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The Hands On Homeschooler How To Embrace Experiental Learning At Home

Leo Migdal
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the hands on homeschooler how to embrace experiental learning at home

Homeschooling offers parents so many opportunities, but one of the best ones, I think, is that we have the ability to customize our children’s education. We can choose curricula and tailor lessons to fit their unique learning style. We can be hands-on homeschoolers. What does it mean to be a hands-on homeschooler? It means our at-home learning isn’t confined to textbooks but comes alive through real-world experiences, projects, and creative activities. Hands-on homeschooling can transform education into an engaging, memorable adventure.

In this post, we’ll explore ways to integrate hands-on learning into your homeschool. Hands-on, experiential learning allows children to grasp concepts by doing rather than merely observing. When kids actively participate in the learning process, this improves their comprehension and retention. This means they learn better and remember longer. These days, it seems like hands-on homeschool is a buzzword of sorts. What’s all the fuss about?

It’s best to define hands-on first because I think its overall meaning might surprise you. You see, hands-on learning can actually mean several things. Most obviously, hands-on means “touching” things during lessons. For instance, rather than reading about simple machines, you actually use simple machines to learn about their characteristics. Or, when learning about the rock cycle, you make your own rocks by taking them through a rock cycle simulation. Similar to the definition above, hands-on can also mean learning by doing.

When you learn about Colonial history and actually do several of the tasks that would have been done during that era, that’s hands-on. As are cooking or baking. Hands-on can also mean connecting somewhat abstract ideas to experiences that build concrete understanding. In other words, real-life experiences become building blocks in the brain, allowing more complex concepts to make sense. For example, using snap cubes to help a child “see” the formulas for calculating perimeter, area, and volume. Or, using beans to teach how scientists determine a taxonomy.

Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular choice for many families around the world. With the traditional education system facing numerous challenges and limitations, more and more parents are turning to homeschooling as a way to provide their children with a well-rounded and personalized education. One of the key elements in homeschooling is incorporating hands-on learning and experiential learning. These teaching strategies not only make learning more engaging and interactive, but also help children develop essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. In this article, we will explore the benefits of hands-on learning and experiential learning, and provide a comprehensive guide for homeschooling parents on how to effectively incorporate these strategies into their curriculum. Whether you are new to homeschooling or looking for ways to enhance your current teaching methods, this article is for you.

So let's dive in and discover the world of hands-on learning and experiential learning in the context of homeschooling. Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular educational option for many families. With the flexibility and personalized approach it offers, more and more parents are choosing to educate their children at home. However, homeschooling can also come with its own set of challenges and questions. If you are considering homeschooling or are already a homeschooling parent, this article will provide you with a comprehensive resource on incorporating hands-on learning and experiential learning into your curriculum. Homeschooling is not just about teaching from textbooks and workbooks.

It also involves creating a hands-on learning environment that allows children to explore and learn through experience. This type of learning is especially beneficial for young learners, as it helps them develop critical thinking skills and retain information better. When it comes to incorporating hands-on learning in your homeschooling, there are various methods you can use. Some popular options include project-based learning, unit studies, and Montessori-style education. Each method has its own unique approach, so it's essential to research and choose one that best fits your child's learning style. This method allows children to explore a topic in-depth while also developing skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.

Welcome to the Experiential & Hands-On Learning Curriculum Buyer’s Guide for 2025—a curated collection of the most engaging, interactive, and activity-based homeschool programs available today. This guide highlights top-rated resources that bring learning to life through real-world exploration, creative expression, and immersive projects. Featured programs include Outschool, The Learn + Live Letter, Blick Art Materials, Diana Waring – History Revealed, and State History from a Christian Perspective. Whether your child thrives through art, nature-based unit studies, live classes, or hands-on history, each of these programs offers a unique way to make education meaningful and memorable. Note: The programs in this Experiential & Hands-On Learning Curriculum Buyer’s Guide are listed in alphabetical order and not ranked. Each one is a trusted, top-rated option with thousands of positive reviews from homeschooling families.

Download the Full Guide – Want to explore at your own pace or save this resource for later? You can download the complete 2025 Homeschool Curriculum Buyer’s Guide as a PDF to view offline, print, or keep on hand throughout the year. It’s the perfect way to revisit top-rated homeschool programs whenever you need them! Download Now. Outschool is an online learning platform designed to support parents and home educators with children ages 3–18, offering the widest variety of teachers, subjects, and classes to match any interest. With flexible options for every learning style, we provide interactive small-group classes, on-demand video lessons, 1:1 tutoring, and engaging clubs that bring learners together around shared passions.

Since 2015, we’ve partnered with vetted, diverse, expert teachers to give kids everywhere greater access to high-quality education. Homeschooling gives families the unique advantage of shaping learning around a child’s interests, pace, and needs. But even the most creative curriculum can lose its spark without variety. That’s where field trips and hands-on learning experiences come in. These methods breathe life into lessons, help students make real-world connections, and turn ordinary topics into unforgettable discoveries. In traditional schooling, learning often happens through reading, writing, and memorization.

While these methods are important, they don’t always engage every type of learner. Hands-on learning adds a tactile, exploratory layer that deepens understanding and retention. Whether it’s visiting a science museum, planting a garden, or building a model of the solar system, interactive activities let students apply what they’ve learned in meaningful ways. Educational experts agree that experiential learning boosts motivation and mastery. It helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. When children use all their senses—seeing, touching, hearing, and even moving—they form stronger mental connections.

This multisensory approach not only keeps lessons interesting but also nurtures creativity and critical thinking. Hands-on learning doesn’t always have to be elaborate. Simple activities like cooking to practice fractions, sketching for science, or typing project summaries into digital journals can transform a routine lesson into something memorable. For homeschool families, these moments of curiosity-driven exploration can spark long-term enthusiasm for learning. Go beyond keyboarding—Typesy helps you boost digital literacy, productivity, and efficiency in today’s tech-driven world. How has your educational philosophy informed your decision to homeschool?

Homeschooling is an amazing opportunity to share the world with your kiddos in a hands-on, holistic way. And when it comes to teaching and learning, there’s no substitute for hands-on experience. After going to graduate school to study education and then teaching public high school, I knew at the beginning of my homeschooling journey that I wanted a hands-on, holistic, and experiential homeschool environment for... Educational research has proven that children learn best when they’re engaged as active learners rather than passive learners. That’s right…There’s no substitute for experience! In this episode of the Art of Homeschooling podcast, I’ll explore the idea of experiential learning ~ what it is, why it’s so effective, and how this philosophy of education has evolved.

Discover top hands-on learning resources for homeschooling success, from DIY science labs to outdoor education tools. Transform your home into an engaging classroom with expert-backed materials and activities. Transform your home into a dynamic learning environment with hands-on educational resources that’ll make homeschooling an adventure. Today’s experiential learning tools offer endless possibilities for engaging your children in practical, real-world experiences that stick with them long after the lesson ends. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschool parent or just starting your journey, finding the right resources can make all the difference in creating an immersive educational experience that sparks curiosity and fosters deep understanding. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Thank you! Hands-on education transforms abstract concepts into tangible learning experiences through direct interaction and active participation. This approach involves physical manipulation of objects mentoring sessions and real-world problem-solving activities that engage multiple senses. You’ll find students learning fractions by cooking measuring ingredients or understanding plant biology by growing their own garden rather than just reading about these topics in textbooks.

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