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Free Homeschool Curriculum & Resources in Wyoming
You don’t need to spend $1,200/year on curriculum. Wyoming families have access to excellent free resources—from online platforms to world-class field trip locations—that can form the backbone of your homeschool.
This guide shows you how to build a full curriculum using free and low-cost materials.
Key Takeaways
- Complete free curricula exist for core subjects (Khan Academy, Ambleside Online, OpenStax)
- Wyoming’s public resources are exceptional: free museums, state parks, and field trip sites
- Library systems offer books, digital collections, and learning platforms
- Community organizations provide free co-op options and group learning
- Hybrid approach: Use free resources for 60-80% of your curriculum, invest selectively in one or two premium programs
Free Online Learning Platforms
Khan Academy
Cost: Completely free (paid premium option available)
- Math: Comprehensive K-12, mastery-based, video lessons + practice
- Science: Physics, chemistry, biology, Earth science
- History & Social Studies: US history, world history, civics
Wyoming fit: Many families use Khan for math foundations, then supplement with hands-on projects. Pacing is flexible—your child works at their own speed.
How to use: Khan Academy alone covers your math and core science requirements. Pair with one paid literature curriculum and you have a solid foundation.
Ambleside Online
Cost: Free, complete K-12 literature-based curriculum
- Pre-planned reading lists (living books, classic literature)
- Poetry, art, and music study
- Nature study guides
- Follows Charlotte Mason philosophy
Wyoming fit: Excellent for reading/literature requirement. Pair with Wyoming outdoor exploration for science and nature journals.
How to use: Print the free curriculum guides, check books from your library, and follow the reading schedule. Minimal additional cost.
LibbyApp (Library Audiobooks & eBooks)
Cost: Free through your library card
- Thousands of audiobooks and eBooks
- Available through Wyoming public library systems (Cheyenne, Laramie, Casper, etc.)
- Use for read-alouds, independent reading, and audiobook learning
Wyoming fit: All Wyoming homeschoolers should have a library card. Libby gives you unlimited free books for language arts and independent reading.
OpenStax
Cost: Free open-source textbooks
- High school biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy
- Complete digital and printable versions
- Peer-reviewed academic content
Wyoming fit: Useful for high school science. Print and use as your core curriculum, supplemented with local field trips.
Crash Course (YouTube)
Cost: Free
- Science, history, literature videos (10-15 minutes each)
- Engaging, fast-paced coverage
- Excellent for kinesthetic learners
Wyoming fit: Use as supplementary material for any subject. Many high schoolers watch these as intro lessons, then dive deeper with textbooks.
CK-12 Foundation
Cost: Free
- Open-source textbooks and practice problems
- Customizable lessons
- STEM focus
Free Wyoming Field Trip & Learning Sites
Museums & Historic Sites (Free or Minimal Cost)
| Site | Location | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming State Museum | Cheyenne | FREE | Wyoming history, Native American culture, territorial artifacts |
| Fort Laramie NHS | Fort Laramie (NE corner) | FREE | American frontier history, Oregon Trail, Civil War era |
| National Historic Trails Interpretive Center | Casper | FREE | Oregon Trail, California Trail, Pony Express, Mormon Trail |
| Fossil Butte NM | Kemmerer | FREE | Paleontology, geology, ancient ecosystems |
| Yellowstone NP | Northwest WY | $35/vehicle (week pass) | Geology, wildlife biology, geysers, ecosystems |
| Grand Teton NP | Jackson | $35/vehicle (week pass) | Mountain geology, wildlife, ecology |
| Buffalo Bill Center of the West | Cody | Homeschool rates available | Western history, Native American art, firearms, plains Indian museum |
| Wyoming Dinosaur Center | Thermopolis | $15-20 (age-dependent) | Paleontology, hands-on dig programs |
Strategy: Get your America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) for unlimited national park access. One pass covers two adults + all kids. Over multiple Yellowstone and Grand Teton visits, it pays for itself in the first visit.
Free Library Resources
Digital Learning Platforms Through Libraries
Many Wyoming library systems offer free access to:
- Hoopla: Audiobooks, eBooks, documentaries
- BrainPOP Jr./BrainPOP: Animated educational videos (elementary/middle school)
- Gale Courses: Free professional development and general education courses
- Kanopy: Streaming documentaries and educational films
Check your local library website for available databases.
