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30 Frugal or Free Homeschooling Resources

I’ve been homeschooling for over a decade and, with the exception of the first year when I spent nearly $1000 on a packaged curriculum that we hated, I’ve mastered homeschooling for free or frugally.

I’ve used various sources from around the internet and from bricks-and-mortar stores to get the best deals on homeschooling supplies and curricula.

I’m excited to share my favorite free or frugal homeschooling resources with you.

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Frugal or Free Homeschool Curriculum and Supplies

Frugal Homeschooling Resources

Don’t worry! We’ll get to the free stuff. First I want to share the frugal homeschooling resources I’ve used over the years. While some homeschoolers are able to homeschool completely for free it’s been my experience that most of us spend at least a little money on homeschooling supplies and other resources.

There’s no sense in paying more than you have to, though. So, when you want a homeschooling resource that you can’t find for free, check out these websites and stores to get the best price for what you need.

Discount School Supply

Discount School Supply offers high quality homeschool supplies at a low price. Discount School Supply was one of the very first places I ever shopped for frugal homeschool resources, so it holds a dear place in my heart.

I remember looking through all of the items on their website and feeling like a kid in a candy store.

When you check out their website be sure to look at the Clearance section. That’s where I’ve found some of the best deals over the years.

Visit Discount School Supply

Amazon

I know. This one is a no-brainer. But maybe there’s a new homeschool mom out there who doesn’t know to always check Amazon first for frugal homeschool supplies, workbooks, textbooks, and other resources.

Check out my frugal homeschooling recommendations on my Amazon storefront. Everything is under $20 and most things are under $10.

See My Frugal Homeschool Resources Recommendations

Audible

If you know anything about Amazon you know that they provide multiple services. Audible is one of those services.

Audible has been a big part of our frugal homeschooling plan over the years. The trick with Audible is take advantage of a their great offerings for free books when you sign up or end your membership.

In fact, if you sign up with my link you’ll get 2 free books with your membership. We listened to all of the Harry Potter books on Audible and only paid for two because of how I combined free book offers from Audible.

And with Audible, you get to keep your books forever – whether you keep your paid membership or not.

I typically cancel my Audible account, wait for them to offer me a good deal to rejoin, rejoin for the amount of time that deal lasts, and then cancel again.

Sometimes they offer me a good deal to keep my membership and I take advantage of that. Rarely have I ever paid the full $14.95 per month for one single audiobook.

Get 2 Free Audio Books from Audible

Scribd

Currently I have an Audible and a Scribd account. I use them both for homeschooling and personal use.

What I love about Scribd is that it’s only $8.99 a month and that I can read or listen to an unlimited number of books per month.

Honestly, if I had to chose between Audible and Scribd, Scribd would win hands down. There are a couple of difference between the two platforms, though. That may help you decided if you need one or both.

Audible only offers audiobooks, while Scribd offers audiobooks, ebooks, documents, and sheet music. Yes, unlimited free sheet music. I play the piano and I get my money’s worth from the free sheet music alone!

Now, with Audible you have to pay for each audiobook you listen to, but you get to keep the audiobooks you buy. Forever. Even if you cancel your account.

With Scribd, audiobooks are streamed and you don’t own them. If you cancel your account you no longer have access to them. Since we rarely relisten to or reread a book, Scribd is the clear choice for our homeschool.

As far as how many books Scribd offers, it’s been rare that I’ve been unable to find the book I was looking for either in ebook or audiobook form on Scribd. There have been a couple of cases where I needed to wait a month or so before the book I wanted became available.

Scribd has an app available on iOS and Android, so it’s convenient on the go.

You can get TWO months free right now with my Scribd referral link, so you’ve got nothing to lose!

Get Two Months Free With Scribd

Thrift Stores

Again, this suggestion is more for new homeschool moms who haven’t considered all of the possibilities for frugal homeschooling. Your local thrift stores are a great place to find books, workbooks, homeschool room furniture, homeschool supplies, and other homeschool resources on the cheap.

If you have a fairly large homeschool population in your area that’s even better. I know my gently used homeschool resources are put in the donate pile because I don’t have the time or inclination to try to resell them.

I know when I donate my old homeschool supplies I’ll be at the thrift store soon picking up someone else’s donations to use in my homeschool. And, since I normally donate and shop at charity-linked thrift stores I know my donations and my purchases are doing good in the world AND helping other homeschoolers keep it frugal.

