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The following is a post by contributing writer, Kris Bales, of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.
As my kids have gotten older, the opportunities for that all-important homeschool socialization have become a bit less readily available. An impromptu play date at the playground isn’t much fun, apparently, when you’ve outgrown slides and teeter-totters. And, it can be hard to catch up with friends who are busy with a variety of clubs and hobbies.
I’ve found that I’ve had to become more intentional about making sure my kids have opportunities both for hanging out with old friends and making new ones. In addition, because the local playground doesn’t hold the same appeal it once did, I’ve also had to get more creative in finding things that teens and tweens can enjoy together.
I thought I’d share some of my ideas and maybe some of you could add suggestions of your own to create a go-to resource for parents of older kids.
Kris, who blogs at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers, is a homeschooling mom to three amazing kids and wife to her unbelievably supportive husband. She enjoys photography, running, and drinking sweet tea. You can connect with Kris on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.
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I started a Tweens & Teens Board & Card Game Group. It’s new so not taking off yet, but I’m hoping it will catch on. 🙂
There was a lady in our homeschool group who regularly hosted teen game days for the guys before her sons graduated. All the boys seemed to enjoy it. I hope yours takes off soon!
Thank you! 🙂
Great tips! We’ve been trying to figure out some new activities for our daughter and her friends. Her friends love having craft night at our house, although it doesn’t happen often enough.
It’s hard, sometimes, to come up with activity ideas that aren’t “lame” once park days are no longer fun. The craft night sounds like a great idea. My youngest would love that.
Kris — my daughter is hosting a get together with friends this weekend – at our newly made firepit! Fun!
That sounds like so much fun! It’s perfect weather for it, too.
Believe or not, ball room dance with just homeschoolers was a big hit AFTER my hubby told the boys they had NO choice to go and they LOVED it the first time. lol
We had equal boys and girls and then after class walked down to the shopping strip for ice cream and to cool off so kids could “socialize” lol lol
1x a week was doable and ALL kids do it!