The Best Preschool Homeschool Curriculum for 2026
Updated · By Edulist · 13 sources
Our top picks
How we chose
- Developmentally appropriatePicks favor play, picture books, songs, movement and hands-on activities over long seatwork. We note programs that lean academic.
- Short daily timePreschool lessons should fit in 15 to 45 minutes. We flag programs that take longer.
- Clear for the parentPrograms with ready-made weekly or daily plans rank higher, so you are not inventing letter-of-the-week activities.
- Price for the yearPrices come from publisher pages as of October 2026. Several strong options cost under $150, and one is free.
- Bridges to kindergartenWe favored programs that lead naturally into a kindergarten level from the same publisher or a clear next step.
Rankings are editorial. Vendors can’t pay for placement. Prices and grades update from each listing.
1. Blossom and Root
- Price
- See site
- Grades
- Pre-K–7
- Type
- Curriculum
Blossom and Root Early Years is a play-based, secular preschool curriculum inspired by Charlotte Mason and Waldorf, with literature, nature study, early math and science, art, composer study and kitchen activities. Volume 1 is for ages 2 to 4 and needs no prior letter or number knowledge, and Volume 2 continues preschool. It is sold as PDFs through the publisher's shop, with three 30%-off sales a year; check the shop for current prices. All sales are final.
Pros
- Gentle, play-based and nature-centered
- No letter or number knowledge needed to start
- Secular, which is rare for this style
Cons
- PDF only; printing is on you
- No refunds
Best for: Secular families who want a gentle, outdoorsy preschool year
2. Heart of Dakota
- Price
- From $58.18 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Heart of Dakota's Little Hands to Heaven is a preschool guide for ages 2 to 5 with 33 units, five days a week, at about 30 minutes a day. Each unit uses Bible stories, songs, finger plays, letter activities and simple math, all laid out on a two-page daily spread. It leads into Little Hearts for His Glory for kindergarten-age children. Books are bought alongside the guide.
Pros
- Short, predictable daily routine
- Bible stories woven through every unit
- Clear step into Heart of Dakota's K level
Cons
- Outside books add to the cost
- Package options take some sorting out
Best for: Christian families who want a short, structured preschool day
3. Catholic Heritage Curricula
- Price
- From $108.35 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Catholic Heritage Curricula's preschool core kit costs $108.35 as of October 2026 and includes lesson plans and core materials for a gentle, Catholic preschool year. CHC's plans are open-and-go and its early years are known for short days. The kit leads into CHC's $201.15 kindergarten kit. There is no enrollment or grading, and lesson plans are final sale.
Pros
- Low price for a complete preschool kit
- Faith woven into gentle activities
- Easy step into CHC kindergarten
Cons
- Lesson plans are final sale
- Ships only to U.S. and military addresses
Best for: Catholic families who want a simple, affordable preschool plan
4. Timberdoodle Curriculum Kits
- Price
- From $354.80 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books, Activity
Timberdoodle preschool kits bundle picture books, puzzles, fine-motor tools, games and STEM toys with an online scheduler, and can be customized before you buy. As of October 2026, preschool kits start at $354.80 and pre-K kits at $459, with a Tiny Tots kit at $955. Classic kits include some Protestant Christian content, and returns lose the kit discount if partial.
Pros
- Loads of hands-on, open-ended materials
- Customizable, with an online scheduler
- Great for busy, tactile kids
Cons
- Higher price than book-only programs
- Partial returns lose the kit discount
Best for: Active preschoolers who learn by building and playing
5. BookShark
- Price
- From $309.43 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–10
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
BookShark Pre-K is a faith-neutral, literature-based preschool package built around read-aloud picture books, with an Instructor's Guide on a four-day schedule. As of October 2026 it is $386.79 at regular price and $309.43 as a package. It prepares children for BookShark Level A in kindergarten through first grade. Expect most of the time to be reading aloud together.
Pros
- Wonderful picture-book selections
- Four-day week, fully planned
- Secular
Cons
- Pricier than many preschool options
- Strict return rules
Best for: Secular families who want preschool built on reading together
6. Sonlight
- Price
- From $1,016.22 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Sonlight offers two early levels built around picture books: Preschool for ages 3 to 4 and Pre-K for ages 4 to 5. Instructor's Guides plan each day with read-alouds and simple activities, and Sonlight's 18-week money-back guarantee applies to full packages. Preschool and Pre-K packages get 15% off retail rather than the 20% offered on older All-Subjects packages; check Sonlight for current prices.
Pros
- Rich read-aloud selections with Christian content
- Fully scheduled
- 18-week guarantee
Cons
- More expensive than CHC or Heart of Dakota
- Mostly reading, with less hands-on material
Best for: Christian families who want preschool built on great picture books
7. My Father's World
- Price
- From $47.45 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
My Father's World offers All Aboard the Animal Train for ages 2 to 3 and Voyage of Discovery for Pre-K at age 4, part of its DISCOVER stage. The programs are Christian, thematic and hands-on, with structured mornings and free afternoons. As of October 2026, MFW advertised 20% off packages, and it lets families order with ESA funds. Older siblings can continue in MFW's family-style programs.
