Ideas for Homeschooling on a Budget

By DoItYourself.com Staff

It is no surprise that homeschooling your children can easily break a budget. It is easy to get carried away in the various homeschooling supply stores with the vast array of what is offered today. Here are some great ideas for ways you can homeschool your children for practically nothing.

Garage Sales
A great way to find products to use in homeschooling is by going to garage sales. For just pennies, you are bound to find books on all reading levels, toys, office supplies, educational videos, board games, anything you can personally use in your teaching. If you are lucky, you may find a public school teacher or fellow homeschooler having a sale where you will be sure to find materials you can use in homeschooling.

Used Book Stores
On the same token, used book stores are always a great place to go to for general reading books. Many will already have a special area of required reading. Used books stores have really upgraded their standards, and the majority of the time you will find books in gently read, even like new condition.

Online Homeschool Sites
There are more websites about homeschooling on the Internet today than there have ever been. A great deal of them have forums where users can buy, sell and trade homeschool supplies they no longer use. Not only can you get some great deals, but meet some other parents who homeschool their children.

Retail Store Sales
Each year, about a month before school starts, you will find your local retail stores have amazing back to school sales. Now is the time to stock up for the entire year on the basic supplies. Most stores will price their notebooks, paper, crayons, glue and pencils at just pennies, so now is the time to take advantage.

Internet Resources
The Internet is just as informative as any resource book can be. Best of all, it is free. With the bulk of dictionaries, encyclopedias, tutorials, and instruction available online, there is something for children of any age that will not cost you a thing. For younger children, there are a wealth of sites that offer free printables, so they can go from your computer directly to your table. You can find recipes for making alternatives to store-bought items such as bubbles and dough, endless ideas for different crafts, and, if nothing else, scanning prices to get the best deals on things you do want to buy.

Theme Parks and Local Attractions
While it will cost money to get into theme parks or attractions, do a little research and you will find that many places do offer programs or a special day reserved for homeschooled students. Your local zoo is a great place to start. Even if they do not have a program for homeschooled students, there is a wealth of information your children can learn here, all the while having a great time!

Especially for those new to homeschooling, it is easy to get set on thinking that you have to be stuck at a table all day reading or writing in workbooks. You have to remember that when you homeschool your child, anything can be considered learning. Simple daily tasks or errands are full of more learning opportunities than we realize, and while these activities basically do not cost a thing, the time your children spend with you will be priceless.

© Doityourself.com 2006