• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Nourishing My Scholar

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Subscriber Bonuses
You are here: Home / Homeschool / 100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

November 2, 2018 by Erin Vincent 22 Comments

Pin2K
Share632
Tweet
Share
3K Shares

Strewing is an amazing way to inspire your child’s natural curiosity. Did you know you may already be doing this unschoolish habit? It’s a practice that can provide amazing learning opportunities regardless of your homeschool method. Plus, it’s easy! So, I’ve put together 100 strewing ideas for your homeschool!

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.

What is Strewing

Strewing is the process of laying out or scattering interesting items around your home for your kids to discover. These items can be anything that brings delight and a sense of wonder to your child.

Children have a natural curiosity that helps them navigate their world. We want to foster this curiosity. Strewing can help our kids discover new interests or dive deeper into topics they already find fascinating.

But strewing doesn’t have to be things. It can also be moments, places, and opportunities! It is all about creating a learning-rich environment whether it’s around your living room, car schooling, or at the nature preserve and museum. Even things as simple as grocery shopping or following a recipe provide learning opportunities.

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

 

How to: Strewing Ideas

You may be wondering the “How’s” of strewing.

It’s simple.

Strewing is all about laying out items of interest for your child. So, to begin you need to think of your child’s interests.

Jot down a few ideas. Maybe it’s insects, or cars, or astronomy. Whatever it is, focus on that.

Now, think of any items you may already have around the house that you can utilize. Are there any books, games, or craft supplies that have been forgotten on a shelf? Maybe you have a few underutilized items you can pull out to renew your kiddos interest.

You’ll want to set your strewing items out in an attractive and engaging manner. Think of it as setting out a delicious buffet! We don’t want it to look too cluttered. I find my kiddos engage more when items are neatly strewn about.

Remember, we want our strewn items to be invitations to explore and to pique our children’s natural curiosity.

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Strewing in Your Homeschool

Maybe your child has expressed an interest in art. So you strew a few books on Monet, some art supplies, an art game like Dixit, and perhaps a few videos on Monet’s artwork… That’s strewing, folks!

I just arranged some new library books about Autumn along with watercolors, paper, brushes, coloring pencils, acorns, pinecones, leaves, a vase of fresh fall flowers, a game about photosynthesis, a pot of soil, and some tulip bulbs onto our nature table.

This is an invitation to explore the season. But I don’t have any expectations. My children may or may not show interest.

That’s OK!

Strewing is not about coercion or control.

It’s about following your child’s interests and creating a learning-rich environment.

If the strewn items are met with indifference, then I’ll observe my children and jot down more ideas about what excites and delights them.

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Strewing to Inspire

I want to inspire my kiddos to discover new and interesting things.  Encouraging their creativity and ideas with books, games, documentaries, and hands-on activities are my number one goal.

If you are at a loss of what items to strew, you are in luck! Here is a list of over 100 strewing resource ideas to inspire you!

I have grouped all the strewing ideas by topic and subject. Hopefully, you find something to spark your child’s imagination and curiosity.

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Math Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Did you know that you can encourage mathematical exploration with everyday activities, items, and conversations? Inflame your child’s natural curiosity and observations by letting them choose what they are interested in learning.

In this way, strewing has become an extremely important part of our math education.

Yes, Math!

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Counting

When your kiddo is learning to count all you really need are objects such as fruit, candies, or stones. Nothing special is needed at all. Count the things around you in your everyday life! Count it out loud with your kid. That’s how number sense works. I especially love to set out trays of different color/size objects like shells, glass beads, buttons, and balls for my kiddos to explore.

But, if you’re wanting more ideas for counting, then these games, books, and hands-on activities are great for strewing around too.

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Addition and Subtraction

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Logic and Problem Solving

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Colors and Shapes

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Measurement, Time, and Money

A yardstick and measuring tape have been our ultimate learning tool for learning about measurement. My kiddos have measured everything from the size of their favorite Great White Shark, Lydia, to the lengths of their rooms! Seriously don’t underestimate the power of these simple tools.

My son learned to count money with real coins and playing “store” whereas my daughter picked it up one afternoon with the board game, Pay Day.

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Multiplication, Division, and Fractions

My kiddos probably learned the most about fractions with pizza, pies, and chocolate bars. Food of any kind can be great for math strewing especially when paired with any of these books or games!

