How to Make Homework More Fun

It's school time again, and you probably have kids who want to avoid the dreaded homework. They've been in class all day so it's no wonder they aren't excited to face the few pages of extra work they bring home. You can make homework time a little more fun if you interject a little fun or reward into it. Being there to help out and adding a little variety to a dull routine spices the activity up a bit. Here are some ideas.

Things You'll Need

  • Stamps and stickers
  • Hat
  • Treasure hunt clues
  • Treats
  • Special snacks
  • Cookies
  • Popcorn
  • Blanket

Instructions

    • 1

      Let them eat cake. Okay, not always cake, but once they've eaten something healthy, tell them that after they finish a page, they can have a sinful choice of special snack. Keep a variety of special snacks around for this ritual, and they'll enjoy the choosing. Watch that first page of homework get done in a jiffy!

    • 2

      Have a craft container with stamps, stamp pads and stickers. After each page, let the kids choose a sticker or stamp to decorate the top of each page (you might want to check with the teacher to make sure this is okay).

    • 3

      Have a hat with folded pieces of paper in it. When they finish a page, they can fish a paper out of the hat. The paper will have a clue or riddle inside that sends the kid looking in the other room (or outside) to find a treat. Make sure you set up the tiny treats throughout the house or yard beforehand. Kids love to go on a treasure hunt, and the treat can be dollar store treasures, tiny candies or quarters. This also gets the kids stretching their legs and coming back quickly to try again!

    • 4

      Bake cookies or make popcorn while the kids do their homework in the kitchen with you. Smells great, promotes togetherness and you can snack and work together.

    • 5

      Change the scenery. Once a week, let the kids take a blanket outside and do their homework in the yard, in a tent, at the park, in a tree house, on the trampoline, under the dining room table or in the dry bathtub. The novelty will be fun, and you'll like the change of scenery too.

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