One of the greatest joys of home education is being able to choose resources that genuinely suit your child – not what fits a classroom of thirty. Whether you’re looking for hands-on science kits, educational games that don’t feel like work, or reference books your children will actually pick up and browse, this guide has you covered.
We’ve pulled together our favourite home education resources across every subject area, all suitable for ages 6 and up. Every product here is available on Amazon, making it easy to build your home ed shelf without the hunt.
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Science and Nature
Science is one of the subjects where home education really shines – you’re not limited to a whiteboard and a textbook. These resources bring science to life through models, experiments and exploration.
Thames & Kosmos Human Body Anatomy Model
Construct a realistic 37-piece human body model with an included stand and guidebook, providing hands-on learning about anatomy. Perfect for children ages 8+, this kit fosters curiosity about biology, health, and science through interactive play. View on Amazon
Galt Toys Horrible Science Kits
Tied in with the popular Horrible Science book series, these experiment kits cover everything from slime and germs to explosions and electricity. Genuinely engaging, with results children can see and feel. Suitable from age 8. View Building Box of Experiments on Amazon | View the whole Galt Horrible Science Box Range
National Geographic Science Magic Kit
Part magic, part chemistry – this kit introduces scientific concepts through experiments that look like tricks. Great for curious minds who need a hook before they’ll engage. From age 8. View on Amazon
Thames and Kosmos Kids First Chemistry Set
A well-designed starter chemistry set with safe experiments and a proper activity guide. Introduces concepts like acids, bases, reactions and states of matter in a structured way. From age 8. View on Amazon
Snap Circuits Electronics Exploration Kit
Build working circuits using snap-together components – no soldering, no mess, no frustration. Excellent for introducing electricity, logic and engineering thinking. From age 8. View on Amazon
4M Crystal Growing Kit
Grow your own crystals and observe the process over several days. Simple, satisfying and genuinely educational. Works well as a patience-and-observation lesson as much as a science one. From age 10. View on Amazon
Usborne Science Encyclopaedia
A comprehensive reference book covering physics, chemistry, biology and earth science in Usborne’s accessible, illustration-rich style. One of those books that lives on the shelf and gets consulted regularly. From age 5. View on Amazon
Maths and Logic
Maths resources work best when they move away from the page. These picks build number sense, logic and problem-solving through play and physical manipulation.
Cuisenaire Rods
A classic manipulative used by educators worldwide. Colour-coded rods of different lengths help children understand number relationships, fractions, multiplication and more – without abstract symbols getting in the way. From age 5. View on Amazon
Fraction Tower Cubes
Interlocking cubes that visually demonstrate fractions, equivalence and percentages. Particularly useful for children who struggle to understand fractions abstractly. From age 6. View on Amazon
ThinkFun Rush Hour Logic Game
A sliding puzzle game with 40 challenges ranging from beginner to expert. Builds spatial reasoning and logical thinking without feeling like maths at all. A home ed staple. From age 8. View on Amazon
Maths War Card Game
A fast-paced card game that builds mental maths fluency through competitive play. Great for drilling number facts in a way children actually enjoy. From age 6. View on Amazon
Sum Swamp Maths Game
A board game that practises addition and subtraction through play. Particularly good for younger children in the 6–8 range who need to build confidence with basic operations. From age 5. View on Amazon
ThinkFun Zingo Sight Words / Number Bingo
A bingo-style game that reinforces number recognition, counting and early arithmetic. Quick to play, easy to set up and genuinely engaging for younger children. From age 6. View on Amazon
Mathepotamia Maths Game
A times tables and mental arithmetic game with multiple levels and modes, including a flashcard mode for quick practice on the go. Designed so children and parents can play together at their own level, making it easy to fit into family game nights as well as lesson time. From age 6. View on Amazon
Literacy and Language
These resources support reading, writing, vocabulary and storytelling – and most of them work across a wide age range.
Bananagrams
A fast-paced word tile game where players race to build their own crossword grids. Builds spelling, vocabulary and quick thinking. One of those games the whole family can play together. From age 7. View on Amazon
Rory’s Story Cubes
Nine dice covered in images – roll them and use the pictures to build a story. Brilliant for reluctant writers and creative children alike. Works across a huge age range and sparks imagination every time. From age 6. View on Amazon
Boggle
The classic word-finding game that’s been a favourite for decades. Competitive, fast and genuinely effective at building vocabulary and spelling awareness. From age 8. View on Amazon
Usborne See Inside series
Lift-the-flap non-fiction books covering an enormous range of topics – science, history, the human body, space and more. Excellent for building reading habit and general knowledge simultaneously. From age 6. View on Amazon
Oxford Children’s Dictionary
A reliable reference tool that earns its place on every home ed shelf. Encouraging children to reach for a dictionary rather than a screen builds both vocabulary and independence. From age 7. View on Amazon
The Great Storytelling Game
A Story in Every Round – Stretch those storytelling muscles! Players use picture cards to inspire fun, imaginative tales that build with every turn. From age 6. View on Amazon
History and Geography
Home education gives you the freedom to dive deep into history and geography in ways schools rarely can. These resources make both subjects vivid and memorable.
