Best Homeschool Planners for Moms 2026: Real Options That Actually Work

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If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a beautiful homeschool planner in March—completely blank past September 15th—you’re my people. I’ve been there. I’ve bought the gorgeous planners with the inspirational quotes and the meal planning sections and the elaborate goal-setting pages. And I’ve abandoned them by October when real life happened and someone got the stomach bug and the chickens escaped into the neighbor’s yard (again).

But here’s what I’ve learned after several years of homeschooling here in Northwest Florida: the best planner isn’t the prettiest one. It’s the one you’ll actually use. So let’s talk about what’s working for real homeschool moms heading into 2026—and how to figure out which style fits your family.

Why Most Homeschool Planners Don’t Work

Before we dive into specific options, can we be honest about something? Most planners fail us because they’re designed for a version of homeschooling that doesn’t exist. The version where every subject happens at the scheduled time, nobody needs to stop math to watch a Gulf fritillary emerge from its chrysalis, and you never have to pivot the whole day because the library book you needed isn’t available.

The reality of homeschooling—especially if you lean Charlotte Mason or nature-based like we do—is that the magic often happens in the margins. The unplanned nature walk. The two-hour rabbit hole about why hermit crabs switch shells. The morning spent sketching in a nature journal instead of doing grammar.

A good planner makes room for that. A bad planner makes you feel guilty about it.

What to Look for in a 2026 Homeschool Planner

Flexibility Over Rigidity

The best planners for moms who want breathing room are ones that track what you did rather than demanding what you must do. This is especially true if you’re using the Florida PEP scholarship—you need to document learning, but you don’t need a minute-by-minute schedule.

Look for:

• Weekly spreads rather than hourly time blocks
• Space for notes and observations
• Room to record read-alouds, nature study, and life skills
• Undated options (because we all start late sometimes)

Charlotte Mason-Friendly Features

If your homeschool includes living books, nature study, and habit training, you’ll want a planner that has space for these things without forcing everything into “subjects.” Some questions to ask:

• Is there room to track picture study and composer study?
• Can I note nature observations and seasonal discoveries?
• Does it accommodate loop scheduling or block scheduling?

We keep our Sibley bird guide near our school table, and honestly, half our “science” happens when someone spots a new bird at the feeder. My planner needs to capture that without making it feel less-than.

Top Homeschool Planner Styles for 2026

The Simple Spiral Notebook Approach

Don’t sleep on this one, friend. Some of the most experienced homeschool moms I know have ditched the fancy planners entirely. A simple spiral notebook with dated entries works beautifully—especially if you’re the type who feels boxed in by pre-made layouts.

What this looks like: Each day, jot down what you actually did. Date it. Done. At the end of the year, you have a complete record for your evaluator without any wasted pages.

Best for: Relaxed homeschoolers, Charlotte Mason purists, moms who rebel against structure

The Digital Planner Route

I’ll be honest—I’m not a screens-heavy person. We’re trying to raise our kids with that 1990s childhood feel, and I don’t love being on my phone or tablet constantly. But I know several moms who swear by digital planners on their iPads.

The advantage? You can move things around endlessly without eraser marks. You can copy and paste. You can link to resources.

The disadvantage? Another screen. Another thing to charge. Another notification pulling your attention.

Best for: Tech-comfortable moms, planners who change their minds often, those who want cloud backup

The Record-Keeping Style Planner

This is what I’ve landed on, and it’s changed everything. Instead of planning ahead in detail, I plan loosely for the week and then record what we accomplished. It’s part planner, part portfolio.

I keep track of our curriculum resources from places like Rainbow Resource and Timberdoodle, and I note which books we read, what nature study we did, and any hands-on projects. When my oldest wanted to spend a whole week learning about chicken breeds after we added to our flock, I didn’t have to feel like we were “behind”—I just recorded it as animal science and moved on.

Best for: Eclectic homeschoolers, nature-based learners, moms who need documentation for evaluations

The All-in-One Lesson Planner

If you use a more structured curriculum—maybe Math-U-See or a boxed program—a detailed lesson planner might actually work for you. These have space to write out specific lessons, page numbers, and daily assignments.

The key is being realistic. If you know you won’t fill in every box, don’t buy the one with every box.

Best for: Type-A planners, school-at-home style, moms with multiple kids in structured curricula

My Honest Recommendation

Here’s what I wish someone had told me back when I started: your planning system will evolve, and that’s okay. What worked when I had one kindergartner doesn’t work now with elementary-age kids who have different needs and interests.

Start simple. You can always add complexity. But you can’t get back the hours you spent filling in a planner system that didn’t fit your life.

And give yourself grace for the days when the plan goes sideways. Last week we completely scrapped our morning lessons because we found a luna moth on the back porch and spent two hours observing it, sketching it with our Faber-Castell watercolor pencils, and reading about its life cycle. That wasn’t in my planner. But it was absolutely education—maybe the best kind.

Quick Tips for Planner Success in 2026

• Plan weekly, not daily. Give yourself flexibility within the week.
• Use pencil. Or accept that crossing out is part of the process.
• Include life skills. Cooking, chicken care, gardening—it all counts.
• Review quarterly. What’s working? What’s just taking up space?
• Keep it where you’ll see it. The prettiest planner is useless in a drawer.

The Bottom Line

The best homeschool planner for 2026 is the one that serves your family without stressing you out. It might be a $30 spiral-bound system. It might be a $3 composition notebook. It might be a digital app that syncs across your devices.

What matters is that it helps you stay sane while documenting the beautiful, messy, wonderful work of educating your kids at home.

And on the days when nothing goes according to plan? When the dog knocks over the art supplies and the kids are feral and you’re questioning every decision you’ve ever made? Close the planner. Go outside. Watch the chickens for a while. Tomorrow is a new day.

We’re all figuring this out together, friend. You’ve got this.

Non-Toxic Pest Control for Backyard Chickens in Florida: What Actually Works

If you’ve kept chickens in Florida for more than about five minutes, you already know — the bugs here are relentless. Between our humidity, our mild winters that never quite kill anything off, and the general enthusiasm of Florida insects, keeping your flock healthy without reaching for harsh chemicals can feel like an uphill battle.

But here’s the thing: it’s absolutely doable. And honestly? Once you get a good system in place, it becomes second nature.

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Our family has kept backyard chickens for several years now, and we’ve tried just about everything. Some methods work beautifully. Others… well, let’s just say we learned what not to do. Today I’m sharing what actually works for us in Northwest Florida, where the heat and humidity create the perfect storm for mites, lice, flies, and all their creepy-crawly friends.

Why Non-Toxic Matters (Especially with Kids Around)

When we first got chickens, I’ll admit I didn’t think much about what pest control products we’d use. But then I watched my kids — barefoot, of course — run out to the coop every morning to check for eggs. I saw them sitting in the run, talking to the hens, sometimes with a chicken literally perched on their lap.

And I realized: whatever we put in that coop ends up on little hands. It tracks into the house. It’s on those eggs we eat for breakfast.

This isn’t about being performatively “crunchy.” It’s just practical. If there’s a way to handle pests that doesn’t involve my kids absorbing chemicals through their skin, I’m going to take it.

The Big Three: Mites, Lice, and Flies

Dealing with Mites and Lice Naturally

Florida’s warm, humid climate means external parasites are basically a year-round concern. Up north, a hard freeze gives chicken keepers a break. Here in Pensacola? Not so much.

