Best History Curriculum for Homeschool: 6 Approaches Compared

The best history curriculum for most homeschool families is Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer. It covers all of world history chronologically across four volumes, reads aloud beautifully, includes an activity guide with maps, coloring pages, and projects, and works for children ages 5-12 — making it ideal for multi-age families. However, the best choice for your family depends on your educational philosophy, whether you prefer a secular or faith-based perspective, and how much time you want to invest in preparation. Below, we compare six outstanding history curricula and the approaches behind them.

Why History Matters in Homeschool

History is the subject that ties everything else together. When children understand history, literature makes more sense, geography has context, science has a story, and art has meaning. Yet history is also the subject that most elementary schools teach the worst — isolated facts, disconnected timelines, and dry textbook paragraphs that drain the life from the most fascinating stories ever told.

Homeschool families have a tremendous advantage here. You can teach history through living books, real artifacts, family trips to historical sites, and rich discussions around the dinner table. You can linger on the periods that fascinate your child and move quickly through those that do not. You can make history personal, relevant, and alive.

The curricula below represent six different approaches to making that happen.

1. Story of the World (Classical/Narrative)

Story of the World (SOTW) by Susan Wise Bauer is a four-volume world history series that covers ancient civilizations through the modern era in a narrative, read-aloud style. It is the most popular history curriculum among homeschoolers by a wide margin.

The four volumes:

• Volume 1: Ancient Times (5000 BC to 400 AD)
• Volume 2: The Middle Ages (400 to 1600)
• Volume 3: Early Modern Times (1600 to 1850)
• Volume 4: The Modern Age (1850 to present)

How it teaches: Each chapter tells a story — not a textbook summary, but an engaging narrative with characters, drama, and vivid details. The accompanying Activity Guide provides maps, coloring pages, review questions, narration prompts, and hands-on projects for each chapter. Audio versions narrated by Jim Weiss are available and beloved.

Pros:

• Engaging, well-written narrative that children genuinely enjoy hearing
• Chronological approach builds a coherent understanding of how civilizations connect
• Activity Guide provides everything you need for multi-sensory learning
• Audio versions are outstanding — perfect for car rides and independent listening
• Works beautifully for ages 5-12, making it ideal for multi-age families
• Can be cycled through twice — once in early elementary, again with deeper reading in upper elementary
• Enormous community of users sharing supplemental resources, book lists, and project ideas
• Secular in presentation despite the author's Christian faith

Cons:

• Some chapters oversimplify complex events (inevitable in a survey course)
• The Western civilization emphasis has been criticized — non-Western cultures receive less depth
• Activity Guide projects can require advance planning and material gathering
• Four volumes represent a four-year commitment
• Volume 4 (Modern Age) is sometimes considered weaker than the earlier volumes
• No built-in literature list — you need to find supplemental living books yourself

Best for: Ages 5-12. The best starting point for families new to homeschool history. Its narrative approach, multi-age flexibility, and enormous community support make it the safest and most effective first choice. Pairs beautifully with living books from the library and a timeline on your wall.

2. Beautiful Feet Books (Literature-Based)

Beautiful Feet Books takes a purely literature-based approach to history. Instead of a textbook or narrative spine, children read through a carefully sequenced collection of living books — historical fiction, biographies, and primary sources — with a study guide that provides discussion questions and activities.

How it teaches: Each study guide organizes a reading list chronologically and provides lesson plans, discussion questions, vocabulary, geography activities, and writing prompts tied to each book. The child's history education emerges from reading great literature rather than studying a text.

Pros:

• Living books are more engaging and memorable than any textbook
• Children develop a deep, personal connection to historical figures and events
• The book selections are excellent and often become family favorites
• Study guides are well-organized and easy to follow
• Available for multiple periods and topics (Ancient, Medieval, American, Geography)
• Develops reading skills and historical knowledge simultaneously
• A natural fit for Charlotte Mason families

Cons:

• Requires purchasing or finding many specific books (library availability varies)
• Coverage can be uneven — literature does not exist equally for all time periods and cultures
• Less systematic than a textbook approach — gaps are possible
• More expensive if you buy all the books new
• Requires a parent who enjoys reading aloud and discussing books
• Less structured for families who prefer a clear, scheduled routine

Best for: Ages 6-12. Families who love reading together and want history to feel like storytime rather than school. Beautiful Feet is what history education should feel like — personal, emotional, and unforgettable.

