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Affordable Homeschooling Resources: The Best Picks Under $20

In the era of aesthetically pleasing homeschool social media accounts, it’s easy to believe that homeschooling requires a huge budget. In previous school years, I have purchased resources that promised the world, only to have them collect dust on my shelf. I learned that homeschooling does not have to look expensive to be effective. In fact, there are many affordable homeschooling resources you can purchase for under $20 that work just as well as more expensive options.

In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite resources for those of us on a tighter budget. These resources have worked great for my kids and wallet! Whether you’re homeschooling one child or many, these low-cost educational materials will make your journey feel manageable.

Why Affordable Homeschooling Resources Are Worth It

Many families homeschool on a single income or with a tight budget, making it essential to source cheap homeschooling supplies. Keeping homeschooling affordable reduces burnout and financial stress, giving your students a peaceful home. It can also open up opportunities for fun field trips or hobbies that bring joy to your homeschool.

Personally, I'd much rather save money on supplies and put it toward museum visits, memberships, or experiences we'll actually remember.

Plus, you eliminate the feeling that comes with spending a bundle on a curriculum that's not a good fit for your family. Your family will learn resourcefulness, creativity, and contentment with the little things. And when your children look back on their education, they're more likely to remember the love and connection you showed them, not the flashy supplies.

Essential Categories of Resources Under $20

What types of homeschool resources under $20 should you focus on? Here are some ideas to get you started.

Printable Learning Resources

Purchasing books can be expensive. This is where educational printables for budget-conscious families come into play. Printable packs are one of the most affordable ways to homeschool multiple children — and they're one of the best educational printables options for families on a budget. They're great for handwriting, math, art, unit studies, and preschool.

I've found that my kids rarely care whether an activity came from an expensive curriculum or a printable I downloaded for a few dollars. They just care if it's engaging.

Many homeschool websites offer printable resources for under $20, and some even offer free options. Affordable Homeschooling has a growing collection of printable resources, and websites like Teaching Mama's online learning resources also provide excellent printables for preschool and elementary-aged children.

If you want to stretch your budget even further, laminate your pages or slip them into dry-erase pockets so they can be reused again and again.

Basic School Supplies

You do not need an extensive school supply cart, but a few basic supplies go a long way. Dry-erase boards, graphite pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, and watercolors cover a wide variety of needs. And stores like Dollar Tree and Walmart carry these items for under $1, especially during back-to-school sales.

Honestly, some of our most-used homeschool supplies are the least exciting ones. We go through pencils, crayons, and dry-erase markers far more often than any fancy educational product I've purchased.

If you're also outfitting a kindergartner, this roundup of backpacks for kindergarteners is a helpful companion read.

Hands-On Learning and Manipulatives

Manipulatives such as counting bears, math blocks, magnetic shapes, and measuring cups can be used time and time again. Legos are another learning tool that teaches valuable STEM concepts. These tools are extremely budget-friendly, especially when you can find them secondhand, like I often do. Some of my favorite homeschool finds have come from Facebook Marketplace listings that other families were simply ready to clear out.

Libraries

These days, libraries are full of free homeschool resources, such as books, DVDs, and more. Some libraries give access to streaming platforms with documentaries and educational children's shows. Others offer free classes to patrons along with other perks like eBook libraries, artwork rentals, and more.

Our local library has probably saved us hundreds of dollars over the years. It's one of the first places I check whenever we start a new topic of interest.

Recommended Affordable Resources

We've sifted through countless options to find the best affordable homeschooling resources. Here are the items that we come back to time and time again.

Dry-Erase Pockets

If you don't have the budget for a laminator, these dry-erase pockets turn any printable into a reusable worksheet.

MathLink Cubes

These math manipulatives are often under $10 and are multipurpose. Your students can use them for pattern recognition, counting, addition, subtraction, and grouping.

My younger kids have spent just as much time building towers and creations with these as they have doing math activities, which feels like a win-win.

Mini Dry-Erase Boards

Tired of going through reams of paper? Try having your kids solve math problems, draw, and write spelling words on a dry-erase board. You can purchase a multipack for under $10.

