesson.
- For team-building. Complete each Family Challenge from the monthly activity guide. This helps you practice cooperation and teamwork, especially if you’re homeschooling a large family.
- Get crafty with the hands-on activity. For example, our initiation box included paracord and a ring with instructions to make a keychain. A quick Google search found literally thousands of other uses for paracord.
- Use the monthly themed box to choose your homeschool read-alouds. Winnie-The-Pooh, Little House on The Prairie, My Side of The Mountains – there are many wonderful children’s books for outdoor reading time.
- Learn about the national park featured in each guide. Visit the park website and print off the activity sheets for your kids to complete.
- Each THiNK OUTSiDE BOX activity guide includes a lesson in empathy. Supplement your homeschool character or church lessons by reading through the empathy lesson together. Use the action items as inspiration for your own family community or church involvement.
To learn more about what we got in our THiNK OUTSiDE Initiation boxes and to grab your exclusive coupon code, head over to Off Grid Life now!
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Sarita Harbour is a busy mom/step-mom, and grandmother blessed with seven kids ranging from age 32 down to seven. She lives off the grid with her family in a lakefront chalet in the beautiful wilderness of Canada’s far north. She spends her days teaching, writing, and learning the ropes of homesteading off the grid. Visit her site, Off Grid Life, for free printables and resources on homesteading, homeschooling, and self-reliance for the whole family.
