Can you home educate on a budget? Practical tips and free resources

How much does home education cost in the UK?

Home education doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. You can shape it to fit your family’s budget and circumstances. You don’t need tutors, expensive subscriptions, or a stack of shiny new resources. The only unavoidable cost is exams later on, as families must cover these privately.

That said, it’s important to be honest. For most families, home education does mean one parent staying at home, which can bring financial challenges. I’ve felt that struggle myself. But even with the sacrifices, I’ve found my children’s happiness and freedom to learn outweigh the hardship.

When I think back to when my eldest children were in school, it was far from “free.” Uniforms, multiple PE kits, football boots, school shoes, bags, stationery, trips, travel, and even endless fundraising events all added up quickly. Home education costs can actually be lower by comparison.

Your best free resource

You are your child’s most valuable teacher. Your time, love, and encouragement matter more than anything you can buy. If you don’t know something, learn alongside your child. Following their interests is one of the simplest (and cheapest) ways to learn. We often picked a theme — rocks and gems, Vikings, Egypt, fungi — and built on it with books, art, science, and days out.

Avoid costly mistakes

Most of us have wasted money at some point on resources that ended up gathering dust. Before you rush to buy textbooks, apps, or “panic subscribe” to online programmes (I’ve done it too), give yourself time to settle in. Observe how your child learns best. Once you know their style, you’ll be able to choose resources more wisely.

There are plenty of free or low-cost options:

Libraries (and use the Libby app for free ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines)
Museums, galleries, and visitor attractions (some offer home ed discounts or home ed days if you ask)
Free downloads galore. Check out my ‘Resources’ section
Nature itself: woods, beaches, rivers, parks
National Trust and English Heritage properties - all brimming with learning opportunities

Adding extras

If your budget allows, you might choose extras like forest school, sports clubs, music lessons, subscription boxes, or group trips. These are wonderful, but far from essential. Learning happens everywhere, every day, without them.

Find your local community

Local home education Facebook groups are invaluable. They’re often the first place you’ll hear about group bookings, discounted resources, meetups, and events. Even if you don’t usually use Facebook, it’s worth joining — even under a pseudonym — because so much home ed information is shared there.

The truth is: home education can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. Children don’t need expensive resources to thrive. They need curiosity, encouragement, and the freedom to learn in ways that make sense to them — and none of that costs a penny.