3. Mystery of History (Christian/Classical)

Mystery of History by Linda Lacour Hobar covers world history chronologically from a Christian perspective, integrating biblical events into the historical timeline. It is one of the most thorough Christian history curricula available.

How it teaches: Each lesson covers a historical figure, event, or period in a short, engaging narrative (about 2-3 pages). Lessons include review activities, hands-on projects, mapping exercises, and timeline figures. The program explicitly places biblical events alongside secular historical events on the timeline.

Pros:

• Integrates biblical and secular history into a unified chronological narrative
• Short lessons (15-20 minutes of reading) are easy to fit into busy days
• Thorough coverage of world history across four volumes
• Timeline figures and mapping activities reinforce learning
• The author's writing style is engaging and approachable
• Works well for multi-age families
• Strong supplemental resources available (notebooking pages, audio, tests)

Cons:

• Explicitly Christian — not appropriate for secular families
• The integration of biblical events as historical fact may not align with all Christian traditions
• Some topics are simplified for the broad age range
• Less literature-rich than Beautiful Feet or Sonlight
• Can feel like a lot of reading if you also have a literature program
• Supplemental materials add cost

Best for: Ages 6-14. Christian families who want a comprehensive world history that explicitly includes biblical history. Mystery of History does something few other programs attempt — placing the Bible within the full sweep of human history.

4. Sonlight History (Literature-Rich, Scheduled)

Sonlight builds its history program around curated literature packages — a combination of a history spine, read-alouds, and readers — with detailed instructor guides that schedule every day of reading for 36 weeks.

How it teaches: Each Sonlight "level" includes a history spine (often Story of the World or a similar text), supplemental historical fiction and nonfiction, read-aloud books, and independent readers. The instructor guide tells you exactly which pages to read each day, provides discussion questions, and tracks your progress.

Pros:

• Beautifully curated literature lists that expose children to outstanding books
• Instructor guides schedule everything — no planning required
• The combination of spine + living books provides both structure and depth
• Discussion questions develop critical thinking and comprehension
• Read-alouds and readers serve double duty for language arts
• Multiple history "threads" available (world history, American history)
• Very strong community with active forums

Cons:

• Expensive — full packages can cost $200-$400 per level
• Christian worldview woven throughout (though more balanced than some alternatives)
• The sheer volume of books can feel overwhelming
• Requires significant daily read-aloud time from a parent
• You are locked into Sonlight's book choices — less flexibility than a DIY approach
• Some book selections may not be available at your local library

Best for: Ages 5-14. Families who want an exceptional literature-based history education without the work of curating and scheduling books themselves. If you value high-quality literature and are willing to invest financially, Sonlight delivers an outstanding history education.

5. History Quest (Pandia Press) — Secular

History Quest by Pandia Press is the most explicitly secular history curriculum available for homeschoolers. It covers world history chronologically with engaging text, full-color maps, timeline figures, and hands-on activities.

How it teaches: Each chapter includes a narrative reading, map work, timeline activities, discussion questions, and optional hands-on projects. The text is written in an engaging, age-appropriate style that makes historical events interesting without editorializing.

Pros:

• Fully secular — the strongest option for families wanting no religious framing
• Well-written, engaging narrative text
• Full-color maps and beautiful production quality
• Timeline figures and map activities included
• Multicultural perspective with strong non-Western coverage
• From the same publisher as Real Science Odyssey (Pandia Press), so style is consistent
• Affordable as a digital download

Cons:

• Newer program with a smaller community than SOTW or Sonlight
• Fewer supplemental resources available from the community
• Less literature-rich than Beautiful Feet or Sonlight — primarily a spine approach
• Not all volumes are available yet (the series is still being completed)
• No audio version currently available
• Requires supplementing with living books for depth

Best for: Ages 6-12. Secular families who want a history spine that presents events from a neutral, multicultural perspective. History Quest is the answer for families who love the idea of Story of the World but want a fully secular alternative.

