I see memes about homeschool snow days being non-existent, but we recently had a week of them, so I wanted to share what we learned from the experience! If our weather keeps my husband from working, we take a break from school books and embrace the opportunity to spend quality time with him. This doesn’t always take place at an ideal time, though. At least, that was what I thought when a snow/ice storm came through right after our two-week break for Christmas and New Year’s Day. I was worried that another week away from school books would cause my children to “fall behind” in some way. I discovered that I was wrong.

Here is what I learned about “homeschool snow days”. This article is especially for new/hesitant homeschool mamas … homeschooling is not as hard as you may think. It does not require hours of seatwork, textbooks, or structure that seems impossible with multiple young children.

$Dutch Blitz more than qualifies for math studies$

Homeschool Snow Days | What We Learned

Number one: My children engaged themselves in educational activities.

Dutch Blitz more than qualifies for math studies! My children have played countless rounds and I know that this game engages their minds in a way that most math textbooks do not. I played several rounds and felt my brain was being challenged as it was exercised and stretched.
Brambly Hedge is a masterpiece of art and literature that inspired my children to write and illustrate their own stories. They have spent most of their free time discussing, writing, and drawing together – filling notebooks! They may not realize it, but they have been doing a literature study as they read and study Brambly Hedge for ideas. Not to mention the overall language arts skills they are implementing while creating their stories. Their excitement in developing a story and bringing it to life has been remarkable.

Dutch Blitz: Play With up to 8 Players, For Ages 8 and Up Brambly Hedge: The Classic Collection

**Number two: My children are learning when they work with us.**

We have a mini farm with a lot of livestock. During the snow and ice storms, those animals still needed to be cared for, so my husband and children braved the weather to do so. Through the hands-on experiences of farm chores and playing outside on their break from school books, my children were studying science; weather, ice, snow, freezing temps, animal husbandry including what livestock need to generate heat to survive cold weather, why icicles form, how human bodies react to freezing temps, etc.
In that, our children were also learning how to put others (even animals) first before their comfort or leisure. They learned to be less selfish and more selfless. They endured discomfort for the benefit of others. That’s something all humans benefit from.
The storm caused three treetops to break off and demolish four small buildings on our farm. My husband and children have been working hard to remove, cut, and split the dead trees for firewood. They have been working hard to rebuild the small animal shelters and fix the fencing. My children are learning life skills that will prepare them for adulthood while spending quality time with their dad.
They experience the reward of working hard when they are welcomed back into the warm house to steaming bowls of oatmeal and eggs for breakfast, sloppy joes and baked potatoes for lunch, and grilled steaks and BBQ baked beans for supper. Not to mention, the free time to do as they wish until the next chore time (see above benefits to free time).

Homeschool Snow Days Are Still Learning Days!

So, as I look back over the last week of homeschool snow days, I realize that my children have been very engaged in educational activities and have been learning more than I could have taught them while using textbooks, seatwork, and school time! I am reminded, once again, that my children are embracing a lifestyle of learning just like I hoped for – despite my doubts, fears, and lack of structured subjects on occasion. Seriously, how many times am I going to forget this lesson and need to be reminded of it?!

All of this to say (again) to you, dear hesitant homeschool mama, homeschooling is not as hard as you may think. It does not require hours of seatwork, textbooks, or structure that seems impossible with multiple young children.