The Best Nature Craft Supplies for Kids Homeschool (From Our Tried-and-True Stash)

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If you’ve ever found a pinecone collection taking over your kitchen counter or discovered dried leaves pressed between the pages of every book in your house, welcome. You’re in the right place.

Nature crafts have become one of our family’s favorite ways to slow down, observe, and actually do something with all the treasures my kids haul home from our backyard adventures. Whether it’s a particularly beautiful feather the chickens dropped, a perfect acorn from our morning walk, or a pressed wildflower from our nature study time—having the right supplies on hand turns those moments into something lasting.

After years of trial and error (and yes, plenty of dried-out paint palettes and broken crayons), I’ve finally landed on the best nature craft supplies for kids homeschool that actually get used, hold up well, and spark genuine creativity.

Why Nature Crafts Belong in Your Homeschool

If you follow the Charlotte Mason approach like we do, you already know that nature study is the backbone of a living education. But here’s what I’ve learned: observation without expression can feel incomplete for kids. They want to do something with what they’ve seen.

Nature crafts give kids a way to process what they’re learning—whether that’s sketching the lifecycle of the butterfly they’ve been watching or painting the exact shade of orange on a Gulf Fritillary’s wings. It’s not busywork. It’s integration.

And honestly? On those Florida summer days when it’s just too hot and humid to stay outside past 10 AM, pulling out nature craft supplies is a beautiful way to continue the learning indoors.

Our Favorite Nature Craft Supplies (The Ones That Actually Get Used)

Quality Watercolors That Don’t Frustrate Little Artists

I’ll be honest—we went through a lot of cheap watercolor sets before I finally invested in something better. Those dollar store palettes with the tiny, rock-hard pans? My kids would get frustrated, the colors were muddy, and everything ended up in the trash.

Now we use Faber-Castell watercolors, and the difference is night and day. The colors are vibrant, they blend beautifully, and even my kindergartener can get gorgeous results without getting discouraged. Worth every penny for nature journaling and botanical paintings.

A Nature Journal They’ll Actually Want to Fill

We’ve tried fancy bound journals. We’ve tried loose paper in a binder. But what works best for us is a simple, unlined nature journal with quality paper that can handle watercolors, pressed flowers, and all the glue-stick action that comes with nature crafting.

I keep one for each child, and they’ve become these beautiful records of our homeschool years—full of sketches, observations, and the occasional chicken feather taped to a page.

A Good Field Guide for Inspiration

This might not seem like a “craft supply,” but hear me out. Half of what makes a good nature craft is knowing what you’re looking at. When my kids can flip through our Sibley Birds field guide and match the bird they just saw to a picture, suddenly they want to draw it, paint it, and add it to their journal.

It bridges the gap between observation and creation. And living in Northwest Florida, we get such incredible variety—migratory birds stopping through in fall, shorebirds when we visit the Gulf, backyard cardinals year-round. A good field guide makes all of that accessible.

A Pocket Microscope for Up-Close Wonder

One of the best investments we’ve made for nature crafts is a simple pocket microscope. Now, I know what you’re thinking—how is a microscope a craft supply?

But when my kids can see the actual structure of a leaf vein, or the tiny scales on a butterfly wing, or the patterns on a chicken feather—their drawings become so much richer. They’re not just making something up; they’re recreating what they’ve truly observed. That’s Charlotte Mason’s whole philosophy in action.

Essential Supplies for Collecting Nature Treasures

Bug Catchers and Collection Kits

You cannot do nature crafts without nature finds. And you cannot collect nature finds without the right tools (unless you want everything stuffed in pockets, which—been there).

We keep a bug catcher kit by the back door, ready to grab whenever we head outside. My kids have caught dragonflies, beetles, caterpillars, and once a very confused gecko. We observe, sketch, and release—usually within the hour.

For longer-term collections (think: shells, feathers, interesting rocks), a bug collection kit with compartments and labels helps keep everything organized rather than scattered across the school room.

Rain Boots for Every Season

Okay, this one might seem like a stretch, but stick with me. Half of nature crafting is finding the materials. And in Florida, that often means puddles, mud, and wet grass from afternoon thunderstorms.

Good rain boots for kids mean we can head outside right after a summer rain—when the bugs are active, the air smells incredible, and there are treasures everywhere. Wet feet equal cranky kids, and cranky kids don’t want to paint wildflowers later.

Organizing Your Nature Craft Station

Here’s what’s worked for us: I keep all our nature craft supplies in one cabinet in our homeschool room. Watercolors, journals, colored pencils, glue sticks, scissors, and a basket of collected treasures are always accessible.

The key is making it easy for kids to grab what they need without asking. When supplies are available, nature crafts happen spontaneously—which is exactly what you want.

I also keep a shallow basket where we store our current collection of found items—the feathers the chickens drop (our Buff Orpingtons have the prettiest ones), seedpods from our morning walks, pressed flowers, interesting bark. It’s like a little inventory of recent adventures, waiting to become art.

A Few Tips From Our Nature Craft Experiments

Don’t overcomplicate it. The best nature crafts are often the simplest—leaf rubbings, pressed flower bookmarks, sketching what you see. You don’t need Pinterest-perfect projects.

Let kids lead. My daughter once spent forty-five minutes painting a single blade of grass because she was fascinated by the way the light hit it. That’s not a waste of time. That’s attention and wonder.

Embrace the mess. Watercolors drip. Glue oozes. Flower petals crumble. This is the stuff of real childhood, not the curated kind.

Connect it to what you’re learning. If you’re studying birds, do a bird sketch. If you’re learning about trees, do bark rubbings and leaf pressings. Let the crafts serve the learning, not the other way around.

Final Thoughts From Our Nature Table

The best nature craft supplies for kids homeschool aren’t fancy or expensive—they’re just quality tools that let children express what they’ve observed. A good watercolor set, a blank journal, a way to look closely at the small things—that’s really all you need to get started.

I love that our homeschool room is filled with paintings of backyard birds, journals thick with pressed leaves, and crafts made from chicken feathers and acorn caps. It feels like childhood the way I remember it—hands-on, messy, wonder-filled.

If you’re just building your nature craft stash, start small. Grab a journal and some watercolors, head outside with your kids, and see what catches their attention. The supplies don’t create the magic—the observation does. The supplies just give it somewhere to go.

Happy crafting, friends. 🌿

Florida Butterfly Garden Plants That Actually Work (From a Homeschool Mama Who Tried Them All)

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If you’ve ever stood in the garden center staring at those little “attracts butterflies!” tags and wondered if they actually work in Florida’s swampy heat — you’re not alone. I’ve killed my fair share of supposedly butterfly-friendly plants that looked great on the tag but melted into sad little stems by mid-July.

But after three years of trial and error in our Northwest Florida backyard, I’ve finally figured out which plants genuinely bring in the butterflies — and which ones are just wishful thinking for our zone. Our little garden has become one of the best parts of our homeschool day, honestly. There’s nothing quite like calling the kids outside because a Gulf Fritillary is laying eggs on the passionvine, or watching a Zebra Longwing float through while we’re collecting eggs from the coop.

So let me share what’s actually working for us.

Why Most Butterfly Garden Advice Fails in Florida

Here’s the thing — most butterfly garden articles are written for people in, like, Ohio. Nothing against Ohio, but their growing conditions are wildly different from ours. We’re dealing with summer humidity that could drown a plant, sandy soil that drains faster than you can water, and a sun intensity that would make a desert cactus nervous.