Our first line of defense is food-grade diatomaceous earth. We sprinkle it in the nesting boxes, in the dust bathing area, and along the roosts. It works mechanically — the tiny fossilized particles damage the exoskeletons of mites and lice, causing them to dehydrate. No chemicals involved.

A few tips that took me a while to figure out:

• Reapply after rain. Our Florida afternoon thunderstorms wash it away, so I keep a container in the coop and dust things down after heavy rain.
• Create a dedicated dust bath area. We use a large rubber tub filled with sand, wood ash from our fire pit, and diatomaceous earth. The chickens basically treat themselves.
• Check your birds regularly. Part the feathers around the vent and under the wings. If you see tiny crawling things or clusters of eggs at the base of feathers, it’s time to act.

For a more intensive treatment, we’ve had good luck with Wondercide sprays. They use plant-based ingredients like cedarwood oil, and you can spray directly on the birds as well as the coop. I appreciate that I don’t have to clear the kids out for hours after using it.

Fly Control Without the Nasty Stuff

Flies are probably our biggest ongoing battle. Florida heat plus chicken manure equals fly paradise. There’s no way around basic management: clean the coop regularly, keep bedding dry, and don’t let droppings pile up.

But beyond that, here’s what helps:

Fly predators. These are tiny beneficial wasps (they don’t sting humans) that you release monthly. They lay their eggs in fly pupae before the flies can hatch. We order ours and scatter them around the coop area. It’s not an instant fix, but over time, it makes a real difference.

Herbs in the coop. I toss fresh mint, lavender, and rosemary into the nesting boxes. Do the chickens eat half of it? Yes. But it smells lovely and flies genuinely don’t love it.

Apple cider vinegar in the water. A splash of raw ACV in their waterer (about a tablespoon per gallon) seems to help with overall health and may make the manure less appealing to flies. We use a nipple-style chicken waterer to keep the water clean, which also cuts down on mosquito breeding.

Florida-Specific Challenges

Fire Ants

Oh, fire ants. The bane of every Floridian’s existence. They will absolutely invade a coop, especially if there’s spilled feed or a cracked egg.

We’ve found that keeping the area around the coop clear of debris helps — fire ants love to nest in wood piles and leaf litter. When we do find a mound near the coop, we pour boiling water on it. It’s not a permanent solution, but it’s immediate and safe.

For ongoing control, I’ve started using beneficial nematodes in the yard. You water them into the soil, and they attack fire ant larvae underground. It takes a few weeks to see results, but it’s completely non-toxic.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can transmit fowl pox to chickens, so this isn’t just about comfort — it’s about flock health. Our approach:

• Eliminate standing water everywhere (including that saucer under the potted plant you forgot about)
• Make sure the coop has good airflow
• Use Wondercide yard spray around the coop perimeter before dusk

Coop Setup That Prevents Problems

Honestly, the best pest control is prevention. Our coop setup has evolved over the years, and a few changes made a huge difference:

An automatic coop door — This was a game-changer for us. The door closes at dusk, which keeps out rodents that attract mites and other pests. Plus, I don’t have to run outside at sunset every single night.

Hardware cloth everywhere. Regular chicken wire keeps chickens in, but it doesn’t keep rats and mice out. We replaced ours with 1/2-inch hardware cloth. Fewer rodents = fewer pest problems.

Deep litter method. Instead of cleaning the coop to bare floor constantly, we add layers of pine shavings and let them compost in place. A healthy deep litter bed actually helps control pests because it builds up beneficial microbes. We do a full cleanout twice a year and start fresh.

Learning Together

One unexpected gift of backyard chickens is how much they’ve taught our kids about pest management, ecosystems, and natural solutions. When we discovered mites last summer, my oldest helped me research treatment options. We talked about why we choose the methods we do, and she helped me dust the coop with diatomaceous earth (wearing a mask, of course — even natural stuff shouldn’t be inhaled).

If you’re looking for a good resource to dig deeper, Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens is our go-to reference for all things chicken health. For the kids, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens has been wonderful for getting them involved and understanding why we do what we do.

You’ve Got This

Keeping chickens healthy in Florida without toxic chemicals isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely possible. It takes a little more attention, a little more prevention, and a willingness to work with nature instead of against it.

And honestly? There’s something deeply satisfying about solving problems this way. About knowing the eggs your kids collect are as clean and safe as you can make them. About watching your flock dust-bathe contentedly in the late afternoon light while the kids play nearby.

This is why we do it. Not just the eggs — but the whole messy, beautiful, buggy experience of raising creatures alongside our children.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check on the ladies. And probably reapply some diatomaceous earth, because those afternoon storms aren’t letting up anytime soon.

How to Teach Kids About Composting with Backyard Chickens: A Simple Nature Lesson

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If you’ve got backyard chickens and curious kids, you’re sitting on one of the best hands-on science lessons nature has to offer. I’m not talking about something that requires a Pinterest-worthy setup or a trip to the store for special supplies. I’m talking about the kind of learning that happens when your kindergartner dumps the breakfast scraps into the coop and asks, “Mama, where does the food go after the chickens eat it?”

That question? That’s your invitation to teach composting in the most natural, living-book kind of way. And honestly, it’s one of my favorite things about keeping chickens in our Florida backyard.

Why Chickens Make Composting Click for Kids

Here’s the thing about composting — it can feel a little abstract when you’re five or seven years old. You throw banana peels in a bin, and somehow, eventually, it becomes dirt? That’s a lot to wrap your head around.

But chickens? Chickens make the cycle visible.

Your kids can watch the hens scratch through kitchen scraps, gobble up watermelon rinds and wilted lettuce, and turn all of it into… well, let’s just call it what it is. Chicken poop. And that chicken poop, mixed with bedding and time, becomes the richest, most beautiful compost you’ll ever add to your garden.

It’s the nitrogen cycle happening right in your backyard, no textbook required.

Starting Simple: Let Them Feed the Scraps

The easiest entry point is also the most fun for little ones — let them be in charge of collecting kitchen scraps and delivering them to the flock.

We keep a small stainless steel bowl on the counter, and throughout the day, the kids add veggie peels, fruit scraps, stale bread, and whatever else is chicken-safe. After breakfast, one of them pulls on their rain boots (essential in our soggy Florida mornings) and heads out to the coop.

This is where the magic happens. They’re not just “feeding the chickens.” They’re participating in a closed-loop system. Food waste doesn’t go to the landfill — it goes to the birds, who turn it into eggs and fertilizer.

If you want to go deeper, keep a running list together of what the chickens can and can’t eat. It’s a great vocabulary lesson for younger kids and a mini research project for older ones. Our copy of Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens has been endlessly helpful for answering those “can they eat this?” questions.

The Coop-to-Compost Connection

Once your kids understand that chickens eat scraps, the next layer is showing them what happens to the bedding.

We use the deep litter method in our coop, which means we add pine shavings on top of the existing bedding and let everything break down together over time. The chickens scratch and turn it constantly — they’re basically tiny composting machines with feathers.

Every few months, we clean out the coop and move all that beautiful, broken-down material to our compost pile. The kids help with this (as much as they want to, anyway — shoveling chicken bedding isn’t exactly glamorous). But they see it. They smell it. They understand that this stuff is going somewhere useful.

A few tips that have helped us:

• Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in the coop to help with moisture and pests — especially important in humid Florida summers.
• Talk about nitrogen and carbon in age-appropriate terms. Chicken poop is “green” material (high nitrogen). Pine shavings are “brown” material (high carbon). You need both for good compost.
• Let them touch the finished compost. Seriously. When it’s dark and crumbly and smells like earth, let them dig their hands in.

