We started homeschooling in 2013, and ever since, my family has made many a favorite memory and learned a lot thanks to the incredible array of homeschooling resources in Indiana. Homeschooling in Indiana can be a lot of fun! We’re lucky, Hoosiers! But homeschooling resources are not always easy to find. Hopefully, this post will change that. In this guide, you’ll find information about homeschooling in Indiana: field trip ideas, homeschool classes, highly recommended curriculums, and ways to find community. My hope is if you are new to homeschooling, this guide will offer you answers to the questions you have, places to begin, and a gentle place to land if you are feeling overwhelmed. On the other hand, if you are an old pro, I hope this guide offers you new resources and new places to explore.

Before we dive in, a few notes about homeschooling- one of my favorite things about homeschooling in Indiana is we create our days. What can feel like a lot at first will eventually settle. If you’re new to homeschooling, give yourself and your children at least six months to de-school. It’s necessary! If you don’t, you’ll risk burnout. The field trips ideas below are a perfect place to start homeschooling. Choose a place to visit. Check out books related to where you’re going and what your child finds interesting. Get curious with them. Play, draw pictures, write stories, and go on scavenger hunts. Don’t worry about what they are learning. They are learning a lot, I promise!

Homeschooling in Indiana

This guide primarily focuses on Central Indiana because that is where we live. However, if you have a resource for other parts of the state, please email me, and I’ll add it.

State Rules and Guidelines

Indiana does not require homeschoolers to register, take state tests, or turn in portfolios. The curriculum you choose is also up to you. The only requirement is students have 180 days of instruction. You decide which days and how many hours of instruction you will provide. You can find more information and register, if you want to, here.

Choosing a Curriculum

There are many options, so finding a curriculum can be daunting. The first thing to know is you do not have to choose a curriculum. For example, I often use novels, nature, and my children’s interests to build unit studies. Curriculums can be convenient, however, and we often use them for science and math.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself and the curriculums we love and use.

1. Are you looking for secular or religious, or are you open to either?
2. Do your kids thrive with hands-on learning or do they do well with workbook based learning?
3. Are you interested in book work or online work?
4. Will your kids be working independently or will you or another adult be present to facilitate the learning?
5. What skills does your child need to focus on?
6. What are your child’s main interests?
7. What are must dos for you? What do you want to make sure your child focuses on each day or week?
8. Can subjects can be combined? History and Literature, for instance.

All-in-one Curriculums We Recommend

BookShark– secular and literature-based, offers both book and online options.

Oak Meadow– secular, Waldorf, offers both book and online options

Math

CTC math is what we use and love.

Science

We use BookShark for science and highly recommend their year-long studies.

History

We also use BookShark for history. We loved their US Elections Lapbook and this History/Literature curriculum!

English Language Arts

I am an English teacher, so I often create my curriculum or use resources I learned about when I was in school. You can find many of these resources on this website. Also, check out my posts on reading and writing.

I also offer reading and writing classes and one-on-one sessions on Outschool.

Art

My daughter loves Art History Kids and Masterpiece Society.

Taking Field Trips

One of the best ways to homeschool is to take field trips! Here are the places my children love to visit. Filled with things to learn, we try to go as often as we can.

NOTE- Many places participate in the Access Pass program. If your family qualifies, I highly recommend joining. It allowed us to take field trips when we did not have the finances to do so.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – Plan to spend all day here. It is the largest children’s museum in the country and offers something for every age.

Wonderlab– If your family travels and goes to museums, it is 100% worth getting a Wonderlab membership. We have saved hundreds all over the country, thanks to our membership. If you are local, Wonderlab is also the perfect place to go for an hour or many.

Indianapolis Zoo– This is another day trip for us. If we were closer to Indy, we’d get a membership and go often. A huge perk to homeschooling is you can visit places when there are no crowds.

Conner Prairie– Plan to spend the day and be sure to look for their homeschool days to save on admission.