Pros
- Programs for both 2–3 and 4-year-olds
- Hands-on, thematic and Christian
- Fits into MFW's family-style years later
Cons
- Supplies need gathering
- Parent-led every day
Best for: Christian families starting very young or with older siblings in MFW
8. Memoria Press
- Price
- From $672.01 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books, Course
Memoria Press sells a full preschool package for $271.72 at list as of October 2026, with sale prices often lower. It focuses on letters, numbers, read-alouds, art and memory work in the classical style, and leads into Memoria Press Junior K and kindergarten. It is more structured than play-based programs, so keep sessions short for young children.
Pros
- Complete classical preschool year
- Clear progression into Junior K and K
- Strong read-aloud and memory work
Cons
- More academic than some families want at this age
- Plain materials
Best for: Families planning a classical education from the start
9. Torchlight Curriculum
- Price
- From $32 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–8
- Type
- Curriculum
Torchlight Pre-K is a secular, literature-based guide for ages 4 to 5, with 36 weeks of picture-book literature, early science, art and hands-on activities, plus early reading and math foundations. As of October 2026, the Pre-K guide is $32, or $43 as a bundle. It is a PDF, so you print it and gather books, and it is non-refundable.
Pros
- Very low price
- Openly secular with a focus on empathy and curiosity
- Includes early reading and math
Cons
- Books and printing are extra
- Non-refundable PDF
Best for: Secular families who want a low-cost, book-rich pre-K plan
10. Khan Academy Kids
- Price
- Free
- Grades
- Pre-K–2
- Type
- App
Khan Academy Kids is a free app for ages 2 to 8 from the nonprofit Khan Academy, with an adaptive path of early reading, phonics, math, writing and social-emotional activities, plus books and videos. There are no ads, subscriptions or in-app purchases. It works best as a short daily activity alongside reading aloud and play. It runs on phones and tablets only.
Pros
- Completely free with no ads
- Gentle, adaptive activities
- Covers reading, math and social skills
Cons
- Screen-based
- Basic parent reports
Best for: Families who want a free, safe learning app for preschoolers
11. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
- Price
- $29.99 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–1
- Type
- Books, Curriculum
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a single book of scripted, parent-led phonics lessons of about 20 minutes each, aimed at children around ages 4 to 6 who can sit for a short lesson. The list price is $29.99 for the revised second edition as of October 2026, and used copies are cheap. Pages are plain, and later lessons get long, so stop if your child is not ready.
Pros
- Fully scripted and inexpensive
- One book, nothing else to buy
- Short daily lessons
Cons
- Plain black-and-white pages
- Special lettering confuses some kids
Best for: Preschoolers who are clearly eager to start reading
12. Handwriting Without Tears
- Price
- $13.50 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–6
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Handwriting Without Tears was created by occupational therapist Jan Olsen. Its Get Set for School pre-K line teaches readiness and capital letters with hands-on tools, songs and the Mat Man character before children use pencils much. Student workbooks for the K and 1st-grade levels are $13.50 each on the official store as of October 2026, with teacher's guides and manipulatives extra.
Pros
- Developmental, OT-designed approach
- Hands-on readiness before pencil work
- Inexpensive workbooks
Cons
- Capitals-first order differs from some phonics programs
- Teacher's guides are dense
Best for: Preschoolers who need help with grip, letters and fine motor skills
13. Abeka
- Price
- From $128.40/mo
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books, Course, School
Abeka offers a traditional preschool sequence for ages 2 to 3 and K4, with letters, sounds and numbers in a classroom style. K4 is available as parent-led books or as video lessons with books, which is offered unaccredited only; as of October 2026 K4 video with books is $58.40 a month on Abeka's 10-month plan. It is more academic than most picks here, so watch for burnout.
Pros
- Strong early phonics foundation
- Video teacher option
- Clear path into Abeka K5
Cons
- Academic pace may be too much for some 4-year-olds
- Long seatwork if every page is done
Best for: Christian families who want an early, academic start
Quick comparison
| Pick | Ages | Style | Price from (Oct 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blossom and Root | 2–5 | Play-based, secular | Check shop (PDF) | Play-based secular |
| Heart of Dakota | 2–5 | Gentle Christian | Guide plus books | 30-minute days |
| Catholic Heritage Curricula | 3–5 | Gentle Catholic | $108.35 kit | Catholic, budget |
| Timberdoodle | 3–5 | Hands-on box | $354.80 | Active kids |
| BookShark | 4–5 | Picture books, secular | $309.43 (packaged) | Secular read-alouds |
| Sonlight | 3–5 | Picture books, Christian | Check Sonlight | Christian read-alouds |
| My Father's World | 2–4 | Thematic, Christian | 20% off packages (Oct 2026) | Very young starters |
| Memoria Press | 3–5 | Classical | $271.72 list | Classical start |
| Torchlight | 4–5 | Secular literature | $32 | Budget secular |
| Khan Academy Kids | 2–8 | App | Free | Free |
| Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons | 4–6 | Scripted phonics | $29.99 list | Eager readers |
| Handwriting Without Tears | 3–5 | Pre-writing | $13.50 workbooks (K–1) | Fine motor |
| Abeka | 2–4 | Academic K4 | $58.40/mo K4 video | Early academics |
How to choose preschool homeschool curriculum
At ages 3 and 4, the goal is curiosity, language and confidence, not worksheets. Use these questions to narrow the list.
