What to Teach in Kindergarten Homeschool: A Seasonal Guide
Inside: Let’s see what to teach in kindergarten homeschool with this seasonal guide! Includes indoor, outdoor, and forest school ideas for year-round learning.
Homeschooling a kindergartener is a rewarding and flexible journey. Whether you’re just starting out or adjusting your current plan, it’s helpful to think of your kindergarten homeschool curriculum in seasons — weaving together indoor lessons and outdoor adventures all year long.
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What to Teach in Kindergarten Homeschool: A Seasonal Guide
The seasonal approach allows you to naturally follow your child’s curiosity, align with the rhythms of nature, and enjoy both structured learning and hands-on discovery. Kids, especially at the kindergarten age, are still learning best through play. I didn’t homeschool kindergarten; instead, we did hands-on learning, reading books, and drawing and writing.
Autumn Kindergarten Homeschool Ideas
Autumn is a wonderful time to launch your kindergarten homeschool for the year. The changing leaves and harvest season offer plenty of inspiration for both indoor and outdoor learning. Even if you don’t follow the traditional school year, this is when a lot of schools are going back to the classsroom.
The change of any season is great for starting a new routine or schedule.
Core Subjects to Focus On:
- Early Literacy: Letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and beginning sight words.
- Math: Counting objects, recognizing numbers 0-20, simple patterns, and one-to-one correspondence.
- Science: Explore seasonal changes, leaves, weather patterns, and animals preparing for winter.
Autumn Activities:
- Leaf hunts and tree identification walks as part of your kindergarten forest school.
- Collect leaves for sorting by color, size, or type.
- Read autumn-themed homeschooling kindergarten books like Leaf Man or The Little Yellow Leaf.
- Use kindergarten homeschool worksheets for tracing letters, counting acorns, or coloring fall scenes.
- Practice sequencing with apple life cycle activities.
- Make simple nature crafts: leaf rubbings, pumpkin painting, or stick mobiles.
Autumn Alphabet Matching
Engage your students in alphabet mastery this fall with this fun, hands-on Autumn Alphabet Matching Set! Perfect for reinforcing letter recognition and beginning sounds, this seasonal resource makes learning exciting and interactive.
Winter Kindergarten Homeschool Ideas
Winter brings shorter days and colder weather — a perfect opportunity for cozy indoor learning and crisp outdoor fun. There are things that you can’t clearly see outside in the summer that fresh snow will show you, like animal tracks.
Core Subjects to Focus On:
- Reading: Continue phonics and sight words, introduce beginner readers.
- Math: Simple addition and subtraction with manipulatives like buttons or beads.
- Science: Weather tracking, hibernation, and learning about Arctic animals.
Winter Activities:
- Read homeschooling kindergarten books about snow, polar animals, and winter traditions.
- Build a weather chart for daily observation.
- Use kindergarten homeschool worksheets for winter-themed counting, letter matching, and early writing.
- Go on a forest school curriculum style hike, looking for animal tracks in the snow.
- Indoor nature crafts: pinecone bird feeders, paper snowflakes, or ice painting.
- Study how water freezes and melts with simple science experiments.
Spring Kindergarten Homeschool Ideas
Spring invites fresh energy into your kindergarten homeschool schedule. It’s a natural time for exploring life cycles, planting, and nature journaling.
This is a great time to let your kids get outside and get dirty. Let them make mud pies, teach them about growing plants.
Core Subjects to Focus On:
- Literacy: Build reading fluency with predictable books and write simple sentences.
- Math: Continue addition/subtraction, introduce measuring with real objects.
- Science: Focus on plant life cycles, insects, and weather changes.
Spring Activities:
- Start a small garden or plant seeds in cups.
- Observe insects and create a bug journal.
- Read homeschooling kindergarten books about rain, flowers, and baby animals.
- Use kindergarten homeschool curriculum free nature scavenger hunts.
- Include preschool forest school activities like stream walks, frog watching, and wildflower identification.
- Try mud kitchen play for sensory and math exploration.
Summer Kindergarten Homeschool Ideas
In summer, embrace a relaxed kindergarten homeschool schedule while keeping learning alive through play and adventure.
Core Subjects to Focus On:
- Literacy: Encourage reading aloud and story retelling.
- Math: Reinforce counting, patterns, and problem-solving in daily life.
- Science: Focus on insects, weather patterns, and the water cycle.
Summer Activities:
- Host a backyard storytime picnic with your favorite kindergarten homeschool books.
- Use sidewalk chalk for number and letter games.
- Take learning to the beach, lake, or park for hands-on discovery.
- Collect shells or rocks and sort by size, color, or texture.
- Join a local forest school curriculum group or create your own play-based outdoor meetups.
- Explore sun safety and simple nature-based science experiments like shadow tracking.
Kindergarten Homeschool Essentials
To make your year smoother, gather a few essentials:
- Kindergarten homeschool supplies: crayons, child-safe scissors, glue sticks, counting bears, alphabet magnets, books, and notebooks.
- A mix of kindergarten homeschool curriculum free resources (like printable worksheets and scavenger hunts) and affordable curriculum guides.
- Access to quality kindergarten homeschool books — many libraries have homeschool-friendly lending programs.
- A simple daily routine, with time for reading, math, outdoor play, and free choice.
Summer Reading Log
These summer reading activities are perfect to send home with students over the summer! This summer reading log is no prep to send home with your students for the summer break!
Do You Need a Formal Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum?
Many families successfully homeschool kindergarten using a blend of free resources, books, and outdoor activities. If you prefer a structured plan, look for the best kindergarten homeschool curriculum that fits your teaching style and your child’s needs — whether that’s a boxed program, an online course, or a nature-based kindergarten forest school curriculum.
Homeschooling kindergarten doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a seasonal mindset and a balance of indoor and outdoor learning, you can create a joyful, engaging experience for your child. Use this guide as inspiration and adjust to suit your family’s rhythm.
Whether you’re following a formal kindergarten homeschool curriculum or crafting your own mix of kindergarten homeschool activities, the goal is to nurture curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning — one season at a time.
Want More?
Autumn Morning Work for Preschool & Kindergarten
