Resources
Thoughtfully Chosen Tools for Travel-Centered Homeschooling
This page exists to reduce decision fatigue.
Every resource listed here is included because it works in real travel conditions: limited space, uneven energy, interrupted weeks, and changing environments.
Nothing here is aspirational.
Everything here is functional.
Everything below is either used by and/or tested by us, on our “wishlist” of things we know will be useful in future endeavors, or heavily researched by us. In the case of any curriculum materials, they are again, either used by us personally, used by others we know who successfully travel while homeschooling, or were on our list of programs to choose from that did not match our children’s needs but would have been great for another situation.
Physical Homeschooling Tools For Travel
Kindle Paperwhite
Telescoping Binders with Page protectors and loose leaf notebook pages
Travel Ready Bookbag (to attach to your carryon for smooth sailing at airports)
Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones and Hardshell Travel Case
Lenovo 2-in-1 IdeaPad for virtual courses and/or research and word processing tools (highly recommend the smaller size 14 over the larger 16 inch version)
Broad Topic Virtual Platforms (Enrichment)
IXL
Generation Genius – Wonderfully engaging science lessons. They also provide math and ELA.
Math
Math breaks down first when families travel. These programs are chosen for clarity, structure, and portability.
Kindergarten–Grade 2
Math with Confidence (Kate Snow): links for Kindergarten, first, and second grade
- Scripted, hands-on, and low-stress
- Minimal materials, short lessons – I highly recommend printing the pages at the back of the book on cardstock and placing them in a page protector in a dedicated math binder.
- Strong number sense without screens
Singapore Math – Primary Mathematics (K–2)
- Visual models and concrete-to-abstract progression
- Works well with manipulatives
- Clear lesson flow even with missed days
Grades 3–6
Singapore Math – Primary Mathematics / Dimensions
- Deep conceptual understanding
- Modular units adapt well to travel weeks
- Note also that there is an e-singapore math that teaches this method digitally without need for textbooks. Useful for those consistently on the move.
Math-U-See (with Virtual Manipulatives)
- Strong for visual learners
- Virtual blocks replace physical materials
- Easy to pause and resume
Beast Academy (Online and/or Books)
- Excellent for advanced or math-curious students
- Engaging, self-directed lessons
- Online platform travels extremely well (we use this one and AoPS below for our kids)
Grades 7–12
- Rigorous, independent learning – competition math, logic and puzzle focused
- Online courses and texts work well remotely
- The recommended next step for those who finish the Beast Academy platform and who love math (it is rigorous)
- Another rigorous option for those wanting a more traditional approach
- We toggle in deciding between this one and AoPS each year
- K-12 Option
- Automated grading
- Predictable pacing
- Lower parent oversight during busy travel seasons
History & Social Studies
Core History Spine (All Ages)
Story of the World (Susan Wise Bauer)
- Chronological, narrative-based
- Grows with the child
- Audiobook format is ideal for travel days
Foreign Language
Elementary–Middle School
- Practical vocabulary
- Often free through libraries
- Best for short, consistent exposure
Middle–High School
- Conversational immersion
- Excellent for families traveling abroad
Pimsleur Audio Courses (get a free 7 day trial with this link)
- Listening-focused
- Ideal for trains and car travel
Travel-Based Learning – Europe
Europe4Kids – Kid-Centric Private Travel Guides
- Created specifically for children
- Explains history and culture at a child’s level
- Makes museums and cities meaningful, not overwhelming
- We used this group for Rome, Vatican City and Athens. They were wonderful in each.
Mission books: Rome, Florence, London, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris
- Scavenger Hunt based learning through cities, broken into city segments.
- Makes kids excited to explore and to instantly feel comfortable in their new surroundings (we love these).
- More cost effective than personal travel guides.
Kindle Library Essentials
Ages 6–8
Ages 9–12
Ages 12–15
Audiobooks (Parent-Approved)
- Harry Potter (Jim Dale or Stephen Fry)
- Chronicles of Narnia
- The Penderwicks
- A Series of Unfortunate Events
- The Hobbit
Audiobooks are invaluable on:
- travel days
- recovery days
- light academic weeks
Screen-Free Entertainment
Magnetic Tangram
Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza
Apps That Actually Help
Learning
- Libby/ OverDrive – free ebooks & audiobooks
- Hoopla – another audiobook/ebook platform
- Notion – weekly planning and tracking
Travel & Organization
- Google Maps (Offline Mode)
- Rome2Rio – transportation planning
- Google Drive – document storage
Planning Tools
Visual Timer
- Encourages independent work blocks
Weekly Reset Checklist (Printable)
- Prevents burnout
- Included in our paid guide
Want the Full System?
Homeschooling Through Travel: A Reality-Based Guide
This guide connects everything here into a single, sustainable system:
- weekly (not daily) scheduling
- visual planning tools
- decision trees for real-world disruptions
- sample weeks across ages
Transparency
Some links are affiliate links.
They never influence inclusion.
This page exists to help families make informed decisions — not to sell a lifestyle.