Why ‘100 Things To Do in Des Moines’ Should Be Your First Homeschool Curriculum Purchase

This is the time of year when you may realize your child’s current school situation is not ideal. You may be considering switching schools or beginning to homeschool but are overwhelmed with where to begin. It can be a lot to process and think about because it is a big decision! I want to encourage you, you don’t have to have it all figured out before you begin. If and when you decide to become a homeschool family, my advice would be to not immediately purchase a formal curriculum. It’s okay to take some time to figure out what the new family rhythms will be, what your homeschool priorities will be, and what your kids actually want to learn about! When you create space to explore your city and enjoy spending time together, it can help you discover your child’s interests and motivations.

If you need a little motivation on where to begin, look through the ‘100 Things to Do in Des Moines‘ table of contents and see which places are ideal for this season, which places you’ve already been to, and which places you still need to explore!

Here are some things to think about when you plan to use the ‘100 Things to Do in Des Moines’ book.

Do you think you can get to all 100?
How will you prioritize which places and experiences to get to first?
Create a budget and schedule of how you will make it to each place and what you might be able to learn while you’re there!
Will you make an interactive poster board-sized bucket list, a printed-out monthly calendar, or an electronic checklist on your phone?

Whichever you choose, get your kids excited and involved in the process of planning your adventures. Finally, start exploring and learning in a low-pressure way!

As you’re completing your bucket list, how will you and your children record your memories and experiences?

You could create a photo album, each family member could give a 1-5 star review of the experience
Record a video blog
Make a written account or journal entry to create your own family book of 100 Things to Do in DSM!

These are just some examples, I am sure your child will have an amazingly creative way to plan, explore, and review their adventures in this amazing community where we live. Together, you will learn many life skills and lessons as well as a better understanding of which types of activities and experiences your child prefers! Happy Exploring!