15 Creative Ways to Connect: Online Courses for Homeschool Families

image of paper with 'More Family Time' written. From CaptivatingCompass.com

Is your homeschool family starving for a deeper connection?

It may seem like an odd question to ask, but honestly. I’ve seen so many families becoming more and more disconnected even when they spend all day together. We are busy learning, attending online courses, working, and taking care of the daily aspects of life. It often becomes easy to slip into the habit of being together but not really connecting regularly with every member of the family.

I get it. This homeschooling gig is a lot to juggle. Family life and work stress can make it even more complicated. So how do homeschool families be intentional about connecting with each other? One simple solution that might surprise you is online courses.

There are so many online courses to choose from these days, that it might seem overwhelming to find the perfect one that allows you to connect with each of your kids at the age and stage they are in currently. These online courses below are perfect for learning and having fun together. Use them to stay connected and have fun together.

Explore these online courses. Which ones will you pick up that will help create deeper family connections this homeschool season?

connect with Online Courses in Music

image of 15 Minute music lessons, online courses at captivatingcompass.com

The 15-Minute Music Lessons online course contains nineteen lessons especially suited for elementary-aged students. Everything you need is included right in the course: Lessons to read, Videos to watch, Printables, Online quizzes, and Sometimes links to other sites to enrich your learning on the subject. You can complete each music appreciation lesson in 15 minutes, but more material is included if you’d like to expand the time or the days on a particular lesson. Learn more here.

image of theatre seats with text overlay Intro to Musicals for Elementary Students, online courses at CaptivatingCompass.com

Intro to Musicals for Elementary Students includes ten lessons on ten different musicals. Read about the story and background, watch video clips, work on one printable per lesson, take an online quiz, and explore links to outside sites with other materials to enrich your study. The ten musicals are Annie, Seussical, Cats, James and the Giant Peach, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mary Poppins, Newsies, Annie Get Your Gun, The Music Man, and The Wizard of Oz. Learn more here.

image of international music instruments with text overlay. World Music for elementary. Selfpaced online courses from Music in our Homescool, on www.captivatingcompass.com

You and your students will LOVE the 65 lessons included in the World Music for Elementary online course! Each lesson is about the music of a different country or area of the world. You’ll learn about unique instruments, folk dances, songs, and styles. • Listen to music sung in other languages. • See indigenous people perform their music for you. • Learn to love the people and their music from all around the world! World Music for Elementary is a perfect complement to any world geography or world history course. Each lesson should take you around 15-30 minutes, excluding the optional activity. Some lessons, but not all, include instrument notebooking pages as well! Learn more here.

Connect With Online Courses in Art

image of Beyond the Stick figure online courses on www.captivatingcompass.com

Online art courses and projects for the entire family. Get unlimited access to the ever-growing library of courses and projects. Suitable for students age 5 and up. More Beyond the Stick Figure courses here.

Want to paint delightful family portraits with your family? Makes a perfect project for back to school or holiday gifts! Learn step by step how to make these miniature masterpieces and then how to put them all together into an entire family. Personalize your style and personality.

This course contains everything you need to add those special finishing touches to your holiday. Simple, clear, and concise, step-by-step videos will lead you through this signature mini-course. These projects can be used to decorate your table, create gifts, craft hand-painted cards, and so much more! Best of all, the techniques taught in these courses will give you the skill and confidence to create your own masterpieces from scratch. Now, that’s the gift that keeps on giving! More Beyond the Stick Figure courses here.

Connect with Entrepreneur-In-Training Courses

Etsy Masterclass for teens online courses available at CaptivatingCompass.com

Does your homeschool teen need an elective credit on their transcript but feels uninspired by the options? Would your creative high schooler like to make money on the side while completing coursework? Would YOU like to have all the teaching outsourced, homeschool mom? Then the Selling on Etsy Masterclass for Teens is for YOU! Learn more here.

image of Podcast for Teens, at captivatingcompass.com

Podcast Launch for Teens is a step-by-step game plan for creating and growing a podcast. Your teens can pursue the topics they’re passionate about, gain experience in new mediums and platforms, all while earning credit on their homeschool transcript. Learn more here.

Connect with History & Geography in Live Online Courses

image of World Geography, one of the many online courses available at CaptivatingCompass.com

World Geography will appeal to students with a sense of adventure and wanderlust. This compelling world geography class for middle & high schoolers will take them on journeys to exciting places to explore and learn. Set your course for adventure!

