Best Homeschool History Curriculum and Books
Last Updated on July 7, 2017 by Alicia Michelle
I have to admit–history is my favorite homeschool subject to teach!
Plus, I love that a homeschool history curriculum allows kids to also learn about writing, handwriting, geography, sociology, philosophy, art, literature, bible, character training, and even science and math.
Truly, no other homeschool subject has such a wonderful cross-subject reach as history.
Here's a list of some of the best homeschool history curriculums, plus history books, history unit studies, history activity books and other history resources for homeschool families.
There are lots of options here because there really is no one “right” way to homeschool history. Choose what works for your family in this season!
If you're looking for a great history curriculum for your homeschool, you'll love this ultimate list of homeschool history resources!
Top Homeschool History Curriculum and Resources
Story of the World by Susan Wise Baeur
The Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Revised
The Story of the World Volume 2: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the RenaissanceThe Story of the World Volume 3: Early Modern TimesThe Story of the World Volume 4: The Modern Age: From Victoria's Empire to the End of the USSR
If you enjoy the idea of sitting by the fireplace and learning about history as if your grandpa was telling you a story, then I'd highly recommend the Story of the World‘s homeschool history curriculum!
Story of the World is written by Susan Wise Bauer, a well-known homeschool author and college professor who speaks about how to educate children using the Classical style (the Trivium).
Note: Read more about classical education here or get Susan Wise Bauer's awesome book about this style of learning The Well-Trained Mind.
We have used this four-volume history curriculum off-and-on throughout our homeschooling journey, and it's highly popular among many homeschoolers. I appreciate that there's an audio version of each book (a great way to review material in the car) and an accompanying activity book for each volume.
Story of the World is also extremely affordable and easily accessible, and can be used by the entire family to learn history at the same time. Additional subjects such as art and literature of the period are mentioned.
However, for high school history, I do feel that Story of the World does require a lot of supplemental resources to fully round itself out. But if you have a good list of supplemental history books (see below) and corresponding influential literature from each time period, Story of the World can still be a good fit.
While not expressly Christian, it is not necessarily anti-Christian either. Overall, I would highly, highly recommend these history books as one of the best history homeschool curriculum!
Mystery of History by Bright Ideas Press
Mystery of History Vol. 1: Creation to the ResurrectionMystery of History Vol. 2: The Early Church and the Middle AgesThe Mystery of History, Vol. 3: The Renaissance, Reformation, and Growth of NationsMystery of History Vol. 4
Mystery of History is a homeschool history curriculum that tells the chronological sequence of history by focusing on contributions in art, music, literature, science and philosophy.
Mystery of History is based on the teaching style of the Trivium (Classical learning style).
Note: Read more about classical education here or get Susan Wise Bauer's awesome book about this style of learning The Well-Trained Mind.
Written from a Christian perspective, Mystery of History is broken into four volumes:
- Vol 1: Creation to the Resurrection
- Vol 2: The Early Church and the Middle Ages
- Vol 3: The Renaissance, Reformation and Growth of Nations
- Vol 4: Wars of Independence to Modern Times
The material is applicable to all grades, meaning that the family can all study the same subject together, which is a huge plus if you have a large family like I do!
Many families love the easy, storytelling nature of this homeschool history curriculum that tells about history from creation to modern times from a Christian perspective.
Tapestry of Grace by Lampstand Press
We used Tapestry of Grace for several years and loved it. We ended up leaving the curriculum only because our schooling situation changed slightly and it no longer fit.
Something I really appreciate about Tapestry of Grace is the amount of detail. They offer a huge amount of study material options for each grade level, and arrange that information by grade level. It really does allow moms to have a lot of options in how to teach.
This homeschool history curriculum also places an emphasis on memory work, which is a great way for kids to really retain what they're reading.
Tapestry of Grace tells history from a Christian perspective and is based on the Classical learning methodology. You can download a free three-week sample on their site to see if it's a good fit.
Our Family's Favorite Homeschool History Unit Studies
Time Travelers or Project Passport Activity-Based Studies
How can I describe these fun, interactive homeschool history resources? Well, instead of taking a more sequential, linear approach to studying several historical aspects, this curriculum focuses on one culture or time period in detail. And I mean in detail.
We went through both their Project Passport: Egypt and the Renaissance and Reformation studies and I am incredibly impressed by how thoroughly this homeschool history curriculum has covered the topic.
The kids and I also appreciate the many, many hands-on activities and have been having a ball with all the projects. Each study also includes lapbooking materials, timelines, audio files, newspapers, maps, and suggestions for additional reading material.
Best History Audio Dramas for Kids
Our family loves kids audio dramas, and so many of them tell great stories from history. I have a comprehensive post on top christian audio dramas for kids here, but here are the ones I'd consider using as part of a homeschool history curriculum.
Audio stories are a great way for kids to study history while riding around town or on a family road trip.
The Hiding Place (Radio Theatre)Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom (Radio Theatre)The Legend of Squanto (Radio Theatre) [Audiobook, Cd] [Audio Cd] Paul MccuskerUnder Drake's Flag: The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. HentyBeric the Briton – The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. HentyThe Dragon and the Raven – The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A HentyIn the Reign of Terror – The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. HentyIn Freedom's Cause the Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. HentyWith Lee in Virginia: The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty
![The Legend of Squanto (Radio Theatre) [Audiobook, Cd] [Audio Cd] Paul Mccusker](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51a3nPsrflL.jpg)
Recommended Homeschool History Videos
Want your kids to watch history videos as a supplement to your homeschool history curriculum? Here are some that I'd highly recommend.
