Homeschooling, and home educating in general, has its good and bad days. There are days when your children are eager to learn, where they’re more than happy to get into a fun activity or discover something new. 

Then there are the days when, no matter what you try or what you suggest, they just aren’t having any of it. And as we all know, this can lead to a lot of tension and more than just one stressed-out person. 

So, we thought, what are the most stress-relieving homeschool activities that both parents and children can enjoy? Read on to find out what activity might help you and your children to destress from a hard day because we’re sharing 30 of the most stress-relieving homeschool activities that both you and your children can enjoy!

First, let’s look at the common causes of stress when homeschooling.

What Can Cause Stress When Homeschooling?

1. Lack of structure

Not every family needs structure in their homeschool life, but a lack of it can make things more stressful in certain scenarios. Not having a routine can cause a bit of chaos on the days when your children are overly emotional, leaving them feeling at a loss with what to do with themselves or even feeling overwhelmed by the choices that they do have.

2. Academic pressure

Any sort of pressure can cause stress, but when it comes to education, children feel the pressure to be at a certain level or the pressure to live up to the expectations of others, and parents feel the pressure to make sure their children are at the academic level that they supposedly should be. 

3. Limited resources

Not having enough resources can cause stress, especially if parents do not have the means to provide what their child desires. It also creates a lot of comparison to other families and can leave children feeling left out and behind their peers. 

4. Burnout

Burnout is often the result of a buildup of unacknowledged stress. This is because we try to do too much, mainly to keep up with expectations and to prove ourselves, but this isn’t good for either ourselves or our children. 

5. Personal expectations

Often the culprit of unnecessary stress is none other than our own personal expectations. By setting the bar too high, we feel like more of a failure when things do not turn out the way we want them to. 

6. Lack of motivation

When all we want is for our children to feel motivated and inspired, a lack of motivation can lead to a lot of stress. And if we’re stressed, then our children become stressed.

7. Adapting to change

A top cause of stress is adapting to change. When things are new and unfamiliar, it’s normal to feel a lot more stressed because we have to adjust and adapt, which isn’t always easy.

What Are The Best Stress-Relieving Homeschool Activities?

Share feelings

There’s no better way to relieve stress than to share your feelings. When parents and children open up to each other, they release what is needed and make it easier to find ways of tackling difficult emotions and resolving what needs to be resolved.

So, if your child is having a hard time during homeschooling, sit down together and share the feelings that you both have, whether it be talking about them or writing them down. 

Jot down hopes and dreams

A simple yet motivating activity is simply jotting down your hopes and dreams. Encourage your children by also taking part. It’s surprisingly a very relaxing activity!

Make a gratitude list

A great stress-relieving activity is making a gratitude list. We all have things to be grateful for, and writing them down can really help with perspective. We end up focusing on what actually matters, rather than stressing about the small things. 

Play an instrument

Regardless of whether you and your children have ever picked up an instrument or are any good, there’s something really relaxing about making your own music and trying your hand at learning a new instrument. 

Do some yoga

Even if you haven’t tried it, yoga is a great stress-relieving activity. It not only helps people physically, but mentally too. Your children can also have fun with it, especially with all the different poses to try!

Meditate

As well as yoga, meditation is all about relieving stress and shutting off from the outside world. If you and your children are having a particularly hard day, find a quiet room to sit in and meditate together. 

Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises can be practised alongside yoga and meditation. In fact, the three go hand-in-hand in relieving stress at any age.  

Colour or paint

A simple homeschool activity such as colouring or painting truly has the power of putting yours and your children’s minds at ease and making you all feel much more relaxed. So, if all else fails, get out those colouring books or pots of paint!

Listen to music

When the stress becomes too much, music is the answer. There’s nothing more stress-relieving than putting on some good music to jam to or some soothing music to help everyone relax. 

Have a silent disco

If you’d rather not blast music out loud, or if your children have different tastes in music, you could have a silent disco instead. The best part is you can all be together and still listen to your favourite songs. 

Have cuddles

The power of cuddles! No one can deny how stress-relieving a nice cuddle is, especially when it’s from those you love.

Read positive, inspirational quotes

We’ve had the power of touch, but let’s not forget about the power of words. Reading positive, inspirational quotes together will definitely lift some spirits and boost motivation.

Walk barefoot in the grass

Simply walking barefoot in the grass has some amazing effects and benefits on our minds and body. Try it out and see how much everyone’s mood improves. 

Do a puzzle

It’s such a simple activity, but doing a puzzle creates a more calming and quiet environment.

Do something active

Doing something active can help to relieve stress a lot faster because mentally and physically you burn off the energy that was causing stress in the first place. 

Do some gardening

Gardening is a quiet and peaceful pastime and it makes for the ideal stress-relieving homeschool activity. It doesn’t require a lot of concentration and it’s great for hands-on learners. 

Go for a walk

When everyone has reached their limit, the best thing to do is go for a walk. Sometimes all that’s needed is a bit of fresh air!

Dance

Get some music on and dance those worries away! 

Bake

Making something yummy is sure to make everyone feel a little less stressed. The fun part is baking and the best part is, of course, eating!

Knit

Knitting is yet another great homeschool activity that requires little energy and helps to relieve stress. It also doesn’t matter if you and your children are complete newbies; knitting is a lovely craft for everyone.

Read

There’s nothing more relaxing and stress-free than lounging about and reading a good book. And there’s nothing better than forgetting all about reality and getting lost in a fictional world. 

Go cycling

If it’s energy, as well as stress, that needs burning off, then get on those bikes! A nice cycle is bound to make everyone feel much more relaxed. 

Listen to a podcast or audiobook

Podcasts are great because they allow us to switch off from the world and listen to someone else’s voice for a change. With a variety of podcasts out there, your children are sure to find one that they enjoy too. And if podcasts aren’t your thing, then an audiobook is just as good.

Watch a film

If there’s any stress-relieving activity that requires very little thinking, it’s watching a film. Stress always seems to disappear when there’s something good to watch and take our minds off it.

Do a wordsearch

No matter how old you are, everyone can get stuck into a good wordsearch. 

Create a vision board

The stress of homeschooling can easily get to both parents and children, which is why creating a vision board might help to refocus our minds and reorganise our visions. It’s also a pretty easy-going homeschool activity and a lot of fun too. 

Cloud watching

One of the best stress-relieving homeschool activities is cloud watching because you can do it from anywhere. It’s peaceful and imaginative!

Stargazing 

If your family likes cloud watching, then stargazing is probably on your list too! It’s sure to give you a calm and laid back evening.

Have a bath or shower

There’s more to baths and showers than just washing! Who else feels more relaxed after a good soak? 

Take a nap

If all else fails, sleep the stress off! It’s probably well needed!

The Importance of Stress-Relieving Activities When Homeschooling

Stress isn’t always avoidable, which is why doing a stress-relieving activity is always recommended when you and your children have all had enough and need time to destress. It’s important to realise when one of these activities are needed. If it feels like absolute chaos or like you’re stuck at a brick wall, then it’s time to take a look at this list. 

Doing just one of these stress-relieving homeschool activities can help you all to:

• forget about stress and unwind for the day
• recharge
• maintain good relationships
• take a well-needed break

Or you might just want to start the day off on the right foot by doing a stress-relieving activity. Just know that not every day has to be jam-packed with things to do.