9 Ways to Use Amigurumi Food for Homeschooling

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Homeschooling is at the forefront of the minds of many at the moment. Maybe you’re wondering how you can combine your love for amigurumi and home educate your children all at the same time. I have 9 Ways to Use Amigurumi Food for Homeschooling that your kids are going to love and I have a free printable just for you.

When I learned that our school district would not be returning to in person classes in the fall, I immediately thought back to my own years as a homeschooler. After home-educating my own kids for twenty years, I retired in May when my youngest child graduated high school.

Crochet Food

While I wasn’t a crocheter when my kids were grade school aged, I know they would have loved playing with the toys I make. All four of them had very different learning styles, but they all responded well to hands-on learning. Amigurumi food is perfect for busy kids, big and small.

First, I want to share why this is an amazing book, whether you are planning to homeschool children or not. Even if you won’t be home educating children, you are going to love this resource. It is chock full of adorable patterns to crochet.

Next, I will share several nine wonderful ways you can use crocheted food to teach children many different lessons.

I also have a free downloadable printable below if you would like to have a handy (and adorable) list of all nine ways you can use amigurumi food for homeschooling.

And don’t worry, although I definitely have experience teaching children, many of these ideas came from my daughter, who is getting her PhD in music education. She has studied child development and together, we came up with nine fantastic ideas to use amigurumi food for homeschooling.

This post contains affiliates links and at no cost to you I may earn a teeny tiny commission if you choose to purchase them. Please know that I only recommend products I use and love! Thank you for supporting Le Petit Saint Crochet! You can read my full (and slightly boring) full disclosure here.

Crochet Cafe

When Lauren Espy from A Menagerie of Stitches sent me her brand new amigurumi book, I was beyond thrilled.

There is something special about a book of adorable amigurumi patterns, and Crochet Cafe is particularly full of them. Two hundred thirteen pages stuffed full of one adorable amigurumi food pattern after another.

I had a difficult time choosing which pattern to start with, but let’s be honest, there will be more to come. I ended up choosing the adorable pancakes and latte, but I seriously want to crochet all the amigurumi food in this book.

Amigurumi Food for Homeschooling

The more I looked over this amazing book, the more I began to see it as a great resource for teaching children as well.

So many parents have found themselves homeschooling, not out of choice, but out of necessity. I truly understand how overwhelming and stressful that can be. But making homeschooling enjoyable for everyone is achievable and amigurumi food can be a small part of their education.

These are just a few ideas if you’re looking for a way to combine your love of crocheting while at the same time helping your children learn, stay engaged and have some fun.

Play Kitchen

Play is the work of the child

Maria Montessori

Children learn through playing. It is an essential part of their education.

Pretending and play acting, are serious work for a child. And amigurumi food can play a wonderful role in their imagination.

My own children loved their play kitchen and could spend hours cooking up delicious four course meals full of plastic apples, french fries and meatballs.

What is wonderful about Crochet Cafe is that there are so many different types of foods, from breakfast to snacks to dinner to desserts.

I found these two adorable play kitchens that I know my own kids would have loved, but now I’m thinking I need one just so I can display all my amigurumi food.

KidKraft Vintage Kitchen in Blue

Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Pretend Play Toy Kitchen – White

Teaching Colors

Preschoolers can begin learning their colors with amigugumi food.

From the little green avocado to the bright red lobster, children can physically touch and hold the amigurumi food while they learn.

Vocabulary

An easy way to help your children expand their vocabulary is through naming of food.

They will be able to learn words like guacamole, falafel, and edamame. And yes, those are all patterns in the book. I know, how amazing is that?

Help with Speech Issues

As a mother of a son with special needs, I spent many years in occupational, physical and speech therapy offices.

Helping your child learn to pronounce certain sounds can be more fun when you’re motivated to hold an adorable, smiling toy.

For example if they struggle to a pronounce a certain sound you could crochet those toys that begin or end with that letter to encourage them to practice.

Learn About Other Parts of the World

Another really fun activity is teaching children about our big beautiful world full of different cultures.

One of the best things about Crochet Cafe is that there are so many wonderful patterns for global foods.

There’s a Bento Box, Eclair, Cannoli, Chinese Takeout, Chips and Guacamole, Falafel Pita, and even a foil wrapped Burrito.

Each one of these amigurumi patterns can help your children learn about the food and cultures of peoples around the world.

You could do a unit study about a certain country and include some crocheted food from the region to add a little fun.

Second Language Learning

It is much more common nowadays for young children to begin learning a second language.

Crocheting amigurumi food for homeschooling can reinforce new vocabulary that your children are learning at home.

You can use the crocheted food as three dimensional flashcards.

Improving Fine Motor Skills

If you have a young child or one that needs to work on fine motor skills, amigurumi food can be a wonderful tool for dexterity.

Have them pinch the Lo Mein noodles in the Chinese Takeout box or stack the pancakes one on top of the other.

There are so many fun ways you can use amigurumi food to improve those fine motor skills.

Teach Math Skills

A sneaky way to teach math skills is with amigurumi food. It’s wonderful to watch a child learn all while they just think they are having fun.

Have them count how many meatballs are on the spaghetti.

You can give them two pieces of pizza and ask them to count how many they have. Then give them another piece and ask how many they have now. They are learning addition without even knowing it.

Balance and Posture

Balance and posture are two skills children can improve by playing with amigurumi food.

Have your child balance the crocheted food on his/her head and walk across the room.

Especially important for writing or playing piano, have the child place the food on their shoulder and instruct them to keep the food in place.

Children naturally scrunch up their shoulders when they are concentrating, which can cause tension, pain and bad form.

Have them keep the food on their shoulder as a physical reminder to keep their shoulders down, and not up by their ears, while they learn to write or even play the piano.

Amigurumi Food for Homeschooling

Homeschooling can be a wonderful experience for the entire family and incorporating amigurumi food into your child’s education can be fun for everyone.

These are just a few ways you could use amigurumi food for homeschooling:

• Play Kitchen
• Teaching Colors
• Vocabulary
• Speech Issues
• Cultural Education
• Second Language Learning
• Fine Motor Skills
• Math Skills
• Balance & posture

Free Printable

I would love to know if you are planning to crochet amigurumi food for homeschooling this year!

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