How to Make Grocery Shopping a Fun Learning Day

When I have talked to other moms about how to make grocery shopping a fun learning day, I wonder if the fun part is more for me than the kids. I have to admit that grocery shopping is one of my all-time least favorite chores to do. However, making grocery shopping a fun learning day for my kids has helped me a little bit more with getting through it.

Why am I acting like this is all about me? In this case, I have to. See, I was once a grumpy-pants at the grocery store. I like shopping for clothes, I like window shopping, I like going with my friends clothes shopping, but groceries shopping? No, ma’am. NOT my thing.

Many times feel I like I never get the good deals. I buy too many snacks and, it shows. It never fails that I run into folks with my tracksuits on or with my hair in shambles. I can go on and on.

That is why, when I started making a few shopping trips a month to be fun learning days, it gave me a little boost in my step. Going to the grocery store while making it a learning day took the pressure off of getting the good deals or running into Holly-wholesome-homeschool-housewife with her perfect kiddos. I am not knocking you Holly, you rock. It’s not you, Holly, it’s me ;-).

So, YES! Making grocery shopping a fun learning day is for me too. Have you ever thought about trying to slow down in your grocery shopping time to teach your kiddos a thing or two?

I love teaching my children. I was an early learning teacher for some time and I just don’t know another experience quite as rewarding as sharing knowledge with kids. When they know you enjoy it, they feel as if what they are doing is joyful and worthwhile.

Surely, you can teach your kids through a textbook and they will learn, but making your learning fun – now that is something that is sure to stick.

To my kids, just the mere thought of not being in public school and learning while out at the store is such a funky concept. I secretly enjoy being with them there, and not at a 9-5.

We have been able to make grocery shopping a fun learning day, mostly with math and life skills. There are some subjects we teach, that we just are not sure that our kids may really need as adults, but THIS… this is all learning and all intentional!

If you would like to learn how to save money on groceries, check out Grocery Savings Made Simple (FREE)

Grab some help to make this fun grocery shopping learning day happen in your homeschool, and even make it a weekly experience. Your kids will love it. 

Let’s Go Grocery Shopping: FREE Printables and Ideas for Grocery Store Learning

Grocery Store Scavenger Hunt FREEBIE

FREE Price Tag Printables | Thrifty Nifty Mommy

Grocery Store Ratios Worksheet 

FREE Consumer Math: Grocery Store Price Project

Grocery Store Preschool Activities | Living Life and Learning

Fun Grocery Store Learning Activities and FREE Printable | Real Life at Home

FREE Printable Preschool Math- Teaching the concept of weight | One Beautiful Home

Wanting to buy healthier options at the grocery store with your kids? Why not teach them how to cut some veggies to help in the kitchen too?

Make grocery shopping a fun learning day with life skills.

Serving. Having a servant’s heart is exactly what your kids need to learn how to work hard and help others in need.

Independence. Have your kids bring along a scavenger hunt to find items you need as you walk down the isles.

Coupons. Using coupons can help kids save money as adults. Have your kids handle the coupons and let them see as the price goes down when they use them. This teaches that being frugal is worthwhile. They can also calculate what the new price will be. 

Healthy living. Have your kids look out for the best deals, but most importantly, the better food options to live stronger and healthier lives. Teaching your children how to look at nutrition labels helps them to learn important nutrition information regarding the foods that they eat. 

Grouping. After getting home from the grocery store, ask your child to group like items together.

Following directions and writing. Let your child write down your grocery list as you tell them what you might need from the store.

Make grocery shopping a fun learning day by teaching math at the grocery store.

Here are just a few ideas from my How to Teach Math at the Grocery Store article:

Budgeting/subtraction. Tell your child what budget you have for your grocery list. Have them subtract the actual amount of the groceries.

Price comparison. Have your child compare the costs of different brand items.

Addition practice. Have your child calculate the grocery item lists (manually or on a calculator) before getting to the cash register.

Your homeschool could even have a makeshift grocery shopping fun learning day with play.

Gamie Shopping Cart and List Game for Kids – Fun Game with Pretend Play Shopping Carts and Groceries – Develops Social Skills and Reasoning – Cool Educational Learning Game for Boys and GirlsLearning Resources Pretend & Play Teaching Cash Register [Standard Packaging]Melissa & Doug Freestanding Wooden Fresh Mart Grocery Store (Wooden Grocery Stand, Ample Shelving, Creative Playtime, 106.68 cm H x 69.85 cm W x 88.9 cm L)Little Tikes Shop ‘N Learn Smart CheckoutLearning Advantage Managing My Allowance – Allowance Game for Kids – Teach Money, Making Change, Currency and Saving SkillsMelissa & Doug Toy Shopping Cart with Sturdy Metal Frame, Play Sets & Kitchens, Heavy-Gauge Steel Construction, 23.25

 

 

Getting your kids involved with your grocery shopping makes for a fun learning day for you both/all. You can teach your kids anything from colors and shapes to economics. That will take the grump out of any grocery shopping anxiety-filled mama and gets your kids motivated to learn.

While you are in your grocery shopping fun learning day encourage your kids to smell new foods, feel different textures, and learn what different foods to help our bodies.

One last thing is the very best about making grocery shopping a fun learning day. It is the memories. Kids won’t ever forget these times when you were all fully engaged together. They won’t forget the times when you interact with them and show them you are interested in what they say and do. Grocery shopping fun learning days are also family days.