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Have you ever been asked, "How do homeschoolers make friends?" Or maybe you're new to homeschooling and wondering yourself, how DO homeschoolers make friends? I have some good news for you! While the public may wonder about homeschool socialization, statistics clearly demonstrate that homeschoolers are wonderfully socialized. However, when homeschooled teens crave friendships, it's a normal concern.

It's true that some children are more introverted than others and don't develop friendships the same way a more outgoing teen might. But that's not a function of homeschooling at all; it's a personality trait!

While it's really up to the teenager to develop their friendships, there are things you can do to help them find friends and get started. You could be very organized and arrange organized activities. You could be moderately involved, encouraging or arranging fun monthly or quarterly fun meetings. You could develop ice-breakers and provide door prizes at the beginning. You can coordinate a Facebook group or group text for long term success. Or you could keep it all very low key with no agenda. Honestly, teens love food, games, and music.

If you are completely befuddled, read over these lists. If you are a planner and extrovert at heart, please leave a comment with your suggestions for finding friends for your homeschooling teens.

Homeschool Socialization Activities and Group Ideas 

• 4-H groups

• Book clubs

• Church youth group

• Civil Air Patrol

• Dance groups (ex: swing or ballroom dance)

• Knitting or crochet club

• Movie club

• Musical groups

• Orchestra, band, or choir

• Political campaigns

• Public speaking (ex: Junior Toastmasters)

• Robotics club

• Samaritan's Purse shoeboxes

• Scouting (ex: Boy Scouts)

• Speech and debate club

• Sports groups

• Theater groups and productions

• Volunteer somewhere together

• Worship team

• YMCA groups

Monthly Homeschool Meetups or Impromptu Gatherings 

• Berry picking/farm days

• Bonfire

• Camping trip

• Capture the flag

• Corn maze

• Frisbee golf

• Game night

• Hiking club

• Library events

• Local art classes

• Local attractions (ex: zoo, museum)

• Park activities

• Nacho night or Taco Tuesday

• Potluck

Weekly Homeschool Meetups for Casual Fun 

• Archery

• Beach

• Bowling

• Campfire and marshmallows

• Chess club

• Christmas party

• Coffee shops

• Cookout

• Drama club

• Escape room

• Game night

• Go kart racing

• Group tie dye

• Hayrides

• Hosting dinners (rotate homes)

• Ice cream socials

• Karaoke

• Laser tag

• Local history sites

• Movie night

• Museum field trip

• Nerf night

• Paintball

• Pizza place meet up

• Rock climbing

• Rotating park locations for games

• Skiing/snowboarding

• STEM club

• Swimming pool

• Tag

• Trampoline parks
  

Discuss Friendship Facts with Your Teens 

True socialization is an activity you do while mixing socially with others, and a process of learning how to behave with others.

False socialization is simply being in the same physical location with people your same age for many hours at a time, like at school.

True Friendship is a close bond or mutual attachment. Usually it includes common interests, mutual trust, and support.

False Friendship has requirements about age or status, but true friends aren't required to be the same age, or from outside the family.

Read more about Homeschooling and Socialization.