Activity Grid: A Simple and Flexible Planning Tool For Homeschool

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Over the past few years, we have collected a lot of fun homeschool resources. There are flash cards, board games, computer games, file folder games, manipulatives, crafts, and more. However, most of them have been collecting dust. Why? 

On any given day, I simply don’t have the brainpower to remember all the stuff that we have, let alone muster up the energy and focus to dig it out and use it! After brainstorming with my husband, he gave me a a brilliant idea: an activity grid!

This is just a simple grid that I created in a word processing program, printed out, and laminated. So simple and plain, in fact, that it feels kind of silly to make it available to you as a printable. In any case, here it is! 

(If you are having trouble with the above preview, click here to download >> Activities Grid.)

Activity Grid Setup

Print and laminate the grid and put it on the wall. Write in a set of activities, games, lessons, etc. You can include math activities, memory work review games, nature studies, craft projects, cooking activities, exercise breaks, or whatever it is you want to do more of in your homeschool but can’t seem to find time for. 

After setting up your grid, make sure the games and supplies you’ll need are all in one place or at least easily accessible. Otherwise you’ll skip it or disrupt your day trying to hunt it down!

Using the Activity Grid

Now go about your week. When you hit a lull in your day or just find that it would be a great moment to do an activity, go to the grid and pick an activity. You or your child can X out that activity and then bring it out to enjoy!

Doesn’t that sound easy? It’s simple, but I have to tell you, it’s solving a nice little set of my homeschool/parenting challenges. 

Use your activity grid when:

• The kids are arguing or have cabin fever
• It’s too wet/cold/miserable outside to play
• An outing got cancelled and everyone’s disappointed
• Your brain just did a power-down
• Your homeschool day has stalled
• Friends come over and you want to do an activity-centered playdate

More Tips and Ideas

• You choose the activity to do. If you want to allow your kids to choose, I recommend color coding. The ones that will be low stress on you are blue, for example, and your kids are free to pick from those. 
• Include a mix of easy and more involved activities.  
• Include your kids by letting them choose some of the activities to include. 
• Put a question mark in the center square. When all the others are marked off, the center one is an extra special activity (baking cupcakes or a field trip) 
• Use the activity chart just as described but for for other purposes: chores, writing letters to friends, acts of service, a rewards chart, scripture review, etc. 

I hope you find this as helpful as I do!