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20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors

June 16, 2020 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This list of twenty nature-inspired kids novels are the types of books which helps kids connect to the outdoors. These nature novels can be part of any curriculum or stand alone. Also, look at How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List.

Whether you’re wanting kids to step away from their devices, looking for a nature-inspired book for a unit study, or you want to inspire your kid’s inner naturalist, look at this roundup of books.

20 Nature-Inspired Kids' Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors

Nature Novels For Kids

1.
Call of the Wild by Jack London for ages 12 and up.

The Illustrated Call of the Wild: Original First Edition

A classic story of survival from the perspective of Buck, a kidnapped Saint Bernard who is forced into being a sled dog during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Set in the Alaskan wilderness during the 1890s, the descriptions are stunning and take readers right to the freezing temperatures of the Yukon.

2.
***Island of the Blue Dolphins* *by Scott O’Dell for ages 8 to 12.***

Island of the Blue Dolphins

A young girl is left deserted on a pacific island off the coast of California. Karana must forage for food, build weapons for protection, and make clothes for covering.

A story of strength and resilience that will inspire. Beautifully written and perfect taking the readers to an island filled with dolphins, otters, and sea birds.

These activities will go along with this book.

3.
***The Adventures of Tom Sawyer* *by Mark Twain for ages 12 and up.***

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Original Illustrations

This classic, set near the Mississippi River in the 1840s follows Tom and his adventures through plenty of outdoor shenanigans.

Look at this activity Lewis & Clark – Mighty Mississippi book & Sediment Activity to go along with this book.

Travel to the river with Tom and Huck with this fully illustrated edition!

Nature Books for Kids

4.
Hatchet by Gary Paulson ages 11 and up.

Hatchet

The sole survivor of a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian Roberson, finds himself stranded in the Canadian wilderness. He must fend for himself.

Brian slowly learns the survivor skills he needs to stay alive, building shelter, making fire, and foraging for food.

This novel takes the reader through a fifty-four-day journey of perseverance that forever changes a young man and his perspective about life and family.

Gary Paulson has many other novels that are set in the wilderness, and spends his personal time split between Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.

Nature Book List for Kids

This book takes readers on an eco-adventure full of everything from the town’s well know bully to potty-trained alligators. There is a movie that would make a fun follow-up too.

5.
***Paddle-to-the-Sea* *by Holling C. Holling for ages 8 to 12.***

Paddle-to-the-Sea (Sandpiper Books)

Follow a young boy as he travels from The Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean in this adventurous novel that brings geography to life.

This author has many other titles perfect for nature study.

The Secret Garden (HarperClassics)

6.
***The Secret Garden* *by Francis Hodgson Burnett for ages 9 to 12.***

An orphaned girl is sent to live with her great uncle and discovers a secret garden on his Yorkshire Moors property.

The lush garden is the young girl’s only escape.

This edition is beautifully illustrated by Tasha Tudor. Recreate some of the pictures or draw a scene from the book.

7.
The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis for ages 8 to 12.

The Secret Lake: A children’s mystery adventure

This book is a time-traveling mystery adventure of two kids who find a pathway to a secret lake and one hundred years old garden.

Nancy Drew meets The Secret Garden in this modern novel sure to become a favorite.

Nature-Based Fiction for Kids

8.
***The Sign of the Beaver* *by Elizabeth George Speare for ages 10 to 12.***

The Sign of the Beaver

Thirteen-year-old Matt is left to survive on his own in the Maine wilderness.

This is a story filled with descriptive detail about survival in the wilderness and the relationships between settlers and natives in the 1700s.

Look at my other activities here to go along with this book.

9.
***The Swiss Family Robinson* *by Johann Davide Wyss for ages 10 and up.***

The Swiss Family Robinson (An Illustrated Classic)

A classic story of one family’s survival after being shipwrecked in the East Indies on their way to Australia.

They live on a deserted island for ten years. A book filled with adventure, lots of exotic animals, and plenty of survival skills.