Plus, Florida has its own native butterfly species with specific host plant needs. A Monarch butterfly doesn’t care how pretty your petunias are. She needs milkweed, period. And not just any milkweed — varieties that can handle our climate.

The Must-Have Host Plants (Where Butterflies Lay Eggs)

If you want butterflies to actually stick around and not just pass through, you need host plants. These are the specific plants where female butterflies lay their eggs, and where caterpillars munch away until they’re ready to transform.

Native Milkweed for Monarchs

Forget tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) — I know it’s everywhere, but there’s growing research that it can actually harm Monarch migration patterns here in Florida. Instead, look for native varieties like Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) or Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa). They’re harder to find, but worth it.

Fair warning: these natives die back in winter and look completely dead. Don’t pull them up! They’ll come back in spring.

Passionvine for Gulf Fritillaries and Zebra Longwings

This is my absolute favorite, and it grows like a weed here. Our native Passiflora incarnata (Purple Passionflower) is a powerhouse. The Gulf Fritillary caterpillars will completely strip it — and that’s okay. It grows back fast.

The kids love checking the vines for the spiky orange caterpillars. We keep a nature journal by the back door, and they sketch the different stages from tiny egg to chrysalis. It’s Charlotte Mason nature study happening right in our own backyard.

Fennel and Dill for Black Swallowtails

Plant these in fall here in Florida (not spring like up north). The parsley worms — which are actually Black Swallowtail caterpillars — will find them. We tuck fennel near the chicken run because the girls don’t bother it, and the caterpillars get left alone to do their thing.

Cassia for Sulphurs

Those little yellow butterflies fluttering around? They’re likely Cloudless Sulphurs, and they adore Cassia (also called Senna). It’s native, tough as nails, and comes back year after year.

Nectar Plants That Survive Florida Summers

Host plants bring butterflies to breed. Nectar plants bring them to eat. You need both.

Pentas (The Florida Workhorse)

I genuinely don’t know how anyone gardens in Florida without pentas. They bloom non-stop, handle full sun, and butterflies absolutely swarm them. Red and pink varieties seem to attract the most visitors in our yard.

Firebush (Native and Tough)

This native shrub laughs at our summers. It gets big, blooms constantly with tubular red-orange flowers, and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. We planted ours near the fence and it’s become a favorite observation spot.

Salvia (But Choose Wisely)

Not all salvias survive here. Skip the fancy annual types. Instead, go for native Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea) or the tried-and-true Mystic Spires. They reseed themselves and come back after looking completely dead in August.

Porterweed

Blue porterweed is a butterfly magnet. It’s scraggly-looking, I won’t lie, but the butterflies don’t care about aesthetics. Ours grows along the edge of the garden path, and we see Skippers and Long-tailed Skippers on it constantly.

Making It a Nature Study Opportunity

Honestly, our butterfly garden has become the easiest nature study we do. We keep a Sibley bird and nature guide on the shelf (yes, I know it’s birds, but Sibley’s approach to observation has taught us a lot), and the kids have started applying that same careful looking to butterflies and caterpillars.

We also keep a pocket microscope in our outdoor basket for looking at butterfly wing scales, leaf textures, and whatever else catches their attention. It’s amazing what you can see up close.

Some of our best school days have been spent sitting on the back porch with watercolor pencils, sketching whatever’s visiting the firebush. No curriculum required — just observation, wonder, and maybe some lemonade.

A Note About Pesticides (Please Don’t)

I know this goes without saying for most of y’all reading this, but — if you want butterflies, you cannot spray pesticides. Even the organic ones can harm caterpillars.

For mosquitoes (because, Florida), we use Wondercide yard spray around the patio and seating areas only, keeping it well away from the butterfly plants. It’s worked well for us without nuking everything beneficial.

What I’ve Stopped Planting

A few things I’ve given up on:

• Butterfly bush (Buddleia): It just doesn’t thrive here in our heat and humidity. It limps along and looks sad.
• Coneflowers: Same story. They’re miserable in Florida summers.
• Lantana: I know, I know. It “works.” But it’s invasive here, and I’d rather support native options.
• Zinnia in summer: Beautiful in fall, but they get powdery mildew the second humidity hits.

Starting Simple

If you’re just beginning, start with three plants: one passionvine, a couple of pentas, and a firebush. That’s it. Add more as you see what works in your specific microclimate.

Gardening in Florida is its own adventure, and what thrives in Pensacola might struggle in Orlando. Give yourself grace to experiment.

The Real Magic

Here’s what I’ve learned: the butterflies will come. You don’t need a perfect garden or an elaborate plan. You just need a few of the right plants, a little patience, and kids who are paying attention.

Yesterday, my youngest came running inside — muddy rain boots, grass-stained knees, completely out of breath — to tell me she found a chrysalis on the passionvine. We dropped everything and went outside to look.

That’s the whole point, isn’t it? Not a perfect Instagram garden, but real moments of wonder. The kind of childhood where you know what a Gulf Fritillary caterpillar looks like because you watched it grow up in your own backyard.

That’s the 1990s childhood I’m trying to give my kids. Less screen time, more dirt time. Less scheduled activities, more space to notice things.

And honestly? The butterflies are helping.

—

What’s growing in your Florida butterfly garden? I’d love to hear what’s working for you — drop a comment below or find me on Instagram!

Raising Free Range Kids in a Screen Obsessed World: A Florida Homeschool Mom’s Guide

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I was standing in the checkout line at Publix last week when I noticed something that made my heart sink a little. Every single kid in that line—every one—was staring at a screen. Toddlers in cart seats, elementary kids waiting with their parents, even a teenager who nearly walked into a display of BOGO chips. And I get it. I really do. Screens are easy. They’re quiet. They buy us ten minutes of peace to actually read the grocery list.

But somewhere along the way, I think we forgot what childhood is supposed to look like. The kind where you come home with muddy knees and a pocket full of “treasures” that are really just acorns and interesting rocks. The kind where boredom leads to invention, not a YouTube spiral.

Raising free range kids in a screen obsessed world isn’t about being perfect or preachy. It’s about being intentional. And friend, if you’re here reading this, I already know you’re the kind of mama who wants something different for her kids.

What Does “Free Range” Even Mean in 2024?

Let me be clear: I’m not talking about letting your five-year-old wander the neighborhood unsupervised like it’s 1985. Times have changed, and safety still matters. But free range, to me, means raising kids who know how to be without constant entertainment. Kids who can sit with boredom long enough to discover what’s on the other side of it.

It means giving them the gift of unstructured time outdoors. Of letting them climb trees and catch bugs and figure out that the chicken coop smells worse after it rains (a lesson my kids learned the hard way). It means trusting them with age-appropriate independence and resisting the urge to fill every moment with scheduled activities or screen time.

Here in Northwest Florida, we’re blessed with year-round outdoor weather—even if summer means slathering on non-toxic sunscreen and filling up water bottles before we head outside. We’ve got state parks, salt marshes, live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, and backyards big enough to actually play in. There’s no reason our kids should be spending more time on tablets than in the trees.

The 1990s Childhood We’re Trying to Recreate

I grew up in the era of “be home when the streetlights come on.” We built forts out of fallen branches. We caught fireflies in mason jars. We didn’t have smartphones because they didn’t exist—and honestly? I think we were better for it.

That’s the childhood I’m trying to give my kids. Not a Pinterest-perfect version of it, but the real, messy, sometimes-boring, completely magical kind.

