Top 10 Gift Ideas For Homeschool FamiliesThoughtful gifts for homeschool students and their families. Homeschooling can be a thankless job. Scorned by some and questioned by others, homeschool families are doing what they feel is best for their children and in accordance to their beliefs. Homeschool families don’t participate in fundraisers common to the public school systems. These gift suggestions will help meet the needs of homeschoolers and their families, encourage them, and show your support for them. Homeschoolers and their families are completely responsible for all the costs associated with homeschooling their children. They are not eligible for the federal teacher’s annual allowance or federal funding, nor do they get a break on the school taxes they pay locally. Therefore, your thoughtful gift to a homeschool family will certainly ease their financial load. In addition, your gift will show your support for the family’s choice to homeschool, which is a huge encouragement to both the parents and the homeschool students. Of course, you may wish to consult with the parents of the homeschoolers to find out what their particular needs are and what would interest and excite their students. Here are ten gift ideas for homeschoolers and their families: 1. School supplies — paper, pencils, pens, rulers, spiral-bound notebooks, etc. Homeschoolers usually need all of the common school supplies. These items, while not particularly expensive individually, can add up to quite a sum when other expenses are considered. You might choose to stock up on these items during back to school sales and then give them at a later time, when supplies for the homeschoolers may be running short. 2. Tickets to a museum, a zoo, a planetarium, an aquarium, etc. Check your local area for places for homeschool families to visit for an educational field trip. A family annual pass or a day’s admission for the family is a nice way to give the homeschool family an opportunity to take a much-needed break from classroom activities. 3. Ask parents for book ideas. Many homeschool families have a strong emphasis on reading, not limited to textbooks. Find out what interests each student, and then select appropriate books and literature as a welcome gift. 4. Ask parents for curriculum needs. One of the most expensive needs for homeschoolers is the curriculum they use. A set of curriculum for one subject can run from $20 to over $100. Most homeschool families will use the curriculum for several children as they each go through that grade level, so a gift of curriculum is a lasting one. 5. Gift memberships to fitness center. A family membership to a fitness center or YMCA is a wonderful gift idea for a homeschooling family! Physical education can sometimes be limited to outdoor activities or children’s sports, but a membership at a fitness center or YMCA can allow the whole family to begin a more formal fitness program. 6. Educational videos. There are many kinds of useful videos available on the market. Homeschool families may use documentary style videos such as those from A&E or National Geographic to supplement their lessons, or enjoy family classics like Little House on the Prairie or Leave It to Beaver for self-directed lessons as well as personal enjoyment. 7. Science experiments in a box. Every child likes to do science experiments, and many companies now offer them for use in the home. They can range from simple to complex. Be sure to consult with the homeschool parents to find out what they are comfortable doing, what will fit into their curriculum plans, and what level of difficulty the students are able to handle. 8. Dues for an extracurricular club or organization. There are many clubs and organizations for students, both homeschooled and public schooled, that can benefit the education and personal development of a student. Boy Scouts, history clubs and other topic specific clubs, and homeschool support groups are just a few examples of dues that can assist a homeschool family. One of the best organizations for which you can pay the dues for a homeschool family is the HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association), which gives homeschool families access to legal advice and other services. 9. Fees for local seminars. Oftentimes, local colleges and civic organizations sponsor seminars that would interest a homeschool family. Check with those in your area to see if any would be a useful gift for a homeschool family. 10. R and R for the homeschool parents. Probably the single best gift you can give a homeschool family is a night out for the homeschooling parents. Spending everyday in such intense contact with homeschool children can wear on everyone, parents and students. A dinner and movie, or volunteering to baby-sit while the parents take a night away is an incredibly thoughtful gift for a homeschooling family. Homeschooling is an arduous and honorable long-term commitment. Show the homeschooling family in your life that you care by considering some of these great gift ideas! Other Great Gift Ideas For Homeschoolers:
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San Diego Christian Homeschools |