Homeschool Your Child For Free

Nope, we’re not quite to the free homeschooling resources just yet, but I do want to mention a book that helped me so much in the early years of homeschooling.

Homeschool Your Child For Free is a huge book of free homeschooling resources put together by mother and daughter duo Joan M. Zielinski and LauraMaery Gold.
In the pages of Homeschool Your Child For Free you’ll find well-organized, free resources for every homeschool subject imaginable.

Get Your Copy of Homeschool Your Child For Free

Ebay

Repeat after me this frugal homeschool mama mantra: Always check Amazon, Always check Ebay!

When it’s time to buy new curriculum or when youwant to try out a different curriculum check Ebay first. I’ve used Ebay time and again to piece together my diy homeschool curriculum, which I’ve done every year since our first year of homeschooling when the brand new prepackaged homeschool curriculum I purchased turned out to be a colossal waste of money.

See Ebay’s Frugal Homeschool Curriculum Collection

Kindle Unlimited

Kindle Unlimited is akin to Scribd, which I shared with you above. It’s a dollar more per month, but if you use it as needed it’s a frugal choice for reading or listening to unlimited books.

If you have a Kindle device Kindle Unlimited is super convenient. In fact, one of my issues with Scribd is that they don’t have app available in the Kindle store. (Though I blame Amazon here, not Scribd.)

You can get a 30-day free trial with my referral link.

Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial

Homeschool Buyers Co-op

Homeschool Buyer Co-op offers awesome deals on homeschool curriculum and other resources.

For example, you can get 46% off Explode the Code, 40% off Homeschool Piano, and so much more.

My favorite thing about Homeschool Buyers Co-op is that it gives us access to curricula and supplies that normally only school teachers can get. HBC takes care of setting up your “school” account so that you can easily use online curricula.

It’s free to sign up with Homeschool Buyers Co-op.

Visit Homeschool Buyers Co-op

Etsy

Oh, Etsy! You have my heart.

I know we’d all like to save money by creating our own homeschool printables. I also know many of us simply don’t have the time to both create them ourselves and homeschool – so let the makers and creators of Etsy do it for you!

I’ve found so many great printables on Etsy over the years. Right now I’m eyeing a homeschool graduation diploma for my oldest.

See More Homeschool Printables on Etsy

Carson Dellosa

Many of the workbooks my boys have used over the past decade of homeschooling have been Carson Dellosa workbooks.

At regular price Carson Dellosa workbooks are a good deal, but when they put their workbooks on sale or, even better, on clearance you really get a steal.

I know I’ve told you to always check Amazon and Ebay first, but if you’re looking for a particular Carson Dellosa workbook do a little search through their sales page – especially the clearance page – and see if you can’t find what you’re looking for at an insanely low price.

I just got a a Grade 7-8 Reading Comprehension workbook for just $2.99. Wow!

See What’s on Sale at Carson Dellosa

Thrift Books

I’ve shared a lot of frugal ways to get ebooks and audiobooks so far, but I realize not everyone loves digital books – especially for their homeschool – as much as my family does.

That’s why I’m recommending Thrift Books. As it’s name implies, it’s a great place to get books – yes, even textbooks – at a frugal price.

Thrift Books has the latest bestsellers and tons of children’s books at a super low prices, as well.

Get Frugal Homeschool Books at Thrift Books

CurrClick

I debated whether or not to add CurrClick to the frugal list or to the free list of homeschool resources. See, 90% of CurrClick users sign up to get their awesome freebies. But, CurrClick also has some amazingly low-priced stuff, too.

So, if you’re looking for free homeschool curriculum, check out CurrClick. Or, if you are on a budget but you have a few bucks to spend – well, check them out, too.

Check out CurrClick’s Free And Frugal Homeschool Curricula

Epic!

Epic! offers a digital library of books, learning videos, quizzes, and more for kids 12 and under. If you homeschool little ones you need Epic!.

It’s only $7.99 per month (less if you join for 6, 9, or 12 months) so it’s a frugal homeschool resource.

Epic! lets you have four reader profiles on one account making it a great resource for large families.

See What’s Great About Epic!

