Homeschool Hacks

I’m tired. I’m guessing you are too if you’ve found your way here.

So in the spirit of zero energy, zero dollars, and minimal meltdowns (theirs and ours), here are our go-to homeschool hacks.

With Cheese, the PDA’er in the house, I learned pretty quickly: the more effort I put into making something “educational,” the faster it got rejected. If it smelled like school, it was dead to him. So we had to ditch the plan, spark the interest, and let learning sneak in like a ninja. PDA = Stealth Education.

Then there’s Chalk. Pure ADHD chaos in human form. Fast brain, faster body. Learning has to be quick, fun, and full of novelty or he’s out. Games, challenges, movement. If it looks like a worksheet, it’s over. But give him dice and a deadline? Boom!

This list isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less, but better.

Less structure, more spark.

Less pressure, more play.

It’s how we stay sane and sneak in learning when no one’s looking.

People often ask:

“What do I need to buy to start homeschooling?”

Honestly? Nothing.

If you have a kid, a cupboard full of random junk, a library card, and a half-charged phone, you’re probably already doing it.

I did the thing. Converted the home office into a mini classroom. Bought phonics posters. Art supplies. Stationery galore. Paid curriculum bound and ready to go. It looked like Officeworks threw up in my house. Rookie error.

I proudly led Cheese to his new “learning space.”

Me: “You can open your eyes now!

”Cheese: “NOPE.”

Ran. Left the building.

Please, learn from my mistakes.

Here's what actually works for us:

The Project Tray (by far my favourite!) 

What: An old breakfast tray filled with whatever project they're currently into Lego, beads, craft etc. How: Keep sit together. Move it easily. Leave the project set up for days. Why: No more half done chaos taking over the dining table. It’s the at home version of a go bag.

Message Board

What: A mirror, whiteboard, or wall with something short and interesting written on it. Whiteboard markers, chalk, or chalk pens.

Tired parents, hide the permanent markers. Ask me how I know. How: Riddle, word of the day, fact about frogs. Change it up often.

Why: Low-demand engagement. No “do this,” just “huh, what’s that?” It’s PDA gold and secretly educational.

Games on the Go

What: A pencil case with small sized fun. Think Uno, dice, Story Cubes, card games, mini games, fidgets, pen and paper.

How: Keep it in your bag or car.

Why: Great for appointments, or "I’m bored" moments.

The Fridge Grid

What: Activity list on the fridge e.g. craft activity, movement challenge, play with a pet, you get the idea.

How: Let them pick when they’re stuck or bored.

Why: Gives them choice and gives you a break from constant entertainment duty. 

Bonus: Also works for snack ideas, no more ‘I’m hungry, I don’t know what to eat.’

Use with caution! Great for Chalk (ADHD) too much of a demand for Cheese (PDA).

Photo Diary + Learning Corner

What: Snap pics of what they’re doing and upload to Learning Corner (don’t worry it’s free)

How: You click a few buttons, it turns it into teacher speak.

Why: Reporting without writing a diary. Magical. Easy. Glorious.

Inspiration Stations

What: Scatter open tubs or baskets of “stuff” – tape, magnifying glass, blocks, rulers, measuring cups, batteries, circuit kits.

How: Leave them around like traps. Rotate regularly.

Why: They “find” it and suddenly you’ve tricked them into science or maths. Best kind of trickery.

AI Inventory Hack

What: Take pics of your books and boardgames. Upload and ask AI “what here teaches fractions?”

How: Use ChatGPT or whatever tool you like.

Why: You already own the resources, you're just too tired to think some days. Let AI do the mental labour.

Leave Books Lying Around

What: Literally just leave interesting books on tables, benches, couches, toilets.

How: Open at a certain page that might light the spark. Hide them in plain sight. Rotate.

Why: Our kids are like cats, they're suspicious of anything you're excited about, but curious about things you quietly ignore.

Library Card = Free Audiobooks

What: Your library card works with BorrowBox, Libby or similar.

How: Log in, download audiobooks.

Why: For when no one wants to read, but you still want some literature absorbed while they’re upside down on the couch. Great for car trips.

The Lunchbox Trick

What: Make lunch once. Snacks included.

How: Or better? Get them to make it.

Why: Saves you being snack slave and teaches them to fend for themselves. Revolutionary.

Don’t Buy All The Things

What: Seriously. Just don’t.

How: Wait and see what your kid actually uses.

Why: Because turning your house into a Pinterest classroom just ends in regret and eBay listings.

If you've got homeschool hacks hiding up your sleeve, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks for reading.

I’m not here with all the answers, just sharing the messy middle as we figure it out.

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