What to Do When Your Homeschool Day Derails
Let’s be honest for a second: some days in homeschool feel like you're flying a kite in a hurricane. You’ve got your curriculum lined up, you’ve prepped the crafts, laid out the colored pencils in a cute rainbow tray… and then BOOM. Someone loses their math book. The toddler is gluing googly eyes to the dog. The baby is crying because someone ate the last granola bar (it was me—I ate it).
Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing: homeschool days will derail. That doesn’t mean you're doing it wrong. It just means you’re working with real humans who have real needs and real moods. The magic is in how you recover from the chaos—and I’m here to tell you that art can be your secret weapon. Not just any art, though. The right kind of art.
Why Art is the Ultimate Reset Button
When your day has gone sideways, you need an activity that is:
● Easy to set up
● Not overly structured
● Open-ended enough to keep everyone engaged
● Calming (because we are NOT about to clean up slime right now)
Art checks all those boxes and then some. Plus, it gives your kids a sense of accomplishment even when the rest of the day feels off.
An open-ended collage like this shows how art can reset a tough homeschool day by inviting creativity, calm, and connection without pressure.
My Personal Favorite: Easy Cow Drawings with Oil Pastels
Let me introduce you to the superhero of my "uh-oh" days: the Garrett May Cow Drawing Project. This one is simple enough for younger kids, but interesting enough to keep big kids engaged, too. Plus, oil pastels give such a rich, vibrant finish, it feels like real art—without the mess of actual paint.
And here's the kicker: it’s not just fun, it’s educational too. (But shhh… don’t tell the kids.)
What You’ll Need:
● Crayola or Pentel oil pastels
● A touch of baby oil
● Water wipes or cotton swabs
Kids draw a cow in pencil, trace with glue, then color and smear with oil pastels + baby oil for a painterly look. Voila—instant art magic.
Need help with steps? I walk you through it right here.
Three More Art Rescue Ideas for Derail Days
Peter Rabbit Monoprinting – This one uses tracing + watercolors and nib pens. It's perfect when you're in the mood for something springy or need a quiet, focused task. Get the full how-to here.
Cow Skull Dice Roll Game – Great for early finishers or art centers while one kid finishes that stubborn long division. It’s low-prep, and hits art + literacy. Find it here.
Plaster Wrap Animal Masks – Save this one for a day when you do have time, but things feel stale. It's immersive and hands-on in the best way. You’ll get texture, technique, and joy in one project. Check it out.
Art as Emotional Regulation (Seriously!)
When things go off track, kids need to reset emotionally before they can dive back into learning. Art is a sensory experience that soothes the nervous system, activates creativity, and builds confidence.
And let’s be real—sometimes you need that too. Sitting with your kids, scribbling some oil pastels, and watching them giggle as they blend colors? It’s a balm for your soul.
Don’t Worry About Wasted Time
I used to panic when we went off-script. Like, if we didn’t get to spelling by 10:45, the homeschool police would show up. (They didn’t.)
Now I know this: when we lean into a creative break instead of forcing our way through friction, we actually get more done in the long run. Our days feel smoother. My kids remember more. They’re calmer. I’m calmer. It’s a win-win.
Art is Learning, Too
Don’t let the pretty colors fool you—art is rich with learning:
● Visual literacy
● Fine motor skills
● Creative problem solving
● Science of materials (hello, oil vs. acrylic)
● History and culture
You're not "wasting time" when you switch to art. You're creating space for deeper, richer learning. And hey, you’re also buying yourself a minute to breathe.
My Favorite Secret Weapon: The Art Cart
I keep a rolling cart stocked with basic supplies: construction paper, glue, scissors, oil pastels, markers, tissue paper, and a few printable prompts from TPT. When things feel tense or someone’s melting down, I just say, “Art cart time!” and the mood lifts.
If you don’t have a cart, a bin or drawer works just as well. The goal is to make art feel accessible and exciting—not one more thing to prep.
Final Thoughts: Give Yourself Grace
Let’s normalize this: some homeschool days are magical. Some are messes. That’s not failure. That’s life.
On the mess days, lean into art. Let it be your safe space. Your connector. Your calm in the storm.
And if you need something quick to pull out next time your day goes sideways? Bookmark this post or print out the Cow Dice Roll and stash it with your backup chocolate.
You’ve got this.
More GREAT IDEAS:
Designed specifically for classroom use, these worksheets provide a template for your students to explore the concepts of tints and shades while developing their artistic skills. Whether you're looking for a way to enhance your art curriculum or just want to inject some creativity into your classroom, these worksheets are sure to inspire your students!
Check out discounts, deals, and recommendations on all our artsy faves!
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Get to know Amanda Koonlaba!
Hi! I’m Amanda. Teaching children to be creative thinkers is my greatest joy. I’m here to help you bring that same joy to your classroom.
This guide is packed with 25 ideas for using art to teach math and ELA. It’s arts integration for the win!
I want all students to feel successful in the art room, so I created a standards-based Daffodil Collage lesson to do just that! The lesson includes an artist study, student reflection, and more, so push your artists to their full potential.
