The Best Homeschool History Curriculum for 2026
Updated · By Edulist · 13 sources
Our top picks
How we chose
- History kids rememberWe favored narrative spines, living books and primary sources over dry textbook summaries, because story is what makes history stick.
- Clear structure for the parentDaily or weekly plans, discussion questions and assessments help a busy parent stay on track.
- Works across agesFamily-style programs that teach several children the same period at different levels ranked higher for multi-kid homes.
- Honest worldview labelsHistory curricula range from secular to strongly providential. We state each program's perspective plainly.
- Real total costWe list core prices from the publisher as of October 2026 and flag when books, literature packs or add-ons raise the real cost.
Rankings are editorial. Vendors can’t pay for placement. Prices and grades update from each listing.
1. The Story of the World
- Price
- See site
- Grades
- 1–6
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer tells world history in four volumes, from ancient times to the modern era, in a conversational voice kids remember. It works as a family read-aloud for several ages. Volume 1's text costs about $14 to $25 by format, with an Instructor Guide around $23 to $26, a student workbook and tests sold separately (sale prices, October 2026). Projects take planning, and it is neither strictly secular nor written from a biblical worldview.
Pros
- Story-like narrative kids love
- Covers world history in four years
- Excellent audiobook option
Cons
- Few illustrations in the text
- Projects take planning and supplies
Best for: Elementary families who want a gentle, chronological world history spine
2. Notgrass History
- Price
- From $95 one-time
- Grades
- 1–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Notgrass History's full-color courses combine lessons, literature and primary sources with no teacher's manual to juggle, from elementary American history to high school courses that can cover history, English and Bible credit at once. Curriculum packages run about $95 to $141 on sale per course, and literature bundles $150 to $275; America the Beautiful's bundle was $221 on sale (October 2026). The providential Christian viewpoint runs throughout.
Pros
- Truly open-and-go
- Beautiful texts with photos and maps
- High school courses combine three credits
Cons
- Literature packages add cost
- Christian viewpoint throughout
Best for: Christian families who want history planned for them, especially in high school
3. Build Your Library
- Price
- From $29.95 one-time
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum
Build Your Library is a secular, literature-based curriculum with history at its center, plus literature, science and art. Lesson plans cost $29.95 to $59.95 per level as one-time PDFs (October 2026), and you buy or borrow the books. It is reading-heavy, writing instruction is light, and math and phonics come from elsewhere.
Pros
- Inexpensive plans
- Rich modern and classic book lists
- K–12, including high school levels
Cons
- Books cost extra
- Download-only, non-refundable
Best for: Secular, book-loving families on a budget
4. The Mystery of History
- Price
- From $99.95 one-time
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
The Mystery of History by Linda Lacour Hobar places Bible and world history on one continuous timeline across four volumes, with a weekly Look, Book, Choose, Review rhythm and activities tiered for younger, middle and older students. The Student Reader with digital Companion Guide lists at $99.95, and the four-volume set was $306 on sale (October 2026). The providential perspective is intentional, and reading level climbs sharply by Volume IV.
Pros
- One reader for the whole family
- Tiered activities by age
- Author-narrated audiobooks
Cons
- Strong providential framing
- Reading level jumps in later volumes
Best for: Christian families teaching world history together
5. Beautiful Feet Books
- Price
- From $199.95 one-time
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Beautiful Feet Books builds history around living books and a clear, open-and-go Teacher Guide. The Early American History (K–3) pack, for example, includes 23 books and a guide for 94 lessons of 30 to 40 minutes, done two or three times a week. History packs cost about $199.95 to $299.95 each (October 2026). Bible reflections are optional, and charter versions remove them.
Pros
- Lovely living books kids revisit
- Open-and-go discussion prompts
- Packs span several grades
Cons
- Heavy reading load
- Higher upfront cost
Best for: Charlotte Mason families who want history through great books
6. Sonlight
- Price
- From $1,016.22 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Sonlight builds every level around history and literature, with outstanding book lists and Instructor's Guides that plan 36 weeks. All-Subjects Packages run about $1,000 to $1,300 per level at regular prices, with history, Bible and literature-only packages costing less, and an 18-week money-back guarantee. The read-aloud load on parents is heavy.
