Homeschool Enrichment: 5 Programs You Need to Try

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Homeschool enrichment subjects have a wonderful way of increasing a love of learning. It is a rabbit trail that you can go on for a very long time. Seriously.

It can be overwhelming deciding what is worth your time, what your children might enjoy, what is affordable, and what is just going to be too much (hello burnout!).

So, here’s the thing…homeschool enrichment should be like every other aspect of your homeschool journey. It should bring joy and add value to your home. If it doesn’t do either of those, that’s an easy way of knowing it isn’t right for your family.

So, what if you do want to add some enrichment to your homeschool? We’re going to talk about how to do that, exactly what that looks like, and some great options for achieving it. Just keep reading…

What is Homeschool Enrichment?

Homeschool enrichment is about adding studies to your homeschool that go beyond the core academic subjects of reading, writing, and arithmetic. They may include but are not limited to art, music, nature study, social studies, foreign language, and handicrafts.

The opportunities and ideas are almost endless and it means that you can really indulge your children in what they might be passionate about.

For instance, if you have a child with musical inclinations then you might pursue music studies or even dance.

A kinaesthetic learner with a mechanical mind would enjoy woodworking or handicrafts.

I personally feel as though homeschool enrichment studies provide more opportunities for slowing down and connecting with your children.

As homeschool parents, there’s less academic pressure and more chances to just bond as you study a topic together.

Do You Need Homeschool Enrichment Centers?

Homeschool enrichment centers didn’t exist when I was a child being homeschooled, and in fact, in New Zealand where I live, they still don’t exisit.

However, they seem to be a growing a valid option for many homeschool families in the United States.

So, what are they?

Homeschool enrichment centers give you the opportunity to have your homeschool students attend a class or a full program. You get to choose how much your child will attend. They don’t just offer enrichment subjects but also have core classes.

There are many different subjects available that are taught and it is a wonderful chance for your children to build community and learn with other students.

You can use them if you have young children, middle school, or high school students.

They work very well for some families. However, you absolutely do not need to have your child enrolled in one of these programs for a good educational experience.

They are a blessing but they are not a necessity whatsoever. You can entirely provide an enriched homeschooling experience all by yourself if that’s what you’d prefer.

Homeschool enrichment classes aren’t the only opportunity to engage you children and let them learn these subjects.

So, let’s talk about what enrichment study options are available.

The Best Affordable Homeschool Enrichment Programs to Try

We have used all of the below programs to some extent and I can recommend them to you. We do not use all of them all at the same time, and some work for some families better than others.

Most of them have free versions or a trial available which makes trying them out very easy.

#1 Night ZooKeeper for Creative Writing

Night ZooKeeper is an online creative writing program for children aged 5-12+

I have used this with my 6-year old son and have been very pleased. Writing is not something that his current Language Arts program has a heavy emphasis on.

Honestly, that’s not something that I’m upset about because at this age, handwriting is still something that is developing.

What I have loved about Night ZooKeeper is that my son can practice creative writing without having to actually write. It takes all the frustration away and just leaves opportunity to actually come up with stories.

You’ll find that it’s an interactive platform with lots of games and activities that will engage your child and improve their creative writing abilities.

They have weekly lessons which are paired with interactive activities, free worksheets, and weekly competitions where your child can win real-life prizes.

By using this link you can get a 50% discount on their annual subscription and a free 7-day trial. Prices are $59.99 for a single child, $77.99 for 2-3 children, and they do bespoke pricing if you have more than that – just reach out to them.

You can read more about it over on their site –> Night ZooKeeper

#2 Supernow

Supernow is another online learning platform that offers a lot for homeschool kids. Here are some of the main points you’ll want to know about:

• Supernow offers live, interactive classes for kids ages 4-10 across STEM, theater, movement, geography, arts and crafts and beyond. 
• They offer a free 7-day trial, plus their memberships for UNLIMITED classes start at just $9/month per family (you can’t beat the price)
• Supernow classes allow kids to interact and socialize with kids their age from around the world under the guidance and support of their caring, magical instructors 
• Supernow believes that kid-driven learning is the key to cultivating lifelong curiosity.  Learn Spanish through conversational games, practice STEM in their LEGO classes, and test your art history knowledge in their Super Musee Adventure classes – it’s learning through play that your kiddo will love.