Also, look at my Free Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study And Easy DIY Water Filter.

10.
***The Snow Child* by *Eowyn Ivey for ages High School.***

The Snow Child: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize in Letters: Fiction Finalists)

Set in snowy Alaska in 1920, a couple desperate for a baby, build a child out of snow.

The next morning the snow is gone, but a young girl is found running in the woods.

She hunts with a red fox by her side and survives on her own in the Alaskan wilderness.

The couple’s lives are changed forever, as they grow to love the child as their own.

11.
My Side of The Mountain by Jean Craighead George for ages 8 to 12.

My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics)

Sam Gribley runs away from New York City to the mountains and must survive on his own.

The descriptions of nature are detailed, and it is the perfect choice for learning real-life survival skills.

The book’s rich vocabulary will make for a great read-aloud.

Kids Novels to Inspire the Love of Outdoors

12.
Summer of The Woods by Stephen K. Smith for ages 8 to 12.

Summer of the Woods (The Virginia Mysteries)

A summer packed with outdoor adventure! Follow these kids as they discover the Virginian woods where they find secret caves, rushing waters, and rare treasure.

These books would be awesome for a state study of Virginia, as there are several more in the series that takes the reader to historical sites throughout the state.

13.
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle for ages 13 and up.

The Last Unicorn

A lone unicorn ventures out on her own to find more of her kind.

Set in an enchanted forest, readers escape to the wood with this classic fantasy fiction.

14.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame for ages 8 and up.

The Wind in the Willows

Four animals live among the Thames Valley in England.

A classic novel about adventure, morality, and friendship is also well known for its depiction of nature.

The Wild Robot (The Wild Robot (1))

15.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown for ages 10 to 12.

Can a Robot survive in the wild? Find out as Roz learns to survive the wilderness.

Fans of the movie Wall-E will enjoy this adventurous story about the clash of technology and nature.

The book includes lots of descriptions of nature and animals.

Riding the Flume (Aladdin Historical Fiction)

16.
Riding the Fume by Patricia Curtis Pfitsch for ages 11 to 13.

Set among the giant sequoia trees in California, the novel is about a young girl faced with the discovery that her sister who died years earlier may still be alive. A must-read!

Living Books About Nature

Nature Girl

17.
***Nature Girl* *by Jane Kelly for ages 8 to 12.***

Eleven-year-old Megan is without internet and TV in the Vermont woods for the summer.

When she gets lost on the Appalachian Trail, she decides to hike all the way to Massachusetts where her best friend lives.

Get ready for a hike with this adventure novel!

18.
***Where the Red Fern Grows* *by Wilson Rawls for ages 9 to 14.***

Where the Red Fern Grows

Set in the hills of the Ozarks, young Billy, and his two dogs explore the countryside.

This is a timeless tale of love and loss and the special bond between a boy and his best friends, two pups named Old Dan and Little Ann.

19.
Wish by Barabra O’Connor for ages 9 to 12.

Wish

Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, a young girl makes the same wish every after year.

This is a sweet story about a girl and a newfound furry friend.

20.
The Lost Book of Adventure for ages 7 and up.

You’ll be transported by riveting adventure tales from around the globe, like being dragged off by a hyena in Botswana, surviving a Saharan dust storm, being woken by an intrepid emperor penguin in Antarctica, and coming face-to-face with a venomous bushmaster (one of the most dangerous snakes on the planet)—all told in lyrical prose and illustrations that wonder at the mysterious beauty of the wild.

I hope one of these 20 nature-inspired books will teach your kids about nature and revive a love of the great outdoors.

Look at some of these other ideas:

Is Homeschooling Right for Your Family? Hear From the Kids!

May 24, 2020 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Is homeschooling right for your family? As parents we have one view of what is homeschooling, but children can have quite another view.

Instead of explaining why homeschooling has been a superior choice for many families, let the homeschooled kids tell you in their own words.

Is Homeschooling Right for Your Family? Hear From the Kids!

