Homeschool co-ops offer a great chance to hang out with people that have something in common with you. And a party is a great way to help everyone to connect. If you’ve planned ahead and gotten the event on the calendar, you’re already leaps ahead in the planning game. If you haven’t planned ahead, no worries! There is still time to get something going!
Here are some ideas to get your brainstorm started:
- Have everyone bring a dish and drink to share and ask if there is an element to the party that anyone desires to be lead.
- Can someone host the party at their house? Do they have a great back yard or large finished basement?
- As a group, do you want to all share the cost of a renting a bounce house?
- Do you want to make it a field-day type event? If so, who loves planning outdoor games?
- Do you want to get creative with the theme? (luau, carnival, etc.)
- Maybe you can collect canned food for a food pantry, school supplies for a classroom, toiletries for a shelter as part of your party event.
- Hire a photographer (or maybe you’re lucky and there’s one in your midst) to come and take pictures (the classic studious pose or holiday photos).
- Reserve the local park or recreation center and fill up the space with your homeschool kids.
- Print out a series of Bingo cards appropriate to your party (check pinterest) and play to win new school supplies.
- Put that old math flash card set to use by stringing it up bunting-style, then hang it over the food table.
- Print out “Who I am now/My favorites” questionnaire for each child. Send them home or stash away until the end of the year.
- If the weather permits it where you live, Instead of a party, plan a cool hike or geocaching event with a picnic at the end.
- If you want the community to know you exist (some groups do, some groups don’t), invite the local paper to come and write up a short article about your event.
- Invite parents that want to homeschool in the next year or two. Learning from veteran homeschoolers is a fantastic way to get started in our mini sub-culture.
Planning a party is so much fun. What better thing to celebrate than learning and growing. Celebrating these milestones are great memory-makers for all involved. Spend time catching up with friends and encouraging one another in your homeschool pursuits.
Have fun!
Lindsay Banton is a caffeinated mother to three great kids. She never expected to homeschool, but has found that it is a wonderful addition to their lifestyle and wouldn’t change it for the world. In addition to homeschooling, Lindsay works alongside her husband in campus ministry at a large university in Connecticut. She grew up in Virginia but has settled into life in New England, learning to love the long winters, cool springs, green summers and gorgeous autumns- and has built a boot collection to meet all the demands. She is currently blogging at www.oaksreplanted.blogspot.com.