Making It a Nature Study Lesson

If you’re a Charlotte Mason homeschooler like we are, you already know that the best lessons come from real, living things. Composting with chickens fits right into that philosophy.

Here are a few ways we’ve woven this into our homeschool rhythm:

Nature Journaling

Have your child sketch the compost pile at different stages. What does it look like in January versus July? What critters do they notice? We’ve spotted earthworms, beetles, and all kinds of fascinating decomposers. A simple nature journal and some colored pencils are all you need.

Observation with Tools

Our pocket microscope has been a huge hit for examining compost up close. Kids can see tiny organisms, fungal threads, and the texture of decomposing leaves. It turns a pile of “dirt” into a whole hidden world.

The Decomposition Timeline

Pick a few items — an apple core, an eggshell, a piece of cardboard — and bury them in the compost pile together. Check back every week or two. What’s breaking down fastest? Why? This is real scientific observation, the kind that sticks with kids way longer than a worksheet.

Books That Help

If your kids want to dive deeper into chickens and how they fit into the backyard ecosystem, I highly recommend A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens. It’s written at an accessible level and covers everything from feeding to egg collecting to — yes — using chicken manure in the garden.

For the composting side, we’ve found that narration works better than formal curriculum for younger kids. Read a picture book about decomposition, visit your compost pile, and talk about what you see. That’s enough. Really.

What This Teaches Beyond Science

Honestly, the biggest gift of teaching composting through chickens isn’t the biology lesson. It’s the worldview.

Our kids are growing up understanding that nothing is truly “waste.” Food scraps feed chickens. Chicken manure feeds soil. Soil grows vegetables. Vegetables feed us. And the cycle starts again.

In a world that throws everything away, that’s a countercultural way to live. It’s the same reason we skip screens and let them get bored. It’s the same reason we say yes to mud puddles and catching bugs with a bug catcher kit. We want them to feel connected to the natural world — to know they’re part of it, not separate from it.

A Few Florida-Specific Notes

Composting in Florida has its quirks. Our heat and humidity mean things break down fast — which is great — but it also means you need to manage moisture carefully. Too wet, and your pile gets soggy and smelly. We turn ours more often in the summer and add extra browns when the afternoon thunderstorms roll through.

Also, fire ants. They love compost piles. We’ve found that keeping the pile moist and turned helps, and the chickens themselves will scratch through the edges and eat any ants they find. Nature’s pest control.

You Don’t Have to Overcomplicate It

If you’re new to chickens or new to composting, please hear me: you don’t need to master this before you teach it. Some of our best learning moments have come from figuring things out together.

“I don’t know, let’s find out” is a complete sentence in our homeschool.

So grab your scraps, head out to the coop, and let your kids ask questions. That’s where the real education lives — not in a curriculum box, but in the mess and wonder of everyday life with chickens, compost, and curious little people.

And if your dog photobombs every single chicken feeding like ours does? Well, that’s just part of the adventure.

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If you’ve ever watched your kid scroll mindlessly through a tablet while a room full of perfectly good toys sits untouched, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. We all have. And somewhere between the guilt and the frustration, most of us land on the same question: what actually works? What toys will they pick up, use, and come back to — without a screen attached?

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of homeschooling, saying no to a lot of plastic junk, and watching what my kids genuinely gravitate toward: the best screen-free toys aren’t complicated. They’re open-ended. They invite questions, mess, and imagination. They don’t beep, flash, or do the playing for your child.

And honestly? Most of them would’ve been right at home in a 1990s childhood — which is exactly the kind of growing up we’re trying to recreate around here.

Why Open-Ended Toys Matter More Than Ever

I’m not anti-technology. I have a science background, and I genuinely appreciate what screens can do. But I also know what they take when they’re overused — attention span, creativity, the ability to sit with boredom and turn it into something.

Open-ended toys ask kids to bring something to the table. There’s no right way to play. No winning. No game over screen. Just… possibilities. And that’s where imagination lives.

Charlotte Mason talked about giving children space to form relationships with ideas and the world around them. Toys are part of that world. The ones that invite exploration, creativity, and wonder? Those are the ones that stick.

Our Favorite Screen-Free Toys That Actually Spark Imagination

These aren’t just theoretical picks from a Pinterest board. These are the things my kids use — in our Florida backyard, on our screened porch during summer rain, at the kitchen table during morning time. Real toys, real play.

Outdoor Exploration Kits

If you want kids off screens, get them outside. And if you want them to stay outside, give them tools.

A simple bug catcher kit has been worth its weight in gold around here. My kids have caught everything from roly-polies to Gulf fritillary caterpillars to a very confused gecko. Pair it with a pocket microscope and suddenly you’re doing real science — the kind that comes from curiosity, not a worksheet.

We also keep a pair of rain boots by the back door at all times. In Florida, afternoon storms roll in fast, and some of our best adventures have happened in puddles and mud. Let them splash. It washes off.

Art Supplies That Invite Creativity

Not all art supplies are created equal. The cheap stuff dries out, breaks, and ends up in a junk drawer. But when you invest in a few quality tools, kids notice — and they use them.

We love Faber-Castell watercolor pencils for nature journaling, backyard sketching, and rainy afternoon art. They’re easy to control, blend beautifully with water, and feel like real art supplies — not baby toys. Even my kindergartener can use them independently.

A blank nature journal is another quiet powerhouse. We bring ours outside when we’re observing the chickens, identifying birds, or just sitting under the oak tree. There’s something about a blank page that invites children to notice more carefully and record what they see.

Imagination Toys for Unstructured Play

Here’s my unpopular opinion: most toys do too much. The ones that last are the ones that don’t dictate how they should be played with.

Wooden blocks, simple figurines, fabric scraps, baskets of loose parts — these get pulled out daily at our house. My kids build farms, fairy houses, castles, and towns. They act out stories. They argue about who gets the good horse (every family has one). This is the stuff of childhood.

And if you want to add some active play? A good set of walkie talkies turns your backyard into a whole universe. My kids have used theirs for spy missions, chicken patrol duty, and elaborate games I don’t fully understand. They’re outside, they’re moving, and they’re not asking for a screen. Win.

Games That Bring the Family Together

We try to keep evenings slow around here — no rushing, no homework panic, just time together. And some of our favorite screen-free moments happen with simple outdoor lawn games. We’ve done bocce ball, ladder toss, and a lot of made-up variations with whatever we have on hand.

These aren’t fancy. They’re not Instagram-worthy every time. But they get us outside together, laughing, competing, and making memories that don’t involve anyone staring at a glowing rectangle.

Tools for Kids Who Love to Learn About Their World

Some of the best “toys” in our house aren’t technically toys at all. They’re field guides, reference books, and tools for discovery.

We keep a copy of Sibley’s Birds on our porch because we’re always trying to identify who’s visiting the feeder. (Florida gets some gorgeous migrating birds in spring — it’s become a whole family hobby.) My oldest has started keeping a running list in her nature journal of every species we’ve confirmed.

And because we have backyard chickens, we also have A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens — which has been endlessly useful. My kids reference it for everything from egg-laying questions to coop cleaning chores. It gives them ownership over something real, and that’s worth more than any toy with batteries.

Building a Screen-Free Home Without Being Extreme

I want to be clear: we’re not perfect at this. Screens exist in our house. We use them sometimes. But they’re not the default, and that’s the difference.