I asked the brilliant homeschooled kids in my facebook group and they responded. And yes, I have their permission to tell you their words because they want you to know.

Note: This was an informal and relaxed conversation on my group; I didn’t ask the kids to write their response with correct sentence structure and grammar. Enjoy their uncoached words from their heart.

Do Homeschooled Kids Like Homeschooling?

Again, my question was why do you like being homeschooled and the kids’ answers are:

Not having to deal with school drama, being able to sleep in and to work on what is best for me and my way of learning. – Age 17 –

Everyone’s much nicer than the kids at school. – Age 11 –

Because I get to be home more than before. I can do my schoolwork anywhere, living room, kitchen, Mom’s craft room, outside with my chickens and dog, park, anywhere. I can take a break whenever I need to get up and move. I get to spend time with Dad when he is off in the middle of the week. I don’t have to wake up really early. – Age 10 –

Not getting sick all the time. -Age 7 –

That it’s at home. – Age 6 –

Because it doesn’t take 8 hours. I also asked her if she felt like she needed more friends. She says, “No. I have enough. I love my friends.”
-Age 7 –

Will Homeschooling Ruin My Child?

I don’t have to wait quietly while no one else is respecting the rules; I don’t have to sit feeling like “I don’t get it”. When I don’t get something when we are in school you kinda know that I don’t get it even before I realize I’m confused. I think it’s because you are actually looking at me; I like that I don’t have to be in a classroom and ask to go to the bathroom every time I have to go; I love getting to be with you (her mom) because who else is so worried about me and my future and what I’m learning; I love getting done earlier in the day as well as earlier in the year than other kids; A lot of the kids in summer camps are really rude and disrespectful, glad I don’t have to deal with that all the time. -Age 11-

My oldest (6) is in Kindergarten at a private Christian school – well until the lock down and everything. My husband and I went on vacation and my kids stayed with family friends that homeschool. My son took all his catch up work and did it while their kids did their work. When we got home, my son said he wants to homeschool! Soon after, everything got shut down and my son Loves it! He occasionally talks about one or two friends from school but otherwise has no desire to go back. He still wants to homeschool!

Deciding to Homeschool

Coz it’s better, I can study in peace and not have to deal with all the agro. -Age 16-

Because I can go at my pace. -Age 13-

Because I get to be with you mama and you kiss my hands when they hurt from writing, I wouldn’t want the teacher doing that. -Age 8-

No bullies. You are my teacher. We can take breaks when I need it.
-Age 9-

Said that it is Saturday and she doesn’t answer homeschooling questions on Saturdays. -Age 9-

Architecture & Engineering & cause I love Mommy & Professor Bunny & Professor Mr Bear. -Age 4- (Mom’s note: His favorite stuffed animals learn alongside him.)

Because I don’t want to go to regular school for 6 hours a day with no room to run and play. -Age 8-

Because it’s fun and you won’t yell at us if we get something wrong. Also, the field trips. -Age 12-

New Homeschooler

It’s really fun and I like my mom as my teacher. We can go to really cool museums together. -Age 10-

Because I get to spend more time with my family. Because I like my teacher, I love her so much, because it’s you (her mom). Get to do lots of nature study. Get to spend a lot of time with my dogs. -Age 7-

Because I get to spend time with you and get a good education instead of being at the school where the teacher was rude and kinda didn’t know what she was doing, and I get to play outside more. -Age 10-

I don’t get thrown by the bullies like in public school. No active shooter drills every month. Those were scary. They taught me to hide and throw things at a shooter. I didn’t like that. I can call my teacher mom. I get challenged more; I like that. I can play with my own toys at recess. If it is too hot outside, I don’t HAVE to stand outside for half an hour recess like public school. I don’t get pinched and smacked like I did in public school. I don’t get sick all the time. The lunch food is better. No one threatens me anymore. If I forget something, I can just get it. I don’t get embarrassed if something embarrassing happens. In public school, if I had a question, sometimes the teacher wouldn’t call on me to answer it. -Age 11-

