Homeschooling on a Budget: How to Teach Your Kids for Less Than $200 a Year

Homeschooling is an incredible journey, but when I first started, I was worried about the costs. Between curriculum, books, supplies, and activities, the expenses can quickly add up. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to spend a fortune to provide a high-quality education at home. In fact, I’ve successfully homeschooled my kids for under $200 a year, and I want to share exactly how I do it.

Whether you’re new to homeschooling or looking for ways to stretch your budget, these tips and resources will help you teach your kids effectively without breaking the bank.

1. Use Free or Low-Cost Curriculum

One of the biggest expenses in homeschooling is curriculum. Traditional programs can cost hundreds of dollars per child. But there are amazing options that are either free or extremely affordable:

The Good and the Beautiful – While their full curriculum can cost money, they offer free sample units and worksheets on their website. I love that you can download quality lessons without paying a dime.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool – This is a completely free, online curriculum that covers everything from preschool to high school. I’ve used it for math, science, and language arts, and it’s surprisingly thorough.
Khan Academy – If your child enjoys digital learning, Khan Academy is fantastic. It’s free and includes interactive math, science, history, and reading lessons.
Local library programs – Don’t underestimate your library! Many libraries offer free workbooks, reading challenges, and online learning resources. I’ve even found full curriculum guides on library e-lending platforms.

By mixing free resources with affordable workbooks (often $10–$20 each), I can cover most subjects without spending hundreds.

If you’d like a bigger list to explore, I also wrote a post called Free Homeschool Curriculum Options for Every Grade. It’s packed with resources to help you find the right fit for your child without spending a dime.

2. Repurpose Everyday Items for Learning

Homeschooling doesn’t always require buying special supplies. I’ve found that common household items are perfect for teaching many subjects:

Math manipulatives – Use buttons, coins, or even dried beans for counting, fractions, and patterns.
Science experiments – Baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, and household items like plastic bottles or jars make simple, hands-on experiments. My kids love our DIY volcano project, which cost less than $2!
Arts and crafts – Recycled cardboard, paper, and scrap materials can be transformed into art projects, dioramas, or even homemade games.

These everyday items save money and make learning more creative and hands-on, which I’ve found keeps my kids engaged longer than just worksheets.

3. Take Advantage of Free Online Resources

The internet is a goldmine for free homeschool content. Some of my favorite free resources include:

Storyline Online – Celebrities read children’s books aloud, which is perfect for read-aloud sessions.
Crash Course – Educational YouTube videos for older kids covering history, science, and more.
PBS LearningMedia – Free videos, interactive lessons, and printable activities for all grade levels.
Education.com Free Worksheets – Even though some require paid access, there are hundreds of free worksheets for math, reading, and science.

By combining these online resources with printed worksheets or books from the library, I’ve built a full homeschool experience for almost no cost.

If you want even more ideas, I also put together a post on the Top 10 Free Learning Websites for Kids. These sites are some of my favorites for keeping learning fun and interactive.”

4. Thrift Stores, Dollar Stores, and Amazon Deals

If you do buy supplies, there are ways to save big:

Thrift stores – I often find gently used workbooks, puzzles, educational games, and even manipulatives at thrift stores. It’s a treasure trove for under $5 per item.
Dollar stores – Items like construction paper, paint, and craft supplies are almost always cheaper at dollar stores than big box stores.
Amazon deals and coupons – If you need a specific workbook or educational game, check Amazon for used copies or discounted bundles. Many sellers offer workbooks in like-new condition for half the retail price.

A little planning goes a long way here. I keep a small homeschool budget and only buy what I absolutely need, which keeps costs under $200 per year.

5. Use Nature and Community for Learning

Some of my favorite homeschooling experiences cost nothing:

Nature walks and outdoor learning – Teaching science doesn’t need a lab. I take my kids on walks, teach plant identification, count wildlife, or even do leaf rubbings and journaling.
Local museums and zoos – Many offer free days or low-cost memberships. I’ve timed visits with free community days to get the most learning for minimal cost.
Community libraries and homeschool co-ops – Many co-ops offer field trips, group classes, and social activities for free or a small donation.

By integrating the community and nature into our lessons, I give my kids hands-on learning experiences that are memorable and educational without spending a fortune.

6. Embrace DIY Teaching Tools

I love making my own teaching tools instead of buying them. Some ideas that work really well:

Printable worksheets – I design my own worksheets or find free printables online for subjects like math, handwriting, and grammar.
Flashcards – You can create your own with index cards or print them from free online sources. I’ve found this to be just as effective as buying expensive sets.
Homemade manipulatives – For example, I made a fraction pizza out of cardboard to teach fractions. My kids loved it, and it cost me nothing.

Creating tools like these not only saves money but also allows me to customize lessons for my child’s learning style.

If you’re looking for more hands-on, budget-friendly activities, check out my post on 10 Creative and Easy DIY Crafts for Kids at Home. These projects are fun, affordable, and double as great learning opportunities.

7. Focus on Experiences, Not Extras

One of the biggest misconceptions about homeschooling is that it requires tons of materials. I’ve learned that experiences outweigh expensive resources:

Cooking lessons – We incorporate math, science, and reading while cooking. Measuring ingredients teaches fractions, following recipes teaches reading comprehension, and observing chemical reactions (like bread rising) teaches science.
Life skills – Budgeting, cleaning, gardening, and simple DIY projects all become learning opportunities.
Family reading time – Reading together every day is free, and it builds vocabulary, comprehension, imagination, and family bonding.

By focusing on meaningful experiences instead of pricey curriculum extras, I’ve kept our homeschooling costs extremely low while still providing a rich and well-rounded education.

8. Plan Smart and Reuse

Finally, planning ahead helps stretch every dollar:

Reuse books and materials – Workbooks, manipulatives, and games can often be reused for younger siblings or even resold when finished.
Plan around free resources – I map our lessons each month to include free printables, library books, and online videos. This keeps costs near zero for months at a time.
Mix free and paid items wisely – Sometimes, investing in one good resource is worth it. For example, a $15 workbook may last for a year, covering multiple subjects. The key is to balance free resources with carefully chosen paid items.

With this strategy, I can confidently homeschool my kids for under $200 per year and still cover all core subjects, including math, reading, science, and history.

Final Thoughts

Homeschooling doesn’t have to drain your wallet. By leveraging free resources, using everyday items for learning, taking advantage of your community, and planning strategically, it’s absolutely possible to teach your kids a full, meaningful education for less than $200 a year.

If you’re just starting or need to cut costs, start with free curriculum, embrace DIY tools, and make learning an experience rather than just worksheets. Your kids will thrive, and your budget will thank you!

💬 I’d love to hear from you! How do you save money while homeschooling? Leave a comment below with your favorite budget-friendly tips and tricks—I’m always looking for new ideas to try with my kids.

Search This Blog

Cleverly Kindred

Featured Post