Yes, home education can sometimes mean sacrificing an income, and exams (if you decide to take them) do come with a price tag—but the good news is there’s a huge amount of learning you can access completely free.
Honestly, there is so much free stuff out there that with a bit of curiosity (and a strong internet connection), you can build a rich, engaging education for your kids without breaking the bank.
Here are some of my favourite go-to freebies that keep our learning fresh, fun, and completely free.
Whenever my kids announce they want to learn about a new topic—dinosaurs, volcanoes, space, you name it—my first stop is Pinterest. With a quick search, I can pull together crafts, science experiments, worksheets, and project ideas that cover multiple subjects at once. It’s basically like building your own personalised curriculum. And the best bit? It’s all free.
We are lucky enough to have loads of Free Little Libraries around the country, and they’re absolute treasures. The idea is simple: you take a book, leave a book, and keep the cycle going. We even set one up on our drive, and it’s been brilliant. Not only do we get access to new books all the time, but it’s also a lovely way of sharing stories with our community.
Every November, UK Parliament Week runs a programme that’s free to join. You get sent a pack full of activities to help kids understand how parliament works—without any party politics. It’s hands-on, interactive, and even comes with badges you can apply for at the end.
From science experiments and history documentaries to art tutorials and maths problem-solving, YouTube is a treasure trove of free lessons.
Authors, illustrators, and poets often host free online events, sometimes through literature festivals, sometimes independently. They’re brilliant for making books come alive and letting kids connect directly with the people behind the stories.
Completely free to apply for, and once your child has one, it gets them into loads of attractions for free or at a discounted price.
Organisations like WWF, the Wildlife Trust, RSPB, and NSPCC offer free resources, packs, and activities. We also take part in bird counts and butterfly counts. It’s science, nature, and community all rolled into one—and it costs nothing.
Most libraries offer free access to e-books and audiobooks, and you can usually join more than one library system for an even bigger selection.
Many museums and galleries are free to enter, and almost all have brilliant online resources. From virtual tours to activity packs, you can explore art, history, and culture from your living room. Some even run free workshops or themed family days.
When you start looking, you’ll be amazed at just how much is out there. Between Pinterest projects, library hauls, free events, and online resources, you can create a full, rich curriculum for your child without needing to buy anything. Home education doesn’t have to be about spending money—it’s about curiosity, creativity, and making the most of the incredible free opportunities that are already out there waiting for you.
Have you got a favourite free resource or hidden gem you use in your home education journey? Share it—I’d love to add more ideas to the list!
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