If you're looking for Halloween homeschool activities to bring a little fun to the fall season, here are some ideas that include a little bit of everything. Whether you're looking for science, language arts, Halloween arts and crafts, or you want to address important social justice issues, the following Halloween-themed homeschool lessons and activities are a great place to start.
Get some screams with a creepy Halloween activity for kids
Lessons plans about culture and appropriation
Cultural appropriation, as defined by Susan Scafidi in her book, Who Owns Culture? Appropriation and Authenticity in American Law, is "taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else’s culture without permission. It’s most likely to be harmful when the source community is a minority group that has been oppressed or exploited in other ways or when the object of appropriation is particularly sensitive, e.g., sacred objects.”
In 2017, the Walt Disney Company pulled their Maui Halloween costume from store shelves. The costume featured a long-sleeved brown shirt with imprinted tattoos similar to those worn by Polynesian chiefs. Unfortunately, this is common at Halloween, so it's important to teach kids early on how to recognize cultural appropriation.
5. Teach kids how to recognize and address cultural appropriation.
Taking Away From Our Culture is one of those Halloween homeschool activities that families can incorporate into their regular homeschool day. It only takes about an hour to work through. While designed for New York public school students in grades 3 through 8, the lesson plan can easily be completed at home.
Students will watch a short video and talk about Halloween costumes. This will help them develop an understanding of the consequences of their choices. They'll also learn the difference between a culture and a costume, and brainstorm appropriate and exciting costumes for Halloween.
6. It's never too early to begin teaching the important social justice lessons.
If you've got younger kids who have expressed an interest in dressing up in costumes that could be deemed problematic, the Understanding Cultural Appropriation K – 3rd Grade lesson plan is a great introduction to help children recognize appropriation.
Halloween can be more than just costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating. The beauty of home education is that you can incorporate learning into anything, including Halloween. These Halloween homeschool activities make for the perfect relaxed homeschool and are a great way to kick off the evening festivities.