I get to be with my dog. Mommy is funny; she makes funny pictures. I do harder stuff and don’t get bored. At public school they kept giving me spelling words I already knew. I like learning new spelling words. I like that we do experiments in homeschool; they didn’t do science in public school. -Age 9-

Homeschooling the Family

There are no bad bullies. Mom knows what I’m good at and bad at. I don’t have to rush to the bus. No one hurts me on the bus anymore. I can snack when I’m hungry. I don’t have to pack my lunch. I don’t have to wait for all the other kids to finish their work when I’m done. I don’t have to wear shoes. -Age 9-

Because she doesn’t have to deal with the mean kids or the teacher silencing her. She tested just under for the advanced placement so they placed her in a standard classroom and her teacher would never let her answer. She would be practically the only one with her hand up and then throughout the day she would get in trouble for talking because she was done and bored. She said I get to learn what I want in a fun way, take breaks and talk when I want. Lol She even said “I even don’t mind doing school on the weekends because we have weekends whenever we want. -Age 9-

I get to sleep in, I get more breaks, I can get ahead, mom knows what I know, mom knows what I need to know, I can ask questions whenever I want. -Age 11-

I love being homeschooled because I am smarter because I get to learn from my mistakes instead of the class just keeps going with you.
-Age 9-

Because I like my freedom… I get more sleep… I’m safe from physical and sexual assault and I’m not bullied. I don’t have to put up with the constant drama from peers my age. I can have a job. -Teen-

Because it’s fun. -Age 7-

Because if I need a week off I can have it. And if I have a hard time finishing something I can come back to it in a couple days. And because I get more free time. -Age 13-

That I’m with my family most of the time. -Age 8-

New to Homeschooling

My kids like sleeping in, and they like having conversations with me about what they’re learning. They also like binge doing stuff they’re passionate about.

Every day is pajama day and I get to have class in my playhouse outdoors. No bully teachers or kids either. -Age 10-

I was scared at school and the teacher said I was dumb. You (her mom) make me understand and say I’m smart. -Age 11-

I like it because I like being home, and you’re my mom, and I like having company from my mom. -Age 8-

I can do more crafts and get to be with my family more. -Age 9-

I get to play more. -Age 6-

I actually get to do stuff during the day. -Age 18-

Gets to sleep in. -Age 15-

I like that we get to do fun experiments and I get to spend more time with you guys. -Age 9-

Beginning to Homeschool

That’s a hard question. I guess because I get to see you guys more often. -Age 7-

Mommy is my teacher. -Age 7-

I like that I learn things they do not teach in public school. I get to do topics that interest me. I also can do things as fast as I want or take my time. I have time to do the things I want to do like work part time or volunteer at the food pantry and do trail clean up. I get to wake up late like at 7 a.m. -Age 14-

I like being homeschooled because I can learn at my own pace and not get made fun of or bullied. -Age 8-

I like being homeschooled because you (her mom) make learning fun and I don’t have to do boring worksheets all day long. I finish my work and I can go play. -Age 7-

Because then I can spend the rest of my day playing games. -Age 8-

You’ll love these other reads after homeschooling 20+ years:

There you go. Out of the mouth of babes about what it’s really like to homeschool your kids.

What do your kids say about being homeschooled?

Hugs and love ya,

15 Old-Fashioned Useful Skills Homeschoolers Love To Teach

May 17, 2020 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Here are 15 old-fashioned useful skills homeschoolers love to teach. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter.

Whether you didn’t learn these skills in school or you’re determined to give your children the best education you’ll love these useful skills to teach.

Besides, teaching only academics and not life skills is a huge flaw in the educational world. We don’t want to repeat that same nonsense thinking.

15 Old-Fashioned Useful Skills Homeschoolers Love To Teach

So we choose to intentionally teach what other educators view as vintage or old-fashioned because we know some obsolete skills prepare today’s kids for adulthood.

