As we ease back into homeschool life this August, I’m focusing our morning basket on Healthy Habits & the Human Body. This theme is the perfect gentle start to the school year — helping kids reconnect with their bodies, establish routines, and build habits that support both physical health and emotional well-being.
During the month I am wanting to touch on Basic human anatomy, Healthy routines and hygiene, Nutrition and movement, Emotional regulation, and Character traits like self-control and stewardship. I won’t be able to thoroughly cover each topic but a good reminder and room for conversation is what our morning basket time is all about.
Picture Books about Healthy Habits
This August, our morning basket is all about Healthy Habits & the Human Body, and I’ve gathered some wonderful picture books that make learning about our bodies, emotions, and healthy choices feel fun and approachable. From the classic Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body, which takes kids on a wild ride through the bloodstream, to Super Foods for Super Kids that turns everyday fruits and veggies into superheroes for our bodies, these books bring science and nutrition to life without overwhelming little learners.
We’ve also got heartfelt titles like The Little Book of Healthy Habits, which gently introduces routines that build independence, and the ever-charming Cat in the Hat’s Oh, The Things You Can Do That Are Good for You!—a rhyming celebration of movement, hygiene, and good food. To nurture emotional awareness, My Body Sends a Signal helps kids recognize and express their feelings before frustration bubbles over. And rounding it out, What Do You Stand For? invites kids to start thinking about character traits that help us care for ourselves and others.
Together, these stories make a gentle, encouraging foundation for a month of building habits—body, mind, and heart—that will serve your whole family well as you dive back into homeschool and life.
Chapter Books
This month’s chapter books all support our Healthy Habits & the Human Body theme in different and meaningful ways. Little House in the Big Woods brings a slower pace and cozy routines to life—perfect for starting conversations about nutrition, hygiene, and how families stayed healthy long before modern conveniences. The Busy Body Book adds a simple and encouraging look at how our amazing bodies are built to move, making it easy to talk about fitness without the pressure. And Alice Dent & The Incredible Germs adds just the right amount of fun and silliness to explore what happens when our bodies get sick—and how we bounce back.
Each story offers a different entry point into this theme, whether it’s movement, daily habits, or how our immune systems respond to the world. Together, they help us lay the groundwork for a healthy year—body, mind, and heart.
Poetry Memorization about Healthy Habits
I love weaving poetry into our morning basket because it’s such a gentle way to build memory skills while also planting seeds of wisdom. This poem, Good Health by Catherine Pulsifer, is a beautiful reminder that health isn’t just about what we eat or how much we move it’s about nourishing our whole selves, body and mind. The simple, heartfelt verses encourage kids (and grown-ups!) to embrace healthy habits, self-care, and positivity as daily practices. It’s short enough to memorize together, but packed with ideas that can spark some great conversations all month long.
Devotional
If you’re looking to connect the truth of God’s Word to your Healthy Habits & Human Body theme, this Fearfully and Wonderfully Made lesson is a beautiful place to start. It’s written for Sunday school, but it works so well in a homeschool setting too—especially during morning basket time. The focus is on Psalm 139:14 and reminding our kids that even when they mess up, they are still deeply loved and wonderfully made by God.
The lesson helps kids name their own struggles and sins in a safe, grace-filled way, and teaches that God doesn’t expect perfection He offers love, forgiveness, and guidance through His Spirit. I love how it ties body, mind, and heart together with one powerful truth you were made on purpose and for a purpose.
Art
Art might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to healthy habits and the human body, but it’s actually one of the gentlest and most creative ways to help kids connect with these big ideas. Whether it’s tracing their own bodies, using colors to express emotions, or making art through movement, these activities invite your kids to slow down, tune in, and explore what health really feels like—body, mind, and heart.
Here are three simple, meaningful art ideas to weave into your morning basket this August. They’re easy to do, don’t require fancy supplies, and open the door for connection and conversation.
Draw the Body
This activity is such a sweet way to bring your morning basket theme to life. Have your kids trace their bodies on a big sheet of paper, then fill in the details—organs, muscles, or even the foods and feelings that keep them healthy. It’s hands-on, visual, and opens the door for casual chats about how amazing their bodies really are. Plus, it’s a quiet moment of creativity that feels purposeful without pressure.
Emotions in Color
Sometimes words aren’t enough, and that’s where art shines. Invite your kids to use color to express how they’re feeling whether it’s a swirl of calm blues or bursts of happy yellows. This simple project helps them connect body signals with emotions, making it easier to talk about what’s going on inside. It’s a gentle way to build emotional awareness and make those big feelings feel a little less scary.
Art in Movement
Who says art has to be still? Roll out a big piece of paper and let your kids paint with their hands or feet as they move to music. It’s messy, joyful, and a beautiful way to connect movement with creativity. This activity doubles as a reminder that staying active isn’t just good for the body—it can spark imagination too.
Games & Activities
Let’s be honest—by the end of morning basket time, everyone (mama included) is ready to move a bit. That’s where games and hands-on activities come in! I love saving this part for last because it keeps things light, reinforces what we’ve learned, and gives the kids something to look forward to each day.
Whether it’s a simple puzzle, a fun round of trivia, or (if we’re lucky) a board game that actually fits the theme, these activities help bring all the pieces together. They’re playful, low-pressure, and perfect for winding down—or winding up!—your homeschool morning with connection and joy.
August’s Healthy Habits & Human Body theme is a gentle way to kick off the new school year with a focus on caring for ourselves—body, mind, and heart. Remember, it’s not about perfection or covering everything all at once, but creating space for meaningful conversations and simple habits that stick.
Take it one day at a time, enjoy the little moments of learning, and know you’re doing an amazing job guiding your kids toward a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
If you’re loving these morning basket ideas, book recommendations, and all things homeschool, you’re going to want to join In My Homeschool Era — my free Facebook group where I share fresh morning basket inspiration, curated book lists, and the best educational deals every week.
It’s a friendly space full of fellow homeschool mamas sharing wins, tips, and encouragement — because we all need a little extra support (and some good ideas!) to keep our homeschool days running smoothly. Come join us and be part of the fun!
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