Our homeschool days look a lot like this: morning lessons at the table (we love our Charlotte Mason approach and resources from Rainbow Resource), then outside for nature study or free play. The kids might spend an hour examining ant trails with their pocket microscope, or they might chase the dog around the yard until everyone’s exhausted. Both count as education in my book.

Practical Ways We Limit Screens (Without Losing Our Minds)

Make Outside the Default

This is the single biggest shift we made. Instead of screens being the default activity, outside is. When the kids say they’re bored? “Go outside.” When they finish their schoolwork? “Go outside.” When they’re driving each other crazy? You guessed it.

We keep things simple—a bug catcher kit by the back door, rain boots that are easy to slip on, and a basket of outdoor toys that don’t require batteries. Lawn games have been great for this—bocce ball, ladder toss, and good old-fashioned kickball keep everyone entertained without a single charger in sight.

Create Screen-Free Zones and Times

In our house, mornings are completely screen-free. So are mealtimes and the hour before bed. This isn’t because I think screens are evil—it’s because I’ve seen what happens to my kids’ creativity and attention spans when screens become the background noise of life.

Give Them Real Work

Kids are capable of so much more than we give them credit for. Mine help with the chickens every single day—collecting eggs, refreshing water, checking for anything out of the ordinary. My oldest has become genuinely knowledgeable about chicken care thanks to The Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens, which has been worth every penny.

Real responsibility beats screen time every time. When kids feel needed, they don’t need to be entertained.

Stock Your Home with Open-Ended Supplies

We keep art supplies accessible—our Faber-Castell watercolors get used almost daily. Nature journals, field guides, building blocks, and craft supplies invite creativity in ways that apps just can’t replicate.

Charlotte Mason and the Case for Outdoor Learning

One of the reasons I fell in love with the Charlotte Mason approach is her emphasis on nature study and outdoor time. She believed children should spend hours outside every day—not as a reward for finishing schoolwork, but as an essential part of their education.

Our nature walks aren’t fancy. Sometimes we just meander through the backyard, noticing which flowers the bees prefer or watching the chickens do their weird little chicken things. But these moments add up. My kids can identify a dozen birds by sight, they know which plants are native to Florida, and they understand—on a gut level—that they’re part of something bigger than themselves.

We keep a Sibley bird guide on the back porch for quick reference, and it’s gotten more use than I ever expected. There’s something special about a child flipping through pages to find the bird they just spotted, rather than asking Alexa.

The Pushback You Might Face

Let’s be honest: raising free range kids in a screen obsessed world isn’t always easy. Other parents might look at you funny when your kid doesn’t know the latest app or video game character. Family members might question why you don’t just hand over the iPad at restaurants.

And there will be hard days—days when you’re exhausted and the screen would be so, so easy. I’m not going to pretend we’re perfect. We have movie nights. The kids have watched their fair share of Wild Kratts.

But the goal isn’t perfection. It’s intention. It’s making sure that screens are a sometimes-thing, not an always-thing. It’s choosing connection over convenience, even when convenience is really tempting.

The Payoff Is Worth It

Last weekend, my kids spent three hours building a “fairy village” out of sticks, moss, and rocks they found in the yard. Three hours. No fighting, no whining, no asking for screens. Just pure, imaginative play.

That’s what we’re after. Those moments where childhood looks the way it’s supposed to look—a little wild, a little dirty, and completely full of wonder.

You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Start with one screen-free morning. Put a bug catcher by the back door. Say yes to the mud puddle. These small choices add up to a childhood worth remembering.

And mama? If you’re reading this, you’re already doing better than you think. The fact that you’re even asking these questions means you’re the kind of parent your kids are lucky to have.

Now go outside. The screens will still be there later. But childhood? That’s happening right now.

How to Attract Butterflies to Your Florida Backyard (And Why It’s the Best Nature Study You’ll Ever Do)

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There’s something magical about watching a Gulf Fritillary float through the yard while your kids chase after it with a net they’ve already dropped twice. If you’ve been wanting to create a backyard that feels alive — one where your children can observe, wonder, and learn without a curriculum telling them what to notice — attracting butterflies is one of the simplest places to start.

Here in Northwest Florida, we’re blessed with a long growing season and a surprising variety of butterfly species. From the striking Zebra Longwing (our state butterfly!) to the cheerful Cloudless Sulphur, there’s almost always something fluttering through if you give them a reason to visit. And honestly? Turning your backyard into a butterfly haven is easier than you might think.

Why Butterflies Belong in Your Backyard

Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why — because if you’re anything like me, you want your outdoor spaces to serve more than one purpose.

Butterflies are pollinators, which means they help your garden thrive. They’re also incredibly gentle creatures for children to observe up close. Unlike bees (which my kids still approach with healthy caution), butterflies allow for slow, patient watching. And that kind of watching? That’s the heart of nature study.

Charlotte Mason talked about letting children form relationships with the natural world through their own observations. You don’t need a workbook for that. You need a patch of milkweed, a sunny morning, and maybe a nature journal to sketch what you see.

Start With Host Plants (Not Just Pretty Flowers)

Here’s where most people go wrong: they plant a bunch of flowers and wonder why butterflies only stop by for a minute.

Flowers are great — butterflies need nectar. But if you want them to stay, to lay eggs, to let your kids witness the whole life cycle? You need host plants. These are the specific plants where butterflies lay their eggs because their caterpillars can only eat certain leaves.

For Florida backyards, here are some of the best host plants to include:

Milkweed (For Monarchs)

This is the only plant Monarch caterpillars will eat. Native varieties like Swamp Milkweed or Butterflyweed do beautifully here. You can often find them at local native plant sales or even growing wild along roadsides.

Passionvine (For Gulf Fritillaries and Zebra Longwings)

Passionvine is a Florida favorite. It grows like crazy in our humidity, and Gulf Fritillary caterpillars will absolutely devour it — in the best way. Fair warning: it spreads. But watching those spiky orange caterpillars munch away is worth giving it some space.

Fennel, Dill, and Parsley (For Black Swallowtails)

If you have an herb garden, you’re already halfway there. Black Swallowtail caterpillars love these plants. We let some of ours bolt specifically for this reason. The chickens aren’t thrilled about sharing the garden space, but they manage.

Cassia (For Cloudless Sulphurs)

This native shrub produces cheerful yellow flowers and serves as a host plant for those bright yellow butterflies you see bouncing around in late summer.

Add Nectar Plants for the Adults

Once you’ve got host plants in place, you’ll want to add nectar sources to keep adult butterflies coming back. Think of these as the restaurant — the host plants are the nursery.

Some Florida-friendly nectar plants include:

• Pentas (a hummingbird favorite too)
• Lantana (tough as nails in our heat)
• Salvia
• Coneflower
• Black-eyed Susan
• Firebush (native and gorgeous)

Plant in clusters if you can. Butterflies have poor eyesight, so a mass of color is easier for them to find than single plants scattered around.

Create a Butterfly-Friendly Habitat

Beyond plants, a few simple additions will make your yard even more inviting.

Provide Sunny Spots

Butterflies are cold-blooded and need warmth to fly. A few flat rocks in sunny areas give them a place to bask. My kids call these “butterfly sunbathing spots,” and honestly, that’s exactly what they are.

Offer a Water Source

A shallow dish with wet sand or pebbles works perfectly. Butterflies don’t drink from open water like birds do — they prefer to sip from muddy or sandy areas. This is called “puddling.”