Look at these 15 skills, academic or otherwise which homeschoolers still love to teach.

Old-Fashioned Skills for Today’s Kids

1. Cursive writing.

Unless a child has a special need, most homeschooling parents know that learning to write and cursive writing are valuable skills.

Beyond the fact that most early documents were hand-written, cursive writing supports hand-eye coordination and can reduce letter reversals.

Look at some of my tips below about how I teach writing.

2 Finance

3 Accounting

4 Budgeting

5 Money Management

6 Writing a Check

Yes they are all very different skill sets.

Although they are connected learning to budget and run a household is different than money management.

Money management is not only a skill used in personal life but can be applied to a business.

You want your children to have as many as they can get while living with you.

Today’s kids learn early how to use a debit or credit card without knowing what is a budget or knowing ways to rein in their spending.

Subjects Not Taught in Public School

Distinguishing between a need versus a want is an extremely valuable skill to teach kids.

Not teaching a kid about finances while in middle or high school or even earlier may set him up for much debt later in life.

Too, many places of business still use paper checks.

Teaching our kids both how to write out a check and how to make a bank deposit in person are necessary skills for adulting.

Next, look at these books about money and look at Whatever Happened To Penny Candy?: A Fast, Clear, and Fun Explanation of the Economics You Need for Success in Your Career, Business, and Investments.

8 Rad Money Resources to Teach Money For All Ages

Grab some of these money resources to teach your children about how to save and budget money.

Not Your Parents' Money Book: Making, Saving, and Spending Your Own Money

For the first time, financial guru and TODAY Show regular Jean Chatzky brings her expertise to a young audience. Chatzky provides her unique, savvy perspective on money with advice and insight on managing finances, even on a small scale. This book will reach kids before bad spending habits can get out of control. With answers and ideas from real kids, this grounded approach to spending and saving will be a welcome change for kids who are inundated by a consumer driven culture. This book talks about money through the ages, how money is actually made and spent, and the best ways for tweens to earn and save money.

The Toothpaste Millionaire

Sixth-grader Rufus Mayflower is betting that he can make a whole gallon of toothpaste for the same price as one tube from the store.
There’s just one problem, he has to solve real-life mathematical
equations first! With help from his good friend Kate Mackinstrey, can
these two entrepreneurs keep up with the high demand for their popular product? Beloved children’s author Jean Merrill introduces readers to the ins and outs of a budding business, from costs to profits, in this exciting tale about perseverance, ingenuity, and underdogs.

Learning Resources Money Bags Coin Value Game

MONEY GAME FOR KIDS: Players collect, count, and exchange money all the way to the finish line
MONEY SKILLS: Learn valuable money skills through fun game play
PLAY MONEY: Includes game board with spinner, 100 plastic coins, play bills, markers, and dice

Smart Money Smart Kids - Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money

In Smart Money Smart Kids, financial expert and best-selling author Dave Ramsey and his daughter Rachel Cruze equip parents to teach their children how to win with money. Starting with the basics like working, spending, saving, and giving, and moving into more challenging issues like avoiding debt for life, paying cash for college, and battling discontentment, Dave and Rachel present a no-nonsense, common-sense approach for changing your family tree.

I Want More Pizza: Real World Money Skills For High School, College, And Beyond

The perfect gift! Give the gift of financial literacy to your teen - they will thank you for a lifetime. You are not alone; it is often difficult to reach young adults on the topic of money management, but look no further. I Want More Pizza finally has teenagers excited about personal finance and is giving them the confidence that they can succeed. This resource is being used in classrooms around the nation as young adults enjoy the pizza model for learning about money management. Now available for the first time for you to bring into your home, give your young adult the gift of financial literacy and they will thank you for a lifetime. Primary topics discussed include saving, spending, prioritization, goal setting, compound growth, investing, debt, credit cards, student loans, mental blocks, and taking real world action.I am sure you have heard a few of these: "I don't need it", "I'm too young", "I need to spend my money on _____ ", and the list goes on. The pizza model for learning personal finance breaks down those barriers because, well, everyone loves pizza! Just because money management is extremely important doesn't mean that it has to be extremely complex. I Want More Pizza leaves them in complete control to find the plan that works for your young adult - it's their choice. If they don't enjoy math or don't like to plan, no problem, we've got them covered as well. And it's only ~100 pages, which young adults love given their busy social calendars. Money doesn't have to be stressful. Finally reach your young adult and help them become financially literate for a lifetime. After all, there is a lot of pizza in life to enjoy!

