How to Homeschool for Free
I’ve homeschooled over a decade… sometimes through a “charter school” that gives you funding, sometimes using a hybrid co-op school, and some years completely on our own. Homeschooling can be really expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! (Especially in elementary school.) Here are my best tips for how to homeschool for free!
Can You Homeschool Effectively for Free?
Yes, You Really Can Educate Your Kids at Home Without Spending a Fortune.
If you’ve been peeking into the world of homeschooling and wondering if it’s even possible to do without breaking the bank (or, let’s be honest, selling a kidney), I’m here to tell you — you absolutely can homeschool for free.
I’ve been homeschooling my three girls for 11 years now — from ABCs to Algebra, and from messy science experiments in the kitchen to high school essay writing that actually makes me proud (and maybe a little emotional).
And while we’ve dabbled in some beautiful paid curriculum here and there, the truth is: you can provide a rich, full education at home without spending a dime — if you know where to look.
Let’s dive into the free goldmines that make homeschooling accessible to anyone.
1. Your Local Library Is Basically a Homeschool Co-Op
Let me start with my first love in homeschooling — the library.
Honestly, we could do 80% of our homeschooling just from our local library alone.
- Books, obviously. Whether you’re teaching history, science, literature, or even math, your library likely has everything you need to build full unit studies or supplement any curriculum.
- Audiobooks and ebooks. Most libraries now offer digital lending through apps like Libby or Hoopla — great for busy kids (or moms!) on the go.
- Free classes and events. Our local library has hosted everything from STEM clubs to toddler yoga to bookmaking workshops — all free!
- Take-home craft kits. Some branches offer these monthly and they’re adorable.
- Access to databases and learning platforms. Things like language learning software, encyclopedias, and even video courses.
It’s honestly a little magical when you start treating your library like your curriculum partner. It’s a great place to utilize when you build your own unit studies on what your kids are interested in… and some libraries offer more than others. We’ve homeschooled in tiny towns with 1,000 people or major cities with multiple libraries, and utilized that resource in both.
2. Free Printables on Teachers Pay Teachers (Yes, Really!)
Most people think of Teachers Pay Teachers as a paid site (and it is)… but there are thousands of free printables and lesson plans if you know how to search! Honestly, that’s what I use it for almost exclusively.
Just head to TeachersPayTeachers, and in the search bar, type what you’re looking for (like “3rd grade reading comprehension” or “kindergarten letter tracing”), then filter the results by “Price: Free.”
You’ll find:
- Unit studies
- Worksheets
- Games
- Interactive notebooks
- Morning work
- Seasonal themes
And they’re all created by teachers and homeschool moms who get it.
3. Meet Other Homeschoolers & Share the Wealth
Community is everything in homeschooling — and not just for your sanity.
When you connect with other local homeschoolers, there are so many opportunities to:
- Swap curriculum and books (gently used math workbooks that didn’t work out for how their kids learned? yes, please!)
- Share access to online subscriptions or printables
- Co-plan unit studies together
- Form learning pods or subject-specific co-ops
- Pass down resources as your kids age up
Look for local Facebook homeschool groups, co-ops, or library-hosted homeschool meetups. You’ll be amazed how generous and resourceful the community is.
4. The Good and the Beautiful: A Gorgeous (Free!) Curriculum
If you want a complete, structured curriculum that doesn’t cost a thing, I highly recommend checking out The Good and the Beautiful.
They offer:
- Completely free Language Arts curriculum for Levels K through 8
- Completely free Math curriculum for the same grades
- One free science unit, it’s Marine Biology and we loved it!
- A soft, lightly faith-based worldview (Christian but not heavy-handed at all, a verse here and there in the language arts, good overall morals in the stories, and in science basically just, “look at all the beautiful things God created”)
- Beautiful design and illustrations too (seriously — it’s pretty enough to frame)
- Geography is included too!
It’s open-and-go, which is a blessing if you’re balancing homeschooling with, you know, life. Like toddlers climbing the kitchen table or dinner needing to be made 10 minutes ago.
5. Other Free Homeschool Curriculum Options
Here are a few more gems you’ll want to bookmark:
- Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool: A fully free, Christian-based curriculum from preschool through high school.
- Khan Academy: Free video lessons and courses on just about everything. Great for math, science, history, even test prep.
- Prodigy: There are paid versions but also free for math and english… my daughter LOVES this one.
- Ambleside Online: A free Charlotte Mason-style curriculum (Christian too) using classic living books (you can get most of them free online or at the library).
- PBS Learning Media: Free lessons, videos, and activities for all ages.
- NASA for Students: Space-themed science lessons and printables that are surprisingly engaging (and did I mention free?).
- Youtube Channels: There are sooooo many Youtube channels we use for school! There are fun songs for younger kids to help them memorize facts like ABC’s, there are math hacks and lessons (by channels like Mathantics), there are lots of science lessons (like SciShowkids), and so much more! There are even things like PE on there like Yoga for kids and brain breaks for kids. We use so much Youtube for school!
BONUS: Nearly-Free Homeschooling Ideas
Okay, so these aren’t technically free — but they’re budget-happy and worth a peek.
- Thrift stores: I’ve found entire boxed curriculums for $3. Seriously.
- Facebook Marketplace: Tons of families sell or even give away homeschool supplies at the end of the year.
- Buy Nothing groups: Check your local group and just ask — homeschoolers often have extra to share.
- Dollar Tree: Posters, flash cards, workbooks, reward charts, educational games — all for $1.25.
- Used book sales: Libraries and homeschool consignment shops often have hidden treasures.
Final Thoughts
Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. In fact, some of the best resources I’ve ever used have cost exactly zero dollars — just a little time, creativity, and a willingness to look outside the box (and into the library).
If you’re just starting out, don’t feel like you need a Pinterest-perfect homeschool room or $800 worth of curriculum to begin. Start with what you do have — your love for your kids, your willingness to learn alongside them, and this beautiful, free world of resources at your fingertips.