The goal isn’t deprivation — it’s abundance. Filling our home and our days with things that are worth choosing instead. When there’s a bug to catch, a journal to sketch in, a chicken to check on, or a game to play in the yard, screens become less appealing on their own.

You don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Start with one good toy. One outdoor kit. One quality art supply. Watch what happens when you give your kids something real to do.

A Few Last Thoughts from Our Little Corner of Florida

I think about the kind of childhood I want my kids to remember — and it looks a lot like bare feet, magnifying glasses, handwritten journals, and time outside with the dog trailing behind them. It looks like curiosity and wonder. It looks like boredom that becomes creativity.

Screen-free toys aren’t about saying no. They’re about saying yes to something better. Something slower. Something that looks a whole lot like the way we grew up, back when summer meant catching fireflies and nobody asked for the WiFi password.

Here’s to raising kids who know how to wonder, explore, and imagine — one open-ended toy at a time.

Best Nature-Based Homeschool Curriculum 2026: What We’re Actually Using This Year

If you’re searching for the best nature-based homeschool curriculum for 2026, I’m guessing you’re a lot like me — you want your kids outside more than inside, you believe mud and creek water are essential parts of childhood, and you’re tired of curriculum that chains your family to a desk for six hours a day.

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I’ve been homeschooling in the Pensacola area for several years now, and every summer I find myself reevaluating what’s working for our family and what needs to go. We lean heavily into a Charlotte Mason philosophy — living books, nature study, short lessons, and lots of time for free play. Think less “school at home” and more “learning happens everywhere, especially outside.”

This year, I’ve pulled together what I genuinely believe are the best options for families who want their kids to grow up more like we did in the 1990s — catching lightning bugs, identifying birds, building forts, and actually being bored enough to get creative.

Here’s what’s making the cut in our homeschool for 2026.

What Makes a Curriculum “Nature-Based”?

Before we dive in, let’s talk about what I even mean by nature-based. For our family, it means:

• Time outdoors is non-negotiable, not a reward for finishing bookwork
• Nature study is a core subject, not an afterthought
• Living books over textbooks whenever possible
• Hands-on learning that connects to the real world
• Seasonal rhythms that let us follow what’s actually happening outside our door

Here in Northwest Florida, that means we study sea oats and sand dunes, watch osprey nesting season, and yes — we absolutely count caring for our backyard chickens as part of our school day.

Our Favorite Nature-Based Curriculum Picks for 2026

Language Arts: Living Books + Narration

We don’t use a boxed language arts curriculum. Instead, we read excellent books together and the kids narrate back what they’ve learned. It sounds simple because it is — and it works beautifully.

For finding quality living books, I browse Rainbow Resource endlessly. Their selection is massive, and I appreciate that I can search specifically for Charlotte Mason-friendly materials. We pair this with copywork from the books we’re reading and call it a day.

Math: Hands-On and Manipulative-Based

Math is where I’ll admit we do need some structure. We’ve been happy with Math-U-See for years because it’s hands-on, mastery-based, and doesn’t require hours of busywork. The video lessons are short, the manipulatives are actually useful, and my kids genuinely understand why math works — not just how to get the right answer.

We also do a lot of real-world math: measuring ingredients, counting eggs from the coop, calculating how many days until the baby chicks arrive. That’s the nature-based math nobody puts in a curriculum guide, but it matters.

Nature Study: The Heart of Our Homeschool

This is where we really shine, and honestly, it doesn’t require an expensive curriculum at all.

Our essentials:

• A good nature journal. We use simple sketch journals that can handle watercolor and pencil. Nothing fancy, just space to draw and write.
• A quality field guide. The Sibley Guide to Birds lives on our back porch. We’ve identified more species than I can count right from our yard.
• Tools for exploration. A pocket microscope and a bug catcher kit have provided hours of genuine scientific observation.

For more structured nature study, I love the Handbook of Nature Study (the original Charlotte Mason resource) paired with outdoor time specific to whatever we’re studying. This week it’s lichen on the oak trees. Next week, who knows — we follow the kids’ curiosity.

Science: Unit Studies + Real Life

We piece together science from living books and real experiences. When my oldest wanted to understand chicken anatomy, we didn’t buy a curriculum — we got Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens and read it together while observing our own flock. For the younger kids, the Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens has been perfect for their level.

Timberdoodle puts together fantastic science kits if you want something more packaged. Their curriculum packages lean hands-on and can be used flexibly, which works well for nature-based families.

Art: Process Over Product

We keep art supplies accessible and let the kids create freely. For nature journaling specifically, we love Faber-Castell watercolor pencils — they’re high enough quality to make the kids feel like real artists, but forgiving enough for beginners.

A lot of our art happens outside: sketching birds at the feeder, painting wildflowers, pressing leaves. No curriculum required.

Building a Nature-Based Day (Without Overwhelm)

Here’s roughly what our days look like:

Morning basket time (30-45 minutes): Bible, poetry, read-aloud, composer or artist study

Short focused lessons (about an hour total): Math, language arts, any other “sit-down” work

Nature time (1-2 hours minimum): Outside. Period. Rain or shine — that’s what rain boots are for.

Afternoon free play: Unstructured time. The dog gets walked, the chickens get visited, and kids get bored enough to build things and imagine things.

That’s it. It doesn’t look like traditional school because it isn’t. And our kids are thriving.

A Note on Florida Homeschooling

We use the Florida PEP scholarship, which gives us flexibility in how we spend our education funds. Many of the resources I’ve mentioned qualify — curriculum, supplies, even some manipulatives. If you’re a Florida homeschool family, it’s worth looking into.

Also, homeschooling in Florida means we can be outside almost year-round. January nature study looks a lot different here than it does up north, and I lean into that. We study what’s around us, when it’s around us.

The Bottom Line

The best nature-based homeschool curriculum for 2026 isn’t necessarily the most expensive or the most Instagram-worthy. It’s the one that gets your kids outside, nurtures their curiosity, and doesn’t burn you out in the process.

For us, that means living books, real experiences, short lessons, and a whole lot of time in the backyard — watching chickens, identifying birds, getting dirty, and learning through wonder.

If that sounds like the childhood you want for your kids too, you’re in the right place. We’re all figuring this out together, one muddy afternoon at a time.

If you’ve been dreaming about backyard chickens — the fresh eggs, the kids running out in their pajamas to check the coop, the whole Little House on the Prairie vibe — I get it. We were right there a few years ago, and now I can’t imagine our homeschool life without our little flock.

But here’s the thing: raising backyard chickens with kids is genuinely wonderful, and it’s also a real commitment. So before you bring home those irresistible fluff balls from the feed store, let me share what I wish someone had told me.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Why Chickens and Kids Are Such a Good Match

There’s something about chickens that just works with childhood. They’re not too fast to catch (usually), they make hilarious sounds, and they provide an immediate, tangible result for daily care: eggs. In a world where so much feels abstract and screen-based, chickens bring kids back to something real.

For our Charlotte Mason homeschool, the chickens have become living nature study. We observe their behavior, sketch them in our nature journals, and talk about everything from molting cycles to the pecking order. It’s science and character development rolled into one feathery package.

And honestly? My kids have learned more about responsibility from those birds than from any chore chart I’ve ever made.