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Read More about our favorite Math resources here:

  • When Children Choose Math Books
  • Wizard Math Printable Multiplication Board Game
  • The Art of Strewing Math in Your Homeschool

Language Arts Strewing Ideas

Language arts is all about creating a language-rich environment. Heaps of amazing books scattered throughout the house as well as games, and invitations to use the written word. The Brave Writer Lifestyle and Big Juicy Conversations are a key component in our language arts strewing ideas.

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

 

Language Arts for Kids

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Poetry Teatime and Books for Kids

I think our very favorite part of Brave Writer lifestyle has become Poetry Teatime. My children LOVE poetry teatime! So, I tend to strew poetry books around just for extra fun!

The essence of Poetry Teatime is delightful and the idea behind it is that you set aside one day a week to enjoy poetry…

  • Set the table.
  • Make it festive.
  • Serve a lovely beverage like tea.
  • Serve a treat like cookies, or cupcakes.
  • Pile the table with poetry books from the library and from your bookshelves.
  • Make it fun.

In this way, your kids can enjoy limericks, poetic stanzas, tongue twisters, and rhymes. They’ll learn the joy of play on words, puns, metaphors, and more.

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Read More about our favorite language arts resources here:

  • Free Printable Harry Potter-Inspired Mad Libs for Writing Fun by Rock Your Homeschool
  • How to Make Creative Writing Fun with Comic Strips by Rock Your Homeschool
  • Playing with Language Games Your Kids will Love
  • No Stress Poetry Teatime and the Brave Writer Lifestyle
  • 20 Favorite Children’s Poetry Books
  • Poetry Teatime and Brave Writer Lifestyle
  • Free Printables for Dictionary Fun that Kids will Love by Rock Your Homeschool

Science Strewing

Let’s talk about kids who love science for a moment. I don’t know about you, but my kiddos love anything science related! We’re talking chemistry, engineering, geology, robots, STEM/STEAM and everything in-between. They will spend hours building, tinkering, and completely absorbed in any experiment.

Thus, strewing science related material is fabulous for sparking their curiosity into the world of science.

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

 

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Science Subscription Kits

Homeschool subscription boxes are perfect for strewing around your home as they provide everything needed for a cool science exploration in a single box. There is no planning on my part. Just set the box out and wait to see if the kids are inspired.

I especially love these boxes for slow rainy days!

  • Tinker Crate
  • Green Kid Crafts
  • Groovy Lab in a Box

Home Science Tools

We love Home Science Tools for ordering awesome science supplies such as the Home Microscope and the Basic Microscope Slide Set. Home Science Tools specifically caters to homeschool science inspired learning resources. They have EVERYTHING you need to make your homeschool science fun and engaging! I mean everything from live tadpoles, owl pellets, dissection kits, chemistry sets, rock tumblers, and everything in-between!

*Did you know that Home Science Tools has a perks program in which you receive a $5 off coupon? Be sure to check them out!

Home Science Tools has the best selections of:

  • Microscopes
  • Chemistry Kits
  • Earth and Space Kits
  • STEM Kits
  • Engineering Kits
  • Physics Kits
  • Life Science

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Read More about our favorite science resources here:

  • Backyard Biology: Frogs for Kids
  • The Best Homeschool Geology Study Ever by Raising Lifelong Learners
  • Backyard Biology Insects for Kids
  • 100 Brilliant STEM Activities Using Everyday Items by Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
  • Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Science
  • Backyard Biology: Birds for Kids
  • Make Your Own Solar Oven S’mores
  • Fun Brain Activities for Kids
  • Easy Rubber Egg Experiment

Nature Study Strewing Ideas

If your kiddos are nature lovers, then be sure to set up a nature table. This can be any space that holds all the interesting finds from your nature walks. Be they sticks, leaves, acorns, leaves, shells, etc. Then, add in any fascinating nature books, games, or activities to inspire your kiddos to dive deeper into the natural world!

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Read More about our favorite Nature resources:

  • Nocturnal and Dinural Animals Sorting Activity by Look! We’re Learning
  • Sharks! – A Shark Food Chain Game by Look! We’re Learning
  • Forest School Games to play with Kids by Preschool Naturally
  • Exploring Nature with Illustrated Children’s Books
  • 30 Fun Nature Gift Ideas for Kids

History Strewing Ideas

History doesn’t have to be boring and dry textbooks. There are loads of options to make history engaging and exciting for kids! Try visiting museums and historical locations! My son is particularly fond of biographies, while my daughter loves a good hands-on history kit or game!

