Homeschooling at the library is such a fun way to break away from the ordinary and spend time outside of the home on regular homeschool days!
Homeschoolers and the Library
One thing I quickly learned when we first started homeschooling was that homeschoolers absolutely love the library.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that homeschooling at the library could be a fun alternative to our typical homeschool schedule and it became a wonderful tool to lean on during burnout.
All that said, homeschooling at the library can be a really unique experience when well executed.
Homeschooling at the Library
If you’ve been stuck in a rut, are dealing with cabin fever, or simply have kiddos who get antsy easily, try taking the home out of homeschooling and hitting the library instead.
A day of learning outside of the home might just be the answer you’ve been looking for all along.
In our home, library learning days are always a welcomed breath of fresh air.
Plus, they are a simple, yet exciting, way to motivate and encourage kiddos to be productive in a brand-new space!
If you haven’t been to your local library in ages, now would be a great time to spec it out.
Spend a day visiting all the libraries in your area. Take note of conference rooms, quiet study spots, computer stations, and play areas (if you have little ones).
Assess your personal homeschool needs and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for.
In our experience, most libraries love homeschoolers and tend to be very accommodating and willing to help.
Plus, not all options are easily noted and you might be surprised at the plethora of available options if you take the time to investigate.
All that said, our local library has some pretty awesome features for a day of homeschooling at the library.
We have access to free study rooms that can be reserved and we typically grab one of those for a 2-hour time block on homeschool library days.
I typically look for an available room within proximity to the little kid’s play area so that my 5-year-old can take play breaks in between subjects.
Then, when weather permits we hit the picnic area for an outdoor lunch break before heading back inside to check out all the books.
That said, advanced planning for our homeschool library day is essential for ultimate success, you guys!
Planning a Homeschool Library Day
I know all too well the overwhelming frustration of loading the kids up for a day trip only to discover upon arrival that we forgot to pack multiple essential items.
That’s why taking the time to plan and pack for your homeschool library day is essential.
While homeschooling away from home can be fun, it can be incredibly unproductive when you leave key elements at home.
So, before you even begin packing for your library day, take the time to plan.
I typically settle down with a warm cup of coffee, a notebook, and a pen.
Then, I look over all the lessons my kiddos will be working on during our library day.
I’m a super organized person and always function best with exact details, so I tend to be very detailed in my weekly lesson planning tactics anyway.
That said, filing out a supplies needed list helps me plan more productively at home, so naturally I followed the same method when planning our homeschool library days.
Take the time to write down everything from curriculum readers to notebooks and art supplies.
Having a visual will simply act as a reminder when it comes time to pack your library bag.
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Homeschooling at The Library Checklist
While everyone’s homeschooling needs may be different, these are the things I consider to be universal among most homeschoolers who plan to homeschool on the go.
- Curriculum textbooks & workbooks
- Teacher guides & answers keys
- Supply list (a breakdown of all extra supplies needed)
- Curriculum aides and manipulatives
- Notebooks or paper
- Clipboards
- Everyday writing utensils
- Snacks & drinks
- Bags for supplies & books
All that said, we actually take 6 bags every time we homeschool at the library.
Homeschool Library Bag Breakdown
First, I carry 2 bags for me — one bag holds my stuff while the other one holds my sanity.
Second, I carry 4 bags for my kiddos.
Check out my library bag breakdown below!
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2 Bags for Mom
My first bag is filled with teacher guides, answer keys, and all extra teaching supplies.
I typically also keep the family iPad in this bag for online lesson portions or learning apps.
Finally, I hang on to all the hands-on activities I use for my 5-year-old as well as extra writing utensils.
My second bag is empty.
As I mentioned above, one bag holds all of my stuff while the other bag holds my sanity.
Well, this second bag is my sanity bag, you guys!
I carry an empty bag every single time we hit the library simply because my kiddos often take book breaks in between lessons and these book breaks tend to overflow my empty bag by the end of the day.
Rest assured, you will leave with more than you came with!
I quickly learned that hitting the library without an extra bag was a huge mistake on our first trip and I will never make that mistake again, you guys!
The dark gray bag is my bag and the light gray bag is our library book back.
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4 Bags for the Kiddos
First, I just want to be clear that our number is 4 because I have 3 kiddos.
So, if you have more (or less) kids, this number may vary.
That said, each one of my children carries a large backpack full of their own supplies on homeschool library days.
When we homeschool at the library, each kiddo packs their own course textbooks, readers, personal notebooks, water bottles, and writing utensils in their personal backpack.
While I hang on to the extras to keep the clutter down in their bags.
Next up, we have the 6th and final bag, the snack/lunch bag.
While you can easily pack individual lunch boxes (which will take your bag number up), I definitely prefer the community snack bag approach.
This is a super easy option and I can easily be in control of when the snacks come out, which in return cuts down on the mess.
*Helpful library packing tip: Don’t forget the napkins and wet wipes!
I forgot these important items on our first trip, and let me tell you, the messes tend to always happen when you aren’t prepared.
More Homeschooling on the Go
If you love homeschooling at the library, try these other fun ideas for homeschooling on the go!
- Do homeschool lessons at the park for the day
- Study real-life animals for science class at the zoo or nature center
- Use nature items or sidewalk chalk for outdoor learning
- While shopping, practice math facts in the grocery store
- Join a co-op for extracurricular activities and subjects
- Allow your kids to take lessons to a grandparent’s or friend’s house
- Invite other homeschoolers to your house for study groups
- Allow your kids to participate in bring your child to work day with your spouse or grandparent for a live learning experience
- Find a local farm to visit for some hands-on homesteading with your kids
Another fun idea? Consider road schooling for a season or 2!
We are currently living life on the road as a full-time RV family and it is a whole new world, you guys!