Skip the Pesticides

This one’s non-negotiable if you want butterflies. Pesticides don’t discriminate — they’ll kill caterpillars just as easily as they kill mosquitoes. We use Wondercide around the house for pest control, and I’m careful to keep any sprays far away from our butterfly plants.

Turning Butterflies Into Nature Study

This is where it gets really good, especially if you’re homeschooling.

Butterflies offer endless opportunities for observation and learning. You don’t need a formal curriculum — just time and attention.

Here are some ways we’ve incorporated butterfly watching into our days:

• Life cycle observations: Once you have caterpillars, you can watch the entire metamorphosis process. We’ve raised Gulf Fritillaries on our back porch more times than I can count.
• Nature journaling: Keep a nature journal near the back door. When someone spots something interesting, they sketch it. My kindergartner’s butterfly drawings are basically blobs with wings, and I treasure every one.
• Watercolor painting: Butterflies make beautiful subjects. A set of Faber-Castell watercolors and some time outside is all you need.
• Identification practice: We keep a Sibley guide on our nature shelf. The kids love flipping through to match what they’ve seen.
• Close-up investigation: A pocket microscope lets them examine butterfly wings, caterpillar bristles, and chrysalis textures in detail. Fair warning: they’ll want to investigate everything once they have one.

The beauty of this kind of learning is that it happens naturally. No lesson plans required. Just a backyard that invites curiosity.

A Note on Florida’s Growing Seasons

One of the perks of living in Northwest Florida is that our butterfly season is long. We typically see butterflies from early spring through late fall, and in mild winters, some stick around year-round.

Plant your host plants in spring for the best results, but don’t stress if you’re starting mid-summer. Many of these plants establish quickly in our warm soil. Just keep them watered through the hot months and watch what shows up.

The Bigger Picture

Creating a butterfly garden isn’t just about the butterflies. It’s about building a childhood where the backyard is the most interesting place to be. Where your kids learn patience by waiting for a chrysalis to open. Where they understand that nature works in cycles, and they get to witness it firsthand.

It’s about raising kids the way we remember being raised — outside until dinner, catching things in jars, coming home with dirty knees and stories to tell.

So grab some milkweed. Let the passionvine run wild in that back corner. And maybe pour yourself some iced tea while the kids discover what lands in your yard today.

You’re building more than a garden. You’re building a childhood.

—

Have you started a butterfly garden? I’d love to hear what’s working in your yard — especially if you’re here in Florida dealing with the same sandy soil and summer heat. Drop a comment or send me a message!

Best Homeschool History Curriculum Charlotte Mason: Our Favorite Living Books Approach

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If you’ve ever stood in front of your bookshelf, staring at a dry history textbook, wondering why your kids’ eyes glaze over at the mention of ancient civilizations — friend, I’ve been there. And if you’re drawn to Charlotte Mason’s philosophy like I am, you already know there’s a better way. History shouldn’t feel like memorizing dates and filling in worksheets. It should feel like opening a window into another world, meeting real people, and understanding the story of humanity.

Finding the best homeschool history curriculum Charlotte Mason style has been one of my favorite parts of our homeschool journey. And honestly? Once you make the shift to living books, you’ll never go back to those bland textbooks again.

What Makes a History Curriculum “Charlotte Mason”?

Before I share our favorites, let’s talk about what actually makes a history curriculum align with Charlotte Mason’s approach. Because slapping “living books” on a program doesn’t automatically make it CM.

Charlotte Mason believed children deserved real, literary-quality books written by authors who were passionate about their subjects — not dumbed-down summaries written by committee. She also emphasized:

• Narration over fill-in-the-blank questions
• Living books instead of dry textbooks
• Connections between history, geography, literature, and art
• Chronological study so children understand how events connect
• Short lessons with full attention

When I’m evaluating a history curriculum, I ask myself: Would this book make ME want to keep reading? Does it tell a story, or does it just list facts? Can my kids narrate back what they learned without me drilling them?

Our Favorite Charlotte Mason History Curriculum Options

Simply Charlotte Mason’s History Curriculum

This is where we started, and honestly, it remains close to my heart. Simply Charlotte Mason organizes history chronologically and provides book lists, timeline figures, and gentle guides for parents who are new to this approach. What I love most is that it doesn’t try to do too much — it trusts the books to do the heavy lifting.

For elementary ages, their modules cover ancient history through modern times, with carefully curated living book selections. You can easily find many of the recommended titles through your library or through curriculum suppliers like Rainbow Resource.

Ambleside Online (Free!)

If you want a completely free, thoroughly Charlotte Mason curriculum, Ambleside Online is a treasure. It’s a full curriculum (not just history), but the history spine is beautifully done. They use books like This Country of Ours, An Island Story, and Fifty Famous Stories Retold — real books that have stood the test of time.

The learning curve can feel steep at first because it’s not a boxed curriculum. There’s no teacher’s guide holding your hand. But for a mama willing to read ahead and trust the process, it’s incredible. We’ve pulled from AO for years.

Beautiful Feet Books

Beautiful Feet takes a literature-based approach to history that pairs wonderfully with Charlotte Mason homeschools. Their guides walk you through living books with discussion questions, map work, and timeline activities. I especially appreciate their early American history and geography packs.

They don’t require workbooks or tests — just reading, discussing, and narrating. That’s music to my Charlotte Mason ears.

Build Your Own (My Favorite Approach)

Here’s the truth: some of my best homeschool years have come from simply building our own history studies using living books, library holds, and a timeline. It sounds intimidating, but once you understand the Charlotte Mason method, it’s actually freeing.

We pick a time period, gather 3-4 spine books, and supplement with picture books, biographies, and documentaries. My kids keep a simple timeline in their nature journals (yes, we use the same journals for nature study AND history sketches — Charlotte Mason would approve). We add figures, sketch maps, and narrate.

Timberdoodle is another great source for finding quality living books and hands-on history resources. I often browse their history section for ideas even if I’m building my own curriculum.

Making History Come Alive Beyond Books

One thing I’ve learned in our Florida homeschool is that history isn’t just in books — it’s all around us. Living in the Pensacola area means we have incredible access to history. Fort Pickens, the Naval Aviation Museum, downtown historic districts — these aren’t field trips, they’re living history lessons.

Charlotte Mason emphasized connecting book learning to real life, and I try to do that whenever possible. When we studied early American history, we visited local sites and talked about Florida’s role in colonization. When we learned about World War II, we spent an afternoon at the National Naval Aviation Museum (free admission, y’all — one of the best perks of living here).

Integrating Nature Study with History

This might sound strange, but hear me out: nature study and history go beautifully together. When we studied ancient Egypt, we learned about the Nile River ecosystem. When we read about explorers and settlers, we talked about how people used plants, animals, and natural resources.

We’ve even connected our backyard chickens to history lessons. Did you know people have been keeping chickens for thousands of years? When we read about ancient civilizations, my kids loved learning that chickens were domesticated long before written history. We pulled out our copy of Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens and looked up the history of chicken breeds. It’s those little rabbit trails that make learning sticky.

For younger kids, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens is a gentler introduction — and yes, it touches on chicken history too!

Adding Art and Hands-On Learning

Charlotte Mason also believed in “the science of relations” — helping children see how subjects connect. We add simple art projects to our history studies, like sketching ancient pottery or painting medieval castles. A good set of Faber-Castell watercolors gets used almost weekly in our homeschool for both nature journals and history illustrations.

We also do timeline work (nothing fancy — just a long roll of paper on the wall), map sketching, and occasional hands-on projects like building simple machines or making butter.

