There are many ways to find free or low-cost homeschool resources. A successful homeschool does not have to be expensive.
Homeschooling is a way of life that returns the freedom of education to parents! It sets us free from the mindset of dependence on government schools or government education funding. Homeschooling opens our minds to the beautiful education that can be achieved with a spirit of independence and resourcefulness. There are even ways for private homeschoolers to apply for financial help when needed! Here are just a few ideas to help you find free or low-cost curriculum, support materials, and educational destinations and get you started homeschooling within your budget.
Curriculum
In-person curriculum sales are great places to find deals on books and supplies, with the added advantage of face-to-face interaction with other homeschoolers! These are also ideal places to sell books, games, microscopes, art supplies, instruments, and other materials you no longer need in your own homeschool.
Here are two Idaho used curriculum sales to watch for:
Homeschool Idaho Curriculum Resale Event
Homeschool Idaho North Used Curriculum Sale
Sales in Twin Falls, Meridian, and other locations around the state have been organized from time to time. Homeschool co-ops often have curriculum swaps. You are sure to find a sale near you!
Social media marketplace groups and websites are convenient places to find inexpensive, gently-used curriculum when you can’t find a local sale. These are ideal for shopping year-round, from the comfort of your home! There are Facebook groups for general curriculum sales, as well as groups for specific curricula such as Abeka, Bob Jones, or MasterBooks. Some sales groups are location specific, so local pick-ups are even an option! Not only can you find good prices on your favorite curriculum, you can sell what you don’t need to make extra money for your homeschool budget!
Resource Links:
Homeschool Idaho Free, Barter, and Trade
Support Materials
Free and low-cost homeschool resources are available to support just about any topic you want to include in your homeschool.
As homeschooling has become more mainstream over the years, companies and organizations have created resources to cater to homeschool families! Here are few popular examples of free resources you can request, download, or view online.
Online Educational Resources
- Christianbook.com offers a complete FREE planner to download and print. They also feature many seasonal mini unit studies and other printables to download for free!
- Answers in Genesis provides free videos, on animals, geology, volcanoes, space, and more! There are free printable crafts, word games, and experiments.
- Drive Thru History includes many of their American Holiday full-length episodes for free on YouTube. Some episodes are occasionally available on Amazon Prime.
- Hillsdale College has a wide variety of free courses on history, government, literature, and science that would be appropriate for Junior High or High School.
- NASA’s website is a wealth of information on astronauts, the solar system, the space station, and all things “space” related!
- Khan Academy: video lessons to supplement or teach.
- Duolingo for languages
- Teachers Pay Teachers – free or very affordable worksheets and lesson plans
- Education.com
- Super Teacher Worksheets
- Quizlet for study aids
Libraries
- Public libraries are treasure troves of educational materials. In addition to borrowing books, you can access eBooks, audiobooks, DVDs, educational kits, and even curriculum!
- Many libraries also offer free access to online learning platforms and databases.
- Idaho’s librarians love to help search out the perfect resource you need for your homeschool!
Television and Streaming Services
- PBS LearningMedia offers free access to thousands of classroom-ready, curriculum-targeted digital resources.
- Educators have compiled lists of educational shows on Amazon Prime, Netflix, and YouTube; or you can search these services for whatever topic you and your students are interested in!
Government and Non-Profit Organizations
Many government websites and non-profits offer free educational materials to help understand industry, agriculture, natural resources, government processes, and more. Federal and Idaho resources include:
- Idaho Forest Products Commission
- Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission
- Request a FREE Idaho Constitution
- U.S. Forest Service
- Federal Trade Commission
- Request a FREE Pocket U.S. Constitution
- How a Bill Becomes a Law
Support Destinations
Homeschool Co-ops and Groups
Joining a homeschool co-op or group will be a wonderful way to find free low-cost resources. These groups often share resources, organize group activities, and sometimes even offer group discounts on educational materials and field trips. Be sure to follow Homeschool Idaho on social media, sign up for our enewsletter, and visit homeschoolidaho.org to connect with homeschoolers in Idaho!
Community Resources
Check out local museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and science centers to enhance your homeschool studies! These may offer specific Homeschool Days, with discounted admission, or even special programs for the day! Check for free online resources or virtual tours. Some examples of Idaho destinations are:
- Idaho Statehouse: guided, self-guided, and virtual tours
- Idaho State Museum: discounted homeschool days with special programming
- Zoos: Zoo Boise, Babby Farms (Caldwell), Idaho Falls Zoo
- Boise Watershed
- University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden
- Lowe Family Farmstead: discounted homeschool days
- Sites like Idaho Preferred will spark your imagination for local educational destinations to visit!
- Look for unique historical or cultural sites near you! Idaho communities celebrate reenactments, present restored or reproduction buildings, and hold festivals in honor of local industries, crops, animals, and music!
Financial Help
HSLDA provides grants to assist with purchasing curriculum, give relief after disasters, or to grow a local homeschool group.
If you have been impacted by a storm or other disaster, make sure to contact your curriculum publisher. Most will give free or reduced cost replacements of lost homeschool materials.
Homeschool Idaho encourages homeschool families to embrace the freedom that comes with choosing to remain free from government education funding. Homeschoolers’ resources abound in the community around you! When you determine to teach using your own imagination and resourcefulness, you will free yourself and your children from being trapped in dependence on the government for resources.
For more tips on how to find free or low-cost homeschool resources, visit homeschoolfreedom.com/free-homeschool-resources.
The Fine Print
Resources are provided here for parents’ information only. Inclusion of links, titles, or names of organizations or businesses does not necessarily mean they are endorsed by Homeschool Idaho or its board members. Parents should carefully review all educational materials to be sure they meet the family’s needs before presenting them in their homeschool.
Recent Comments