6. Build Your Library History (Secular, Charlotte Mason)

Build Your Library (BYL) is a secular, Charlotte Mason-inspired program that builds history education around living books, narration, and a chronological timeline. It intentionally includes diverse perspectives and voices.

How it teaches: Each level includes a history spine, supplemental living books, read-alouds, and Charlotte Mason practices (narration, timeline, mapwork). The instructor guide schedules daily readings and provides discussion questions. History is integrated with literature, geography, and art appreciation.

Pros:

• Fully secular with intentional diversity and inclusion
• Living books approach brings history alive through story
• Charlotte Mason practices (narration, timeline) develop retention and critical thinking
• Integrates history with literature, geography, and art
• Well-organized instructor guides with daily schedules
• Strong commitment to representing diverse cultures and perspectives
• Active, supportive community of secular homeschoolers

Cons:

• Requires purchasing many books (library helps, but some titles may be hard to find)
• Newer program with a smaller user base than SOTW or Sonlight
• Can feel book-heavy for families with reluctant readers
• Math and science are separate programs
• More expensive when you factor in all the living books
• Charlotte Mason practices (narration, copywork) require parent training to implement well

Best for: Ages 5-14. Secular families who want a Charlotte Mason-inspired history education with strong representation of diverse cultures. BYL is the most thoughtfully curated secular history program available.

How to Teach History to Multiple Ages

One of the great advantages of homeschool history is that it works beautifully as a family subject. Here is how to teach one history curriculum to children spanning several ages:

The Spine Approach

Choose one history narrative (like Story of the World) and read it aloud to everyone. Then differentiate:

• Ages 4-6: Listen to the read-aloud, do coloring pages, look at picture books on the topic, act out scenes with toys or costumes
• Ages 7-9: Listen or read independently, complete map work and timeline figures, narrate what they learned orally, read supplemental picture books
• Ages 10-12: Read independently, write narrations, read chapter-level living books on the topic, complete research projects, create detailed timeline entries

Everyone learns the same historical period at the same time, but the depth and output are age-appropriate. This approach is efficient, builds family knowledge and conversation, and eliminates the need to teach multiple separate history courses.

Building a History-Rich Home

Beyond any curriculum, these practices create a home where history is alive:

1. Put a timeline on your wall — a simple, growing timeline that the whole family adds to throughout the year connects isolated events into a story
2. Visit historical sites — battlefields, living history museums, historical homes, and even local cemeteries bring history off the page
3. Read historical fiction at bedtime — children absorb more history through a great story than through any lesson
4. Watch quality historical documentaries — Ken Burns documentaries, Liberty's Kids, and similar productions make excellent supplements
5. Cook historical foods — making hardtack, Roman bread, or Civil War-era recipes makes history deliciously tangible
6. Connect to your family's own history — interview grandparents, explore family immigration stories, and place your family on the timeline

Our Recommendation

For most homeschool families, start with Story of the World. It is affordable, engaging, flexible enough for multi-age families, and supported by the largest community of homeschool history educators. Supplement with living books from the library, a timeline on your wall, and whatever hands-on activities catch your child's imagination.

If you need a strictly secular option, choose History Quest as your spine or Build Your Library for a complete Charlotte Mason-inspired package.

If you want history that feels like storytime and you are willing to invest in books, Beautiful Feet Books or Sonlight History will give your children the richest literary history education available.

And regardless of which curriculum you choose, remember this: the goal of elementary history is not to memorize dates and names. It is to develop a sense of the human story — the understanding that the world did not begin when they were born, that people before them struggled and triumphed and created, and that they are part of an ongoing narrative. A child who finishes elementary school with that understanding has a foundation for everything that follows.