Best Homeschool History Curriculum and Books

I have to admit–history is my favorite homeschool subject to teach!

Plus, I love that a homeschool history curriculum allows kids to also learn about writing, handwriting, geography, sociology, philosophy, art, literature, bible, character training, and even science and math.

Truly, no other homeschool subject has such a wonderful cross-subject reach as history.

Here's a list of some of the best homeschool history curriculums, plus history books, history unit studies, history activity books and other history resources for homeschool families.

There are lots of options here because there really is no one “right” way to homeschool history. Choose what works for your family in this season!

If you're looking for a great history curriculum for your homeschool, you'll love this ultimate list of homeschool history resources!

Top Homeschool History Curriculum and Resources

Story of the World by Susan Wise Baeur

The Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Revised The Story of the World Volume 2: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance The Story of the World Volume 3: Early Modern Times The Story of the World Volume 4: The Modern Age: From Victoria's Empire to the End of the USSR

If you enjoy the idea of sitting by the fireplace and learning about history as if your grandpa was telling you a story, then I'd highly recommend the Story of the World‘s homeschool history curriculum!

Story of the World is written by Susan Wise Bauer, a well-known homeschool author and college professor who speaks about how to educate children using the Classical style (the Trivium).

Note: Read more about classical education here or get Susan Wise Bauer's awesome book about this style of learning The Well-Trained Mind.

We have used this four-volume history curriculum off-and-on throughout our homeschooling journey, and it's highly popular among many homeschoolers. I appreciate that there's an audio version of each book (a great way to review material in the car) and an accompanying activity book for each volume.

Story of the World is also extremely affordable and easily accessible, and can be used by the entire family to learn history at the same time. Additional subjects such as art and literature of the period are mentioned.

However, for high school history, I do feel that Story of the World does require a lot of supplemental resources to fully round itself out. But if you have a good list of supplemental history books (see below) and corresponding influential literature from each time period, Story of the World can still be a good fit.

While not expressly Christian, it is not necessarily anti-Christian either. Overall, I would highly, highly recommend these history books as one of the best history homeschool curriculum!

Mystery of History by Bright Ideas Press

Mystery of History Vol. 1: Creation to the Resurrection Mystery of History Vol. 2: The Early Church and the Middle Ages The Mystery of History, Vol. 3: The Renaissance, Reformation, and Growth of Nations Mystery of History Vol. 4

Mystery of History is a homeschool history curriculum that tells the chronological sequence of history by focusing on contributions in art, music, literature, science and philosophy.

Mystery of History is based on the teaching style of the Trivium (Classical learning style).

Note: Read more about classical education here or get Susan Wise Bauer's awesome book about this style of learning The Well-Trained Mind.

Written from a Christian perspective, Mystery of History is broken into four volumes:

The material is applicable to all grades, meaning that the family can all study the same subject together, which is a huge plus if you have a large family like I do!

Many families love the easy, storytelling nature of this homeschool history curriculum that tells about history from creation to modern times from a Christian perspective.

Tapestry of Grace by Lampstand Press

We used Tapestry of Grace for several years and loved it. We ended up leaving the curriculum only because our schooling situation changed slightly and it no longer fit.

Something I really appreciate about Tapestry of Grace is the amount of detail. They offer a huge amount of study material options for each grade level, and arrange that information by grade level. It really does allow moms to have a lot of options in how to teach.

This homeschool history curriculum also places an emphasis on memory work, which is a great way for kids to really retain what they're reading.

Tapestry of Grace tells history from a Christian perspective and is based on the Classical learning methodology. You can download a free three-week sample on their site to see if it's a good fit.

Our Family's Favorite Homeschool History Unit Studies

Time Travelers or Project Passport Activity-Based Studies

by Homeschool in the Woods

How can I describe these fun, interactive homeschool history resources? Well, instead of taking a more sequential, linear approach to studying several historical aspects, this curriculum focuses on one culture or time period in detail. And I mean in detail.

We went through both their Project Passport: Egypt and the Renaissance and Reformation studies and I am incredibly impressed by how thoroughly this homeschool history curriculum has covered the topic.

The kids and I also appreciate the many, many hands-on activities and have been having a ball with all the projects. Each study also includes lapbooking materials, timelines, audio files, newspapers, maps, and suggestions for additional reading material.

Best History Audio Dramas for Kids

Our family loves kids audio dramas, and so many of them tell great stories from history. I have a comprehensive post on top christian audio dramas for kids here, but here are the ones I'd consider using as part of a homeschool history curriculum.

Audio stories are a great way for kids to study history while riding around town or on a family road trip.

The Hiding Place (Radio Theatre)Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom (Radio Theatre)The Legend of Squanto (Radio Theatre) [Audiobook, Cd] [Audio Cd] Paul Mccusker Under Drake's Flag: The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty Beric the Briton – The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty The Dragon and the Raven – The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A Henty In the Reign of Terror – The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty In Freedom's Cause the Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty With Lee in Virginia: The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty

Top Homeschool History Books & History Activity Books

These books are awesome supplements to homeschool history curriculum. In some cases, you could even develop an entire history unit study using these resources!

Many of them offer fun, interactive history crafts and other activities. Others are wonderful history biographies for kids. You've got to check these homeschool history resources out!

NOTE: There are several homeschool history book series (or homeschool history publishers) that offer incredible history books by topic/era.

I've linked to ONE of the books from these homeschool history book publishers, but since they are Amazon links, I highly encourage you to click on each link and search within Amazon to see the full listing of history books that each history book publisher has available.

Magic Tree House Imagination Station Books The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia DK Books “For Kids” History Activity/Craft Books Dover History Coloring Book “If You Lived At The Time Of…” history books “You Wouldn't Want to Be…” history books “America in the Time Of…” history books DK Eyewitness Books Horrible Histories (good, but preview for your family first)“My America” History books “Dear America” history books Welcome to Samantha's World-1904: Growing Up in America's New Century (American Girl)George Washington “Value Tales” Historical biographies “Hands-On History” history activity and craft books “Christian Heroes: Then & Now” Christian missionary biographies

Other Homeschool Curriculum Ideas

Don't miss these other recommended homeschool curriculum lists!

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About Alicia Michelle

Alicia Michelle is a certified NeuroCoach™, Bible teacher, speaker and host of The Christian Mindset Coach Podcast and You Tube Show. More importantly, she’s a lover of Jesus, a wife of 21 years to her best friend, and mom of four amazing kids ages 19 to 10. Alicia struggled with overthinking, negative thoughts and “being enough” for most of her adult life until God radically transformed her heart after a life-threatening medical crisis. Now through her signature courses and coaching programs she loves equipping women with practical, scientific and biblically-based mindset tools to help them overcome negative thought patterns and discover more confident, joyful lives in Christ. Listen to her on the podcast or on You Tube; download free workshop trainings at VibrantChristianLiving.com; and connect on Facebook and Instagram.