Pros
- Outstanding book selections
- Every day planned for 36 weeks
- Generous guarantee
Cons
- Expensive full packages
- Large parent time commitment
Best for: Christian families who love reading aloud and want everything scheduled
7. BookShark
- Price
- From $309.43 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–10
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
BookShark is a faith-neutral, literature-based boxed curriculum with about 50 books a year chosen to bring history to life and a 4-day, 36-week Instructor's Guide. All-Subject Packages run about $1,080 to $1,325 at regular prices for Levels A to H, and about 20 percent less as packaged (October 2026). It asks a lot of read-aloud time.
Pros
- Faith-neutral history and science
- Four-day schedule frees a day
- Customizable packages
Cons
- Expensive full package
- Strict return rules
Best for: Secular families who want a fully scheduled, book-rich year
8. Tapestry of Grace
- Price
- From $60 one-time
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Tapestry of Grace has the whole family study the same historical period at four levels, with especially strong literature, worldview, government and philosophy threads for teens. A Year-Plan for all levels costs $249, and the Whole Family Bundle with supplements is $749 (October 2026); books are extra. Expect heavy weekly prep.
Pros
- Four levels in one plan
- Rigorous rhetoric-level discussion
- Buffet-style flexibility
Cons
- Heavy parent prep
- Many outside books required
Best for: Christian families with teens who love discussion
9. Veritas Press
- Price
- From $48.25/mo
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Course, Books, School
Veritas Press's Self-Paced history courses teach, quiz and grade for the parent, with memorable songs and flashcards tied to a five-period history cycle. Self-Paced history courses cost $249 each, and live online classes start at $579 per course (October 2026). Its perspective is strongly Protestant and classical, and costs climb when you add several courses.
Pros
- Courses teach and grade for you
- Memorable songs and flashcards
- Omnibus option for teens
Cons
- Costs climb with multiple courses
- Strongly Protestant perspective
Best for: Classical Christian families who want history taught online
10. Gather 'Round Homeschool
- Price
- From $39/mo
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books, Course
Gather 'Round teaches every child the same topic each day through units, with one Teacher's Guide for all ages and attractive student books for each level, including built-in language arts. Digital full-unit bundles cost about $28 to $65, or a $30 printed guide plus $15 to $25 per student book (October 2026). Topic-based units can leave gaps compared with a chronological sequence.
Pros
- One guide for pre-readers to high school
- Beautiful student books
- Units in any order
Cons
- Printed books add up for several kids
- Non-chronological coverage
Best for: Christian families who want togetherness over a textbook sequence
Quick comparison
| Pick | Grades | Format | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Story of the World | 1–6 | Text, guide, audio | ~$14 text | World history read-aloud |
| Notgrass History | 1–12 | Full-color print | ~$95/course | Open-and-go Christian |
| Build Your Library | K–12 | PDF plans + books | $29.95/level | Budget secular |
| The Mystery of History | K–12 | Reader + guide | $99.95/volume | Christian chronology |
| Beautiful Feet Books | K–12 | Guide + living books | ~$199.95/pack | Literature-based |
| Sonlight | Pre-K–12 | Boxed books + guide | ~$1,000 all-subjects | Christian literature |
| BookShark | Pre-K–10 | Boxed books + guide | ~$880 sale | Secular literature |
| Tapestry of Grace | K–12 | Year-Plan + books | $249/yr | Teens, discussion |
| Veritas Press | K–12 | Self-paced online | $249/course | Taught and graded for you |
| Gather 'Round | Pre-K–12 | Unit guides + books | ~$28/unit | Mixed-age units |
Prices are publisher list or sale prices as of October 2026.
