My 5 year old will be starting Mystery of History later next week, this co-op will last for 2 years. So what do I do with my 2 little ones during this co-op? As both of the little ones grow throughout the years the activities will change even adding workbooks,etc. Here is my solution for now, praying it works!
I have 3 backpacks, still looking around my house for a 4th backpack to use. I would like to have a month’s worth (the co-op is one time a week every week for 2 years!)
Then my husband’s work was throwing out school supply holders and other little bags. I like a variety – some of the bags have snaps, zippers or buckles – another great learning activity in the bags themselves!
Then I have all sorts of misc. items to keep my 3 year old busy – yes some I bought. Great for dexterity and learning. While others are just plain ol’ fun! I am also adding even more thrifty homeschooling touch to this by making some of my own learning activities to add!
Some of my store bought activities are:
Rubix Cube
Mini connect four (even though he will not “really” be playing it, he can still drop the mini checkers in the individual slots.
Toy Story number foam puzzle – he’s learning his numbers – he can put them in order
Crayola Color Wonder mess free
Mini Pegs
(I will add more next Wednesday’s post for on the go learning bags)
(I will add more next Wednesday’s post for on the go learning bags)
THEN………….
The next few weeks I will be not only posting some store bought activities for our ON THE GO LEARNING BAGS but learning activities I have and will be making for both my little ones.
HERE ARE 3 TUTORIALS ON HOW TO MAKE SOME OF YOUR OWN ON THE GO ACTIVITY BAGS!
Here is a Toy Story Puzzle I made using a package of toys that my 3 year old got from his birthday.
I cut out the cardboard characters from the back of the box, then cut them in pieces (as a puzzle)
Then to put them in the backpack here is what I did, so my tot knows what’s in each activity bag
These individual bags already have little tags on them (the manufacturer info is on the other side) so on the blank side I cut out a picture of Buzz Lightyear so before he even knows what’s in the bag it’s Toy Story.
Then on index cards I colored circles with marker, these circles are the same colors as some smiley face stickers I picked up in the $1.00 section at Target. The activity will be for my son to peel the sticker of the sticker page and match them to the correct color circle on the index card – placing it over the circle.
Finally with empty vitamin bottles with flip tops (I threw them in the dishwasher to rinse out all residue), Then for my 3 year old I gave him medium size pom poms, for my 15 month I added large pom poms for her. What they do is put them in their bottle and take them out – thought this was good for their dexterity.
Then since my son is learning his numbers and number recognition I printed off from Yahoo Clip Art animal numbers, I copied & pasted them 2X in Word then printed it off. Cut out 1 set of numbers, the other set I clipped to his clipboard. (I added a glue stick and the cut out pieces in a organizer for him) so now the activity is to match the numbers, glue the cut out set to the set that is on the paper.
You can make your own on the go learning bags and use them anywhere: home, out to eat, in the car, etc. Have fun with it – feel free to comment – I would love to hear your ideas too! Enjoy!
Come back next Wednesday to see my other homemade on the learning bag activities!
What a great set of activities, and bonus can be used in the car.
GREAT IDEAS! I LOVE THEM!
We have binders for our boys with the following contents: a 3-hole punch, a zipper pouch with colored pencils, sharpener, and washable white board markers, activity sheets in sheet protectors, printable coloring pages, and a folder with blank paper. For our trip to New Mexico last weekend, I printed out route maps for various places we were going and put them in sheet protectors. The boys were able to trace the route as we went and it subsided some of the ‘Are we there, yet’ questions.
Angi from Tim and Angi’s Family Blog
Love your ideas! Sure to keep your kiddos busy.
Hello! I am a new follower of your blog! Please subscribe back and check out my 6 current giveaways! Looking forward to reading more of your posts!
http://couponclippingnutritionist.blogspot.com/
I love the animal numbers. I had been looking for some way to do flash cards for my 21 month old for letters, because she recognizes O and T, but not any others, and sitting and point them out teeny tiny in a book isn’t much fun. I found that I can use microsoft word and print out animal alphabets of various kinds. I just found them, so I haven’t done them, but I can’t wait to get my printer set up to do it!
My son is 1.5 and I plan to home school as well. I’m a Christian and so far, I LOVE your blog. I’m from Friday Follow. Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for sharing all of these fun tips and idea!
I love the puzzles made from the toy boxes! That is such a creative and easy idea!
Love all of these ideas, too!! I just need to sit down and make time to make some of these!
we have “on the go” bags for when my kids go with me to teach (i do private tutoring) i might “Steal” some of your ideas to add more diversity. thank you