Homeschooling can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like you need to invest in expensive curriculum and endless supplies. The good news? You don’t have to break the bank to provide a rich, meaningful education for your children. Here are some practical, budget-friendly tips to help you homeschool without overspending.
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Homeschooling on a Budget: Thrifty Tips for Teaching at Home
1. Use Free Online Resources
There are countless free resources available online that cover nearly every subject. Websites like Khan Academy, Education.com, Smithsonian Learning Lab, and National Geographic Kids offer high-quality, engaging material at no cost. (large list of free online resources at the end of this post!)
Tip: Join homeschooling Facebook groups or follow homeschool Instagram accounts to discover more free resources shared by other parents.
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2. Visit Your Local Library
Libraries are a goldmine for homeschoolers! Beyond books, many libraries have educational kits, online databases, and even host free classes or workshops. Our local library has adventure backpacks you can check out that are filled with outdoor educational supplies and gear! Many libraries also offer free classes and clubs for kids. Lego clubs, creative writing clubs, and book clubs seem to the common topics. Most libraries also have an digital platforms where you can checkout ebooks, magazines, TV shows. music and movies for free. Our library uses Hoopla and we use it every single week.
Tip: Take advantage of interlibrary loans to access books from other libraries in your region.
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3. Shop Secondhand
Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and ThriftBooks often have textbooks, educational games, and workbooks at a fraction of their original prices. Many libraries also have book sales and we have scored SO many amazing books this way.
Pro Tip: Keep a running list of curriculum needs so you can snag deals when they pop up. In general, I always keep my eye out for history books, any nature books, and science books.
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4. Create a Curriculum Swap
Connect with other homeschooling families in your community to trade curriculum, books, and supplies. This not only saves money but also builds community. I see these at least once a year in different Facebook homeschool groups.
Idea: Host a “curriculum swap” event at your home, local park, or community center. Pinterest has some good ideas on how to organize these.
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5. DIY Hands-On Learning
Make your own manipulatives, flashcards, and learning games using inexpensive materials like craft sticks, paper plates, and dollar-store supplies. Pinterest is full of creative, low-cost ideas! The aesthetically pleasing wood manipulatives are lovely, but usually a bit pricey. The Dollar Tree always has good educational flashcards for preschool and kindergarten ages, and the Target Bullseye section can have some really good supplies when it is back to school season. But a lot of items found right in your kitchen could work, too.
Example: Use dry beans or pasta for math counters or create a nature journal using recycled paper or a brown paper bag and art supplies. Save things like toilet paper rolls, bottle caps, milk jugs etc. for crafts.
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6. Utilize Free Educational Videos
Platforms like YouTube and PBS Kids have free educational videos that can complement your lessons. Many channels focus on science experiments, history storytelling, and art tutorials.
Favorites: Check out channels like SciShow Kids, Homeschool Pop, and Art for Kids Hub. And if your kids need to move their bodies on a rainy day, Cosmic Kids Yoga and Danny Go on YouTube have always been a hit in our home.
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7. Embrace Life Skills as Learning
Cooking, gardening, budgeting, and basic home repairs are all valuable life skills that can double as hands-on learning experiences. A trip to the grocery store where you have your child help meal plan, write the shopping list, pick out the food, and checkout are all amazing life lessons that more children should get to practice. It’s a great way to practice math skills, too!
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8. Join Co-Ops or Community Classes
Many homeschool co-ops offer affordable classes taught by parents or professionals. Some museums, nature centers, and local businesses also provide homeschool days with discounted admission. Many co-ops offer discounts on your child’s classes if you volunteer or teach a class yourself. There are even free enrichment co-ops and classes in some areas. Head to bewildandfree.org and search the map to see if there is a local Wild+Free group that is active and accepting members! These are outdoor nature groups that are around the world. I have led 3 successful wild+free groups, and they are so life-giving for both the children and the mamas. We all learn so much from each other, and they are usually free! If there are no wild+free groups in your area, start one! That is what I have done in three different states.
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9. Take Advantage of Free Printables
Websites like Teachers Pay Teachers, Education.com, and Twinkl often have free printables available. Just be sure to check the free section! You can even print out an entire math and language arts curriculum for any grade at goodandbeautiful.com. We have used both their language arts and math curriculums and LOVE them! I have a free nature journal you can print out here. A good printer is a really nice thing to have when you are a homeschool family. We love our Epson EcoTank printer and have had it for years. It gets heavy use and is still going strong! I also buy our printer paper from Costco which is more cost effective in the long run.