Getting Started: What You Actually Need

The Basics for Your Coop Setup

You don’t need anything fancy, but you do need a few non-negotiables:

• A secure coop: Here in Florida, we’re not worried about harsh winters, but we absolutely have to think about predators. Raccoons, possums, hawks, and even neighborhood dogs are all threats. Make sure your coop is locked up tight at night.
• Ventilation: Our humid Northwest Florida summers mean airflow is critical. A stuffy coop leads to respiratory issues fast.
• A reliable waterer: Chickens drink a lot, especially in our heat. We switched to a nipple-style chicken waterer early on, and it’s been a game-changer for keeping water clean.
• An automatic coop door (optional but amazing): If you want any flexibility in your schedule — or just want to sleep in occasionally — an automatic chicken coop door is worth every penny. Ours opens at sunrise and closes at dusk, and I don’t have to worry if we’re out late.

Choosing Kid-Friendly Breeds

Not all chickens are created equal when it comes to temperament. Some breeds are flighty and skittish; others will practically sit in your lap. For families with elementary-age kids, I always recommend:

• Buff Orpingtons — gentle giants, great with little hands
• Silkies — fluffy, calm, and endlessly entertaining
• Easter Eggers — friendly and they lay those gorgeous colored eggs
• Plymouth Rocks — curious and docile

Our first flock included a mix, and the kids quickly figured out which hens were the snugglers and which preferred their personal space.

What Kids Can Actually Do (By Age)

One of the best parts of raising chickens with kids is giving them real, meaningful work. Not busy work — actual contributions to the family.

Ages 4-6

• Collect eggs (with supervision)
• Help fill the waterer
• Scatter treats like mealworms or veggie scraps
• Observe and report (“Mama, Goldie is acting weird!”)

Ages 7-10

• Take over daily feeding and watering
• Help clean the coop (raking, adding fresh bedding)
• Learn to spot signs of illness
• Keep a chicken journal or log egg production

If you want a great resource for this age group, Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens is comprehensive for you, and there’s also a fantastic kid-specific chicken guide that my kids have practically memorized.

Keeping It Safe and Healthy

Hygiene Habits

Let’s be real: chickens are dirty. They poop everywhere, they scratch in dirt, and they’re not exactly sanitary creatures. Teaching kids to wash hands thoroughly after handling chickens is non-negotiable. We keep a pump soap right by the back door, and it’s become automatic.

Also — and this is important — supervise young children around chickens. Most hens are gentle, but roosters can be aggressive, and even a friendly hen might peck at shiny jewelry or painted fingernails.

Dealing with Florida’s Unique Challenges

Raising chickens in Florida comes with its own set of considerations:

• Heat: Provide shade, fresh water (multiple times a day in summer), and consider frozen treats like watermelon.
• Bugs: Fire ants, mites, and flies are constant battles. We use food-grade diatomaceous earth in the coop and dust bath areas to help with parasites naturally.
• Humidity: Keep bedding dry and change it frequently to prevent mold and respiratory issues.
• Predators: Did I mention the raccoons? Because they are relentless.

The Unexpected Lessons Chickens Teach

Here’s what I didn’t anticipate when we got chickens: how much they would teach my kids about life itself.

They’ve learned that living things need consistent care, even when it’s raining or we’re tired. They’ve experienced the joy of finding a warm egg and the sadness of losing a hen to a predator. They’ve watched the natural life cycle up close — and that’s shaped their understanding of the world in ways no textbook could.

These are the kinds of experiences I want for my kids. The 1990s-childhood kind, where you learn things by doing them, not by watching a video about them. Where you get dirt under your fingernails and you know where your food comes from.

Our mini labradoodle has learned to coexist with the flock (mostly by ignoring them entirely), and watching the kids navigate that relationship has been its own lesson in boundaries and respect.

Making It Part of Your Homeschool

If you’re a homeschool family, chickens integrate beautifully into your days. Here are a few ways we’ve woven them into learning:

• Nature study: Sketching chickens, observing behavior, identifying feather types
• Math: Counting eggs, tracking production over weeks, calculating feed costs
• Reading: Chicken care books, breed guides, even picture books about farm life
• Writing: Chicken journals, labeling diagrams, writing “how to care for chickens” guides for friends

Curriculum providers like Rainbow Resource and Timberdoodle often have farm-related supplements that pair well with hands-on chicken keeping.

Is It Worth It?

I won’t pretend it’s all sunshine and fresh eggs. There are early mornings, vet bills, predator losses, and the occasional kid meltdown when their favorite hen pecks them.

But when I watch my kids crouch down in the grass, talking softly to the chickens and holding out treats in their small hands, I know we made the right choice. This is the childhood I want for them — rooted, real, and full of wonder.

If you’re on the fence about raising backyard chickens with kids, I’d say go for it. Start small, do your research, and give yourself grace when things don’t go perfectly. The eggs are a bonus. The real gift is everything else.

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Got questions about getting started with chickens in Florida? Drop them in the comments — I love talking about this stuff.

Best Non-Toxic Sunscreen for Kids: A Florida Beach Mama’s Honest Guide

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If you’ve ever stood in the sunscreen aisle at Target, squinting at ingredient lists while your kids asked for the fourteenth time if they could go look at the toys, I see you. I’ve been there more times than I can count.

Living in Northwest Florida means we’re at the beach, the springs, or just playing in the backyard under that relentless Gulf Coast sun pretty much year-round. And when you’re trying to raise kids with fewer chemicals and more intention, finding the best non-toxic sunscreen for kids becomes one of those rabbit holes you didn’t know you’d fall down — but here we are.

Let me save you some of the trial and error I went through.

Why Non-Toxic Sunscreen Actually Matters

I’m not here to fear-monger. But I do think it’s worth knowing what we’re slathering on our kids’ skin multiple times a day, especially during Florida summers when sunscreen application becomes as routine as brushing teeth.

Conventional sunscreens often contain ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate — chemical UV filters that absorb into the bloodstream (the FDA has confirmed this) and have been linked to hormone disruption in studies. Oxybenzone in particular has been shown to affect estrogen levels.

For little bodies that are still developing? I’d rather not take the chance when good alternatives exist.

Plus, if you’ve ever taken your kids to our beautiful Florida springs or coral areas, you’ve probably seen the signs about reef-safe sunscreen. Those chemical filters are devastating to marine ecosystems. Hawaii actually banned oxybenzone and octinoxate for this reason.

What to Look For (and What to Avoid)

The Good Stuff

Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as their active ingredients. These sit on top of the skin and physically block UV rays rather than absorbing them. They’re considered safe and effective by the FDA, and they don’t absorb into your bloodstream.

Look for:

• Zinc oxide (my preference — offers both UVA and UVB protection)
• Titanium dioxide (good for UVB, less comprehensive for UVA)
• Non-nano particles (these are too large to absorb into skin)
• Simple, recognizable inactive ingredients

The Not-So-Good Stuff

Avoid:

• Oxybenzone
• Avobenzone
• Octinoxate
• Homosalate
• Octocrylene
• Added fragrances (often hide other chemicals)
• Retinyl palmitate (vitamin A that can be problematic in sun exposure)

Our Favorite Non-Toxic Sunscreens for Florida Beach Days

After years of testing (and yes, a few sunburns along the way when something didn’t work), here’s what actually performs for our active, sandy, sweaty Florida life:

For Everyday & Beach Days

Badger Sport Sunscreen SPF 35 — This is our go-to. It’s zinc-based, goes on smoothly for a mineral sunscreen, and holds up surprisingly well in the water. Yes, there’s a slight white cast, but honestly? I’ve made peace with it. My kids look a little ghostly for about ten minutes, and then it blends in.

Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc SPF 30 — A great option if the white cast really bothers you. It’s lighter and sheerer while still being mineral-based.

ThinkSport Kids SPF 50 — When we’re going to be at Pensacola Beach or Gulf Islands National Seashore for a full day, I reach for this one. Higher SPF, water-resistant for 80 minutes, and my kids don’t complain about the texture.

You can find great options when you search for non-toxic kids sunscreen — just always flip to the ingredients and double-check against the list above.

For Faces

Beautycounter Countersun Stick SPF 30 — Pricier, but the stick format is perfect for little faces, ears, and the back of the neck. No mess, easy reapplication, and my kids can do it themselves (mostly without getting it in their eyes).

Real Talk: The White Cast Situation

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Mineral sunscreens leave a white cast. There’s no way around it — the zinc oxide that makes them safe is the same thing that makes them visible.

Some tips that help:

• Apply in thin layers and let each layer absorb before adding more
• Warm the sunscreen between your hands first
• Don’t use way more than you need
• Accept that your kids will look a bit pale and that’s actually proof it’s working

I’ve seen some brands advertising “clear” zinc sunscreens, but be cautious — sometimes this means nano-particles (which can absorb into skin) or added chemical filters.

Application Tips for Sandy, Sweaty Kids

Florida beach days are their own special challenge. Sand sticks to sunscreen. Kids sweat it off. They “forget” to tell you when they need more.

Here’s what works for us:

Apply at home before you leave. Sunscreen needs about 15 minutes to fully bind to skin. If you’re applying in the beach parking lot, you’re already behind.

Set a timer. Every 90 minutes to 2 hours, or immediately after swimming. I literally set my phone timer because I will absolutely forget otherwise.

Make them stand still. I know, easier said than done. But a rushed application means missed spots, and those weird sunburn patterns are no fun for anyone.

Don’t forget the weird spots. Tops of ears, back of knees, tops of feet, part line in their hair. Ask me how I know.

Beyond Sunscreen: Other Sun Protection That Actually Works

Sunscreen is just one tool. We also rely heavily on:

• Rash guards and sun shirts — My kids basically live in these at the beach
• Wide-brimmed hats — Good luck keeping them on a five-year-old, but we try
• Shade during peak hours — We bring a beach tent and actually use it
• Timing — When possible, we hit the beach early morning or late afternoon

This layered approach means we’re not relying on sunscreen alone, which takes some of the pressure off.

A Note on Spray Sunscreens

I know they’re convenient. I really do. But most spray sunscreens are chemical-based, and there are concerns about inhalation, especially for kids. The ones that are mineral-based don’t spray as nicely and still need to be rubbed in.

For us, the convenience isn’t worth the trade-off. But I’m not going to judge you if you use them occasionally — parenting is about survival sometimes.

Making It Part of Your Routine

We treat sunscreen like we treat everything else in our non-toxic home journey — as one piece of a bigger picture. The same way I’m intentional about our cleaning products from Grove Collaborative or the pest control we use around the kids and the dog, sunscreen is just another area where a little research goes a long way.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to be thoughtful.

The Bottom Line

Finding the best non-toxic sunscreen for kids — especially for Florida beach life — takes some trial and error. What works for your neighbor’s kids might not work for yours. Textures, scents, and white cast tolerance vary by family.

But here’s what I want you to take away: good options exist. You don’t have to choose between protecting your kids from the sun and protecting them from questionable chemicals. You can do both.

And if your kid ends up looking a little ghostly in the beach photos? Well, that’s just evidence of a mama who’s paying attention.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go reapply sunscreen on two sandy kids who swear they “just put some on” an hour ago.

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What’s your family’s go-to sunscreen? I’m always looking to try new options — drop your favorites in the comments!

How to Predator Proof a Chicken Coop on a Budget: Real Tips from a Florida Backyard Flock Owner

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If you’ve ever walked out to your coop in the morning with that knot in your stomach—hoping everyone made it through the night—you know exactly why predator proofing matters. When we first got our backyard chickens, I had this idyllic vision of the kids gathering eggs in the golden hour while our hens free-ranged through the yard. What I didn’t picture was the raccoon that showed up the second week, or the hawk that started circling like clockwork every afternoon.

Here in Northwest Florida, we’ve got quite the lineup of critters who’d love to make a meal of our girls: raccoons, opossums, snakes, hawks, the occasional neighborhood dog, and even coyotes in more rural areas. But here’s the good news—you don’t need to spend a fortune to keep your flock safe. After a few years of trial, error, and way too many YouTube rabbit holes at midnight, I’ve figured out what actually works without draining the budget.

Start With the Basics: Hardware Cloth is Your Best Friend

I’m going to be honest with you—if you only do one thing, make it this: ditch the chicken wire. I know, I know. It’s called chicken wire. But here’s the thing: chicken wire keeps chickens in. It does almost nothing to keep predators out. Raccoons can reach right through those holes, and snakes slip through like it’s an open invitation.

What you want is 1/2-inch hardware cloth. Yes, it costs more than chicken wire up front. But it’s a one-time investment that actually works. Cover all openings—windows, vents, the bottom portion of your run. We bought ours on sale at the hardware store and installed it ourselves over a weekend while the kids played in the yard. Not glamorous, but effective.

Budget tip: Check Facebook Marketplace and local farm groups. We’ve found partial rolls for half price from folks who overbought for their own projects.

Secure the Bottom: Predators Love to Dig

Raccoons dig. Dogs dig. Foxes really dig. If your coop sits directly on the ground, you need to think about what’s happening underneath.

We created an apron around our run by laying hardware cloth flat on the ground, extending about 18-24 inches outward from the base. Then we covered it with dirt and let the grass grow over it. When a predator tries to dig at the base of the coop, they hit the hardware cloth and give up. It’s invisible, it’s effective, and it’s way easier than burying wire two feet deep.

Another option is to set your coop on pavers or a concrete pad, but that’s a bigger investment. The apron method worked great for us on a budget.

Lock It Up Tight: Latches Matter More Than You Think

Here’s something that surprised me early on: raccoons have basically tiny human hands. They can open simple latches, turn knobs, and lift hooks. It’s honestly unsettling.

You need latches that require two steps to open—like a carabiner clip through a latch, or a padlock on the coop door. We use simple spring-loaded barrel bolts with a carabiner as backup on our main door. Total cost: maybe $15 at the hardware store.

One upgrade that’s been worth every penny for us is an automatic chicken coop door. I know, I know—we’re talking budget here. But hear me out. These run anywhere from $50 to $150 depending on the model, and they close at dusk automatically. No more running outside in the dark because we forgot to lock up. No more vulnerabilities during that window between sunset and when we remember to head out. For peace of mind? Worth it.

Address the “Inside” Threats: Snakes and Rats

In Florida, snakes are just part of life. Black snakes, rat snakes, even the occasional water moccasin if you’re near wetlands. And while most aren’t after your chickens, they will go after eggs—and small chicks don’t stand a chance.

That 1/2-inch hardware cloth I mentioned earlier? That’s your first line of defense. Snakes can’t fit through those tiny openings.

Keeping the coop area clean also helps. Don’t leave feed out overnight—it attracts rats, which attract snakes. We use a hanging feeder inside the coop and bring it up off the ground in the evening. For our waterer, we switched to a nipple-style chicken waterer that doesn’t create puddles or attract pests.

I also sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around the coop regularly. It helps with mites and other pests, and while it won’t stop a determined snake, keeping the overall pest population down makes your coop less appealing to predators looking for an easy meal.