Horrible Histories Book Collection
If you haven’t introduced Horrible Histories yet, start now. Covering everything from the Egyptians to the Victorians, these books make history genuinely funny and genuinely memorable. From age 8. View on Amazon
BrainBox History
Part of the excellent BrainBox range, this card game tests history knowledge through quick-fire questions. Competitive enough to keep children engaged, educational enough to count. From age 8. View on Amazon
The World Game
Race around the world, pass famous landmarks and win. Train memory and brain while having fun. An award-winning world learning game toy. From age 9. View on Amazon
Scratch Map — World Edition
A foil world map where children scratch off countries as they learn about or visit them. A great motivator for geography study and doubles as lovely wall art. From age 6. View on Amazon
Timeline Card Game
Players compete to correctly place historical events in chronological order. Simple concept, surprisingly deep — and genuinely teaches the sequence of history. From age 8. View on Amazon
DK Eyewitness History Encyclopaedia
A comprehensive, beautifully illustrated reference covering world history from ancient civilisations to the modern day. One of the best single-volume history references for home ed. From age 10. View on Amazon
Foam World Map Puzzle
A large-format floor puzzle that builds as children learn countries and continents. Physical and tactile — particularly good for kinaesthetic learners. From age 5. View on Amazon
General Knowledge and Memory Games
These games work across subjects and are brilliant for consolidating knowledge, building confidence and encouraging healthy competition.
BrainBox – The World
Possibly the most versatile BrainBox in the range, covering geography, flags, capitals and world knowledge. Fast to play, easy to set up and genuinely educational. From age 8. View on Amazon
BrainBox Maths
Quick-fire maths questions in the same simple format. Great for consolidating knowledge across number, shape and data topics. From age 8. View on Amazon
BrainBox Science
Covers biology, chemistry, physics and earth science in card form. Works brilliantly as a light consolidation activity after a topic has been studied. From age 8. View on Amazon
Trivial Pursuit Family Edition
The classic general knowledge game adapted for children, covering a wide range of subjects. Good for home ed children who enjoy competitive trivia. From age 8. View on Amazon
Smart Ass Board Game
A general knowledge game where players shout out answers as clues are read — no need to wait your turn. Fast, noisy and genuinely good fun for secondary-age learners. From age 12. View on Amazon
Creative, Arts and Cross-Curricular
Home education at its best is holistic – and creativity deserves a proper place in the timetable. These picks support creative thinking across art, design and storytelling.
Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Book and Kit
Step-by-step instructions for building chain reaction machines from Lego. Combines engineering thinking, creativity and problem-solving in one satisfying package. From age 8. View on Amazon
Usborne Art Treasury
A beautiful introduction to art history and technique, covering major movements and artists with practical activities. One of the best art resources for home ed. From age 9. View on Amazon
Hama Beads and Pegboards in Tub
Pixel-art style bead crafting that builds fine motor skills, patience and design thinking. An enduring favourite that keeps children occupied for hours. From age 6. View on Amazon
Osmo Genius Starter Kit (iPad)
A hands-on learning system that uses physical pieces in front of an iPad screen. Covers maths, spelling, creativity and problem-solving. Excellent for children who engage better through tactile play. From age 6. View on Amazon
Spirograph Deluxe Design Set
The classic geometric drawing toy that introduces pattern, symmetry and mathematical art. Genuinely cross-curricular — maths, art and fine motor skills in one. From age 8. View on Amazon
Klutz Maker Lab: Make Your Own Loom Animals
Create up to 12 adorable animal friends with this kid-friendly knitting loom kit! Builds patience, dexterity and following instructions — and children end up with something they’ve made themselves. From age 8. View on Amazon
Reference Books Every Home Ed Family Should Own
A well-stocked reference shelf is one of the best investments you can make in home education. These are the books that earn their place year after year.
Usborne Children’s Encyclopaedia
A wide-ranging general encyclopaedia covering science, history, geography, art and more. Clear, visual and genuinely child-friendly. From age 7. View on Amazon
DK Eyewitness Books Series
The definitive topic-by-topic reference series. Pick volumes relevant to whatever you’re studying – science, history, nature, space and dozens more. An invaluable series for any home ed library. From age 8. View on Amazon
The Usborne Big Book of Science Experiments
Over 50 experiments clearly laid out with household materials. A go-to for science afternoons that don’t require specialist equipment. From age 7. View on Amazon
How to be a Scientist – DK
Introduces the scientific method, observation and enquiry in a hands-on, accessible way. Excellent for establishing good scientific habits early. From age 8. View on Amazon
A Final Word
The best home education resources are the ones your children actually use. It’s worth introducing new resources gradually and watching what sparks curiosity – then following that thread. A £10 card game that gets played every day is worth more than an untouched workbook.
If you’re looking for local home education groups, resources and activities near you, browse the Home Education Circle directory – we list home ed groups and providers across England.
Have a favourite resource that’s not on this list? Let us know in the comments – we’d love to hear what’s working for your family.
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