Tips for Getting Started

If you’re new to Charlotte Mason history, here’s my encouragement: start simple.

1. Pick ONE good living book for your current time period

2. Read aloud together — even to older elementary kids

3. Ask for narration instead of giving comprehension questions

4. Add a timeline and basic map work

5. Trust the process — it takes time for narrations to develop

Don’t feel like you need to buy an expensive boxed curriculum. Check your library first. Browse Rainbow Resource for individual living books. Build slowly.

The Heart of It All

At the end of the day, the best homeschool history curriculum Charlotte Mason style is one that brings your family together around a good story. It’s one that makes your kids ask “can we read one more chapter?” instead of “are we done yet?”

I want my kids to grow up understanding that history is real — full of real people who made real choices. I want them to feel connected to the past, curious about other cultures, and grateful for the present.

Some afternoons, we finish our history read-aloud on the back porch while the chickens scratch around the yard and the dog naps in the sun. The kids narrate back what they heard, we chat about what surprised us, and then they run off to play. That’s the kind of education I dreamed of when we started homeschooling.

And honestly? It’s even better than I imagined.

Happy reading, friend. You’ve got this.

Best Nature Documentaries for Homeschool Kids: Our Family Favorites for Wonder-Filled Learning

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Let me be honest with you — we’re not a big screen family. Our days are filled with mud pies, chicken watching, and more time outside than in. But even this 1990s-style-childhood-loving mama knows there’s a place for intentional screen time, especially when it opens a window to parts of the world we can’t explore from our backyard in Northwest Florida.

Nature documentaries have become one of our favorite tools for sparking curiosity and conversation. When a rainy afternoon keeps us indoors (hello, summer storms rolling off the Gulf), or when we’re studying a habitat we’ll never visit in person, a well-made documentary can bring the wonder right into our living room.

But not all nature documentaries are created equal — and finding ones that are actually appropriate for elementary-age kids while still being substantive? That takes some digging. So I’ve done the work for you. Here are our family’s tried-and-true favorites.

Why Nature Documentaries Belong in Your Homeschool

If you follow a Charlotte Mason approach like we do, you know that living books are at the heart of education. But I’d argue that a beautifully crafted documentary can serve a similar purpose — it presents the natural world with reverence, invites observation, and feeds a child’s sense of wonder.

The key is being selective. We’re not parking kids in front of screens for hours. We’re using documentaries as a supplement to real, hands-on nature study. After watching a segment on birds of prey, we might head outside with our Sibley Birds field guide and see what hawks we can spot soaring over the neighborhood. A documentary about ocean life pairs perfectly with a trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

It’s about connection, not consumption.

Our Favorite Nature Documentary Series for Elementary Kids

Planet Earth (I and II)

This is the gold standard, and for good reason. The cinematography is absolutely breathtaking, and David Attenborough’s narration is gentle and engaging without being overly dramatic. We’ve watched certain episodes multiple times — the “Mountains” and “Jungles” episodes are particular favorites.

Parent note: There are a few predator-prey scenes that might be intense for very sensitive little ones. We just preview episodes or keep a finger on the fast-forward button for our kindergartener.

Our Planet

Also narrated by Attenborough, this Netflix series is stunning and covers conservation themes in an age-appropriate way. It’s helped us have good conversations about taking care of the earth without being preachy or doom-and-gloom. My kids were fascinated by the episode on coastal seas — and it made our beach trips so much richer.

Tiny World

This Apple TV+ series focuses on small creatures — insects, frogs, tiny mammals — and it’s absolutely perfect for elementary kids. The episodes are shorter, the creatures are fascinating, and it pairs wonderfully with hands-on exploration. After watching, we grabbed our pocket microscope and bug catcher kit and went hunting for our own tiny world in the backyard.

The Magic School Bus (Original Series)

Okay, this one’s not technically a documentary, but hear me out. The original Magic School Bus series (the one from the 90s, naturally) is such a fun way to introduce science concepts. It’s educational, entertaining, and sparks so many questions. We’ve used episodes as jumping-off points for nature study more times than I can count.

Wild Kratts

Another animated option that deserves a spot on the list. My kids adore the Kratt brothers, and each episode focuses on a specific animal with real science woven in. It’s energetic and fun without being overstimulating. Plus, it’s inspired many a backyard “creature adventure” around here.

Documentaries for Specific Nature Study Topics

Birds

“The Life of Birds” by David Attenborough is comprehensive and wonderful for older elementary kids. For younger ones, individual YouTube clips from Cornell Lab of Ornithology are fantastic short-form options. Either way, keep your nature journal nearby for sketching what you observe.

Ocean Life

“Blue Planet II” is incredible — the footage is unreal. We watched the coral reef episode before a snorkeling trip to Destin, and my kids were pointing out things they recognized from the documentary. That kind of connection is what makes learning stick.

Backyard Wildlife and Chickens

This might be a stretch for “documentary,” but if your family keeps backyard chickens like we do, there are some wonderful YouTube channels with educational content about poultry behavior and care. Pair it with a good book like Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens or, for the kids, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens, and you’ve got a full unit study happening.

Insects and Small Creatures

Beyond “Tiny World,” check out “Microcosmos” — it’s an older French documentary with minimal narration and gorgeous macro footage of insects. It’s almost meditative. My kids were mesmerized, and it led to weeks of bug observation outside. Living in Florida, we’re never short on insects to study.

Tips for Using Documentaries in Your Homeschool

Keep It Short and Intentional

We rarely watch a full documentary in one sitting. Breaking it into 20-30 minute segments keeps attention fresh and leaves room for discussion and follow-up activities.

Pair with Hands-On Learning

This is the magic formula. Watch a segment, then go outside. Sketch in your nature journal. Look things up in field guides. Visit a local park or nature center. The documentary is the spark — real-world exploration is the fire.

If you’re looking for curriculum resources to round out your nature studies, Rainbow Resource and Timberdoodle both have wonderful Charlotte Mason-friendly options.

Watch Together and Talk

This isn’t babysitting screen time. Sit with your kids, ask questions, pause to discuss. “What do you think that bird is looking for?” “Why do you think the fox is moving so slowly?” These conversations are where the real learning happens.

Let It Inspire Art

After watching, pull out the watercolor pencils and let your kids create. Nature journaling doesn’t have to be perfect — it’s about observation and expression. Some of our best journal pages have come right after a documentary sparked something in my kids’ imaginations.

A Note on Screen Time Balance

I want to be clear — documentaries are a tool, not a lifestyle. Our days are still built around outdoor play, read-alouds, and hands-on work. The dog still needs walking, the chickens still need checking on, and there are always mud puddles calling after a Florida afternoon rain.

But when we do sit down for screen time, I want it to count. I want it to feed curiosity instead of numb it. Nature documentaries, chosen well and used intentionally, absolutely do that for our family.

—

So the next time a thunderstorm rolls through or you need a quiet afternoon reset, don’t feel guilty about pressing play. Grab some popcorn, snuggle up on the couch, and let David Attenborough take you somewhere wild. Then go outside and find your own wild — right in your backyard.

What nature documentaries does your family love? I’d genuinely love to hear your recommendations. We’re always looking for new favorites to add to our list.

Florida Homeschool Legal Requirements: What You Actually Need to Know

If you’re sitting there with a cup of coffee going cold, seventeen browser tabs open, and a growing sense of overwhelm about whether you can actually legally homeschool in Florida—take a breath, friend. I’ve been exactly where you are.