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

History Books

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Strewing History Games

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

History Recipe Books, Toys, and Kits

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Read More about our favorite History resources:

  • Planning a U.S. Election Study by My Little Poppies
  • 5 Election Books for Kids by My Little Poppies
  • Hands-On History with History Unboxed

Geography Strewing Ideas

Depending on your kids’ interests you can strew some amazing geography resources. Give it some thought. Is your kiddo interested in wild animals on some far away continent? Are they interested in a scientist or artist from another country? What about tracking Santa on Christmas Eve? These are all great ways to incorporate geography!

Remember, think about what interests your child and go from there with some of these great books, games, and resources!

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Geography Books, Games, and Hands-On Activities

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Read More about our favorite Geography resources:

  • Hands-On Geography with Pin It Maps
  • Geography Through Stories: Around the World Stories
  • Geography Through Literature: Around the World with Picture Books
  • Audio Adventure Stories About Asia Your Kids will Love

Art Strewing Ideas

Here are some encouraging ways you can strew art in your homeschool.

  • Visit a local ART MUSEUM. Did you know most museums have virtual sites?
  • Strew fantastic CHILDREN’S BOOKS ON ART throughout your home! You can rotate books about different artists, or artistic styles each week or month.
  • Keep oodles of ART SUPPLIES on hand.
  • Play ART THEMED GAMES with the kids.
  • Take an ART CLASS
  • Showcase your kiddo’s ARTWORK. My kids prefer to fill their bedroom walls with their works of art, but you could also keep their artwork in an art journal.

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Art Books

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Art Games

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Read More about our favorite Art resources here:

  • Homeschool Art Appreciation and the Brave Writer Lifestyle
  • Fantastic Online Art Lessons with Masterpiece Society Studio
  • Incorporating Art into Our Homeschool: Mixing with the Masters
  • Exploring Art: Art Books and Games for Kids
  • Chalk Pastel Techniques and Master Artists
  • Free Growth Mindset Coloring Activities Kids will Love by Rock Your Homeschool
  • You ARE an Artist Chalk Pastels
  • Masterpiece Society

Music Strewing Ideas

Strewing music can be done by visiting local theaters, plays, and orchestras. Your child may also show interest in learning a musical instrument or listening to the radio. My son takes weekly guitar lessons.

Your family may enjoy listening to music throughout your homeschool day or having random dance parties in the front yard…

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Music Appreciation

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Read More about our favorite Music resources:

  • Encouraging Music Appreciation with SQUILT
  • Bring Music Lessons into Your Home with Gentle Guitar
  • Our Favorite Theater and Performance Books by My Little Poppies

Sensory Play Strewing Ideas

Both of my kiddos are sensory seekers. I always keep play-doh, small bins of beans or rice, modeling clay and anything that can be squished or molded.

Anytime we are out in nature my children are the first ones in the mud, sand or stream, ha!

Usually, on our days at home, I set out a sensory box with several items that invite my kiddos to explore. This could be a combo of water beads or kinetic sand with tiny sea creatures and play-do tools.

Sensory Play

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

Read more about our favorite Sensory Play resources:

  • Easy and Effective At-Home Sensory Activities by Not the Former Things
  • Sensory Activities Around the House: Two Birds, One Stone by Not the Former Things

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

You may also enjoy:

  • Homeschool Strewing as Part of a Child-Led Education

  • The Art of Strewing Math in Your Homeschool

  • The Art of Strewing Games in Your Homeschool

100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

 

Pin2K
Share632
Tweet
Share
3K Shares

About Erin Vincent

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angie says

    July 19, 2019 at 1:43 pm

    This is exactly what I wanted to do but didn’t know how to go about doing it. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Erin Vincent says

      July 20, 2019 at 2:51 pm

      You are most welcome!

      Reply
  2. Tara Beechy says

    July 12, 2019 at 7:49 pm

    I am so inspired by these ideas! We do many of these naturally, but I am excited to start being more intentional. It’s exciting to see where our curiosity and passion will lead. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Amanda says

    March 14, 2019 at 8:27 pm

    This was such an inspiring post! I’m so glad I found this! Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Erin Vincent says

      March 15, 2019 at 10:03 pm

      Thank you so much! I’m so glad you found some encouragement!

