Boys!

As a homeschooling mum to three energetic boys, I’ve had my fair share of days where the kitchen resembles a science lab, and our garden a war zone as they play together and learn! Keeping my boys engaged in their studies is not always the easiest, especially when all they want to do is climb trees and launch themselves off of anything furniture-like. With a sprinkle of creativity, and a lot of patience and prayer, I’ve discovered some fantastic ways to turn their boundless energy into fruitful learning adventures. In this post, I’ll be sharing some fun and creative homeschooling ideas that have helped me, and hopefully will help keep your boys not just busy, but excited about learning!

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1. Add plenty of breaks during sit down learning time (for those that need it).

Taking regular breaks is a game-changer when it comes to helping boys focus on their learning. Boys, with high energy levels and a natural inclination towards physical activity, often find it challenging to sit still and concentrate for long periods. My eldest really finds it challenging to be still for so long and so regular breaks allows him to burn off some of that excess energy, which then significantly improves his ability to focus. We use a timer to create a rhythm to our day: 20-30 minutes of focused work followed by a short break. During these breaks, the boys can run around outside, have a snack, or play with their toys. This helps them to have a little bit of a mental reset so they feel refreshed and ready to continue concentrating.

Adding regular breaks into our homeschooling routine felt counterintuitive at first—my brain was thinking “aren’t we supposed to be maximising learning time?” But trust me, these breaks are not just about pausing work; they’re about enhancing the overall quality of learning, and embracing the natural wiggles and jumps of my boys as part of a balanced and effective homeschooling strategy!

2. Include creative and interesting field trips for boys.

Incorporating real-world experiences into learning is another way to keep boys engaged. Field trips to museums, farms, factories, and historical sites bring lessons to life. Even a simple outing to the local park can become educational with a bit of planning. Nature walks can turn into biology lessons, and trips to the supermarket can involve maths and economics. Boys learn best when they can see, touch, and experience the world around them.

Honestly, field trips are a real gem, and provide so much. They may take a little bit of planning, and can feel tiresome for us mums, but for my boys they break up the monotony of sitting at a desk everyday, and provide a change of scenery that can re-energise and motivate them. The anticipation of a fun and interesting trip can keep them engaged and give them something to look forward to. Also, field trips often involve interacting with other people, whether it’s a tour guide, other students, or community members. These interactions help my boys practice and develop important social skills such as listening, asking questions, and working collaboratively. They also provide opportunities to practice good manners and respectful behaviour in different settings.

What I love most about field trips is that they can light the flame for curiosity and exploration. Children are naturally curious and love to explore and trips cater to this curiosity and encourage them to ask questions, seek out new information, and explore their interests. This sense of adventure can ignite a lifelong love of learning and discovery!

3. Boys need arts, crafts and DIY too

Encouraging creativity through arts, crafts and DIY builds can also be highly engaging for boys. They may be enthusiastic about drawing or painting, and often love projects that involve building, sculpting, or assembling. This is because generally, boys excel when it comes to kinesthetic learning, which involves doing and creating. Building projects and crafts provide a tactile, hands-on way to grasp concepts that might seem abstract or challenging when presented through traditional methods. This type of learning can make subjects like maths, science, and engineering more relatable and understandable.

We’ve made everything from cardboard castles to clay models of the solar system, our own electronic fans (that work!) and so much more. These activities have not only provided a welcome break from more structured academic work, but they have allowed my boys to express themselves, and develop fine motor skills. I love including DIY build projects in our week because they often require time and attention to detail which helps develop patience and focus. Whether they’re meticulously assembling a model or carefully following instructions for a craft, these activities teach them to concentrate and see a task through to the end. Successfully completing a project or creating something from scratch also significantly boosts their confidence and sense of accomplishment.

4. Create healthy competitive group games.

One afternoon I sat looking outside my kitchen window at my 3 boys and their boy cousin as couldn’t help but smile as they played very physical competitive games with each other in the garden. It was a very sweet moment and made me realise that socialisation is another critical aspect of homeschooling, and boys often thrive in group settings where they can collaborate and compete in a healthy way. We regularly meet up with other homeschooling families for group activities. Whether it’s a science club or geography club, a sports team, or a co-op where we parents take turns teaching, these interactions provide invaluable opportunities for boys to learn social skills and build friendships.

When structured well, competitive games can teach boys about healthy competition. They learn to strive for their best while maintaining respect for their opponents, and I believe that this balance helps them develop a positive attitude towards competition, emphasising effort and improvement over just winning. Above all, competitive games are fun! They provide a break from routine and offer a joyful and exciting way to learn and grow.

5. Technology & boys.

Incorporating technology thoughtfully and at the right age can be a game-changer in keeping boys interested in learning. If your boy is anything like mine, they are probably easily drawn to gadgets and screens, so we occasionally use educational apps and websites to supplement some of our lessons. There are fantastic resources out there for everything from coding to virtual museum tours. We also use educational games and interactive software to make learning more dynamic. However, it’s important to balance screen time with physical activities and face-to-face interactions.

Homeschooling boys is an amazing blend of chaos and joy. I am finding my feet and balance with embracing their boundless energy, and turning everyday moments into fun learning opportunities. I hope some of these tips will help you survive amidst the noise and mess, and remember that within it all, you’re creating a rich, dynamic learning environment and precious memories that will last a lifetime.

Alethea xx