Hello, friends!
Today I want to share some quick tips for turning your grocery store trip into a homeschool opportunity. The store can be a place for more than just errands — it’s full of hands-on lessons for every age.
Toddlers & Preschoolers
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Colors: “What color is this apple?” “Can you find something green?”
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Food ID: Hold up a fruit or veggie and ask, “Do you know what this is?” If they get it right, praise them and repeat the name back. If they miss it, gently correct: “Close! This is actually a cucumber.”
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Letters & Sounds: “This is a B-B-Banana. What letter does banana start with? What sound did you hear at the end of the word?”
Elementary Ages
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Reading Labels: “What brand is this yogurt? What flavor is it?”
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Signs & Spelling: “Can you find what aisle the cereal is in? Cereal starts with C… do you see it?”
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Math Facts: “These are 4 for $1. How much does one cost?”
Older Kids
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Pricing & Weighing: “This cantaloupe is 80¢ per pound. Can you weigh it and figure out how much it will cost?” Bring a small notebook and pencil so they can work it out.
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Meal Math: “If each person eats half a pound of meat, and we’re serving 6 people, how many pounds should we buy?”
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Conversions: “I need 36 ounces of cereal. These boxes are 18 ounces each. How many do we need?”
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Ingredient Reading: “Can you read the orange juice label to me? Do these crackers have Red #40 in them?”
A Blessing of Community
I’m so thankful for a grocery store that gladly welcomes our homeschoolers to explore and learn. One time, the manager even surprised us with a little field trip behind the scenes to see the boiler system and how they heat the store — such a fun learning moment!
I try to shop during non-peak hours, usually about an hour before closing, when the store is quiet. We avoid 4–7 p.m. since that’s the busiest time.
Homeschooling doesn’t just happen at the kitchen table — it happens wherever life takes us. Grocery shopping can be stressful, but with a little intentionality, it can become part of your children’s education too.
Do you have any tips for “schooling in the grocery store”? I’d love to hear them in the comments!
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