Managing Your Money (Usborne Life Skills)

This down-to-earth guide is filled with practical advice on everything from how to budget and be a smart shopper to student loans, mortgages and insurance. An essential book for equipping young people with the skills they need to manage their money now and in the future. Includes links to websites with more tips and advice.

12 Ways for a Homeschooled Teen to Earn Money - A Budding Entrepreneur?

Long before they are of age to start working, kids want their own money. And whether they count bricks at a construction site as a kid like my entrepreneur husband did or just want some spending money, kids are looking for creative ways to earn their own bucks.

Economics for Beginners

Nobody has everything they need, all the time – so how can we make do with what we have? Economics is all about understanding the choices we make to solve this problem. With bright, infographics pictures, this informative book describes why markets are so important, how businesses work out what to sell, and how governments choose how to run a country. Includes Usborne Quicklinks to specially selected websites for more information.

And look at my post 12 Ways for a Homeschooled Teen to Earn Money – A Budding Entrepreneur.

7. How to do taxes.

My kids started working while in high school and although they didn’t make enough to have to prepare a tax return, we still helped them prepare one.

When a child is living on his own he’ll have a basic understanding of tax deadlines and taxes.

He manages adult responsibilities way better than if you had never introduced basic tax how-tos.

8. How to cook from scratch.

The pandemic of 2020 is a perfect example of how life can throw a huge curve.

Because we want our kids self-sufficient, teaching them to cook from scratch like baking basic bread or from what is on hand saves money, teaches independence, and can be healthier.

Look below at a few ways I incorporated this into our learning day:

9. How to fill out a job application and how to do a job interview.

When I helped my first teen fill out a job application, it was hilarious.

School Doesn’t Prepare Us for Life

Although he knew what it was from the exploring career opportunities course in high school, preparing one was quite different.

To this day, he still thanks me and his dad for helping him to look at his set of skills both strengths and weakness realistically.

However, nothing compared to seeing him get ready for his first job interview.

He was pretty comfortable looking to apply for a job that required a dress jacket.

Just a word of advice, be sure your teen knows how employees are expected to dress after you go over your dos and don’ts for a first-time job interview.

10. Learn to read a map.

I love GPS too, but if you’ve ever hiked or walked in a remote area your cell phone is not really a good bet.

Besides learning about scale and distances, a map can teach local geography and can teach us what is around us.

No cell phone service needed.

Things No Longer Taught in School

Maps are engaging and foster a love of learning about places along the way instead of just getting to a point like a gps.

We can use both in our everyday and not let a generation grow up equipped without engaging with a map.

11. Diagramming a sentence.

To understand how words need to be arranged in a sentence to make their thoughts clearer, kids need many ways to learn word arrangement.

When kids have to break down or diagram each part of a sentence it leaves no room for ambiguity. This teaching technique still helps many students.

12. Auto upkeep.

Whether the tires need air or not, when and how to change the oil, and basic upkeep to maintain your safety and the life of a vehicle are important skills to know.

13. Home Economic skills.

I know home economics courses are now called some fancy name like Family And Consumer Sciences.

That is another post for me, but kids need to know how to read recipes, count food portions, food storage, food prep ideas and how to eat healthy.

And while we can teach these skills separately, it’s much easier to teach them while on the job.

Assigning your kids the responsibility to make a grocery list or a meal for the family works.

I started with easy meal ideas for my kids to make for the family and as they grew, so did the cooking skills.