America The Story Of Us (3-Disc Collection) [DVD]Liberty's Kids – The Complete SeriesLittle House on the Prairie: The Complete Series [Deluxe Remastered Edition]
![America The Story Of Us (3-Disc Collection) [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EO5zhPiXL.jpg)
![Little House on the Prairie: The Complete Series [Deluxe Remastered Edition]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41iM2aG%2BCOL.jpg)
Top Homeschool History Books & History Activity Books
These books are awesome supplements to homeschool history curriculum. In some cases, you could even develop an entire history unit study using these resources!
Many of them offer fun, interactive history crafts and other activities. Others are wonderful history biographies for kids. You've got to check these homeschool history resources out!
NOTE: There are several homeschool history book series (or homeschool history publishers) that offer incredible history books by topic/era.
I've linked to ONE of the books from these homeschool history book publishers, but since they are Amazon links, I highly encourage you to click on each link and search within Amazon to see the full listing of history books that each history book publisher has available.
Magic Tree House Imagination Station Books The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia DK Books“For Kids” History Activity/Craft BooksDover History Coloring Book“If You Lived At The Time Of…” history books“You Wouldn't Want to Be…” history books “America in the Time Of…” history booksDK Eyewitness BooksHorrible Histories (good, but preview for your family first)“My America” History books“Dear America” history booksWelcome to Samantha's World-1904: Growing Up in America's New Century (American Girl)George Washington“Value Tales” Historical biographies“Hands-On History” history activity and craft books“Christian Heroes: Then & Now” Christian missionary biographies
Other Homeschool Curriculum Ideas
Don't miss these other recommended homeschool curriculum lists!
30 Genius Ways to Make Math Fun
31 Fabulously Fun Science Curriculum Resources
40 Top Tools for Homeschool Preschool and Kindergarten Curriculum
I have never been a fan of history so when I decided to homeschool my son my biggest fear was not giving him enough education when it comes to History. I love the idea of including games with the learning, it makes history fun which is something I never thought I’d say! Thank you for all the insight on how to make history more than “just reading a book”.
Awesome, thanks for sharing!
We love Beautiful Feet Books, a living history curriculum!
Hi there! Thank you for sharing this link! And yes, we love our history-based dramas! They get listened to over and over in our car. 🙂
Thanks for the geography resources and pretty neat that you included history-based audio dramas! Not sure if you ever integrate music into your homeschool but we think connecting music and sound to geography lessons can give children a great sense of some of the places they study. In case you are interested, we’ve shared some activities and resources that connect sound and music to places around the world for people who are interested in linking sound and music to geography lessons or curriculum.
Super! I’m glad that you found some new homeschool history resources to try! Thanks for stopping by!
Fantastic list; many resources I am not familiar with. We do all of our history study through literature with a strong emphasis on geography but as the kids get older, I know I will want to focus more on planned curriculum. Thanks–found this at the Homeschool Nook!
Awesome! Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope to see you here again. 🙂
Great post…really enjoyed looking at your site x
Awesome! I hope you find something that works for your family! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh I just had to check this post out… see I am a homeschooling mom that HATES teaching history. There are certain time periods that are fun to teach and we’ve found great picture books that have captivated my children but overall we are not usually thrilled to start a new history unit. Give us science any day! I’ll definitely be looking into some of these resources. Maybe that will help.
Hi Beth! That sounds like a great resource! Thanks for sharing!
This year, I stumbled across Heritage History (www.heritage-history.com) and it has really worked out great for us. The premise is self-paced, independent learning through reading public domain literature. Most of the levels have online quizzes for parents who want to make sure their kid is learning and all the books are in kindle format so it was both inexpensive and space saving. I keep having these ideas that I’ll someday create a Charlotte Mason homeschool; but, for now, I just have my daughter write out answers to the five W’s for a few chapters and that’s her “narration”. She seems to be really enjoying the books and we actually decided to combine social studies and reading this year.
Hi Olivia! Wow… thank you! LOL What a great compliment!
I have written two books on homeschooling:
Plan to Be Flexible: Designing a Homeschool Rhythm and Curriculum Plan That Works for Your Family http://amzn.to/1Q2Qsv9 ; and
Back to School Survival Manual: A Girlfriend’s Guide to an Organized and Successful Homeschool Year http://amzn.to/1QPbW37
I’d love for you to check them out!
Thank you again for visiting, and I hope to see you again here soon! Have a great day. 🙂
Hi Alicia Michelle,
After reading several of your homeschool posts, I have decided that you are like the ULTIMATE resourceful homeschooling mom. You could probably write a guide that would sell like hotcakes. 🙂 You really have a gift with providing valuable information.
Thank you for sharing with us at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
Olivia- Co-hostess
Reinvented Collection
Hi Leah! Thanks! I’m glad that you were able to find a few new favorites to check out. Have a great day!
These are great! Some are favorites of ours. I’ve never heard of the Apologia history curriculum. I’ll have to go check it out. I love the idea of the research!
Thank you, Veronica! Appreciate that! I hope you find something that’s a good fit for your family!
These are great! Lots of great resources to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing!