Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive.
Learn about free homeschool preschool ideas to help save money while your little one still learns.
This article may contain affiliate links to products that may help you when homeschooling preschool.
Free Homeschool Preschool — Does it Work?
After the decision to homeschool preschool is made, the thought about what to teach or all the things that are needed comes to mind.
I’m here to calm your nerves.
You don’t have to spend a dime on homeschooling preschool if you don’t want to.
There are many ways to homeschool preschool for free.
Eclectic homeschooling works best for procuring free resources though as you don’t have to stick to just one curriculum or plan and can use a variety of resources.
If you’re set on using just one open and go homeschool curriculum with everything planned out, keep in mind that you probably will need to pay for it. The same goes with online classes for homeschoolers; there’s typically a fee involved.
There are a lot of homeschool tips out there, but ultimately, remember that the decision about what to use and when comes down to what you want to do!
Keep reading to see some of the best free homeschool preschool ideas.
This article may contain affiliate links to products that may help you when homeschooling preschool.
How to Homeschool Preschool for Free
Get a Library Card
The amount of libraries we have today is wild.
Gone are the days when checking out books was the only use for a library.
Most have preschool story time (and crafts!).
Some hold playgroups and other events, too.
They are a great place to socialize and meet other families with young kids.
Some libraries even have task or work bins to check out that have different themes.
Music bins, robotics bins, and exploring nature bins are only a few.
There’s even a library near us that has homeschool curriculum you can check out!
Ask your children’s librarian about the resources offered in your library system.
Even if your home library doesn’t have something, another library in your county may.
A library card is, by far, the most essential homeschool supply you can have!
Use What You Already Have
This may be a no-brainer to some, but it has a rightful place on the free homeschool preschool resource list.
Already have colored cereal in the cupboard?
There are many different things you can do with it.
Counting, color sorting, making a bracelet…
Toys can be used in all sorts of ways in lessons.
Your littles are already familiar with the toy, making it easier for them to focus on the new task you are asking them to do.
And instead of buying art supplies, make your own edible finger paint or use cereal boxes to create recycled art!
Not only do you save money when you use what you have, but you are doing your part to create less waste.
Take Advantage of Free Printables
There are many places online that are giving away excellent resources.
We have an email list that will send you an email with ideas each week.
This blog also has a freebies library — created just for you to take advantage of and to offer free homeschool preschool resources.
PLAY!
We are big advocates of play around here.
Kids can learn so much through play.
Sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy watching your preschooler use her imagination and decision-making skills.
Explore Nature
Nature has a way of drawing kids (and adults) into it.
Harness this fantastic power and get your little one outside.
See the leaves changing colors. Talk about the size of the trees.
Imagine what kind of bird lives in the nest you spotted.
Do Arts and Crafts
Most preschool crafts call for items you most likely already have on hand.
Arts and crafts are an incredible free homeschool preschool activity because they work on hand coordination, fine motor skills, and creativity.
If you want ideas about some arts and crafts, we have many posts with ideas.
Use Puzzles and Other Games
Even if you don’t have physical puzzles or games, you can play many different music and movement games with your preschooler.
Spacial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and gross motor skills (and fine motor skills for puzzles) are all practiced with puzzles and games.
Not to mention strategy and having fun!
Draw on Your Child’s Interests
When you draw on your child’s interest, you’ll instantly have engagement.
Maybe she loves trains.
You will surely have books about trains, pictures of trains, and train toys already.
Use these tools to teach your little one to count, fill the train cars with pom poms to make different patterns, or sort the train cars by type.
Free Shows and Apps
If you utilize technology, there are many educational shows and apps at your disposal that are all free.
Many preschool-aged shows have songs that will get stuck in your little one’s (and your) head.
But a song about taking turns may be a good thing to have on repeat.
If you are looking for a list of preschool-aged apps, we have a post all about them.
Community Resources
Look into your local recreation center, zoo, library, and state park.
Many hold free programs for preschoolers and homeschoolers.
Garage Sales and Facebook Groups
If you want to add puzzles, books, games, etc., to your free homeschool preschool, check out garage sales and Facebook Groups.
Most communities have Buy Nothing Groups on Facebook.
The premise is that people want the items gone from their houses, so they give them to someone else in the community for free.
Also, if you mention at garage sales you plan to homeschool with the item; the person may give it to you for free.
Free Homeschool Preschool Tips
Being able to focus on your preschooler and less on the cost of homeschooling preschool is a fantastic feeling.
Here is to hoping that this post gave you the courage to homeschool preschool and the reassurance and the know-how to homeschool preschool for free.