Homeschool families often live on one income, which is why free and low-cost educational resources can make a huge difference for frugal parents! Here’s where your friendly neighborhood homeschool group or statewide homeschool organization comes in. Many of these homeschool associations have been around for decades and know all the best deals—even the ones search engines and other cutting-edge technologies may have missed!
There are many ways to find free or low-cost homeschool resources. A successful homeschool does not have to be expensive.
Explore these excerpts of blog posts from homeschool organizations nationwide (and make sure to read the posts in their entirety for more details!)
Discounted Group Deals
Midwest Parent Educators
Thanks to our dedicated volunteer coordinators, MPE has enjoyed a longtime partnership with Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, KS, as a service to homeschool families. Per our contract with Great Wolf Lodge, we cannot release the dates of subsequent Homeschool Weeks until our current event has ended. However, we typically try to arrange these events in February, May, and September.
We’re always looking for free or low-cost homeschool resources in the Kansas City area, which includes both Kansas and Missouri!
– MPE (Midwest Parent Educators) in Kansas, Missouri, and the regional Midwest
Read the full blog post here
Iowa Museums and Attractions
Homeschool Iowa
– Homeschool Iowa
Read the full blog post here
Musical Events
IAHE
- Fort Wayne Philharmonic – Family Series Concert (Fort Wayne, IN) – The Fort Wayne Philharmonic has a free family series at the following website, register for the matinee concert of your choice on their website. In addition, The Fort Wayne Philharmonic has free educational resources available online.
- Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra – Teddy Bear Concerts (Indianapolis, IN) – This free program introduces children (3-7 years old) to instruments through storytelling, movement, and music. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has also put together some additional digital resources.
- Northwest Indiana Symphony – Education concert (Munster, IN) – Each year the Northwest Indiana Symphony offers a free educational concert for youth.
- Circle City Orchestra (Indianapolis, IN) – Circle City Orchestra is a non-profit group that offers free concerts to the public.
- Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (Indianapolis, IN) – The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra offers free student tickets (must still purchase an adult ticket).
- College Music Performances – Many universities and colleges with music departments will offer low-cost or free concerts, workshops, guest performances, and other musical events. Most music departments will have an events calendar you can search.
- Jacob School of Music (Bloomington, IN)
- Purdue Musical Organizations (West Lafayette, IN)
- Notre Dame Department of Music (South Bend, IN)
- University of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN)
- Indian State University School of Music (Terre Haute, IN)
- Ball State School of Music (Muncie, IN)
– IAHE (Indiana Association of Home Educators)
Read the full blog post here
Explore Unit Studies
Homeschoolers of Maine
The unit study approach makes it easier to teach the same topic to different ages all at once, saving you precious time and money. Use them to supplement or enrich your program, or as an affordable, year-long curriculum!
HOME’s pre-planned unit studies typically cover all subjects through an in-depth study of one topic. Each of HOME’s unit studies cover all the subjects required in Maine’s homeschool law! Each subject includes several assignments or projects. A list of suggested reading is also included. HOME has a wide variety of inexpensive unit studies and guides to help you cover various topics and subjects, broaden your curriculum or accompany some of HOME’s many events and activities.
– HOME (Homeschoolers of Maine)
Read the full blog post here
National and State Parks
OCEANetwork
- Oregon State Parks – Free entry and educational programs at various state parks.
- State Parks Educational Programs: Oregon State Parks offer free or low-cost educational programs, including ranger-led nature events and activities and junior ranger programs.
- State Park Pass: For frequent visitors, purchasing an annual park pass can be a cost-effective way to access state parks year-round.
- National Parks Free Entry Days – Free access to national parks in Oregon on specific days.
- Specific Parks to Consider Visiting:
- Forest Park (Portland) – Free hiking trails and educational opportunities.
- Silver Falls State Park (Silverton) – Free waterfall hikes and nature study opportunities.
- Mount Hood National Forest – Free entry to various trails and educational activities.
- Wildwood Recreation Site (Mt. Hood) – Affordable entry with educational trails.
- Tualatin Hills Nature Park (Beaverton) – Free programs and nature walks.
- Cape Perpetua Scenic Area (Yachats) – Free tide pool exploration and educational programs.
- Oxbow Regional Park (Gresham) – Affordable entry with educational nature walks.
– OCEANetwork (The Oregon Christian Home Education Association Network)
Read the full blog post here
Consider Local Activities
Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii
- The Homeschool Ohana PE ministry (HOPE) meets weekly at Patsy Mink Park in central O’ahu. Free to all, the kids get to exercise while moms and dads get to meet and talk. Check for weekly meeting info.
- Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii – This volunteer-run organization is a great way to instill the ethics of hard work while giving your child a taste of what it’s like to be around horses. Find out more about their volunteer programs.
- Ben Franklin – Not just for moms! Check the schedule for your local Ben Franklin event calendar. With classes available for adults and kids, it might be a much needed way to make a mess elsewhere!
Television and Streaming Services
Homeschool Idaho
Enhance your curriculum with educational documentaries, virtual field trips, tutorials, and more through 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!
– Homeschool Idaho
Read the full blog post here
Library Resources, Classes, and Curriculum
IAHE
Several libraries across the state have some homeschool curricula and textbooks available. Indianapolis Library has a Homeschool Collection that includes a few curricula and books on homeschooling.
Visiting your local library is a great start in locating free resources. Indiana has an exceptional interlibrary loan system where your local library can access books from across the state. If your local library does not have the books from your reading list, speak with your librarian. They can often purchase the book or get it on loan from another library.
Here is a list of just some of the additional resources found in libraries across the state:
- Audiobooks on CDs
- Movies and documentaries on DVDS
- Digital access to books, audiobooks, music, and other digital media
- “Experiences Passes” – Passes to zoos, parks, or museums*
- STEM kits*
- Board games*
- Outdoor games*
- Various gadgets*
- Wifi at the library
- Wifi hotspots to check out*
- Access to public computers*
- Ability to print, scan, copy (typically a cost)*
- Meeting rooms and study rooms*
Read the full blog post here
Family Field Trip Guide for All 50 States
Free Digital Download from Homeschool Freedom: Our Gift to You!
Field trips are an amazing way to enrich your homeschool experience! Homeschool Freedom has put together an 88-page digital field trip guide that includes field trip ideas for all 50 states plus a field trip journal, field trip logs, articles, nature journaling ideas, virtual field trip ideas, and activity pages.
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