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10. Look for Homeschool Bundles
Over the years, I have seen some really amazing homeschool “bundles” for sale and have collected quite a few of them myself. These are special sales that usually are only available for a short time at an amazing price. The resources usually cost hundreds of dollars, but as a bundle it would only cost $25-$30. They also usually have a theme, which is great for families that use unit studies in their homeschool. We have bought a few different nature themed/ forest schooling bundles, an ocean schooling bundle, an Autumn bundle, etc. Home and Haven Community has beautiful reasonably priced seasonal bundles. For The Love of Homeschooling has amazing nature bundles as well as weekly freebies. I find out about these bundles on Instagram as I follow several other homeschool mama accounts, and at least one of them will usually help promote these bundles. I also have a monthly printable art subscription to Christy Beasley Creative and have used her printables for many years. It’s called CBC Clubhouse and you pay $15 monthly to have unlimited access to every collection she has ever created, plus new collections every season. I mainly use her art for things like journaling, cards, scripture/ prayer cards, decor etc. but I also use a lot of her CBC Kids collections. Everything she creates is SO beautiful. She has lots of mini units like Poetry, Human Heart, US States & Symbols, Horse Unit, Camping Unit, flashcards, etc. There are lots of gorgeous bible resources for kids here, too. As well as printable charts and posters to hang in your homeschool space.
Final Thoughts
Homeschooling on a budget is not only possible, but it can be a beautiful, resourceful way to teach your children. With a bit of creativity and a supportive network, you can create a rich learning environment without stretching your wallet. If this all seems overwhelming, just keep it S I M P L E. Remember, you don’t need fancy tools or the latest curriculum to provide a meaningful education. Curiosity, creativity, and consistency matter more than expensive resources. ( I have to tell myself this sometimes!)
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Here is a list of additional free online resources for homeschooling across various subjects:
Comprehensive Curriculum Sites:
1. Khan Academy – Full K-12 curriculum in math, science, history, and more.
2. Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool – Free Christian-based curriculum from preschool to high school.
3. Ambleside Online – Free Charlotte Mason-style curriculum with classic literature and living books.
4. CK-12 Foundation – Customizable lessons in STEM subjects with interactive resources.
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Math:
5. Prodigy Math – Game-based math practice for elementary and middle school.
6. Math is Fun – Explains math concepts with games and puzzles.
7. Illustrative Mathematics – Quality math resources and activities.
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Language Arts:
8. Storyline Online – Celebrities read children’s books aloud.
9. ReadWorks – Reading passages and comprehension questions.
10. Project Gutenberg – Free access to thousands of classic literature eBooks.
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Science:
11. Mystery Science – Short, engaging science lessons for K-5 (limited free access).
12. NASA’s STEM Engagement – Space-themed resources for all ages.
13. National Geographic Kids – Videos, games, and articles on nature and science.
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History and Social Studies:
14. iCivics – Interactive games and lessons about civics and government.
15. Smithsonian Learning Lab – Access to digital resources from the Smithsonian museums.
16. BBC Bitesize – History resources for various grade levels.
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Art and Music:
17. Art for Kids Hub – Step-by-step drawing tutorials for kids on YouTube.
18. Classics for Kids – Learn about classical music and composers.
19. Chrome Music Lab – Fun, interactive tools for exploring music and sound.
musiclab.chromeexperiments.com
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Educational Games and Interactive Learning:
20. PBS Kids – Educational games, videos, and activities for younger kids.
21. ABCmouse (30-day free trial) – Early learning games and activities.
22. Starfall – Phonics, reading, and math for early learners.
23. Mia Academy ($1.99 for the first month) This is not a free resource, but I wanted to share it with you anyways. We have been using Mia Academy for years, and really love it. It is a set price each month, so we have it budgeted in. Your child can take all classes offered, or just one. You get to customize it to fit your needs. My son takes math, vocab, and has finished other classes. He took Jewish holidays, life skills, physical education, and general science. But that first month is only $1.99 so you can try it out for several weeks and cancel any time.
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