Interlibrary Loan
- Request books from other Wyoming libraries (free shipping between systems)
- Access specialized curriculum resources without buying
Free & Low-Cost Homeschool Co-op Options
HOW (Homeschool Organization of Wyoming)
Cost: Membership $50-100/year; some meetings free
- Statewide Christian homeschool network
- Local chapter meetings, curriculum co-buys, group field trips
- Free monthly meetings in some areas
WATCCH (Wyoming Area Teacher Coordinating Christian Homeschoolers)
Cost: Minimal
- Sheridan-based co-op
- Lending library (borrow curriculum before buying)
- Group classes and field trips
Common Ground Homeschool Co-op
Cost: Free to join; pay-per-class options available
- Laramie-based
- Co-op classes with shared teaching responsibilities
- Many free planning and social meetings
Free Learning Projects & Workbooks
Nature Journaling (Free)
- Use notebooks you have
- Follow free nature study guides (Ambleside Online, Handbook of Nature Study by Comstock—free online version)
- Document Wyoming wildlife, plants, weather, seasons
- Fulfills science and art requirements
Unit Studies (Free to Low-Cost)
- Choose a topic: Wyoming ranching, dinosaurs, Native American history, gold mining
- Gather free resources from libraries and websites
- Create your own workbooks or note-taking structure
- Cost: $0-30/unit
Art & Music (Free)
- YouTube: Homemade preschool (art), Kristin Everett (piano/ukulele lessons)
- Library: Art and music instruction books
- Free: Draw your observations from nature journaling
State Resources & Government Materials
Wyoming Department of Education
- Free social studies and civics materials
- Standards documents that show what’s required
- Career exploration resources
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
- Free wildlife education materials
- Hunting and fishing safety resources (relevant to Wyoming culture)
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- Free educational materials about public lands
- Excellent for Wyoming geography and environmental science
Free Tutoring & Academic Support
Library Tutoring Programs
- Many Wyoming libraries offer free tutoring (math, reading, writing)
- Check Cheyenne, Laramie, Casper library websites
Khan Academy Coaching
- Free option available for parents to track student progress
- Video explanations for every math concept
Community Learning (Free or Donation-Based)
4-H Programs
- Low-cost hands-on learning in STEM, agriculture, robotics, animal science
- Wyoming-specific focus on ranching, wildlife, ag projects
- County extension offices facilitate
Local Churches
- Many Wyoming churches offer free homeschool classes or co-ops
- Guest speakers and field trips through church networks
Building a Complete Free Curriculum
Here’s how one Wyoming family built a $0 first-year homeschool:
Math
Khan Academy (free) + library books on math concepts = $0
Reading & Language Arts
Ambleside Online (free) + Libby audiobooks (free through library) + library books = $0
Science
- Field trips to Yellowstone, Grand Teton (annual pass $80)
- Wyoming Dinosaur Center ($15-20/visit)
- Free nature journaling
- Crash Course videos for high school science
- Total: $100-150/year
Social Studies
- Fort Laramie NHS (free), National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (free), Wyoming State Museum (free)
- Story research from library (free)
- Unit studies on Wyoming history using free BLM materials
- Total: $35-50/year
Art, Music, PE
- YouTube instruction (free)
- Library books on art projects (free)
- Local outdoor recreation (hiking, cycling—free)
- Total: $0
First-year total: $135-200/year per student (mostly park passes and one or two museum visits)
The Reality of Free Homeschooling
Pros:
– Minimal financial barrier to entry
– Access to quality resources and expert instruction
– Flexibility to try things before investing
– Focus on experiential learning rather than worksheets
Cons:
– Requires more parental preparation and planning
– Less structure and guidance; you’re building the curriculum
– Needs self-discipline and organizational systems
– May feel less “complete” without packaged programs
Best practice: Use free resources for 60-70% of curriculum (especially reading, science field trips, math video instruction), then invest $300-500 in one or two premium programs you genuinely need (maybe classical literature curriculum or an engaging writing program).
Wyoming-Specific Free Learning Opportunities
Leverage Wyoming’s natural classroom:
- Geology: Free field trips to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Fossil Butte
- Wildlife biology: Free Game & Fish materials; Wyoming Dinosaur Center programs
- History: Free national historic sites throughout the state
- Agriculture: 4-H projects; local ranch visits with permission
- Native American studies: Wind River Reservation cultural sites; Wyoming State Museum collections
Wyoming’s low population density and abundance of public lands mean you have access to learning experiences that cost thousands in other states—all for free or minimal cost.
Where to Start
- Get a library card for Libby, Hoopla, and physical books
- Sign up for Khan Academy and explore one subject
- Download the free Ambleside Online curriculum guide
- Plan one or two field trips this month (start with free sites)
- Join HOW or a local co-op for community and advice
Free doesn’t mean cheap—it means strategic.
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