Things to do for Natural Learning groups?

[Quickening]

I'd like to propose more ideas for activities and outings for my local home ed group. One of my ideas is to have an art day with body paints, paints, pastels, different art papers and mediums and everyone can just dive in and do whatever they feel like doing even if that means rolling around in paint and racing around the backyard naked with a blue bum (my son! :lol)

How would you have a sciences day without making it rigid and structured? I'm guessing maybe a collection of different materials like bicarb, vinegar, food colouring, icecubes, potatoes, orange juice, etc that the kids could play around with and discover their own reactions and science?

Another idea I had was a projects day where both the kids and adults could nominate a project in turn and we could all contribute - like making a worm farm, a compost bin, making costumes, building a puppet theatre stage etc.

Ideas? What do you think?

[ThirdArmBabySlingProject]

Sounds like you're spot on!

I've booked a hall for one day a week and we have a different, very diverse, theme on offer each week. People know in advance so they can make the choice whether to attend or not in the first place.

Even if you have a theme that requires some rigidity or structure, it's only an issue if the children have no option but to do things one way.

As long as the event is held at a venue with enough/an alternative space for those wishing to explore in different ways or not wishing to join in at all, everyone's needs can be freely met...

Wishing your group much happy learning, growing, discovering, sharing and fun ;-)

[Beatrice]

The gadget day I posted about (and I think has been reposted already) was probably the most fun we've had with our h/s group, and completely unstructured - a hall, each family's junk, some tools, and some grown-ups interested in taking it all apart.

We've also had swap meets; craft or games days where everybody brings their own craft materials, board/cardgames etc; old-fashioned games day; knitting days in winter in front of the fire in the hall; and theme days.

[bella]

Our #1 activity so far has been clay play. Some just played, some created, some just hung out and didn't join in, but we had dozens of people here on those days. I just bought clay in bulk from a potter, then put a jar out with cost per block (I'd cut each slab into 20 blocks).

Last week we had "outdoor cooking" and the fire was pretty popular! We did dough on a stick, a banana cake in a camp oven (NICE!), bananas, apples and popcorn - all on the fire. Some cooked, some just ate, and others fire-gazed or raced bicycles along a track!

Have fun! I think your ideas are great and might borrow them for next term. :)

[~*heket*~]

I think a photography day would be great! Where the kids all take photos and then they can share them online that afternoon.