- Play-based or academic? Blossom and Root, Heart of Dakota and Timberdoodle lean on play, songs and hands-on activities. Abeka and Memoria Press are more academic. Most children do best with play first.
- How much reading aloud will you do? BookShark and Sonlight are built on picture books. If you love reading aloud, they are a joy; if not, choose a hands-on program.
- Faith content. Heart of Dakota, Sonlight, My Father's World and Abeka are Christian; CHC is Catholic; Blossom and Root, BookShark, Torchlight and Khan Academy Kids are secular.
- What comes next? Pick a publisher whose kindergarten you would also use, or plan the hand-off. See the best kindergarten homeschool curriculum.
What a preschool homeschool day can look like
| Time | Activity | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | Read-aloud | Two picture books from your curriculum or library |
| 10 minutes | Letters or numbers | A letter sound with a tracing page from our name tracing generator |
| 15 minutes | Hands-on | Playdough letters, sorting, a puzzle or a kitchen activity |
| Rest of the day | Play and outdoors | Nature walk, building, pretend play |
Not sure your child is ready for kindergarten work yet? Try our what grade is my child tool, or print free kindergarten worksheets to see how they respond.
What it costs (and how to get it funded)
As of October 2026, you can do preschool for free with Khan Academy Kids and the library, for about $30 to $110 with Torchlight, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons or the CHC kit, or for $270 to $460 with Memoria Press, BookShark, Timberdoodle's preschool and pre-K kits. Video K4 with Abeka runs $58.40 a month on its 10-month plan.
Some state education savings accounts and scholarship programs cover pre-K or preschool-age children, while others start at kindergarten. Each program decides. Save your picks to your Edulist wishlist, then check scholarships for your state, such as Arizona, Florida or Utah. You apply once and Edulist routes your application to programs that fit.
Mistakes to avoid
- Starting formal academics too early. If lessons end in tears, put the book away for a few weeks. Readiness varies widely at this age.
- Buying a big box for a 3-year-old. A $100 kit and a library card go a long way.
- Doing every activity. Preschool guides offer more than you need. Pick the ones your child enjoys.
- Skipping fine motor play. Cutting, playdough and puzzles build the hand strength writing needs later.
Planning ahead? Read the best kindergarten homeschool curriculum, the best free homeschool curriculum and the best homeschool curriculum overall. Browse all preschool homeschool curriculum on Edulist.
Want more for little learners? See the best learn-to-read programs for preschoolers and the best apps for toddlers.
See all preschool homeschool curriculum →
Sources
- Blossom and Root FAQ
- Heart of Dakota: Little Hands to Heaven
- Catholic Heritage Curricula
- Timberdoodle curriculum kits
- BookShark All-Subject Packages
- Sonlight All-Subjects Packages
- My Father's World pricing and specials
- Memoria Press Classical Core curriculum
- Torchlight Level Pre-K
- Khan Academy Kids download
- Simon & Schuster: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
- Learning Without Tears
- Abeka Academy pricing
Questions
Do I need a curriculum for homeschool preschool?
No. Reading aloud daily, talking, playing, cooking, drawing and time outdoors build most preschool skills. A curriculum helps if you want a plan, ideas each day or a gentle routine, and many good options cost under $150.
How long should homeschool preschool take each day?
Most preschool programs plan 15 to 45 minutes of guided activity. Heart of Dakota's Little Hands to Heaven, for example, takes about 30 minutes a day. Stop while your child is still enjoying it, and let play fill the rest of the day.
What is the best preschool curriculum for 3-year-olds?
For 3-year-olds, look for play-based programs with picture books and hands-on activities: Blossom and Root Early Years (ages 2 to 4), My Father's World All Aboard the Animal Train (ages 2 to 3), Heart of Dakota Little Hands to Heaven (ages 2 to 5) and Sonlight Preschool (ages 3 to 4).
What is the best preschool curriculum for 4-year-olds?
Four-year-olds can handle a bit more structure. Strong picks include BookShark Pre-K, Torchlight Pre-K, My Father's World Voyage of Discovery, Memoria Press preschool and the CHC preschool kit. Add Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons only if your child is eager to read.
Can scholarships or ESAs pay for preschool curriculum?
Some can, but eligibility for preschool-age children varies a lot by state and program. Save your picks to an Edulist wishlist and check your state's scholarship and ESA rules before buying.
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