How to Homeschool a Preschooler for Free: A Complete Guide
Homeschooling a preschooler doesn’t have to be expensive! With a little creativity and planning, you can provide a high-quality early education at home—without spending a fortune.
Many parents worry about curriculum costs, materials, and resources, but the truth is, preschool learning happens naturally through play, exploration, and everyday activities.
In This Guide, You’ll Learn:
✔ How to homeschool your preschooler for free
✔ Essential preschool learning areas and how to teach them at home
✔ Free resources, printables, and curriculum options
✔ Daily routines and activity ideas that cost nothing
✔ How to use everyday life as a classroom
By the end, you’ll have everything you need to create an enriching homeschool preschool experience without breaking the bank!
1. Can You Really Homeschool a Preschooler for Free?
Yes! Preschoolers learn best through play, hands-on activities, and real-world experiences—none of which require expensive programs or materials.
✔ No need for pricey curriculums – There are plenty of free printables and online resources available.
✔ No need for fancy supplies – Everyday household items can be used for learning.
✔ No need for structured lessons – Young children learn naturally through play, conversation, and exploration.
By using free online resources, community programs, and your own creativity, you can provide a rich and engaging preschool education at home—for free!
2. Essential Preschool Learning Areas (and How to Teach Them for Free)
Preschool learning should focus on exploration, creativity, and foundational skills. Here’s what to cover and how to teach it at no cost:
📚 Literacy & Pre-Reading Skills
✔ Read books daily – Borrow from the library or use free online storybooks.
✔ Practice letter recognition – Use homemade flashcards or letter-matching games.
✔ Encourage storytelling – Have your child make up stories using toys or pictures.
✔ Sing alphabet songs – Songs like ABC Song help with letter recognition.
Free Literacy Resources:
🔗 Project Gutenberg – Free children’s books.
🔗 Storyline Online – Celebrities read books aloud.
🔢 Math Readiness
✔ Count objects around the house – Count spoons, toys, or buttons.
✔ Use real-world math – Measure ingredients while cooking, sort laundry by color.
✔ Play number games – Hopscotch, dice games, and puzzles make math fun.
✔ Practice shapes and patterns – Draw in the sand, use household objects to make patterns.
Free Math Resources:
🔗 Khan Academy Kids – Free interactive math lessons.
🔗 PBS Kids Math Games – Fun math games for preschoolers.
🔬 Science & Nature Exploration
✔ Go on nature walks – Observe bugs, plants, and the weather.
✔ Do simple experiments – Freeze water, mix colors, grow a bean in a cup.
✔ Watch educational videos – Free science videos on YouTube (SciShow Kids is great!).
✔ Explore seasons and weather – Track daily weather with drawings.
Free Science Resources:
🔗 Mystery Science – Free science lessons for young kids.
🔗 NASA Kids’ Club – Space-themed science fun.
🎨 Arts, Crafts, and Creativity
✔ Use recycled materials for crafts – Old magazines, boxes, and fabric scraps.
✔ Draw and paint with household items – Coffee, fruit juice, and flour make great art supplies!
✔ Make DIY playdough – Use flour, salt, and water for homemade dough.
✔ Encourage music and dance – Clap to a rhythm, use kitchen utensils as instruments.
Free Art & Music Resources:
🔗 The Artful Parent – Free kids’ craft ideas.
🔗 Free Kids Music – Free children’s songs and sing-alongs.
🧠 Social-Emotional Learning & Life Skills
✔ Practice taking turns and sharing – Use board games or toys.
✔ Talk about emotions – Use storybooks or puppets to discuss feelings.
✔ Encourage independence – Let your child help with dressing, cleaning, and organizing.
✔ Teach kindness – Model positive behavior and praise kindness in daily life.
Free Social-Emotional Resources:
🔗 Sesame Street in Communities – Videos and activities on emotions and friendships.
3. Free Printable Preschool Curriculum & Lesson Plans
You don’t need a paid curriculum to homeschool a preschooler! There are plenty of free, high-quality lesson plans available online.
🔗 Ambleside Online – Free Charlotte Mason-style curriculum.
🔗 Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool – Full free preschool curriculum.
🔗 Letter of the Week Curriculum – Free printable letter-based lesson plans.
🔗 Pre-K Pages Free Printables – Tons of printable preschool worksheets.
4. Creating a Free Preschool Homeschool Routine
A structured yet flexible routine helps children feel secure and engaged in learning. Here’s a simple daily preschool schedule using free activities:
🕘 Morning Routine (8:00 – 9:00 AM)
✔ Breakfast & getting dressed.
✔ Listen to a morning song (ABC song, counting song).
📚 Learning Time (9:00 – 10:30 AM)
✔ Read a book together (from the library or online).
✔ Practice counting or letter recognition using household objects.
✔ Do a simple science or nature activity (outdoor walk, sensory play).
🎨 Creative Play & Snack (10:30 – 12:00 PM)
✔ Art or craft project using recycled materials.
✔ Free play with toys, blocks, or music and dance.
✔ Outdoor time (if possible).
🍽 Lunch & Rest (12:00 – 2:00 PM)
✔ Independent play, quiet reading, or nap time.
🧩 Afternoon Learning & Play (2:00 – 4:00 PM)
✔ Sensory activity (playdough, sand, water play).
✔ Pretend play or simple DIY games.
✔ Explore nature (backyard scavenger hunt, weather tracking).
🌙 Evening Wind-Down (5:00 – 7:00 PM)
✔ Family dinner & discussion.
✔ Storytime before bed.
This simple and flexible routine ensures your preschooler gets a mix of structured learning, creativity, and play!
Final Thoughts: Homeschooling Preschool for Free is Totally Possible!
You don’t need an expensive curriculum or fancy materials to homeschool a preschooler. With free resources, creativity, and everyday experiences, you can provide a rich and engaging early education at home—at no cost!
Key Takeaways:
✔ Use free resources like books, printables, and online activities.
✔ Incorporate learning into daily life (counting, reading, exploring nature).
✔ Prioritize play-based learning over worksheets.
✔ Follow a flexible routine that encourages curiosity and creativity.
✔ Make it fun and engaging!
With these free homeschooling strategies, your preschooler will develop a love for learning—without costing you a penny!
