Kids Building a Bee House for Bee Unit Study

What Are Homeschool Unit Studies? A Beginner’s Guide

By: Knowledge Crates

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If you’ve spent any time researching homeschool curriculum options, chances are you’ve come across the term homeschool unit studies. Maybe you’ve wondered what exactly a unit study is, how it works, or if it could be a good fit for your family. If so, you’re in the right place!


In this post, I’ll break down what homeschool unit studies are, why so many homeschool families (including mine!) love using them, and how they can make your homeschool days more fun, meaningful, and even easier to plan. Plus, I’ll share a free resource to help you get started.


Let’s dive in!

What Is a Homeschool Unit Study?

A homeschool unit study is a way of teaching that focuses on one theme or topic at a time, weaving in different subjects like reading, writing, science, art, history, and even math—all centered around that topic. (You may have also heard these called thematic units.)


Instead of learning each subject separately, kids explore a topic in depth and make connections across different subjects. For example, if you’re doing a space unit study, you might:


  • Read books about planets and astronauts (reading)

  • Build a solar system model (science & art)

  • Write a short story about a space adventure (writing)

  • Measure distances between planets (math)

  • Create chalk pastel planet art (art)

All of those activities are connected to one central theme: space! That’s the heart of how homeschool unit studies work—integrating multiple subjects in a meaningful, engaging way.

space unit study making constellations

Why Do Homeschool Families Love Unit Studies?

There are so many reasons homeschoolers are drawn to unit studies. Here are just a few:


  • They’re flexible and adaptable. You can tailor a unit study to your child’s age, interests, and learning style.

  • They work well for teaching multiple ages together. If you’re homeschooling siblings, unit studies let everyone learn about the same topic at their own level.

  • They allow for deeper learning. Instead of rushing from one subject to another, kids can immerse themselves in a topic and really make meaningful connections.

  • They make learning fun! Homeschool unit studies are naturally hands-on and engaging, filled with projects, crafts, experiments, and creative activities.

  • They encourage curiosity and interest-led learning. Many families (including mine!) use unit studies to follow their kids’ passions and interests.

  • They help kids retain information. When children are involved in making, building, writing, and experimenting around one topic, they tend to remember what they’ve learned.

What Does a Unit Study Look Like?

Every homeschool unit study will look a little different depending on the topic, but most include a combination of:


  • Books: both fiction and nonfiction

  • Hands-on activities: like experiments, art projects, or crafts

  • Writing opportunities: from copywork to creative writing

  • Math connections: measuring, counting, graphing, or problem-solving

  • Games, songs, and movement activities

  • Real-world experiences: like nature walks, field trips, or cooking

Some families like to plan their own unit studies from scratch, gathering books and activities around a chosen theme. Others prefer open-and-go options like our homeschool unit study kits, which include everything you need to get started. And lots mix and match, sometimes using ready-to-go kits, other times putting it together themselves.

Penguins Unit Study Kit

Common Themes for Homeschool Unit Studies

One of the best things about homeschool unit studies is that you can create them around pretty much anything your child is curious about! Some popular themes include:


If you’re looking for even more inspiration, we offer a free 100 Unit Study Ideas PDF —a huge list of creative themes you can use in your homeschool. 💯

Desert Unit Study Mat

How to Get Started with Homeschool Unit Studies

Starting a homeschool unit study doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a simple way to begin:


  1. Choose a Topic: Pick something your child is excited about or something you’re already planning to cover.

  2. Gather Books & Resources: Check your local library or pull books from your own shelves.

  3. Plan a Few Activities: Include a mix of reading, writing, hands-on projects, and maybe a fun field trip or nature walk.

  4. Use a Planner: If you like having things organized, grab our free Unit Study Mini Planner to help you map out your unit.

If planning sounds overwhelming, don’t worry! We’ve created a full line of open-and-go homeschool unit study kits that come with everything you need—books, materials, instructions, and activities—all in one box.

Explore the Ocean Unit Study Kit

Can Unit Studies Be Used as a Full Curriculum?

A question many families ask is: Can I use homeschool unit studies as our full curriculum?


The answer is—it depends! Some families use unit studies as their primary homeschool method, designing studies around science, history, geography, and art topics, while using a separate math and phonics program alongside.