Using virtual field trips, students will be transported to museums, exhibits, zoos and historical landmarks all over the world to discover Geography in a unique and robust way! Each week there will be an opportunity to explore and learn about a variety of topics from some of the most famous museums & exhibits in the world. Students will complete a variety of projects such as virtual scavenger hunts, “guided” tours, and independent exploration and summary reports. Learn more here.

image of AriseHomeEducation.com logo with thxt overlay for online courses. An Unforgetable Christan Home Education experience for UK & EU families.

Connect with Homeschool & Travel Planning Resources

How To Turn Any Homeschool Subject Into A Family Travel Adventure, is a unique online course teaching how to enrich your homeschool by planning staycations, family days out, or epic family adventures based on your homeschool curriculum. Choose a travel destination and plan your homeschool with a family trip in mind. Learn how to utilize virtual learning in your homeschool as a way to inspire, educate, and plan the next family travel adventure. Learn more here.

More ideas to help you create FUN and creative Family Time with Your teens

What other creative family time ideas can offer for families with teens?


Here are some creative ideas for family time with teens:
🌟Have a family talent show. This is a great way to get everyone involved and having fun. Encourage your teens to share their talents, whether it’s singing, dancing, telling jokes, or performing magic tricks. You can even vote for a winner at the end.
🌟Start a family book club. Choose a book that everyone is interested in reading and then meet up once a week to discuss it. This is a great way to bond with your teens and learn from each other.
🌟Have a game night. There are so many different games out there that you’re sure to find something that everyone will enjoy. Try board games, card games, video games, or even outdoor games like frisbee or bocce ball.
🌟Have a family cook-off. Challenge everyone to come up with a new and creative recipe to cook. Then, have a taste test to see who makes the best dish.
🌟Have a family movie marathon. Pick out a few of your favorite movies and watch them back-to-back. You can even make it a themed movie marathon, such as all comedies, all action movies, or all Disney movies.
🌟Go on a family hike or bike ride. This is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors together.
🌟Visit a museum or art gallery. Many museums offer free or discounted admission for families. This is a great way to learn about new things and experience culture together.
🌟Volunteer together. Find a cause that your family is passionate about and volunteer your time together. This is a great way to give back to your community and bond as a family.

What creative family time ideas are there for large families or families with a broad age range?

Here are some additional creative ideas:
🌟Build a fort in the living room. This is a fun and easy activity that the whole family can enjoy.
🌟Have a karaoke night. Rent a karaoke machine and belt out your favorite tunes with your teens.
🌟Have a dance party. Put on some music and dance around the living room with your teens.
🌟Play board games with a twist. For example, instead of playing Monopoly the traditional way, try playing with different rules, such as only using one dollar bills or only allowing players to trade properties with each other.
🌟Have a themed dinner night. Choose a cuisine from another country and cook a meal together. You can even dress up in traditional clothing and listen to music from that country.
🌟Make a family video. Write and produce a short video together. You can use your phones or even a camcorder.
🌟Have a family art night. Set up easels and canvases and paint together. You can even try finger painting or making pottery.
🌟Play charades or Pictionary. These are classic games that are always fun for the whole family.
🌟Have a family game night. Play board games, card games, or video games together.
🌟Have a family talent show. Perform for each other and vote for a winner.
🌟Have a family dance party. Put on some music and dance around the living room together.
🌟Have a family karaoke night. Rent a karaoke machine and sing your hearts out.
🌟Have a family movie night. Choose a movie that everyone wants to see and watch it together.
🌟Have a family campout. Pitch a tent in the backyard or go to a campsite. Roast marshmallows, tell stories, and sleep under the stars.
🌟Go on a family hike. Find a hiking trail near your home and explore nature together.
🌟Go on a family bike ride. Rent bikes and ride around town or on a bike trail.
🌟Go to a museum. Many museums offer free or discounted admission for families.
🌟Go to a zoo or aquarium. See animals from all over the world and learn about their habitats.
🌟Go to a sporting event. Cheer on your favorite team together.
🌟Go to a concert. See your favorite band or musician perform live.
🌟Go to a play or musical. Enjoy a night of theater together.
🌟Volunteer together. Find a cause that your family is passionate about and volunteer your time together.

The most important thing is to choose activities that everyone will enjoy. And don’t be afraid to get creative! The possibilities are endless.

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