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One of my favorite things about homeschooling is that learning does not have to come from a stack of expensive curriculum.

After homeschooling for many years, I have learned that some of the best resources are the ones we already have, the ones we can borrow, or the ones we can find for very little money.

You do not need a homeschool room filled with shelves of books to give your children wonderful learning opportunities.

You simply need to know where to look—and be willing to make good use of what you find.

Start With What You Already Have

Before you buy another book, workbook, or educational resource, take a look around your house.

You may already have more resources than you realize.

Look at your bookshelves, games, craft supplies, kitchen, and even those books you have not opened in years.

A cookbook can teach reading, math, fractions, measurement, and following directions.

A map can become a geography lesson.

A field guide can turn a walk outside into a science lesson.

A biography can bring history to life.

Board games can help children practice math, reading, strategy, and communication.

Even everyday household activities can become learning opportunities.

Before buying something new, ask yourself: Can I use something I already have?

Sometimes the answer is yes.

Make Your Public Library One of Your Homeschool Resources

Your local library can be one of the best resources in your homeschool—and it does not have to cost you anything to borrow a book.

If you are studying the American Revolution, borrow books about the people and events you are learning about.

Studying animals? Check out books about different species, habitats, and wildlife.

Learning about a particular country? Look for books about its history, geography, food, and people.

And do not forget about books your children simply want to read.

Not every book has to be assigned.

Sometimes allowing a child to discover a subject because it interests them can lead to some of the best learning.

Shop for Homeschool Resources Secondhand

You do not always need to buy homeschool materials new.

Used bookstores, library book sales, thrift stores, yard sales, community sales, and local homeschool groups can be great places to look.

And do not limit yourself to things labeled “homeschool.”

Some of my favorite finds would not necessarily be considered curriculum at all.

Look for:

• Children’s encyclopedias
• Atlases
• Biographies
• Historical fiction
• Science books
• Nature guides
• Dictionaries
• Cookbooks
• Art books
• Educational games
• Puzzles

A good book does not have to say “homeschool” on the cover to be useful in your homeschool.

Build Your Library Slowly

You do not need to create your entire homeschool library this month—or even this year.

Build it little by little.

If you are studying a particular subject, look for resources that support what your children are learning now.

If you find a great book at a good price, add it to your collection.

If you do not need it yet, put it aside for later.

Over time, those individual purchases can become a wonderful collection your family can use for years.

Keep a List Before You Buy

This is one of the easiest ways to keep homeschool spending under control.

When you see a book, curriculum, game, or resource you think would be helpful, put it on a list instead of automatically buying it.

Then watch for it.

You may find it at a library sale, thrift store, used bookstore, yard sale, or from another homeschooling family.

You may even decide a few weeks later that you do not need it after all.

That little pause can save money and keep your home from filling up with resources that seemed like a good idea at the time.

Think About How Many Ways You Can Use It

When I am considering whether something is worth bringing into my home, I like to think beyond the immediate use.

Can more than one child use it?

Can it be used for more than one subject?

Can it be used again next year?

Can it become part of a future unit study?

A cookbook, for example, can be used again and again for reading, math, practical life skills, and family cooking.

A good atlas can be useful for years.

A book about nature can be pulled off the shelf every spring, summer, fall, or winter.

The more use you can get from something, the more value it can provide.

Let Your Children’s Interests Guide You

You do not have to build a library based entirely on a curriculum list.

Pay attention to what your children love.

If your child is fascinated by animals, find books about animals.

If another child loves machines, look for books about inventions, engineering, or how things work.

If someone loves history, provide biographies and historical fiction.

Interests are wonderful invitations to learn.

And again, you do not necessarily have to buy those books.

Borrow them first.

If your child loves them, you can always look for a copy to keep.

Give Old Resources Another Chance

Before you get rid of an older homeschool resource, take another look at it.

Maybe one child has finished with it, but a younger sibling can use it.

Maybe you only used part of the book.

Maybe the information is still useful even though the resource is no longer part of your regular curriculum.

Maybe it can be used in a completely different way.

We do not always need something new.

Sometimes we simply need to look at something old with a new purpose.

Organize What You Have

A resource library does not have to be fancy.

It simply needs to be usable.

Keep books and materials where your family can find them.

You might organize them by subject, age, or type of resource.

You could have sections for:

• History
• Science
• Math
• Literature
• Geography
• Art and Music
• Reference
• Seasonal Resources

You do not need a perfect system.

If you can find what you need when you need it, your system is working.

Don’t Feel Like You Have to Keep Up With Anyone Else

This may be one of the most important things I can tell another homeschool mom.

You do not need the curriculum another family uses.

You do not need their shelves full of books.

You do not need their homeschool room.

And you certainly do not need to spend money simply because someone else found something that looks wonderful.

Your homeschool needs to work for your children and your family.

A small collection of resources that you actually use is far more valuable than a room full of materials collecting dust.

Build a Resource Library That Grows With Your Family

Your homeschool resource library does not have to happen all at once.

Start with what you have.

Borrow what you need.

Look for good secondhand finds.

Keep a list of things you would like to add.

Choose resources carefully.

Reuse them whenever possible.

Little by little, you can build a collection of books and materials that your family will use for years.

And the best part?

You do not have to spend a fortune to do it.

Make What You Already Have Work Harder

That is something I come back to again and again here at Candy Foote Club.

Whether we are talking about groceries, household purchases, family resources, or homeschooling, I believe we can often do more with what we already have.

Before you pull out your wallet, look around your own home first.

You may already have the beginning of a wonderful homeschool resource library sitting on your shelves.

And if you do need something, take your time and look for the best way to get it.

More in Your Cart. More in Your Wallet. More for Your Family.

See what SchoolhouseTeachers has to offer →

Build Your Homeschool Library Without Buying Everything

You don’t need shelves full of expensive curriculum to build a strong homeschool resource library. SchoolhouseTeachers gives families access to a large collection of homeschool resources for one membership, making it easier to add new subjects, supplement what you’re already using, and find something useful when your children need a change.