ABC Mouse

ABC Mouse provides an award-winning early learning curriculum that’s perfect for the early years of homeschooling.

The normal monthly subscription rate is $9.95, which is a good deal for what ABC Mouse offers. However, at the time of writing this article, ABC Mouse is having a incredible sale on their annual subscriptions that makes the price just over $4/month. Grab this deal before it’s gone!

Gret ABC Mouse for just $4.99 per Month

Prime Video Channels

I know you might think that Prime Video should be listed under free since it’s free if you have Amazon Prime. However, I’m listing it under frugal for two reasons: First, you have to pay for Prime, which is a great deal, but still costs money. Secondly, what I’m about to recommend will cost you just a bit extra each month in addition to your Prime membership, but it’s been well worth it for our family.

Prime Video offers channels that you can subscribe to for a low monthly fee. Our favorite is Curiosity Stream, which is a perfect supplement to our preferred method of unschooling science. Curiosity Stream is only $2.99 per month, which makes it a frugal homeschool resource.

Get a Prime Video Channels Free Trial

Highlights for Children

When I became a homeschooling mom I was so happy to see that Highlights for Children was still around. My mom subscribed to Highlights for me when I was a kid and I loved it!

At only $4.95 per issue, it’s a great frugal homeschool supplement.

Highlights for Children has more than just their magazine subscription to offer, though. Check out their website for other homeschooling resources when you order your subscription. And don’t forget to take a look at their clearance section.

Get 40% Off Your Highlights Subscription

Dollar Tree

I wouldn’t be a very good frugal homeschooler if I failed to mention Dollar Tree as the ultimate frugal homeschooling resource.

When my boys were younger, I liked to decorate our school room walls with fun classroom calendars, trackers, and educational posters. (I’d still do it today, but they think they’re a little too old for that. *sniff*)

Anyway, Dollar Tree was a non-stop supply for all of my homeschool classroom needs and wants.

And their prices are low all year around – not just when it’s back-to-school time, which is great for those of us who enjoy the benefits of homeschooling year around.

I’m lucky to have four Dollar Tree stores near me, so I can usually find what I need. But when I can’t find an item in store or I just want to get in and out quickly (which keeps my trip to Dollar Tree frugal!) I order online and have it shipped to the store for free.

See Dollar Tree’s Homeschool Supplies

Free Homeschool Resources

Ok, mamas! Let’s talk about the free stuff!

Free homeschooling supplies, free homeschool curriculum, free homeschool websites! Oh my!

Let’s go!

Community Homeschool Co-op

Finding a local community homeschool co-op can be like finding a gold mine of frugal and free homeschool resources. Often local homeschool co-ops will plan free field trips and swap used curriculum, which lowers the cost of homeschooling.

To find your local homeschool co-op ask your cover school coordinator for information or do a Facebook search for groups in your area.

All in One Homeschool

Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool provides a complete online homeschool curriculum through the 8th grade all in one place.

Their sister site All in One High School provides a complete high school curriculum.

Yes, it’s all completely free.

Visit All in One Homeschool

Khan Academy

We’ve used Khan Academy for math a few times in the past and it was exactly what we needed. Now Khan Academy offers more than just math courses and spans past the basics. They teach courses all the way to college test prep and some AP and college-level courses.

And, yes – It’s all free.

Visit Khan Academy

FreeHomeschoolDeals.com

Just as the name implies you’ll find tons of free homeschool deals at FreeHomeschoolDeals.com.

You’ll find a ton of free printables and free instant downloads to keep your homeschool frugal and free.

Visit FreeHomeschoolDeals.com

YouTube – Crash Course

I can’t overstate how much my homeschool family loves Crash Course. They make learning so fun and easy.

A word of caution: I think Crash Course is best suited for teens – especially the history courses.

Check Out The Crash Course YouTube Channel

FunBrain

Your kids will love playing on Fun Brain and they won’t even realize they’re learning. Fun Brain has been around for a long time and helped so many kids learn through fun games and videos.

The best part, of course, is that it’s free!

Visit Fun Brain

Math Drills

If you’re looking for free printable math worksheets Math Drills has everything you need.

I’ve been using Math Drills to print math worksheets for my boys for as long as I can remember. They never disappoint. (They also provide answer sheets, which is super convenient.)

Get Your Free Printable Math Worksheets