Winter homeschooling hits differently, doesn’t it?
The days get shorter, the weather gets colder, and suddenly you’re stuck indoors searching for ways to keep your kids learning without losing your mind—or your budget.
This winter, I made a decision that completely changed how our homeschool days felt: I decided to homeschool using only the library.
No pricey curriculum, no overflowing carts, no late-night Amazon impulse buys (we’ve all been there). Just books, community programs, and free resources that were literally sitting there waiting for me to notice them.
And honestly?
It has been one of the best things we’ve ever done—financially, academically, and emotionally.
In this post, I’m going to share exactly how you can run your entire winter homeschool using only the library, how to structure your days, which hidden library resources most parents don’t even realize exist, and how to keep it low-prep, low-stress, and actually fun.
If you’re drowning in curriculum or just want a reset, keep reading. This is going to solve a lot of winter homeschool burnout for you.
Why Winter Is the BEST Time to Switch to Library-Based Homeschooling
Winter is when most of us hit the homeschool wall.
Kids are restless, we’re exhausted, and the rigid curriculum starts feeling like a chore instead of a gift.
Here’s why the library becomes a lifesaver during this season:
1. It’s completely free
Winter can be expensive—holidays, heating bills, activities.
Using the library means:
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No expensive unit studies
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No new curriculum to “try” and end up hating
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No worksheets to endlessly print
Everything you need is already available.
2. It gives you a reason to get out of the house
When it’s freezing outside, having a warm, cozy library to escape to is a blessing.
3. It keeps kids excited about learning
Kids love choosing their own books.
Something about walking up and down the aisles feels empowering and magical to them.
4. It resets the homeschool pressure
No more feeling like you’re “behind.”
No more curriculum guilt.
Just real-life learning using real books.
How to Set Up a Winter Homeschool Plan Using ONLY the Library
This is the simple, low-stress structure we follow (and it works beautifully for both my 12-year-old and 6-year-old).
Step 1: Pick weekly themes
Choosing one theme per week keeps everything focused without feeling overwhelming.
Some winter-friendly theme ideas:
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Winter animals
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Snow & weather
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Arctic/Antarctica
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Hibernation
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Winter holidays around the world
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Human body (great for indoor days)
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Astronomy (winter skies are the clearest!)
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Fairy tales & folklore
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Inventors
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Maps & geography
Every week, grab books, DVDs, and audiobooks around that theme.
Step 2: Grab a mix of book types
Aim for:
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1–2 nonfiction books (facts, diagrams, real-world info)
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1 storybook or chapter book (fiction makes it stick!)
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1 hands-on or craft book (winter craft books are amazing!)
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1 biography (if it fits the theme)
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1 educational DVD or audiobook (optional but helpful)
Kids learn best when they hear information in different forms.
Step 3: Include library programs in your “curriculum”
Most libraries offer winter programs like:
These count as schoolwork.
Seriously. They do.
Step 4: Use digital resources
Libraries give FREE access to:
This replaces:
It’s all free. You just need your library card.
Step 5: Build a simple daily rhythm
Here’s a realistic winter schedule:
Morning (30–40 min)
Late morning (20–30 min)
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Kid picks one independent book
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Coloring, tracing, copywork, or drawing based on the theme
Afternoon (30–60 min)
Evening (optional)
This rhythm is flexible, winter-friendly, and doesn’t require tons of prep.
How to Cover Each Subject Using Only the Library
Language Arts
This is the easiest subject to cover through the library.
Use:
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Storybooks
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Chapter books
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Audiobooks
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Poetry books
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Reader-level books
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Comics & graphic novels
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Magazines
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Biographies
Activities:
Boom—full language arts.
Math
Libraries are goldmines for math—especially for hands-on winter learning.
Look for:
Plus, some libraries offer free access to online math programs.
Social Studies
You can cover ALL of social studies with:
Winter is a perfect time to study:
Science
Most libraries have huge children’s science sections.
Check out:
And don’t forget:
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Science DVDs
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Nature magazines
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STEM kits
Kids LOVE doing winter experiments like:
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Ice melting challenges
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Snowflake matching
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Temperature tracking
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Pinecone experiments
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Winter birds observation
Art & Music
Libraries also cover all your fine arts needs.
Use:
Winter craft books are SO much fun, and they keep little hands busy on cold days.
My Favorite Low-Prep Winter Activities Using Only Library Books
Here are some of our personal favorites that require ZERO prep and only use library resources:
1. Winter Animals Research
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Pick one winter animal
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Read two books about it
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Draw the animal
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Write 3 facts
Done—language arts + science.
2. DIY Weather Station
Check out one weather book and follow simple experiments like:
3. Cozy Read-Aloud Mornings
Where we pile blankets, hot chocolate, and picture books.
Kids learn more from this than most worksheets.
4. Story Retelling Basket
Choose one picture book, and your child recreates the story using:
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Toys
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Blocks
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Stuffed animals
Perfect for comprehension and narration.
5. Ice Science
Find a winter science experiment book and try easy ones like:
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How to freeze bubbles
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Salt vs. ice melting
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Make crystal snowflakes
6. Winter Around the World
Pick 4 countries and learn:
This can easily fill a whole week.
How to Keep Kids Engaged Without Worksheets
The secret to winter library homeschooling is to focus on experiences, not worksheets.
Here are low-prep alternatives:
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Drawing what they learned
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Retelling stories
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Building models with Legos
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Making winter crafts
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Journaling
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Simple copywork
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Oral answers instead of written tests
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Listening to audiobooks
Kids remember more when they experience learning.
How to Stay Organized Without Curriculum
Here’s what I use:
That’s it.
You don’t need anything fancy for winter homeschooling.
Why Homeschooling Only with the Library Actually Works
Most parents fear this approach because it feels too simple.
But simple doesn’t mean ineffective.
Using only the library works because:
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It encourages curiosity
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Kids learn through real books instead of worksheets
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You teach in a way that adapts instantly to their interests
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It keeps learning fun
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It's budget-friendly
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It reduces mom-guilt
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It takes the pressure off YOU
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It helps kids develop strong reading and research skills
Kids thrive when learning feels natural and meaningful.
If You’re Feeling Burnout This Winter, Try This for Just One Week
You don’t have to commit for the whole season.
Just try a one-week library-only homeschool and watch how:
Sometimes a reset is exactly what we need.
Final Thoughts: You Can Homeschool Using Only the Library This Winter
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or uninspired by curriculum, winter is the perfect time to give yourself permission to simplify.
Your child doesn’t need:
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A fancy curriculum
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Expensive unit studies
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Complicated schedules
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Endless worksheets
They need YOU, books, curiosity, and real-life experiences.
The library gives you all of that for free.
You are not “falling behind.”
You are not “taking the easy way out.”
You’re teaching your kids how to learn—
and that’s the most important part of homeschooling.
Leave a Comment
Have you ever homeschooled using just the library?
Or are you thinking about trying it this winter?
I’d love to hear your questions, struggles, or ideas—leave a comment below!
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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.
~With love,
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
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