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When we first started this homeschool journey, I remember thinking the legal side would be the hardest part. Turns out? Florida is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the country. Once you understand the basics, you’ll realize you have more freedom than you probably imagined—freedom to learn outside, to follow rabbit trails, to let your kids get muddy and curious without worrying about standardized everything.

So let’s break this down in plain English.

The Three Ways to Legally Homeschool in Florida

Florida gives families three different options for homeschooling. You don’t have to pick the “right” one—you pick the one that fits your family best.

Option 1: Home Education Program (Most Common)

This is what most of us do, and it’s beautifully simple. Here’s what’s required:

File a Notice of Intent with your county school district within 30 days of starting homeschool. This is just a letter letting them know you exist. You’re not asking permission—you’re providing notification. Big difference.

Maintain a portfolio of your child’s work. This doesn’t have to be fancy. It’s basically samples of what they’re learning throughout the year. We keep nature journal pages, math work, written narrations, and photos of projects. That’s it.

Have your child evaluated annually. You have several options here:

• A certified teacher reviews the portfolio
• Your child takes any nationally standardized test
• A licensed psychologist evaluates them
• Other approved methods

We do the portfolio review with a certified teacher friend, and it takes maybe twenty minutes. She flips through our year, we chat, and that’s that.

Keep records for two years after you stop homeschooling or your child turns 18.

That’s the whole list. No required subjects (though we obviously cover the basics). No required hours. No required curriculum approval. Florida trusts parents.

Option 2: Private Tutoring Program

If you have a teaching certificate (or know someone who does), you can operate under the private tutor statute. The tutor must:

• Hold a valid Florida teaching certificate
• Keep attendance records
• File an annual report with the superintendent

This option doesn’t require annual evaluations, which some families prefer.

Option 3: Enroll in a Private School or Umbrella School

Some families choose to register with a private umbrella school that keeps records on their behalf. Florida has several that cater to homeschoolers. This can simplify record-keeping, though it sometimes comes with fees and additional requirements depending on the school.

What About Attendance and Hours?

Here’s where Florida really shines. There are no required instructional hours for home education families. None. You don’t have to log hours or prove you sat at a table for six hours a day.

This is why our Charlotte Mason approach works so well here. We do lessons in the morning—usually wrapping up by lunch—and then the kids have the whole afternoon for free play, nature study, and being kids. Sometimes “school” is identifying birds at the feeder with our Sibley Guide or sketching what we find on a nature walk. Florida law gives us room to educate the way children actually learn best.

Do I Need to Use Specific Curriculum?

Nope. You choose your own curriculum—or no formal curriculum at all. Unschoolers, classical homeschoolers, Charlotte Mason families, eclectic homeschoolers—we all fall under the same Florida statute.

We pull from different sources depending on the subject. For hands-on math, I love the approach of Math-U-See for elementary kids who need to see and touch what they’re learning. For nature study supplies, we stock up at Rainbow Resource, which has become my go-to for almost everything.

But honestly? Some of our best learning happens when I hand the kids a pocket microscope and send them into the backyard. Last week we spent an hour examining chicken feathers under magnification. That counts. All of it counts.

What About the Florida PEP Scholarship?

If you haven’t heard about the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (what most of us call PEP), it’s worth looking into. Florida offers scholarship money to homeschool families that can be used for curriculum, educational supplies, and more.

You do have to meet certain requirements and apply through an approved scholarship funding organization. There’s paperwork involved, and you’ll need to keep receipts and records of how you spend the funds. But for many families, it makes quality curriculum and resources much more accessible.

We use ours for curriculum from places like Timberdoodle, art supplies, and nature study materials. It’s been a game-changer.

Common Questions From New Florida Homeschoolers

Do I need to notify anyone before pulling my child from public school?

You should send your Notice of Intent to the superintendent and then formally withdraw your child from their school. Some districts have withdrawal forms; others just need a letter. Keep copies of everything.

Can I homeschool a child with special needs?

Absolutely. Florida law applies the same to all children. If you receive the PEP scholarship, there’s also a specific track for students with unique abilities that may offer additional funding.

What about high school transcripts and graduation?

As the homeschool parent, you create the transcript and issue the diploma. Florida homeschool graduates are accepted at colleges and universities across the state and country. This is well-established at this point.

Can my homeschooled child participate in public school sports or activities?

Yes! Florida Statute 1006.15 (often called the “Tim Tebow Law”) allows homeschooled students to participate in interscholastic activities at their zoned public school, as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

You’ve Got This, Mama

I know the legal side can feel intimidating when you’re just starting out. But here’s the truth: once you file that Notice of Intent, you’re official. You don’t need anyone’s approval for how you spend your days. You can do math at the kitchen table and science in the backyard with the chickens. You can let your kids climb trees and catch bugs with a bug catcher kit and call it education—because it is.

Florida gives us the freedom to raise curious, capable kids without jumping through endless hoops. And that freedom? It’s exactly why we’re able to give our children the kind of childhood we remember—the 1990s kind, full of wonder and outside time and learning that doesn’t feel like a checklist.

If you’re on the fence, file the paperwork and start. You can always adjust as you go. That’s the beauty of this.

Welcome to homeschooling in the Sunshine State. It’s a good place to be.

How to Get the PEP Scholarship in Florida: Application Tips from a Homeschool Mama Who’s Been There

If you’re sitting at your kitchen table wondering how on earth you’re going to afford all those beautiful living books, hands-on math manipulatives, and nature study supplies for your homeschool—friend, I’ve been there. When I first heard about the Florida PEP scholarship (that’s the Personalized Education Program, formerly known as the Family Empowerment Scholarship), I had about a hundred questions and no idea where to start. Now that we’ve been using it for our elementary-age kiddos, I want to share everything I wish someone had told me from the beginning.

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What Is the Florida PEP Scholarship?

The PEP scholarship is Florida’s education savings account program that provides funds for families who want to direct their children’s education outside of traditional public school. For homeschoolers like us, it’s been an absolute game-changer. The funds can be used for curriculum, educational materials, tutoring, therapies, and even some extracurricular programs.

Here in Florida, we’re incredibly fortunate to have this option. Not every state supports homeschool families this way, and I don’t take it for granted. The scholarship is administered through Step Up For Students, and the application process—while it has a few steps—is completely doable once you know what to expect.

Who Qualifies for the PEP Scholarship?

Before you dive into the application, let’s make sure your family is eligible. As of the most recent updates, basically all Florida students K-12 now qualify for the PEP scholarship regardless of income. This is relatively new—it used to be income-based, but the program has expanded significantly.

Your child needs to be a Florida resident and school-age (kindergarten through 12th grade). If you’re already registered as a homeschool family with your county, you’re on the right track. If you haven’t done that yet, that’s actually your first step before applying for PEP.

Step-by-Step Application Tips

1. Register as a Homeschool First

This trips up a lot of new homeschool families. Before you can use the PEP scholarship as a homeschooler, you need to have your letter of intent filed with your local school district. Here in the Pensacola area, that means sending your notice to Escambia or Santa Rosa County, depending on where you live. Keep a copy of your confirmation—you’ll need to reference it.

2. Gather Your Documents Early

Don’t wait until you’re sitting in front of the application to hunt down paperwork. You’ll need:

• Proof of Florida residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement)
• Your child’s birth certificate or proof of age
• Your homeschool registration confirmation
• Social Security numbers for both parent and child

I keep a dedicated folder (the actual paper kind, because some things are better old school) with all our homeschool documents. It saves so much scrambling when applications or evaluations come around.