Eagle Creek Park– Lots to do here. They also have homeschooling programs. You’ll want to get on their mailing list and be ready to sign up for them as soon as you can register.

Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana State Museum, New Fields Art Museum are all great places to visit in Indianapolis. Also, check their event calendars for homeschool programs and special events.

We love to visit The Eskenazi Museum, Mathers Museum, Glen A. Black Laboratory of Archeology, and Jordan Hall Greenhouses. Call or email them to find out what they offer for homeschoolers.

Hiking is also a big part of our homeschool life. Here are our favorite places to explore.

Field Trips in Kentucky

These field trips are worth the drive!

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest- check their calendar for homeschool classes or go and explore.

Mammoth Cave National Park– offers tours and ranger-led programs. Be sure to do the Junior Ranger Program while you’re there!

Newport Aquarium is a fantastic place to learn and play.

Taking Classes and Workshops

Another great part of homeschooling is the classes and workshops available to our learners. We don’t have to do it all! It’s important for our learners to have outside-of-the-home experiences and mentors, and it’s good for parents to get a break! Below are the classes my children take and have taken. All were loved.

NOTE- If your family needs assistance, be sure to ask about scholarships and tuition assistance. Most places offer it and are happy to help.

Cardinal Stage– An awesome place to see plays. We have often taken a small group of homeschoolers to the student matinees and enjoyed the smaller crowd and lower prices. Contact them to find out how. Their website also includes lesson plans and extension activities for many of their plays.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis– We often go when they are offering a homeschool program. They are fantastic, and you save on the price of admission. My children have taken science, writing, engineering, and holiday-themed classes there.

Hilary Anderson– highly recommended for private and group art lessons. Hilary is my daughter’s art teacher, and we have taken her group classes. I also used to teach with Hilary. She is fun, energetic, and an excellent teacher. Hilary offers lessons out of her home and on Outschool.

Hunter’s Honey Farm– tour, taste, and make candles!

Indiana State Parks– Check out individual park websites and get on mailing lists. Many parks offer classes and experiences.

Ivy Tech for Kids– offers a variety of classes during the school year and summer. My children have loved everything they have taken, including magic, cooking, art, and engineering. We have been impressed by the staff. Very affordable!

Little Tree– Leslie creates small group, Waldorf classes in Bloomington. Classes include art, plays, games, and music. Leslie is like a fairy godmother; she helped my very reluctant child take a class without me for the first time. She holds these classes in her home. I highly recommend Little Tree for PreK and elementary students. Contact me for her direct info.

Monroe County Public Library– check their calendar for homeschool classes and youth programs. Their teen center is also a great place to socialize and meet/make friends.

Wild Nature Project– Both of my children love these programs and camps. A wonderful blend of community building, leadership skills, and nature skills. Kids will come home dirty and have learned a lot!

The Warehouse– homeschool art classes and places to meet and play.

Young Women Writing for (a) Change– creative writing classes for 4th grade and up. Both of my children have greatly benefited from these workshops and the community.

Community

Perhaps the most challenging part of homeschooling, finding a community is not always easy, but it is essential! Our kids need friends, and knowing other homeschoolers allows us to collaborate, create co-ops, and talk to people who get it.

Bloomington Homeschool Bulletin on Facebook is a group I started with friends years ago. It is a great place to connect with other homeschoolers and find out homeschool-related information.

Not in Bloomington, search FB for local homeschool groups in your area. If you can’t find one, start your own. So many of us have had to, and while it takes some work, it is worth it! If you are looking for community, others are too!

Over the years, my children have participated in many homeschool activities started and led by homeschoolers. I have also led many because if what our kids need and want doesn’t exist, why not create it. We’ve done hiking clubs, park days, cooking clubs, book clubs, art camps, reading and writing co-ops, and circus arts, to name a few.

I have not homeschooled in other states, so I don’t have much to compare, but if you think about homeschooling, I can say that our homeschooling experience in Indiana has been wonderful. I would do it again and again and again.

If you need any help, I’d love to work with you!

Best of luck!