How to choose homeschool history curriculum
1. Pick your style.
- Narrative spine: The Story of the World or The Mystery of History. One engaging book carries the year, and you add activities and library books.
- Living books: Beautiful Feet Books, Build Your Library, Sonlight and BookShark teach history through biographies, novels and picture books.
- Open-and-go text: Notgrass gives you a readable, full-color course with literature already planned.
- Taught for you: Veritas Press Self-Paced handles teaching and grading.
- Unit studies: Gather 'Round organizes learning by topic for the whole family.
2. Decide on worldview. Notgrass, The Mystery of History, Sonlight, Tapestry of Grace, Veritas Press and Gather 'Round are Christian. Build Your Library and BookShark are secular. The Story of the World and Beautiful Feet Books sit in between, with optional or light faith content.
3. Plan for your age spread. With kids far apart in age, a family-style program (The Story of the World, The Mystery of History, Tapestry of Grace) saves time. Teens may need their own course, like Notgrass high school, for transcript credit. Use the homeschool transcript generator to record it.
4. Budget for books. Literature-based programs look cheap until you add the reading list. Check your library's holdings before you buy.
Comparing the two biggest boxed programs? Read BookShark vs Sonlight. Browse all history curriculum in the directory, or see the best homeschool curriculum for full-year options.
What it costs (and how to get it funded)
- Under $100 a year: Build Your Library plans or The Story of the World with library books.
- $100 to $300: Notgrass bundles, The Mystery of History, Beautiful Feet packs, Tapestry of Grace, a Veritas Self-Paced course.
- About $900 to $1,300: Sonlight and BookShark all-subject packages, which also cover language arts and science.
Curriculum and textbooks are among the most common allowed expenses in state education savings account and scholarship programs. Arizona's ESA law, for example, lists textbooks, curricula and supplementary materials. Each program decides what qualifies and which vendors it pays. See scholarships by state, including Arizona, Florida and Utah. Check your state's homeschool requirements for any history or social studies subject rules. Then save your picks to your Edulist wishlist and apply once.
Mistakes to avoid
- Overscheduling history. Elementary kids need stories and conversation more than worksheets.
- Buying every add-on. Start with the spine and a guide; add activity books only if your child wants more.
- Skipping maps and timelines. A simple wall timeline and a map turn scattered facts into a story.
- Forgetting high school credit. Plan teen courses with clear hours and reading lists from the start.
See all curriculum history curriculum →
Sources
- Well-Trained Mind Press: The Story of the World series
- Notgrass History curriculum
- Build Your Library FAQ
- The Mystery of History
- Beautiful Feet Books: Early American History (K–3) pack
- Beautiful Feet Books history collection
- Sonlight all-subjects packages
- BookShark FAQ
- Tapestry of Grace Year 1 buying guide
- Veritas Press Self-Paced
- Gather 'Round samples
- Cathy Duffy review: Tapestry of Grace
- Arizona Revised Statutes 15-2402 (ESA allowable expenses)
Questions
What is the best secular homeschool history curriculum?
Build Your Library and BookShark are the most popular secular, literature-based choices, and Torchlight is another secular option for younger kids. The Story of the World is neither strictly secular nor written from a biblical worldview, so preview a chapter to see if it fits your family.
Should homeschool history be taught chronologically?
Many families like a chronological cycle, such as ancient to modern over four years, because events connect. Others prefer American history first or unit studies by interest. Either works if your child reads widely and revisits periods as they grow.
How much time should homeschool history take?
For elementary kids, two to four sessions a week of 20 to 40 minutes is common, often as a read-aloud. Middle and high schoolers usually spend three to five hours a week, including reading and writing.
What history curriculum works for multiple kids?
Family-style programs are designed for this: The Story of the World, The Mystery of History, Tapestry of Grace, Gather 'Round and Beautiful Feet Books all let siblings study the same period at their own level.
Keep exploring
Keep your favorites together.
Browse learning products and save a wishlist on this device. Applications and pledges are not open.