Seattle Homeschool Group Events
Weekly
Park Days
SHG families get together every week to chat and play.
Southwest Park Day is every Monday 1–4pm at Lincoln Park in West Seattle. Contact Jane Yagi or Catalina Miller for more information.
North Seattle Park Day is every Tuesday 1–4pm year-round in all kinds of weather. Park day is at Meridian Park in Wallingford every other week. In the intervening weeks it travels to different parks in the city (mostly north of the Lake Washington Ship Canal). Contact Ryan Kooger for more information.
North End Park Day is every Wednesday 2:30–4:30pm at Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore. Discovery Pass or single day parking pass required. Check the North End Homeschoolers Facebook Group for more information.
Family Learning Program Park Day is every Friday from 10am to 2pm in south end parks. Contact our friends at FLP for more information.
Loyal Heights Homeschool Program is hanging out at the Loyal Heights Community Center and playground in north Ballard every Wednesday from 10am to about 3pm. Contact our friends at LHH for more information.
Don’t see a Park Day in your neighborhood? Maybe you can start one! Contact us and we’ll help you get started!
Recurring Events
SHG members organize a variety of regular academic, social, and service outings.
Game Days offer children and adults an opportunity to play board games with friends. There is a game day meeting at Meeples Games (West Seattle) on Thursdays 12:30–2:30pm.
Upcoming Game Days
Parent’s Night Out is a evening gathering of homeschooling parents looking to connect with each other in a setting free of the usual distractions at kid-centered activities. During the pandemic, we have also had Parent’s Night In on Zoom.
Upcoming PNOs
Check-In Chats were an important way for us to stay connected at times we couldn’t meet in person. Every other Wednesday morning from 10 to 11:30am, SHG parents would connect on Zoom to chat about homeschooling, kids, activities, health, books, and more!
Homeschool Conversations are evening and weekend gatherings designed to provide an opportunity for SHG members to share their knowledge and experience with the community. Sessions focus on specific topics relevant to homeschoolers at various stages of the journey. Contact Megan Riggs or Leanne Markle for more information.
Upcoming Homeschool Conversations
Introduction to Homeschooling is a two part event that happens twice a year in September and January. Part 1 introduces new and would-be homeschoolers to the legal aspects of home-based instruction in Washington State. Part 2 is a panel discussion with veteran homeschoolers. Audience questions are strongly encouraged. Free and open to all. Register through the event listing.
Upcoming Introduction to Homeschooling
Annual Events
SHG families have several long-standing traditions.
Not-Back-to-School marks the beginning of the year with a celebration at Wallingford Playfield. Held every year on the first Tuesday after the Seattle Public Schools start classes in September, NBTS features a resource desk, curriculum swap, field games, sport/music/other demonstrations, and group photo. In recent, years Not-Back-to-School has included multiple days of online classes, activities, and discussions as well.
Harvest Party happened at the end of October. It featured a potluck, popcorn, apple cider press, games, and treats. Prizes were awarded for the best costumes in several categories. The Harvest Party has not happened in recent years, but we’d love to see it come back. If you are interested in organizing this event let the Events Chair know and we will help you make it happen!.
Valentine’s Skate is held in February at the Highland Ice Arena in Shoreline. Kids bring decorated boxes and exchange valentine cards and goodies. When not skating, SHG families chat and share potluck lunch and treats.
La Wis Wis Camping Trip Every summer, two weekends before Labor Day, SHG families get away to the foot of Mount Rainier. From Wednesday to Sunday SHGers swim, scooter/bike, eat, laugh, and play together. The talent show is usually held on Saturday.
Clubs and Subgroups
SHG families with common interests often create specialized groups.
Book Clubs are an opportunity for kids to get together and share. SHG families have organized a variety of book clubs with different target age-ranges, formats, and meeting locations. Join SHG and check out our newsletter for details.
Chess Club meets every Monday from 12:30-1:30pm on lichess and Zoom. Members play weekly tournaments, discuss strategy, and explore chess variants.
Flying Squad is a small drop-off group for ages 12+ that meets weekly at a variety of outdoor locations for exploration and open ended fun. We experiment with how to make collective decisions and how to exist as a community where each individual is valued exactly as they are. Click Here for more information or contact Susan Milton.
Math Club is a group of middle-school-aged students that meets every Monday from 2:30–3:30pm on Google Meet. Members work through math problem sets together each week and, optionally, compete together in the annual MATHCOUNTS competition.
Stewardship Squad meets year-round on the second Thursday and the fourth Wednesday of each month. Created by Heidi Watters in 2011, this group provides an opportunity for kids of all ages and their adults to learn and play at friendly work parties around the Seattle metro area. Email HeidiWatters@gmail.com or visit the Stewardship Squad Blog for more information.
The list above represents some of the special interest groups within SHG. SHG families have also have organized scouting groups, study groups, preschool play groups, and much much more! Members are always encouraged to create something new.
Field Trips
SHG members organize a wide variety of group outings throughout the year.
Seattle is full of museums, performances, and experiences! SHG members organize group field trips several times each month. As a group we not only have more fun together, but we can often get a discounted rate or even get into something that an individual family could not. Join SHG to be notified of upcoming field trips.