This post is sponsored by Sun-Maid®; all opinions are my own
Even though back to school looks a bit different this year, I still want to make the new school year exciting for the girls. Ari’s school will be distance learning through the remainder of the year and one of our favorite ways to make learning fun is by taking our classroom outside and by bringing our favorite snacks to get us through our lessons. We’ve been spending a lot of time exploring outside spaces and this has been a fun way to keep the girls engaged in their learning.
I’m always on the hunt for new snacks for our outdoor adventures and I came across new Sun-Maid® Bites — and we are all officially hooked. The S’mores flavor is my personal favorite and the girls love the PB&J and Birthday Cake bites. They have resealable bags making it easy to snack, share, and seal back up to take home for later.
How do I make the school year fun for the girls while we are learning at home? Here are some tips to help get you through the new school year too!
Create a “homeschool” space in your home. We are still living in a small space but I put together a fun art cart filled with workbooks and art supplies. I also put together a book corner for the girls and take our reading outside to help split up our day. We all get some fresh air in, do some reading, and I let the girls run around to burn off some energy.
Finding a relatable book series to dive into with your kids is such a fun way to gear up for school. We recently picked up Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes, and it’s been so much fun seeing Beatrice, a unique character who marches to the beat of her own drum, come to life. Beatrice does her thinking upside down, and Ari likes to do her thinking outside at the park! Such a fun series for kids to embrace being unique to get back into the school year with confidence.
I also try to keep the kids on a schedule. In the mornings, we sit down and do breakfast together, work on our top priority list, and then incorporate fun activities in between to keep things fresh. We take our learning outside, make a tent for reading, or turn the day’s lessons into an educational game.
Even though we are working/learning from home, I still like to pack the girls’ lunches the night before so it’s all prepped for the next day. I also sneak in snacks, just like I would if I were sending them to school. Be sure to add the Sun-Maid® Bites to your next Walmart Pickup & Delivery order, the kids always crave them and it’s an easy snack that’s ready to serve (hello no prep work!). You can also pick them up at Walmart in the granola bar aisle. A few bonus facts about this snack below, but they truly are a better-for-you snack that tastes like dessert!
- Made with whole fruit, whole grain oats, and nuts
- Childhood favorite flavors all in one, delicious bite! Yummy for kids AND moms (#momwin)!
- Less than 5g of added sugar
- Resealable packaging great for on-the-go snacking
- No artificial flavors or synthetic colors
Be easy on yourself! This whole homeschooling/distance learning is a first for me, and I know for most of you as well. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. Take a deep breath and just know you are doing the best you can!
