5 Fun Ways to Motivate Kids for Online Homeschool Work
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Do your kids use the computer for any online homeschool work? Here are 5 fun ways to motivate kids to get that work done. Get great gift ideas plus a free printable tool for a fun way to track online time.
Online Homeschool Work for the Win!
My boys love playing on the computer for games and apps. I look at it as a win-win because most of the games have an educational component and the boys don't fight me on doing them.
For homeschool subjects that my boys don't care for, well, that's a different story 😉
Because even though computer time is appealing, math is still math. Or writing is still writing.
For example, Professor (13) has a thing about writing. That thing used to be a very strong dislike (we don't say "hate" in this homeschool) that would lead to curling up into a fetal position with much gnashing of teeth and rending of clothes.
As we continue on our homeschool adventures, Professor has slowly shifted that thing to a tolerance. (And I completely credit using Brave Writer resources and lifestyle for that transformation! Total side note but have you got your copy of The Brave Learner yet?!? Fabulous!)
Handwriting has also been an ever-present issue. The physical act of writing would frustrate the boy to the point that he felt stupid.
Fortunately, we found the best typing program for our homeschool and it's improved Professor's spirits by leaps and bounds. Instead of physically writing out all of his lessons, he now uses a Chromebook to type most of it. This form of online homeschool work has been a lifesaver!
Make Online Homeschool Work Fun with Accessories!
Captain (16) has now joined Professor in using a Chromebook for typing up assignments. We value having good laptops for homeschooling in our family! Both boys see their public school friends use similar devices for all of their classes and want to be prepared with higher education time around the corner. Captain and Professor supplement several subjects for their online homeschool work, too.
My three younger boys (10, 7, 4) also use computers for online homeschool work. Smiley also uses Typesy. Bear and Xman use Starfall at age-appropriate levels. And these boys also love watching YouTube Kids tutorials and informational videos.
Problems arise, however, when the boys even start to sniff at the idea of their computer time being online homeschool work time. Again, that whole math is math thing 😉
So, being a creative (*cough* desperate) mom, I turn to what I know works with my boys. Fun and interest-led!
Here are 5 ideas to make online homeschool work fun and appealing to kids. The first 4 are fantastic gift ideas! And the last one can be used to motivate your kids to complete online homeschool work 🙂
1. Fun Flashdrives for Online Homeschool Work
Add a smile to your kids' day as they do their online homeschool work. My boys chuckle whenever they use one of these Emoji Flash Drives from USB Memory Direct. (Disclosure: I received these flash drives for free from USB Memory Direct. All opinions are 100% honest & I wasn’t required to post a positive review.)
Aren't these flash drives hysterical? My boys think they're the coolest things. And love using them to boost their online homeschool work!
2. Online Homeschool Work is Awesome with Cool Headphones
There's something about having your very own pair of special headphones that makes online homeschool work cool. When my boys have their personal headphones on, they are so much more responsible about getting their work done. It's like they're putting on their "work" hats and getting down to it!
My boys helped me select these cool headphones to share with you 🙂
CozyPhones Kids Headphones Volume Limited with Ultra-Thin Speakers Soft Fleece Headband - Perfect Children's Earphones for School, Home and Travel - Mystic UnicornKids Headphones - noot products K11 Foldable Stereo Tangle-Free 3.5mm Jack Wired Cord On-Ear Headset for Children/Teens/Girls/Boys/Smartphones/School/Kindle/Airplane/Plane/Tablet (Mint/Coral)iClever Kids Headphones, Cat-Inspired Wired On-Ear Headsets with 85dB Volume Limited, Food Grade Silicone Material (Kids-Friendly), 3.5mm Audio Jack Cable, Children Headphones for Kids, PurpleBatman 30382 Kid Safe Over the Ear Headphone with Volume Limiter, w/Volume Limiter, 3.5MM Stereo Jack, Bat Man Blue Black & Yellow Super Hero by SakarSpiderman Headphones for Kids with Built in Volume Limiting Feature for Kid Friendly Safe ListeningKids Headphones with VoliBolt Ears, Mumba Wired Over-Ear Headphones with Music Sharing Function, 85dB Volume Limited Hearing Protection,Safe Food Grade Material, 3.5mm Jack (HS01) Headset for ChildrenKids Bluetooth Headphones with 75dB/85dB/94dB Volume Limited, Hearing Protection Kids Wireless Headset, Wireless Headphones for Kids, Bluetooth Boys Headphones with Hard case for School,Travel (Grey)COWIN E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Bluetooth Headphones with Mic Deep Bass Wireless Headphones Over Ear, Comfortable Protein Earpads, 30H Playtime for Travel Work TV PC Cellphone - Black