I thoroughly agree with the concept of allowing for as much kid-led learning as possible. In my experience, my children engage better and retain information more long-term when they are interested in the subject.

If you aren’t a huge fan of screentime and would prefer for it to be used very intentionally, then Supernow is something worth considering.

You can grab a free trial here.

#3 Learning With Homer

We’ve tried almost all of the app-based reading programs and the only one that I’ve bought a year’s subscription for is Homer.

This one seems to just be at the right pace for my kids and is perfect for adding some light enrichment opportunities for them.

While they do have a specific reading pathway, there are lots of other things to explore such as music, art, poetry, and stories.

You can read more about it on the Learning with Homer website.

My son will often request to play this app in the evenings. Screen time is not something that I love but having an app like this makes me more comfortable with it.

#4 Hoffman Academy

Music is something that I grew up loving and surrounded by and I truly want the same for my children.

I love the opportunity is gives for people to connect and just enjoy time together.

Hoffman Academy was recommended over and over in several Facebook homeschool groups I’m in, so I decided to check it out.

They have a free version and a membership option.

Right now we just use the free version, but I think we’ll end up upgrading before too long because it really is wonderful.

Both my 6-year old and 4-year old are doing piano lessons and they’ve so enjoyed videos that are available.

You can check out the Hoffman Academy website for more. I love that they have it as a free option so you can really see what you’re getting.

#5 Simply Charlotte Mason

I’ve talked a lot about online programs and apps but when it comes to physical curriculum for enrichment studies, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something more wholesome than Simply Charlotte Mason. It is high quality and well put together.

We have loved their enrichment subjects because they are so simply laid out with just the right balance of instruction and flexibility.

Their enrichment subjects span from hymn study to art appreciation and many things in between.

Their price point is very affordable and I love that is all taught family style.

See more about it on the Simply Charlotte Mason website.

We used their habit study curriculum last year to work on good character traits and really enjoyed it. You can read more about that here in this post.

#6 A Year of Learning

Another beautifully rich program for your homeschool is A Year of Learning.

They actually have a couple of curriculums available with another on the way.

This year we are doing their A Year of Tales curriculum which follows along with the books by Beatrix Potter.

This curriculum truly is a feast of learning opportunities and you can pick and choose which you want to pursue.

For us personally, we use it for art, picture study, nature study, character training, handicrafts, and poetry. It has been a wonderful way of studying our natural world without feeling overwhelmed.

It is designed for preschool-elementary but it can definitely be adapted for use with older students. It is gentle and beautiful to do with younger students, but it can for sure be used for the entire family.

It is a complete curriculum, but you do not have to use it that way at all. We also do not do all of the enrichment studies in it. I just pick what will work for us.

Remember Your Community

There truly is a plethora of homeschool enrichment opportunities and programs available, but I also want to encourage you not to forget your own community.

Aunts, uncles, friends, grandparents, and cousins all have skills to share. By engaging with the community around you there will naturally be opportunities that present themselves.

Look at places nearby to see if you can take field trips or pay for tutoring in a subject.

When I was a child, we went for tours at a glass-blowing factory and a honey factory in our local community. I also did art lessons with a neighbour for a little while.

Your homeschool community can just be the community that you live in. It not only provides great educational experiences but also provides wholesome social interaction and social activities.

Joining local sports clubs can provide the perfect opportunity for outdoor education and physical education.

There are so many benefits to seeking enrichment opportunities this way.

Final Thoughts

Homeschool enrichment is a beautiful thing but it does have the potential to overwhelm.

You do not have to do all the things.

In fact, less is more.

Remember to always assess whether what you’re doing is adding to your family or taking away from it. Start small and work from there.

While it is a wonderful thing to be able to try a full array of enrichment activities, you also aren’t a failing homeschool mom if you keep things simple.

A quality education isn’t about how many classes your child takes.

Whether you choose to do all your enrichment studies at home or use unique part-time homeschool programs, you are in charge of your child’s education.