The following post is sponsored by the Netflix StreamTeam. All opinions are my very own.
We’re taking a bit of a break from our standard homeschool curriculum this week. We’re keeping busy with lots of homeschooling resources for the Winter Olympics, and enjoying some family fun together!
We love to watch (and participate) in sports as a family, so the Winter Olympics is a exciting event for us. (hint – we’re pumped for soccer’s World Cup in the summer, too!)
I’ll get to introduce my children to new sports, like the luge, bobsled, and curling. We’ll also talk about some of the countries we see represented, paying special attention to the USA, England and Ireland athletes.
The Winter Olympics is a great time to talk about Russian culture and learn about Olympic history.
One of my very favorite family and parenting tools, Common Sense Media, has a great Guide to the Olympics for Families that we will be using.
Our friends at Netflix also have some great movies, documentaries and TV shows that fit well with the Olympic theme. While watching the Winter Olympics, we will be talking about all the hard work that goes into being a professional athlete, how teams have to work together and that competition can be brutal.
Take a look at these selections:
Olympic Themed Movies for Older Kids
For your older children, you might enjoy these documentaries and movies with a sports theme.
- Mighty Macs (we LOVED this one about a small Catholic college winning the women’s NCAA championship!)
- The Fabulous Ice Age
- The Short Game
Olympic Themed Movies and Shows for Younger Kids
For the younger set, there are a variety of selections with a sports or winter theme.
Olympic Themed Crafts
My sweet friend and amazing homeschool mother Tricia Hodges has a great DIY art class for the Winter Olympics. All you need are some chalk pastels and paper, then you’re ready to go!
If you’re not in the mood for drawing, you could always supervise your children as they make their own Olympic medals. Hat tip to KLS Crafts for this great idea!
Olympic Themed Treats and Snacks
After watching the Games and making crafts, your crew is sure to be hungry! I found this idea for Sports Themed Cupcakes from Always Order Dessert. I love it that Alejandra shares my affinity for healthy snacks for kids!
How will you enjoy the Winter Olympics together as a family? Be sure to leave me your ideas in the comments!
Some wonderful ideas! You can also do some math lessons with the times and scores. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Great idea, Carrie! My boys are enjoying watching the half pipe and all the crazy skiing events.
Wonderful ideas! I am SO not sports-minded so this is a great help to encouraging my kids to get interested in what’s going on. Thanks for sharing
Oh, my husband was a soccer player in high school and college — we’re anxiously awaiting World Cup coverage!
We’ve enjoyed talking to our kids about the history of the Olympics this year- especially when my husband and I recounted the Nancy Kerrigan story. I can’t believe that was 20 years ago! Always interesting to talk about your past in 4 year increments. Great post!
I KNOW! Can you believe that? I remember being so in love with watching her skate, and horrified at all the drama.
Yup — 4 year sports events are so much fun! We’re counting down the days til World Cup – big soccer fans here!
Thanks for coming by!
These are great ideas! My kids are teenagers now, so we’ve been able to have some good discussions revolving around topics brought up by the Olympics, and we’ve had fun watching together!
I’m visiting today from BB100 challenge, and I enjoyed looking around your site.
Hello, Lisa! I think we might have met a few years ago at the 2:1 Conference in Washington. Or else I have you mixed up with someone else 🙂
There are so many topics — my husband and I are amazed at all of the logistical issues that are going on — lodging, water, weather, etc.
Great ideas! I especially loved the idea for the sports themed cupcakes. They look delicious!
Visiting from the BYB challenge
Aren’t those adorable? And healthy, too! Yay!
Thanks for stopping in!
Our kids raced to get their work done this am, before the Men’s Hockey started. I’m going to look into the movies, but unfortunately, the Netflix in the US is better than Canada. We don’t get the same availability. *sigh*
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Oh, no! I had no idea they were that different.
What a fun way to motivate the kids!
Glad to see you here!