      Reply
  4. Shawna Wingert says

    November 5, 2018 at 9:45 am

    Oh my goodness! This is great – thank you for planning my next few months of homeschooling for me. 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin Vincent says

      November 6, 2018 at 4:40 pm

      Awe, thank you Shawna! I’m so glad you found some inspiration for your homeschool!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Best Art Lessons for Homeschool Families - You ARE an ARTiST! says:
    May 6, 2022 at 3:15 pm

    […] that coincide with my children’s interests. As part of our child-led education, I’ve been strewing to keep my kids exploring, engaged, and full of ideas. That means our tables are covered in […]

    Reply
  2. 7 American History Homeschool Lessons Your Kids will Love - You ARE an ARTiST! says:
    September 21, 2021 at 9:25 am

    […] periods about for his delight. And guess what? It’s working! Strewing books, games, and even art, works! Sometimes it can be something as random as listening to the […]

    Reply
  3. Homeschool Art for the Delight-Directed Family - You ARE an ARTiST! says:
    August 30, 2021 at 10:52 am

    […] coincide with my children’s interests. As part of our child-led education, I’ve been strewing to keep my kids exploring, engaged, and full of ideas. That means our tables are covered in […]

    Reply
  4. Homeschooling with Mental Illness ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    July 20, 2021 at 9:12 am

    […] Strewing […]

    Reply
  5. Exploring Ancient Egypt with Chalk Pastels - You ARE an ARTiST! says:
    July 13, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    […] love to strew interesting resources around our home to help spark curiosity and to help foster a learning-rich […]

    Reply
  6. When You Can't Do Everything: Overcoming Homeschool Burnout ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    January 30, 2021 at 10:52 am

    […] Games…these are all fun! My children enjoy all of these and learn tons while doing them. Strewing interesting items like puzzles, books, and science experiments can help bring excitement back into […]

    Reply
  7. Are You Unexpectedly Homeschooling ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    July 23, 2020 at 8:54 am

    […] 100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool […]

    Reply
  8. Homeschool Strewing as Part of a Child-Led Education ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    January 23, 2020 at 10:39 am

    […] 100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool […]

    Reply
  9. 5 Ways to Keep Math Fun ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    January 16, 2020 at 9:10 am

    […] 100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool […]

    Reply
  10. Black Friday and Cyber Monday Homeschool Deals ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    November 24, 2019 at 11:55 am

    […] 100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool […]

    Reply
  11. Our Eclectic Homeschool Curriculum Choices 2018-2019 ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    August 23, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    […] keep in mind that we keep a loose rhythm as opposed to a strict schedule. I also strew loads of books, games, and hands-on activities to spark my children’s interests. This works […]

    Reply
  12. Amazon Prime Day ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    July 14, 2019 at 2:09 pm

    […] 100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool […]

    Reply
  13. 10 Things You Need to Know to Homeschool ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    June 18, 2019 at 1:41 pm

    […] Strewing is another great way to discover interests or to spark new interests in your kiddo! It has this amazing way of inspiring your child’s natural curiosity! […]

    Reply
  14. Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    April 30, 2019 at 1:58 pm

    […] 100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool […]

    Reply
  15. True Parent Struggles: BOREDOM (Episode 91) ⋆ Mama Says Namaste says:
    April 24, 2019 at 11:21 am

    […] things around that may be of interest to your child and letting them stumble upon them! Here are 100 strewing ideas to get you started. Plus, simply setting up your "creativity studio" for easy access – having crayons, pencils, paper, […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome! I'm Erin, a homeschooling mom to two very intense kids. Every day I try to find what works best for me and my family. My blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. I hope these posts will encourage you on your homeschool adventure.

Search

Follow Us Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Updates

Waldock’s Wizards and Wands

Literary Adventures for Kids Clubhouse

All About Reading

All About Reading

Chalk Pastel Video Art Lessons

Join the fun at ChalkPastel.com!

THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES: Outdoor Curriculum and Survival Skills

Subscribe at Think Outside Boxes

Our Favorite Homeschooling Resources on AMAZON

Our Favorite Homeschooling Resources on AMAZON

Universal Yums

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in