Benefits of Life Skills

In addition, teaching a kid basic sewing can be a lost skill.

Back in the day learning basic sewing skills was a must because all clothes were hand-made. Learning how to sew on a button is still a valuable skill.

14. Latin.

Latin used to be taught at in a lot of public schools.

Today, not all homeschoolers teach Latin, but a lot do.

We see the value of teaching our kids the roots of modern-day language and how to analyze root meanings.

The deductive reasoning used while learning Latin helped my kids to know how to critically think.

15. High School Shop Classes.

Classes like woodworking, metal, and drafting classes seem to be dwindling.

Those types of hand skills are being lost. Electricians, plumbers, and carpenters are valuable skills needed in our community.

Also, these classes were taught in high school so that a teen had time to pursue passions and some of the classes were segues to a higher degree.

These skills are not outdated in our home, but they are skills which propel our kids to the future. A future where our kids are truly prepared for whatever comes their way.

Old Fashioned But Timeless Skills

How can a kid learn about the human body without preparing a meal?

And how can a kid value how fast human history changes unless he can read the thoughts of the founding father in their handwriting – cursive?

How can a child not be saddled with debt and stress the rest of his life unless we teach him now how to save and when to spend?

Look at some of these other reads:

We don’t have to make a choice between academics or old-fashioned practical skills a child should know. We want them both!

Hugs and love ya,

25 Fun Learning Apps and YouTube Videos for Little Learners

May 10, 2020 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Learning apps and YouTube videos have exploded since I started homeschooling my kids 25 years ago. Now that I’m helping to homeschool Munch King in preschool I’m keeping a list of my favorite learning apps and YouTube videos to use with him.

Moreover, a lot of the learning apps and YouTube videos which I rounded up here can be used for kids up to third grade, but there are some you can use for older kids too.

25 Fun Learning Apps and YouTube Videos for Little Learners

Because Munch King has limits on screen time, I want apps and YouTube videos at my fingertips when we need him to keep learning. Whether you need grandma to entertain the kids when you’re away or you’re taking care of a little or the bigs, you’ll want to save this list.

Additionally, not all apps are educational so I’ll update the list as I find more learning apps and YouTube videos that are worth saving.

Educational Apps For Young Learners

You may want all the DragonBox apps. You’ll love grabbing these even for your older learners. “DragonBox is an award-winning series of educational math apps that are designed to engage and excite children about learning.” Yep, math can be exciting.

Tinybop is another one where you’ll want all the apps.

Reading Eggs. Prepare your child for learning the fun way with a great range of fun interactive mathematics and reading apps specially designed for early learners.

Award-winning learn-to-code platform for kids, ages 5-9

**codeSpark Academy** is the most used home coding program for kids 5-9!

SnailBob2 The puzzle everyone loves.

Your kids will love this series of apps MarcoPolo Learning, Weather, and World School

Khan Academy Kids.

Children can learn reading, language, writing, math, social-emotional development, problem-solving skills, and motor development.

Space Tinybop

Phonics With Phonograms by Logic of English. A phonogram app that drills all the sounds for each phonogram.

Duck Duck Moose is another one where you want just about all the apps. Fish school, Word Wagon, Park Math, Moose Math, Draw and Tell and More!

Skybrary is a carefully curated, ever expanding interactive library of digital books and video explorations designed to engage young readers and foster a love of learning.

Educational YouTube Videos for Kids

The Dr. Bincos Show. From volcanoes to carnivorous plants your kids will be sure to find something educational.

The Brave Wilderness. “The Brave Wilderness Channel is your one stop connection to a wild world of adventure and amazing up close animal encounters!“

Homeschool Pop. “Our goal is to make fun, exciting learning videos for elementary students. We are called Homeschool Pop because our lead narrator and writer is a homeschool dad. (Pop is a fun way to say “dad”).”

