Frugal Fun: How to Use Games to Teach Your Homeschooler

Frugal fun games for homeschool is a “game changer” Pun intended!  Let me tell you why I am advocating homeschool games in high school.  Games are fun. They just are. Who doesn’t like to learn with games. I do. That is why I started to be more “fun” in our homeschool. Although I do enjoy the freedom to be fun, it also has to be affordable. When I choose games to play, or make up games they have to work for more than one subject.

When I first brought my oldest son home to homeschool him it wasn’t all roses. Our relationship had to be built as mom/teacher, and not just mom.  Through several different games as a teaching style this was possible. Grammar games, spelling games, math games, board games. Homeschooling is great for building relationships, teamwork and close relationships. Games helped us to learn together. Additionally, playing games together was helpful in teaching him how to learn and that learning was fun.

Fast forward several years and he is in college. His major is business finance. Now, math is his favorite subject, and his future looks bright. Currently, I have another  teenager in the house, with a few more in the upcoming years’. Homeschooling a teenager doesn’t have to be hard. Likewise, this is the time all parents have waited for because they are able to actually do fun stuff. All off the tantrums are gone. Kind of a new experience to have a conversation with them, enjoy games to create stronger family bonds.

 I have found that through homeschool games reluctance is lost. Even teenagers like to have fun. Homeschooling high school may look different, but it can still be fun.

Best Ways to Teach with Games

Math was one of his worst subjects. Actually, it was one of the main reasons’ that I pulled him from public school.  All subjects are so important to success in this world. Learning never stops.  Moreover, for him to struggle and be frustrated in this area reminded me of my feelings toward math. Math is one of my hardest subjects to teach, and I have found teen math games to be the best way. Math games are fun and help keep my teens and tweens engaged.

First, I had to get him to like learning again. Therefore,  I did make up fun games for math and other subjects. The cost would simply be whatever I had on hand or board games. Sometimes I used hula hoops, and other times board games like Yahtzee.

 Similarly, frustration brings about all kinds of disconnect when it comes to learning. When homeschooling a teenager adding fun into the day helps. Finally, after about a year into homeschooling, my son started to open up to learning at home. He still had a social life, and the world did not end, plus we were having fun.  We used many kinds of games. Soccer balls, beach balls, frisbee’s and more. Soccer is a game that my kids have played since they were two, so to add in learning along with some skills practice is a no brained.

Frugal Games to Use for Homeschooling

Libraries are a good resource for free games. Start there to try the game to see if you like it. Some libraries have a family game day. Most of my frugal game finds are at yard sales. People sell good games for $1.00. It is a homeschool mom dream.

Another place to look for frugal fun games is the thrift store. Many times older games are sent there after the holidays to make room for new stuff after Christmas. Consignment shops are another great place to look for affordable games.

Finally, co-ops are another gold mine. Our co-op has a freebie table. So any clothing, shoes, books, curriculum or games are placed on the table to find a new home. They are free to whomever wants them. I acquired a few and donated a few.

Teaching with games is fun and it can be done on a shoestring budget. There are several ways to find frugal fun games for you and your homeschool teen to enjoy.

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