Daytime Dangers: Hawks and Roaming Dogs

Hawks are bold here. Ours like to perch in the oak tree and scope out the yard like it’s a buffet. Free-ranging is wonderful for the chickens—and honestly, watching them scratch around is one of my favorite parts of this whole backyard flock thing—but it comes with risk.

If you free-range, consider adding overhead cover to part of your yard. We have a covered run attached to the coop, so the girls always have somewhere to duck into. Old pallets leaned against a fence, a tarp strung between posts, even dense shrubs—all of these give chickens a place to hide when a shadow passes overhead.

For dogs? Good fencing is really the only answer. We’re lucky that our dog (a mini labradoodle who’s more interested in belly rubs than chickens) grew up with the flock and ignores them completely. But I’ve heard too many heartbreaking stories about neighborhood dogs. A solid fence and latched gates are non-negotiable.

Learning Together: Making Coop Safety a Family Project

One of the things I love about our Charlotte Mason approach is finding learning in the everyday. Our kids have been part of the chicken project from the start—and that includes predator proofing. We’ve talked about food chains, animal behavior, nocturnal vs. diurnal predators. We’ve watched documentaries about raccoons and their problem-solving abilities (terrifying and fascinating).

If your kids are interested in diving deeper, Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens is an excellent family resource. For younger ones, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens covers coop basics in a way elementary-age kids can really grasp—mine love flipping through it.

A Quick Budget Recap

Here’s what actually matters, in order of priority:

1. Hardware cloth on all openings – $50-100 depending on coop size

2. Two-step latches on all doors – $10-20

3. Ground apron or buried wire – cost of extra hardware cloth

4. Automatic door (optional but so worth it) – $50-150

5. Proper feed storage and nipple waterers – $20-40

You can absolutely predator proof a coop for under $150 if you’re handy and willing to do the work yourself.

It’s About Stewardship, Not Perfection

Look, I’m not going to pretend we’ve never lost a chicken. We have. It’s part of this life, and it’s hard—especially when the kids are involved. But every loss has taught us something, and our setup now is solid.

There’s something deeply good about raising animals alongside our children. Teaching them that these creatures depend on us, that our choices matter, that being a good steward means thinking ahead—these are lessons that stick. When my kids help me check the latches at dusk or refill the waterer, they’re not just doing chores. They’re learning responsibility, care, and the quiet rhythm of tending to living things.

That’s the kind of childhood I want for them. A little dirt, a little responsibility, a lot of wonder.

And hopefully, a coop full of happy, safe hens.

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What about you—what’s been your biggest predator challenge? I’d love to hear what’s worked (or hasn’t) for your flock. Drop a comment below!

Outdoor Learning Ideas for Homeschool Florida: How We Make Nature Our Best Classroom

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If you’ve ever looked out your window at another gorgeous Florida morning and thought, “Why are we doing math inside right now?” — you’re my people. One of the biggest gifts of homeschooling in the Sunshine State is that we have a twelve-month growing season for curiosity. While families up north are bundled inside for months, we’re out there in January watching anoles do push-ups on the fence posts and finding wildflowers blooming along the trail.

But here’s the thing — outdoor learning doesn’t have to be complicated or Pinterest-perfect. Some of our richest learning happens when I simply say yes to going outside and let the rest unfold. After years of homeschooling here in Northwest Florida with our Charlotte Mason approach, I’ve gathered a whole toolkit of outdoor learning ideas that actually work for real families. Not Instagram families. Real ones — with mosquitoes, humidity, and kids who sometimes just want to dig in the dirt.

Let me share what’s worked for us.

Why Florida Is Perfect for Year-Round Outdoor Learning

I’ll be honest — when we first moved to the Pensacola area, I wasn’t sure how our nature-based homeschool would translate. I grew up with distinct seasons and worried Florida would feel… flat? But y’all, I was so wrong.

Florida has more biodiversity than almost anywhere in the country. We have coastal ecosystems, pine forests, freshwater springs, wetlands, and everything in between — often within a short drive. Our backyard alone has become a living laboratory. Between the chickens, the visiting birds at our feeder, the gecko population that has absolutely claimed our porch, and whatever my kids find under logs, we never run out of things to observe.

The trick is working with Florida’s rhythm, not against it. We do most of our outdoor time in the cooler morning hours, especially in summer. We’ve learned which months are best for tide pooling and which ones to avoid the love bugs. And we always, always have non-toxic sunscreen and water bottles ready to go.

Simple Outdoor Learning Ideas That Actually Work

Nature Journaling (Charlotte Mason Style)

This is the heartbeat of our outdoor learning. Once or twice a week, we head outside with our journals and just… notice things. That’s it. No lesson plan required.

The kids sketch what they see — a feather, a cloud formation, the pattern on a moth’s wing. Sometimes they write observations. Sometimes it’s just drawings with dates. Over time, these journals become incredible records of our year and their growth as observers.

We use simple spiral-bound nature journals because they’re sturdy enough for outdoor use. I also keep our Faber-Castell watercolor pencils in a little zip pouch so we can add color without hauling a whole art kit outside. There’s something magical about painting a blue jay while actually looking at one.

Bird Watching and Identification

Florida is a birder’s paradise, and kids take to it naturally. We started simple — just noticing who visits our feeders and learning their names. Now my oldest can identify a dozen species by sound alone, which honestly makes me a little proud.

Our Sibley Birds East guide lives on our back porch. It’s gotten water-stained and dog-eared, and I consider that a sign of a life well-lived. We’ve spotted painted buntings, wood storks, and more cardinals than I can count. Each sighting goes in our nature journals.

Backyard Science with Chickens

If you’ve got backyard chickens (or you’re considering them), you already have a built-in science curriculum. Our flock has taught my kids about life cycles, animal behavior, nutrition, and responsibility in ways no textbook could.

We observe molting patterns, egg production changes with daylight hours, and the very real pecking order. My kids have learned to check for mites, understand why we use food-grade diatomaceous earth in their dust bath, and can explain the anatomy of an egg. For families just starting out, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens is a wonderful resource that puts the learning right in their hands.

Bug Hunting and Micro-Exploration

Florida has no shortage of insects, and while some of them are pests (looking at you, mosquitoes), many are absolutely fascinating. We’ve made bug hunting a regular part of our weeks, especially in spring and fall when it’s pleasant to be out turning over logs and checking under leaves.

A pocket microscope has been one of our best investments — the kids use it to examine everything from butterfly wing scales to sand particles to chicken feathers. Pair it with a bug catcher kit and you’ve got hours of engaged learning that costs almost nothing after the initial supplies.

Making It Work in the Florida Heat

Embrace the Morning

Our school day often starts outside and moves in. By 7:30 AM, we might be feeding chickens, watering the garden, or taking a quick nature walk before the heat sets in. Then we come inside for read-alouds and focused work during the hottest part of the day.

Have a Rainy Day Backup

Florida afternoon storms are legendary. We keep rain boots by the back door so we can head out after the rain for puddle splashing and earthworm observations. Some of our best nature study happens in that cool, post-storm window when everything feels fresh.

Don’t Fight the Seasons — Flow with Them

Summer here is for water play, early mornings, and embracing slower days. Fall brings relief and renewed energy for longer outdoor sessions. Winter? That’s our sweet spot for all-day adventures at state parks and beaches. Spring is wildflower season and butterfly migration. Each season has its gifts.