We Love Puzzles. “We’re two sisters that, with their parents, make amazing puzzles that are both cool and educational! We often use fun materials such as Play-Doh and glitter to create our puzzles making them even more interesting and fun!”

Maddi Geography TV. “Hi, I’m Maddi and I am here to teach you and your kids fun facts about countries around the world. Every week I do a video about a different country focusing on geography, the food people in that country enjoy, as well as the indigenous animals. At the end of each video there is also a section about quirky and weird facts about that country.”

Kratts Creatures Different featured animals.

Operation Ouch. “Operation Ouch is packed with incredible facts about the human body and fronted by identical twins Dr.Chris and Dr. Xand van Tulleken who experiment and explore their way through the fascinating world of medicine and biology. This channel will de-mistify hospitals for younger viewers.”

Science Max. “Have you ever done a science experiment and wondered “What would this be like if it were HUGE?” Welcome to Science Max, the exciting new series that turbocharges all the science experiments you’ve done at home.”

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel. “Our songs for kids and educational videos will help your children learn counting, numbers, reading and language skills, nursery rhymes, science, physical fitness, dance and movement.”

Kids Learning Tube. “Kids Learning Tube educates kids through music and animation in a fun and unique approach to learning.”

Online Learning Resources

Peep and the Big Wide World “Peep and the Big Wide World gives wings to the innovative idea of teaching science to preschoolers.”

WordWorld. “Welcome to WordWorld, the first preschool series where words are truly the stars of the show! Come along for an adventurous romp into a vibrant world of words with the WordFriends—animals whose bodies are made up of the letters that spell the word they are.”

Caillou – WildBrain. “Meet Caillou, the lovable 4 year old with a big imagination! Caillou experiences all the wonders of being a child that audiences around the world can relate to; first day of school, caring for a pet, learning a new sport or spending time with family.”

Hooked on Phonics.

Have Fun Teaching. “HFT offers free worksheets, songs, videos, and resources for teachers, parents and kids!“

These fun apps and YouTube videos are great ways to keep your little learners engaged, but also entertained and are educational.

Look at these other resources:

Did you find or two you can use now?

Hugs and love ya,

Beautiful 2021 Physical Year Calendar Two Pages Per Month

May 9, 2020 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

2021 Physical Year Calendar

You’ll love this 2021 physical year calendar if you plan your homeschool by the physical year. I’m rolling out the two pages per month calendar for 2021 early.

Physical Year Calendar

Besides, I get just as GIDDY releasing them to you today as I have each year since 2014 when I began creating them.

Why? The homeschool planning part keeps me stoked. That is the part I have loved about the homeschooling process through the years.

First, I want you to know where all the choices are for this 2021 physical year calendar which has two pages per month.

They are kept here at Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers.

Curriculum Pages for Planner

Second, I want to remind you that I have FREE calendars that are made for a quick glance that I share on the same step, Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers and planning calendars are also different because they are for planning and tracking school weeks.

The homeschool planning calendars are kept at Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You!.

In addition, the two page spread I share today is for keeping appointments for any of your family’s needs whether it’s personal or homeschool.

Also, this two page spread can be used in a home management binder, blogging planner, financial planner, or fitness planner.

My copyright allows you to print it as many times as you need it for your needs.

Hope you love this color and you can grab it now! Yay!

Physical Year Printable Calendar

(Note: If you click on the image for the cart, you can see a bigger picture or look at my bigger graphics below)

TOS

Important: READ THIS FIRST.
Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.

• All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar.
• Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later,etc.
• The email with the download link will go to the email you used for paypal. If you used your husband’s paypal, your downloads will go to that email. Please check that email and your spam before emailing me telling me you can’t find it.
• Please put my email tina @ tinasdynamichomeschoolplus dot com (of course substitute the right symbol for dot) in your address/contact list so that your product does not go to spam

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant.

I value your business and value you as a follower. I stand behind my products because they are actual products I use and benefit from too. Though I cannot refund purchases after you have been given access to them, I will do what I can to be sure you are a pleased customer.