Flashcards

Flashcards are a great supplement to a budget-friendly homeschool curriculum, and you can use them for multiple children. Plus, they come in a variety of subjects like math, language arts, history, and geography.

Tips for Finding More Budget Resources

Affordable learning activities are all around you, and the cheapest ones are often right under your nose. Make it a point to regularly visit thrift stores with a wishlist in hand of homeschool must-haves. Social media groups are also a great place to find hidden treasures, as are garage sales, book sales, and used-curriculum sales. You can also ask seasoned homeschool parents if they are looking to get rid of old resources.

Keep an eye out for sales, which regularly occur during back-to-school season, both in-store and online. Your local library is a great place to get out-of-circulation books or magazines, and they're often willing to sell them on a "per bag" basis. Many home and office stores offer "teacher" discounts to homeschool moms, so be sure to ask!

Be sure to check for free resources online first. You'll find many free unit studies, handwriting sheets, templates, and more. YouTube can be a wonderful source of educational videos and shows, while public domains and the Libby app through your local library carry plenty of free books.

If you have the bandwidth, you can piece together your own curriculum as well, using library books, local landmarks, nature walks, and online resources. Many homeschoolers find this a great way to implement child-led learning, tailored to what their students find intriguing. If storage and space feel tight, these tips for homeschooling in a small space are worth a quick read.

And if patience is something you're actively working on with your kids alongside all of this, this piece on how to teach your children patience is a genuinely useful read for the homeschool season.

Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Homeschooling Resources

What are some affordable homeschooling resources available in the Midwest?

The Midwest is full of homeschool resources under $20, including free admission to nature centers, educational festivals, and more. The Midwest also has many homeschool conventions, which are a great way to source low-cost books and educational tools.

How do you find budget homeschool supplies in rural areas?

Parents in rural areas often have to get creative in their hunt for affordable homeschooling resources. While options are more limited, they're not obsolete, and you can often find supplies at Dollar Tree, Walmart, and Dollar General.

You can also create your own network of homeschooling families to swap resources with, use printable worksheets to cut down on shipping costs, and lean into nature-based learning.

What affordable homeschooling options do Southern states offer?

Southern states are known for their sense of community, which often shows up in homeschool co-ops and church groups. These groups will often hold used curriculum sales or swaps. Southern states also experience a pleasant climate most of the year, with an abundance of free outdoor activities.

Are there online platforms for free homeschooling resources?

WiFi is one of your greatest homeschooling assets, and there are many free resources online. Khan Academy is a timeless option, offering courses for elementary and high school students across history, math, economics, and more. Another great option is Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool, which offers traditional subjects for preschool through 8th grade, along with Bible and foreign languages. All you need for this curriculum is paper, a pencil, and basic school supplies.

Don't underestimate the power of free educational games. PBS Kids has many learning games that will boost your child's abilities in math, language arts, and problem-solving.

What budget-friendly curriculum options are available for homeschooling?

Homeschool curriculum doesn't have to be expensive to work. Parents often find that unit studies are a cost-effective option that you can customize for multiple grade levels by swapping a few small details. Boxed curriculum sets can break your budget, but digital curricula are often cheaper because they eliminate printing costs.

The Good and the Beautiful is a favorite among homeschoolers because it offers free printable math, language arts, and science materials, as well as newly released learning apps and digital spelling courses. If you're looking for print books, Spectrum has workbooks for all ages available for under $10. You can also find frugal workbooks at Dollar Tree or Walmart.

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Remember, homeschooling on a budget does not mean you're doing less for your children. In fact, you're exercising more intentionality than those with a higher budget! And you'll most likely discover that simple resources get used more than expensive alternatives. Your children don't need the hottest tools; they need a parent who is willing to adapt and, at times, come up with creative solutions.

Start with a few resources that make sense for your family, use free resources, and remember, building an effective homeschool happens one step at a time. And if you need a place to start, browse the affordable homeschooling resources on this site — many of them are free.