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Who says homeschooling means sitting in desks all day? Veteran homeschool moms know that you can teach just about anywhere. In fact, an interesting learning environment tends to make for a richer educational experience.

With homeschooling now becoming more of a mainstream option, it’s time to dispel the myth that you need a dedicated classroom for your kids to thrive at home. For many families, this just isn’t an option. There isn’t space in the home or room in the budget to make a schoolroom a reality. This leaves many moms feeling inadequate or “less than,” wondering how they can successfully teach without a “Pinterest perfect,” color-coordinated classroom.

Written by Amy of Real Talk with Amy.

I’m here to tell you that you can homeschool without a dedicated schoolroom. In fact, many moms who DO have homeschool classrooms choose not to use them for a myriad of reasons. The schoolroom ends up being nothing more than a glorified storage room, a home for their varied assortment of curricula, books, and supplies. (Some moms do use and love their dedicated schoolrooms! If that’s you, that’s great! But the point of this article is to reassure moms who don’t have a dedicated room that it’s perfectly possible to have a successful homeschool without one.) 

For many, the choice to homeschool is made because the family needs flexibility – single-parent homes, dual-income homes, families who travel frequently for work or pleasure, caring for a sick or elderly family member, and so on. No one’s family life looks the same and for that reason, no one’s educational journey should either. 

Schools tend to be very “one-size-fits-all.” After all, they have to be. It’s almost impossible to adapt to the individual needs of 20+ or 30+ students in a single classroom. Homeschooling doesn’t need to be one-size-fits-all, though. We have the ability to tailor our children’s education to their learning styles and the needs of our family. 

For this reason, many families do schoolwork at the kitchen table, on the couch, at the park, in the car, or wherever their day happens to take them. 

Here are 5 unusual (yet fun!) places to homeschool that are most definitely NOT a dedicated schoolroom. 

Let’s dive in.

1. At the Pool

Many homeschool families choose to continue school during the summer and take more frequent breaks throughout the year. This works because you can do your assignments indoors to avoid the hottest part of the day. Then you can play outside with friends once it’s cooled off. Year-Round Homeschooling is a wonderful option for many families, and these free printable calendars will help you as you plan your year. 

For example, you might choose to take your schoolwork to the pool. Each correct math problem earns your kiddo another chance to cannonball off the diving board. And there’s nothing better than lying out in the warmth of the sun with a fantastic book, ice-cold lemonade in hand. 

For families who live in a warm climate, the pool makes a great school setting all year long.

2. In the Car

Briefly mentioned above, many families regularly bring schoolwork along wherever the day takes them. This might be because they take frequent road trips, have many medical appointments, or travel back and forth between grandparents or a sitter to accommodate Mom’s busy work schedule. In fact, many moms who work outside the home worry that they can’t successfully homeschool, but you can! If you are a working mom (or if you work and are considering homeschooling), The Ultimate Guide to Working While Homeschooling has lots and lots of tips and information for you! 

Whatever the reason may be, a backpack is a wonderful tool for kids who are taking classes on the go. It fits their required reading, the day’s assignments, a zipper pouch for supplies, and still leaves plenty of room for snacks.

Other ways you can utilize driving time for learning include listening to family read-alouds on audio, enjoying an interesting science podcast, or working on easily transportable handicrafts like knitting or cross-stitch. 

3. In a Treehouse

This one is much more whimsical, but every bit as doable.

Do you have a treehouse? 

Do you want a treehouse? 

If you don’t have one, building a treehouse can easily become a school project focusing on reading, math, science, and practical life skills. Learning to measure, read blueprints, and use a hammer and nails are all skills your child will likely be glad to have later in life.

Even more, once you’ve got a treehouse built, what better place to curl up with a good book on a lazy afternoon?

4. On a Boat

Another fun one – homeschooling on a boat!

There’s even a name for this. It’s called “boat-schooling.” There are entire communities online dedicated to this practice. Many families sell everything they own, find remote work, and set sail with the desire to explore the world and immerse their children in an education built on experiencing cultures different from their own.

When going this route, some people choose to use traditional curriculum (though anything internet-based is a bit hard when living on a boat and wifi isn’t a guarantee), and others choose to take an unschooling approach. Still others choose something in between. Whatever you choose, this is an incredible way to ensure a rich education full of diverse experiences. 

5. At a Coffee Shop

Last, but certaninly not least, many families choose to take schoolwork with them on the go when they need a change of scenery. A coffee shop is a great place to do this. You can also go to the library or the park or even your favorite lunch spot.

This is a good option for moms working from home too. You can pack a bag for your kiddos and yourself, get set up with drinks and snacks, and each of you can make some headway on the day’s assignments. 

Final Thoughts

Your homeschool journey won’t look like mine, or your neighbor’s, or that family in your co-op that seems to have it all together…..all the time. (Trust me, they don’t.)

Your experience will be as unique as your family. 

And that’s exactly how it should be. 

Make it fun. Make it your own. Make the memories. 

Trust me, you won’t regret it. 

You May Also Enjoy

As you already know, you don’t have to have a dedicated room for doing school! This article tells you how to Use Your Garden As an Outdoor Classroom. 

What if you do want a dedicated classroom but don’t have a room available to use? If you have a garage, you can get some great tips for Turning Your Garage into a Homeschool Room!

 

10 Reasons You Should Definitely NOT Homeschool!

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