Others prefer to use unit studies to supplement their core curriculum, adding variety and hands-on learning to their homeschool routine.


Either way, homeschool unit studies are an excellent tool to create meaningful, connected learning experiences.


Personally for our homeschool family (currently finishing kindergarten and third grade), our approach is to use a yearlong math and ELA curriculum, and then to tie in everything else via unit studies.

Why I Love Unit Studies in Our Homeschool

As a homeschool mom with six years of this under my belt, I’ve used all kinds of curriculum over the years, but unit studies are one of my favorite ways to teach. There’s something special about learning together as a family, diving deep into a topic, and seeing my kids light up when they make connections across subjects.


Homeschool unit studies make homeschool learning more natural, meaningful, and honestly—more fun.

Desert Unit Study Project Poster

Free Resources to Help You Get Started

To make it even easier to begin using homeschool unit studies in your homeschool, we’ve created two free resources you can download today:

Unit Study Mini Planner: A simple, printable tool to help you plan your own unit study step by step.

100+ Unit Study Ideas PDF: A huge list of creative, engaging topics to inspire your next unit study.

And if you want to skip the planning and gathering, check out our ready-to-go unit study kits —everything you need in one box.

Ready to Give Unit Studies a Try?

Homeschooling doesn’t have to mean worksheets and textbooks all day. Homeschool unit studies are a beautiful way to slow down, follow your child’s curiosity, and bring learning to life with books, projects, and hands-on fun. I hope this beginner’s guide has given you a clear picture of what unit studies are and how they can make your homeschool days more meaningful. If you’re feeling inspired, grab our free planning resources and start dreaming up your next learning adventure!

Oh, and to see an example of what our ready-to-go unit study kits are like, take a peek inside our Explore Bees Unit Study Kit below!

author

Author: Elizabeth, Team Knowledge Crates

Elizabeth is a former public school teacher turned homeschool mom. She's been homeschooling for six years with her kiddos who are currently in kindergarten and third grade. At Knowledge Crates, Elizabeth develops the elementary unit studies and test-runs activities with her kids.

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What is Knowledge Crates?

Knowledge Crates are thoughtfully curated and secular educational activity boxes designed to make learning fun, hands-on, and stress-free for families.


Each crate is packed with activities, books, and all the materials needed to spark curiosity and creativity in children.


Whether you're a homeschooling parent or simply looking for screen-free ways to keep your kids engaged, Knowledge Crates provide a convenient and enriching solution that fosters exploration and discovery.

Who are Knowledge Crates designed for?

Knowledge Crates are designed for families with children ranging from preschool to high school.


Unit Crates: The preschool units are ideal for children from preschool through grade 1. While some of the skills included may already be mastered by older kids in this range, this gives children a sense of accomplishment as they confidently complete activities on their own! The elementary units are tailored for children in grades 2–5, providing more challenging and engaging activities to keep them excited about learning.


Mini Crates: These versatile crates are designed for children ranging from preschool all the way through high school. Each mini crate includes a detailed list of what’s inside, along with photos of the materials, so parents can easily choose the best fit for their child’s interests and age group.


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Can Knowledge Crates be used as part of a homeschool curriculum?

Absolutely! Knowledge Crates are a fantastic addition to any homeschool routine. Whether you’re looking to supplement your core curriculum or need ready-made activities to engage your kids, our crates provide all the materials and guidance you need.


Each unit study crate is carefully designed to explore a specific theme in depth, from the wonders of the ocean to desert habitats and beyond. The step-by-step guides and hands-on projects make it easy to incorporate crate activities into your lesson plans, saving you time and adding variety to your homeschool day.

Will Knowledge Crates really work in my homeschool?

Every family is different, and that’s why we design Knowledge Crates to be flexible. Whether you’re homeschooling full-time, looking for weekend activities, or need an engaging way to keep your kids learning during breaks, our crates adapt to your needs. They’re perfect for preschoolers exploring sensory play or older elementary kids diving into creative and STEM-focused projects.


And if you're worried about the value, consider this: everything you need is included. No hidden costs, no extra materials to buy —just open the box and start creating moments of learning and discovery. The materials are even reusable, so many of the activities can be enjoyed again and again!

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