3. Mouse Pads to Brighten Online Homeschool Work Time
Again, my boys helped me choose these mousepads to highlight. And now, we have Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Taco Cat mousepads in our wishlists 😉
Alphabet Mouse Pad for Kids ABC Learning Tool for Boys and Babies Large A to Z mosue pad Non-slip mouse pad Gaming mouse padAmbesonne Fantasy Mouse Pad, Unicorn Surreal Myth Creature Before Rainbow Clouds Star Fantasy Girls Fairytale, Standard Size Rectangle Non-Slip Rubber Mousepad, MulticolorHscban Mermaid Scales Mouse Pad Custom for Girls,Watercolor Fish Scales Personalized Design Non-Slip Rubber MousepadMouse pads 9in X 7.5in Personality Desings Gaming Mouse Pad StyleNon-Slip Rubber Base Mousepad for Laptop Computer PC Personality Desings Gaming Mouse Pad Mat 9.45 X 7.87 inch (Panda, 9.45 X 7.87 inch)Ata-Boy Marvel Universe Punisher Logo Mouse PadCurious Cat Flying Through Space Reaching for a Taco in Galaxy Space Hilarious Mouse PadSmooffly Gaming Mouse Pad Custom,Galaxy Hipster Cat Wear Color Sunglasses Mouse pad 9.5 X 7.9 Inch (240mmX200mmX3mm)20 Cartoon Puppy Dogs - Mouse Pad Mouse pad Gaming Mouse pad Mousepad Nonslip Rubber BackingHappy English Bulldog Puppy Thick Mousepad by Atomic Market12x10 Inch Collection Magic School Mousepad Large Mouse Pad Mouse mat WaterproofMarauder Map Harry Potter Mousepad Mouse MatROBIN YAM Personalized Harry Potter Rectangle Non-Slip Rubber Mousepad Gaming Mouse Pad -RYMP15327Harry Potter Spell | I Solemnly Swear Mouse pad 7x8.66 inchSTAR WARS Mousepad Death Star in shapeMouse Pad Star Wars V4 Mouse Pad12x10 Inch STAR WARS Collection Darth Vader Anakin Skywalker Jedi Large Mouse Pad Mouse matStar Wars ABYACC219 BB-8 Mousepad
4. Get a Special Mouse for Online Homeschool Work!
Make sure the computer that your kids use for online homeschool work is compatible with one of these adorable accessories before purchasing! Personally, I have the blue car mouse added to my wishlist. Vroom!
Clevy Kids Mouse- (optical, ergonomic, USB, contrasting colours, sturdy design and Windows & macOS compatible)Mini Optical Wired Ergonomic Mouse LED Light Pink Computer Notebook Laptop Mice for Children and Lady by SOONGOCute Animal Rabbit Shape USB Wired Corded Mouse Mini Small Kids Children Optical Mice Travel Mouse for Desktop PC Laptop Computer,1200DPI 3 Buttons with 3.6 Feet Cord (Orange)LingsFire Super Cute Wireless Optical Cartoon Panda Mouse Rechargeable Mini 2.4GHz Wireless Panda Desktop Laptop Unique Novel Portable(Black & White)Logitech - M325c Wireless Optical Mouse - Purple FireworksFashionable Cute Animal Baby Dolphin Shape USB Wired Mouse 1600 DPI Optical Mice Mini Small Kids Children Mice for PC Laptop Computer (Pink)Usbkingdom Cute Animal Turtle Shape USB Wired Corded Mouse Kids Children Optical Mice for Notebook PC Laptop Computer 1200DPI 3 Buttons with 3.6 Feet Cord (Green)Logitech Wireless Mouse, Owl M325 910-004440Logitech M325C Kids Wireless Mouse - Doodle Collection - SneakerheadCHUYI Cool Sport Car Shaped Mouse 2.4GHz Wireless Car Mouse Ultra Small Optical Mouse Mini Office Mice for PC Computer Laptop Gift (Pink)Usbkingdom Cool Sport Car Shape 2.4GHz Wireless Mouse Optical Cordless Mice with USB Receiver for PC Laptop Computer 1600DPI 3 Buttons BluePICTEK Wireless Gaming Mouse, Silent Click, Side Buttons, 2.4G Cordless Computer PC Gaming Mouse Laptop USB Mice, Advanced 2400 DPI Optical Sensor, 7-Button, Ergonomic Grips, Black
Keep a Fun Online Homeschool Work Tracker!
Motivate kids to keep track of their online homeschool work. Encourage them to customize this free printable Online Homeschool Work Tracker. Your kids can color, doodle, add stickers-whatever they want to do to track their time and progress with online homeschool work.
Need ideas for customizing this online homeschool work tracker? Your kids can:
- Add their name
- Color the border
- Write the month & dates
- Include doodles
- Use stickers
- Jot down the minutes on an educational app or site
- Record pages read or grade on an assignment
If a printable online homeschool tracker isn't your thing, no worries! Have your kids record their time and progress in a notebook or in their homeschool binder 🙂
Click on the image below for your free instant download for your online homeschool work tracker!
