As I have shared before, we use Ambleside Online to homeschool our kids. It is based on the Charlotte Mason method which uses living books. There are also various additional parts that are considered the riches of their education. We really enjoy this method and there are so many reasons why.

Another integral and fun part of a Charlotte Mason education is handicrafts. Handicrafts are different than just cut and glue crafts you might have your kids do to keep busy. These are something that is useful and worth keeping, perhaps even something they could gift to another person or sell.

A great place to see handicrafts put to good use is craft shows and Renaissance Fairs. Here children can see people weaving, blacksmithing, woodworking, glass blowing and so much more. They can attend the events and see a master at work and then buy some of their product to try to copy at home. We love attending these type of events with the kids. You never know what they are going to pick up on and fall in love with!

Charlotte Mason wanted the students to put enough effort in to produce good, quality work. This wasn’t usually something they could complete in an afternoon, but was something that they would work on for a few days, weeks or even months depending on the project. This was a way of developing skills that the student would carry with them as they grow. It could also expose specific talents the student has.

"Making (and mending) real things like rugs, baskets, ceramic pots, doll furniture, and sewing on lost buttons, hemming pillowcases, cooking, woodworking, cross stitching and fixing plumbing were what she had in mind rather than worthless busy art projects that end up thrown away." Ambleside Online

Some of the handicraft projects we have worked on that my kids enjoy have turned into Christmas gifts. They have traced their hands on fabric and then sewn around them. I then sewed them together to make pillows for the grandmothers. They have also made loom potholders. They have also tried knitting and finger knitting. One son is currently building a tree house and working on his carpentry skills. I have some wood carving and wood burning kits for future projects for the kids. I would also like to teach them to sew. They would like to build a suit of armor and have plans to make a go cart. These are some of the fun handicrafts that the kids enjoy during their time outside of school.

What is a handicraft you would enjoy?

<><><><><><><><><><><><>

Schoolhouse Saturday will be brought to you here every Saturday by A Panama Mama.
Check back each week for updates on school life, curriculum, our lending library and more.
If you have something you’d like to hear about, feel free to let me know in the comments.
Thanks for visiting!