{This post initially was initially shared in 2014 at the now defunct Upsidedown Homeschooling Blog, which can only be found using the Wayback Machine. I am resharing it here since someone asked for tips on how to host a fair and I wanted to offer them these. I pray it benefits you as well should you wish to host a project fair.}
Much to my amusement, the other day, my children woke and began transforming our hallway into a project fair.
I smiled as I prepared breakfast, listening to my oldest son read information to his sister about hyacinth macaws, Japan, knights, tarsiers, Bunker Hill, Germany and more and, then, hearing my daughter, in turn, share recalled facts with my youngest child, whose little feet were pattering off to his bedroom to get a stuffed animal in order to complete a rabbits project set up.
It had been nearly a year since we’d participated in our first project fair, an Endangered Species one, seven months since a History one, six since a Geography one and five since a Nature Explorers one. Yet, there all three of my children were gleefully hosting an eclectic “just us” fair in our hallway.
Reading, public speaking and more unfolded at the children’s morning micro-fair, just as it had at the original fairs that we had prepared for and presented at throughout last academic year.
Reading, public speaking and more unfolded at the children’s morning micro-fair, just as it had at the original fairs that we had prepared for and presented at throughout last academic year.
As each of my children enthusiastically shared their prior projects with one another, it struck me: a seemingly “one time” event can – and often does – hold residual effects.
Planning, preparing for and presenting at project fairs is well worth the effort, and, in our experience, a whole lot of fun, too! I encourage you to participate in such a fair, and, if none exist in your area, to host one.
Planning, preparing for and presenting at project fairs is well worth the effort, and, in our experience, a whole lot of fun, too! I encourage you to participate in such a fair, and, if none exist in your area, to host one.
It is not difficult to host a project fair. In fact, I have found that it’s fairly simple and well worth the effort!
In my tried-and-true experience, hosting a project fair can as easy as eight simple steps!
1.Choose a fair topic.
Animals, History, Geography, Art, Nature, Science, Saints, Holidays around the World… Ideas are endless. Keeping the topic broad offers participants freedom while also providing a bit of direction.
2. Contact a host location to nail down a day and time.
My family has participated at project fairs at a local library’s community meeting room and hosted one at a parish center. At all of these locations, we have found a three-hour block works well.
3. Get word out.
Use a local homeschool networking page to get word out. Share the time, date and RSVP deadline for the fair. Then, consider creating a special contact list for participants to share ideas, questions and concerns. All communications or the fairs our family has participated in has been by word of mouth and private Facebook groups. Other such social networking paths could work just as well!
4. Offer suggestions and ideas.
Once you have a participants list, periodically remind folks of the date and time of the fair, offer tips for research and presentation and outline the agenda for the fair day.
For the fairs we participated in, all this was done through brief posts on a private Facebook group. For the one I put together and hosted, I created an information packet with research tips, presentation ideas, an agenda, FAQ’s, and more.
For the fairs we participated in, all this was done through brief posts on a private Facebook group. For the one I put together and hosted, I created an information packet with research tips, presentation ideas, an agenda, FAQ’s, and more.
5. Ask for set up and break down volunteers.
Many hands make light work; too many can result in chaos. Thus, I have found that asking only a few families to help set up and break down tables and chairs works best.
6. Print participation certificates.
Creating and printing personalized participation certificates to hand out at the fair adds a special touch and allows parents who need it “evidence” to put in children’s portfolios.
7. Prepare your family’s projects.
Leave plenty of time for your own children to research and prepare their projects. Nothing is worse than putting your efforts into hosting a fair only to forget to work on your own family’s projects until the last-minute. A little bit done over a number of weeks adds up to less stress and more fun!
8. Set an agenda and enjoy!
For the fair I hosted, which happened in a three-hour block, I found the following agenda worked well (and included 15 minutes of unscheduled “wiggle” room.)
Set Up
- 30 min. -Event organizer and several volunteer families arrive and begin to set up tables and chairs.
- 20 min. - Participants arrive and set up.
Fair Opens
- 20 min. - Geography Fair Opens; parents or other non-participating family members or friends “man” students’ displays so children can circulate
- 20 min. - Participating students return to their displays while parents and guests circulate
- 30 min. - Oral Presentations begin; those who wish to may continue to quietly circulate among the display areas.
- 30 min. - Participation certificates distributed.
Fair Closes and Break Down Begins
- 30 min.- Break down displays and clean up.
I hope these tips help you to plan and enjoy learning and sharing together with a fair!