3. Apply Through Step Up For Students

The application itself is done online through the Step Up For Students website. Create your account, fill in your information, and upload those documents you gathered. The system walks you through it, but take your time. I made the mistake of rushing through our first application and had to go back and fix errors.

One tip: apply early in the application window. There’s been high demand for these scholarships, and while the program has grown, applying sooner rather than later gives you peace of mind and more time to troubleshoot if something comes up with your paperwork.

4. Be Patient with the Approval Process

After you submit, there’s a waiting period while they verify everything. This can take several weeks, sometimes longer during busy seasons. Don’t panic if you don’t hear back immediately. You can check your application status through your Step Up account.

5. Learn the ClassWallet System

Once approved, your funds are loaded into a ClassWallet account. This is where you’ll actually make purchases. There’s a learning curve here—certain items are approved, others aren’t, and you’ll need to get familiar with what qualifies. Curriculum, books, educational supplies, and many manipulatives are typically covered.

We’ve used our PEP funds for everything from our Math-U-See curriculum to quality art supplies like Faber-Castell watercolors for our nature journals. The key is checking that vendors are approved in ClassWallet before you make a purchase.

What We Buy with PEP Funds

I know everyone wants to know the practical stuff—what can you actually get? Here’s a peek at some of our purchases:

Curriculum and Books: Most of our Charlotte Mason-style resources qualify. We love ordering from Rainbow Resource and Timberdoodle—both work with the ClassWallet system, which makes purchasing simple.

Nature Study Supplies: Our Sibley Birds field guide was a PEP purchase, along with a pocket microscope that my kids have used to examine everything from chicken feathers to pond water. Science supplies like these are generally approved and make our outdoor learning so much richer.

Educational Manipulatives: Hands-on math tools, spelling tiles, anything that supports actual learning rather than just worksheets.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t Assume Everything Is Approved

Just because something seems educational doesn’t mean it’s covered. I’ve seen homeschool moms frustrated because their purchase was rejected. When in doubt, check the approved vendor and item lists before buying.

Keep Your Receipts and Records

Even though purchases go through ClassWallet, keep your own records. Screenshot confirmations, save email receipts, and document what you’re buying. If there’s ever a question about a purchase, you’ll be glad you have backup.

Don’t Forget About Re-enrollment

The PEP scholarship isn’t a one-and-done deal. You’ll need to re-enroll each year to continue receiving funds. Mark your calendar and watch for emails from Step Up For Students about renewal windows.

Is the PEP Scholarship Right for Your Family?

Honestly? For our family, it’s been a blessing. It’s allowed us to invest in quality, living books and real educational tools without feeling the pinch. My kids are outside more than they’re in front of screens. They help with the chickens, they run barefoot in the backyard with the dog, and they’re learning in a way that feels natural and unhurried.

But I also know some families prefer to keep their homeschool completely separate from any state-connected funding, and I respect that. There are requirements—annual evaluations, using approved vendors—that come with accepting these funds. For us, the trade-off is worth it. For others, it might not be.

You’ve Got This, Mama

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the application process, take a breath. Pour yourself some coffee (or sweet tea, this is Florida after all), and tackle it one step at a time. The PEP scholarship has opened up so many possibilities for our little homeschool—more nature guides, better art supplies, curriculum that actually fits how our kids learn.

And at the end of the day, that’s what this is all about, right? Giving our kids a childhood full of wonder, curiosity, and the freedom to learn in a way that makes sense for them. The paperwork is just the doorway to get there.

If you have questions about the process or want to share your own PEP tips, drop a comment below. We’re all figuring this out together.

Charlotte Mason Homeschool Preschool: What We Do (And What We Don’t)

If you’re sitting there wondering whether you need a full curriculum, a daily schedule color-coded by subject, and a Pinterest-worthy classroom setup for your three or four-year-old—take a deep breath, friend. You don’t.

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I remember feeling the pressure when my oldest was approaching preschool age. Everyone around me was enrolling their kids in programs, and I kept wondering if I was somehow failing by wanting to keep my kid home, playing in the dirt, and letting childhood just… be childhood. Turns out, that instinct was exactly right—and Charlotte Mason would have agreed wholeheartedly.

Here in Northwest Florida, where we’re blessed with mild winters and outdoor days nearly year-round, a Charlotte Mason approach to preschool feels especially natural. Let me share what our days actually look like with our littlest learners.

What Charlotte Mason Actually Said About Young Children

Charlotte Mason believed that children under six should not be doing formal academics. I know—revolutionary, right? In a world where we’re pushing reading programs on two-year-olds, her philosophy feels almost rebellious.

She called the early years a time for “masterly inactivity” on the parent’s part. This doesn’t mean we’re absent or uninvolved. It means we create the environment, provide the tools, and then step back to let our children explore, discover, and develop at their own pace.

The focus during these years? Nature, good habits, living books read aloud, and lots and lots of free play.

Our Simple Charlotte Mason Preschool Rhythm

I hesitate to even call it a “schedule” because that implies something rigid. What we have is more of a gentle rhythm that flows with the day and the season.

Morning Time (About 20-30 Minutes)

We gather on the couch—usually with our labradoodle trying to squeeze in between us—and I read aloud. Picture books, poetry, Bible stories, and simple nature books. That’s it. No worksheets, no letter drills, no sitting at a desk.

Some mornings this looks beautiful and cozy. Other mornings, someone needs a snack or the dog starts barking at a squirrel and we abandon ship. Both are fine.

Nature Time (The Heart of Our Day)

This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it’s the core of our Charlotte Mason preschool approach. We spend hours outside—sometimes in our backyard watching the chickens, sometimes at one of Pensacola’s beautiful parks or trails, sometimes just walking our neighborhood and noticing what’s blooming.

I keep a simple nature journal and some watercolor pencils accessible for when inspiration strikes. My preschooler’s “nature drawings” are mostly scribbles and blobs, and that’s exactly as it should be. We’re building the habit, not creating masterpieces.

We invested in a pocket microscope last year, and it’s become one of our most-used tools. Examining a leaf, a feather from the chicken coop, or a bug we found—suddenly the ordinary becomes extraordinary through a child’s eyes.

Chicken Chores

Our backyard flock has become one of our best “curriculum” investments. My little ones help collect eggs, fill waterers, and scatter scratch. They’re learning responsibility, animal care, and basic biology without a single worksheet.

If you’re curious about starting chickens with young kids, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens is a wonderful resource that’s accessible enough for elementary-age siblings to read aloud to littles.

Afternoons: Free Play and Rest

After lunch, we have quiet time. The little ones rest, and I get a breather. Then the afternoon is largely unstructured. Building with blocks, playing in the sandbox, splashing in the kiddie pool when Florida’s heat demands it, or imaginative play.

This is where I channel that 1990s childhood energy. Remember when we’d disappear outside until the streetlights came on? While I’m not quite ready for that level of independence with preschoolers, I do intentionally step back and let them figure things out, get bored, and invent their own games.

What We Don’t Do (And Why)

No Formal Reading Instruction

I know this might feel scary, but Charlotte Mason recommended waiting until age six or even later to begin formal reading lessons. We surround our children with wonderful books, read aloud constantly, and trust that literacy will come. With my older kids, this approach worked beautifully.

No Worksheets or Curriculum Boxes

For preschool? Absolutely not. If you feel pressure to buy a preschool curriculum, I want you to know—you don’t need it. Save your money for when they’re older, or invest in good living books and nature tools instead.