Florida-Specific Outdoor Learning Spots

We’re spoiled here in Northwest Florida. Within an hour of our house, we can visit:

• Gulf Islands National Seashore for tide pooling and beach ecology
• Blackwater River State Forest for creek exploration
• Local springs for observing freshwater ecosystems
• Wildlife sanctuaries and nature preserves

Many of these are free or low-cost, which matters when you’re homeschooling on a budget. If you’re using the Florida PEP scholarship like we are, some field trip expenses and educational supplies can be covered — it’s worth looking into what counts.

A Word About the 1990s Childhood We’re Trying to Give Them

I think about my own childhood a lot — the hours spent outside with no agenda, the freedom to be bored and figure it out, the way we knew every tree in the neighborhood. That’s what I want for my kids, and outdoor learning is how we get there.

It’s not about rejecting technology entirely or being performatively “crunchy.” It’s about remembering that children are wired to learn through movement, exploration, and wonder. Florida gives us the perfect backdrop for that. We just have to walk outside and pay attention.

Your Turn

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about outdoor learning, start small. One morning this week, take your read-aloud outside. Let the kids find one thing to sketch or examine. Watch what happens when you give them space and time in nature.

I’d love to hear what outdoor learning looks like for your Florida family — come find me on social media or drop a comment below. We’re all figuring this out together, one muddy adventure at a time.

Now if you’ll excuse me, someone just spotted a turtle in the backyard, and that takes priority over everything.

Best Charlotte Mason Curriculum for Kindergarten: A Simple, Living Approach

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If you’re standing in your kitchen right now, coffee in hand, wondering how to homeschool your five-year-old without turning your home into a miniature public school — I see you. I’ve been there, scrolling through curriculum catalogs at midnight, overwhelmed by workbooks and wondering if Charlotte Mason is really as magical as everyone says.

Here’s what I’ve learned after a few years of homeschooling our elementary-age kids the Charlotte Mason way here in Northwest Florida: kindergarten doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the best Charlotte Mason curriculum for kindergarten might be simpler than you think — and a whole lot more joyful.

What Does Charlotte Mason Kindergarten Actually Look Like?

Before we talk curriculum, let’s talk philosophy. Charlotte Mason believed that children are born persons — whole, capable, curious human beings. She didn’t think we needed to stuff them full of facts or drill them with flashcards. Instead, she emphasized living books, nature study, habit training, and short, focused lessons.

For kindergarten specifically? She actually recommended very little formal academics. I know that might feel counterintuitive when you’re used to hearing about reading benchmarks and kindergarten readiness checklists. But trust me — this approach works.

Our kindergarten days look like this: a little bit of reading practice, some math play, nature time outside (Florida weather permitting, which is most of the year), picture study, hymn or folk song, and lots and lots of free play. We’re done with “formal” work by lunch, and honestly? My kids are thriving.

The Best Charlotte Mason Curriculum Options for Kindergarten

Now, let’s get into the actual resources. I’m not going to give you a rigid boxed curriculum because that’s not really how Charlotte Mason works. Instead, I’ll share what we use and love — the pieces you can mix and match for your own family.

Language Arts: Keep It Gentle

At this age, Charlotte Mason focused on reading aloud to children, not necessarily teaching them to read independently. That said, many kids are ready for gentle phonics instruction around age five or six.

We love starting with simple phonics readers and lots of living books read aloud. Picture books with beautiful illustrations, classic tales, and stories about real things — animals, seasons, children in other countries. Skip the twaddle (that’s Charlotte Mason speak for dumbed-down, junky books).

For resources, I often browse Rainbow Resource for their phonics options. They carry so many Charlotte Mason-friendly materials, and I appreciate being able to see everything in one place.

Math: Hands-On and Concrete

Charlotte Mason wasn’t prescriptive about math curriculum, but she believed in concrete, hands-on learning before abstract concepts. For kindergarten, this means manipulatives, counting real objects, and playful exploration of numbers.

We’ve used Math-U-See blocks for this stage because they’re so tactile and visual. My kids build with them, sort them, count them while we’re doing other things. It doesn’t feel like “doing math” — it feels like playing. Which is exactly the point.

You can also just use what you have: count the eggs from the chickens, measure ingredients while baking, sort shells collected from Pensacola Beach. Math is everywhere when you look for it.

Nature Study: The Heart of Charlotte Mason

This is where Charlotte Mason really shines, and it’s where our family has fallen completely in love with this method. Nature study isn’t an add-on or an elective — it’s central to everything.

Here in Florida, we’re blessed with year-round opportunities to be outside. We take nature walks at our local trails, explore the backyard (the chickens are always good for observation), and spend time just noticing. What birds are at the feeder? What’s blooming right now? Why do palmetto bugs appear after rain?

For kindergarten nature study, you really just need a few things:

• A good field guide — we love the Sibley Birds guide for identifying our backyard visitors
• A simple nature journal where your child can draw what they see (doesn’t have to be fancy!)
• Basic tools for exploration like a pocket microscope or a bug collection kit

We also keep Faber-Castell watercolor pencils in our nature bag. They’re easy for little hands and perfect for sketching flowers, feathers, or whatever treasure we’ve found.

Art, Music, and Habit Training

Charlotte Mason believed in exposing children to great art and music from a young age — not by lecturing, but by simply living with beautiful things. We do picture study by displaying a print of one artist’s work for several weeks and just talking about it casually. Same with composer study — we play classical music during breakfast and let it become familiar.

Habit training is another huge piece of Charlotte Mason kindergarten. Things like attention, obedience, and truthfulness are cultivated through daily life, not worksheets. This is the stuff that takes the most patience (and prayer, honestly), but it matters more than any curriculum.

What About the Florida PEP Scholarship?

If you’re a Florida homeschool family using the PEP scholarship, you might be wondering how Charlotte Mason fits. The good news is that it works beautifully. The scholarship allows flexibility in what you purchase, and most of the resources I’ve mentioned qualify.

I love that we can use PEP funds for quality living books, nature study supplies, and hands-on math materials. It feels aligned with our values — investing in real learning, not just checking boxes.

Do You Need a Formal Curriculum?

Honestly? For kindergarten, you might not. If buying a complete curriculum gives you peace of mind and structure, Timberdoodle offers some wonderful Charlotte Mason-inspired options that you can customize.

But if you’re the type who wants to piece things together yourself — a little phonics here, nature study there, lots of read-alouds, and plenty of outdoor time — that’s a perfectly valid Charlotte Mason kindergarten too. Maybe even more authentic to her original vision.

The Real Secret to Charlotte Mason Kindergarten

Here’s what I wish someone had told me when I started: the best Charlotte Mason curriculum for kindergarten is a mother (or father) who reads aloud daily, takes walks outside, and protects time for free play. It’s not about the perfect booklist or Instagram-worthy nature journals.

It’s about slowing down. Noticing the anole lizard on the fence. Letting your kid dig in the dirt while you drink your coffee on the porch. Asking questions and wondering together.

I think about how I grew up in the 90s — outside until the streetlights came on, building forts, catching lightning bugs, making up elaborate games with the neighborhood kids. That’s what I want for my children. Charlotte Mason gives us permission to prioritize that kind of childhood, even within our homeschool.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by curriculum choices, take a breath. Start small. Read good books. Go outside. Let your kindergartener be little.

You’ve got this, mama. And if you ever want to chat about any of this, I’m right here — probably refilling the chicken waterer and hollering at the kids to put their shoes on for a nature walk.