That said, if you’re looking for quality Charlotte Mason-aligned resources for when your kids are ready, I love browsing Rainbow Resource and Timberdoodle for ideas.

No Screen Time as Education

I’m not here to judge anyone’s screen choices, but for us, the preschool years are not the time for educational apps or videos. There will be plenty of time for technology later. Right now, their little brains need three-dimensional, sensory-rich experiences.

Simple Tools That Support Our Days

You don’t need much for Charlotte Mason preschool, but a few things have made our lives easier:

• Good rain boots for Florida’s afternoon storms (we go puddle jumping regularly)
• A bug catcher kit for curious little naturalists
• Basic art supplies—crayons, watercolors, plain paper
• A library card (our most valuable educational resource, hands down)
• Non-toxic sunscreen because Florida means sun exposure is constant

The Gift of Slow

Here’s what I want you to hear, mama: these early years are not about getting ahead. They’re not about making sure your child can read before kindergarten or knows all their letters and numbers by age four.

These years are about wonder. About noticing the way a rolly-polly curls up when touched. About learning that eggs come from chickens and tomatoes come from vines. About being read to on someone’s lap, feeling safe and loved and curious about the world.

Charlotte Mason preschool isn’t really about education at all. It’s about laying a foundation of good habits, cultivating attention, and protecting that spark of wonder that children are born with.

Some days our “school” looks like nothing at all—just kids playing while I drink my coffee and watch. And that’s exactly as it should be.

If you’re in those early years and feeling uncertain, let me encourage you: you’re doing more than you think. Those ordinary moments—reading on the couch, collecting eggs together, examining a beetle in the grass—that’s Charlotte Mason preschool. That’s childhood the way it was meant to be.

You’ve got this, friend. Trust yourself, trust your kids, and enjoy this sweet season.

So you’re thinking about homeschooling in Florida. Maybe you’ve watched your kid come home from school exhausted and overwhelmed. Maybe you’ve seen the spark in their eyes when they’re exploring outside, and you want more of that. Or maybe you just have this gut feeling that there’s a different way — a slower, more intentional way — to raise and educate your children.

I get it. I’ve been there. And I’m here to tell you: you can absolutely do this.

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Starting our homeschool journey a few years ago was one of the best decisions our family ever made. Now our days include nature walks, backyard chicken chores, real books, and so much less rushing. If you’re in Florida and wondering how to actually get started, let me walk you through it — step by step, the way I wish someone had explained it to me.

Step 1: Understand Florida’s Homeschool Options

Florida is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the country, which is such a blessing. You have a few different legal options for homeschooling here:

Option A: File a Letter of Intent with Your School District

This is the most common route, and it’s what we do. You simply notify your county superintendent that you intend to establish a home education program. That’s it. No permission needed — just notification.

You’ll need to:

• Send a letter of intent within 30 days of beginning your homeschool
• Maintain a portfolio of your child’s work samples and records
• Have an annual evaluation done (more on that below)

Option B: Register with a Private Umbrella School

Some families prefer to register with a private covering school (sometimes called an umbrella school). This option has fewer requirements — no annual evaluation needed — but you do pay a fee to the umbrella school.

Option C: Use a Private Tutor

This option requires a certified teacher to provide instruction, so it’s less common for most homeschooling families.

For most of us, Option A is the straightforward choice. It gives you complete curriculum freedom while still being legally compliant.

Step 2: Submit Your Letter of Intent

Once you’ve decided to go the home education route, you’ll write a simple letter to your county school superintendent. Here in the Pensacola area, that means sending it to the Escambia County or Santa Rosa County school district office.

Your letter just needs to include:

• Your name and address
• Your child’s name and birthdate
• A statement that you’re establishing a home education program

That’s really it. No curriculum approval. No explaining your reasons. Just a notification. Florida trusts parents, and that’s something I’m genuinely grateful for.

Step 3: Choose Your Approach and Curriculum

This is the fun part — and also where new homeschoolers can feel overwhelmed. There are so many options out there.

Here’s my encouragement: you don’t have to figure it all out before you start. Start simple. Watch your kids. See what lights them up.

Our family follows a Charlotte Mason approach, which means we focus on living books, nature study, short lessons, and lots of time outdoors. It fits our lifestyle here in Northwest Florida perfectly — we’re blessed with mild winters, beautiful state parks, and a backyard full of things to explore.

Some curriculum resources we love:

• Rainbow Resource is my go-to for comparing curriculum options and finding deals
• Timberdoodle curates wonderful hands-on learning kits
• For math, we’ve had great success with Math-U-See — it’s manipulative-based and works so well for kids who need to see and touch to understand

Don’t feel pressured to buy everything at once. A library card, a good read-aloud, and time outside will take you far in those early days.

Step 4: Set Up Your Portfolio System

Florida requires you to keep a portfolio of educational materials and samples of your child’s work. This sounds more intimidating than it is.

I keep a simple binder for each child with:

• A reading log
• Samples of written work throughout the year
• Art projects and nature journal pages
• Any certificates or special projects

Speaking of nature journals — we use simple sketch journals and Faber-Castell watercolor pencils for our nature study. The kids draw birds, insects, leaves, whatever we find. These pages become beautiful portfolio pieces and meaningful keepsakes.

Step 5: Plan for Your Annual Evaluation

At the end of each school year, Florida requires an evaluation of your child’s progress. You have several options:

• A certified teacher reviews your portfolio
• Your child takes a standardized test
• A licensed psychologist evaluates progress

We’ve done both portfolio reviews and testing over the years. Many homeschool co-ops and evaluators here in Northwest Florida offer affordable reviews — just ask around in local homeschool groups.

Step 6: Look Into the Florida PEP Scholarship

Here’s something I wish I’d known about sooner: Florida offers the Personalized Education Program (PEP) scholarship for homeschool families. It provides funds that can be used for curriculum, educational materials, and even some extracurricular classes.

We use PEP funds for curriculum, art supplies, and enrichment classes. It’s been a huge blessing for our family, and the application process is fairly straightforward through the state’s scholarship portal.

If you’re just starting out, I’d encourage you to look into this early — there are enrollment windows, so timing matters.

Step 7: Find Your Community

Homeschooling doesn’t mean doing it alone. Here in the Pensacola area, there are wonderful co-ops, park days, and homeschool groups. Finding other families who share your values makes such a difference — for you and your kids.

Look for groups that match your style. Some are more academic; others are relaxed and play-focused. We’ve found our people through nature groups and Charlotte Mason circles, and those friendships have been such a gift.

Step 8: Just Begin

Here’s the truth nobody tells you: you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start.

Read good books aloud. Go outside. Let your kids get dirty and curious. Watch them discover a bird they’ve never seen before and look it up together in a field guide. Let them help collect eggs from the chickens and learn responsibility in small, daily ways.

This is education. It doesn’t have to look like school.

You’ve Got This, Mama

I know the beginning feels overwhelming. There’s so much information out there, and it’s easy to second-guess yourself. But you know your kids better than anyone. You see what they need. Trust that.

Homeschooling in Florida is absolutely doable, and it might just be the best gift you give your family. More time together. More freedom. More space for the kind of childhood you remember — or the kind you always wished you’d had.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out. I’m cheering you on from my little corner of Northwest Florida, probably with a cup of coffee in hand and a dog at my feet while the kids argue about whose turn it is to fill the chicken waterer.

You’ve got this.