How We Homeschool While Traveling in an RV

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"I could NEVER homeschool my kids!"-I said those exact words just over five years ago.

And I meant them.

I wasn't a teacher. I didn't have a background in education. And honestly, I couldn't imagine having the patience to teach my own kids every single day.

But then 2020 happened.

Like so many other families, our world was turned upside down. Suddenly, we found ourselves doing something I swore I'd never do.

Homeschooling.

Fast forward five and a half years, and homeschooling has become one of the greatest blessings of our RV lifestyle.

Not because we've figured it all out. Trust me, we haven't!

But because it's given us the freedom to experience the world with our three daughters in a way I never could have imagined.

And sometimes, the best classroom doesn't have four walls.

How Do You Homeschool While Traveling in an RV?

This is probably one of the questions we've been asked most throughout our five and a half years of full-time RV travel.

How do you homeschool three kids while living in an RV?

What curriculum do you use?

Do you actually do school every day?

And how do you fit it all in while traveling?

I get it! Before we started homeschooling, I pictured kids sitting around a kitchen table for hours while Mom played teacher.

But we've learned that homeschooling doesn't have to look anything like traditional school.

For our family, we use online curriculum to keep the girls on track academically, and then we take advantage of the incredible learning opportunities that come with traveling around the country.

And our recent trip to San Francisco was the perfect example.

Turning a Trip to Alcatraz Into a History Lesson

While visiting family near San Francisco, we decided to incorporate a little history into our sightseeing.

The night before visiting Alcatraz, we set up an outdoor movie night at my brother's house.

Instead of watching a typical family movie, we pulled up a documentary about Alcatraz on History Vault.

The girls learned about the island's history, the infamous prisoners, and some of the daring escape attempts.

The next day, we hopped on a ferry and headed over to Alcatraz Island.

And THIS is what I love so much about roadschooling.

Everything they'd learned about the night before was suddenly right in front of them.

They weren't just reading about Alcatraz in a textbook.

They were walking through the actual prison, seeing the cells, and standing in the very places where those events happened.

It's so much fun watching our girls connect the dots in history.

There's something about physically being there, experiencing a place firsthand, that makes what they've learned come alive.

And the best part?

To them, we were just out exploring another destination together.

They were learning without it feeling like school.

We've had so many experiences like this throughout our travels, and they're some of my favorite memories from our years on the road.

What Homeschool Curriculum Do We Use?

Another question I get asked ALL the time is what curriculum we use.

Over the years, we've found that digital homeschooling works best for our family.

When you're living in an RV, space is limited. And the last thing I wanted was cabinets overflowing with workbooks, teacher manuals, and school supplies.

I also wanted our girls to become more independent with their schoolwork.

I'm their mom, and I'm responsible for their education, but I didn't necessarily want to stand in front of them teaching every single subject every day.

Here's what's worked well for us.

1. Power Homeschool (Acellus)

Website: https://www.powerhomeschool.org/

We use Power Homeschool for the majority of our girls' core curriculum.

It's an online, self-paced program that allows them to work through lessons independently while I monitor their progress.

One of the things I love most is the flexibility.

If we're having a travel day, the girls can work ahead or adjust their schedules. And because everything is online, we aren't hauling stacks of textbooks from campground to campground.

Something worth mentioning is that Power Homeschool and Acellus Academy are two different options that use Acellus coursework.

Power Homeschool is the more affordable, parent-directed homeschooling option that we've chosen.

Acellus Academy is an accredited online school that offers an official high school diploma.

If you have a child approaching high school, especially one who is college-bound, Acellus Academy may be worth researching. That doesn't mean homeschool students using Power Homeschool can't attend college, but you'll want to understand transcript requirements, diplomas, and admissions expectations before making that decision.

For our family, Power Homeschool has been a great fit.

2. Teaching Textbooks for Math

Website: https://www.teachingtextbooks.com/

If there's one curriculum we've remained consistent with throughout our homeschooling journey, it's Teaching Textbooks.

We've used it for math for all five and a half years!

It's an online math program that walks students through lessons step by step and provides grading and explanations.

I love that the girls can work independently, and I can easily see how they're progressing.

Math was one subject I didn't want to constantly second-guess, and Teaching Textbooks has been a really solid choice for our family.

3. Outschool for Electives

Website: https://outschool.com/

One thing I really love about homeschooling is the freedom to explore subjects our girls are genuinely interested in.

That's where Outschool comes in.

Outschool offers online classes covering everything from art and creative writing to science, foreign languages, and other electives.

Some classes meet live, while others offer more flexible learning options.

It's a great way to supplement our regular curriculum and give the girls opportunities to learn from other instructors and connect with kids who share similar interests.

4. Giving Each Child Their Own Laptop

This has been a game changer for us!

Our girls have their own MacBooks, which makes digital homeschooling so much easier.

Rather than having to share one family computer or spread workbooks across the RV, they can sit down, log in, and get started on their schoolwork.

And because our curriculum is primarily digital, we don't need a dedicated homeschool classroom.

They can work from the RV, our home base, or wherever we happen to be traveling, as long as we have the internet access we need.

Of course, I still check in on their progress and help when needed, but having a system that encourages independent learning has been wonderful.

Our Favorite Money-Saving Tips for Roadschooling Families

One thing I've learned after traveling around the country for years is that educational experiences don't always have to be expensive.

In fact, there are some incredible programs and memberships that can save families a LOT of money.

Here are two of my favorites.

1. FREE National Park Passes for Fourth Graders

Website: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/

Did you know that fourth graders can get a FREE pass to national parks and other participating federal recreation sites?

It's called the Every Kid Outdoors program, and homeschool students qualify too!

The pass is valid for the fourth-grade school year through the following August.

At parks that charge by vehicle, the pass generally covers everyone in one passenger vehicle. At locations charging per person, it covers the fourth grader, other children under 16, and up to three adults.

That can mean some pretty significant savings, especially if you're traveling to multiple national parks.

There are a few exclusions, including camping fees and certain tours, but the entrance-fee savings alone make this program worth checking out.

If you have a fourth grader, take advantage of it!

National parks offer incredible opportunities to learn about geology, history, wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation.

We love finding ways to turn those visits into educational experiences for our girls.

2. AZA Zoo and Aquarium Memberships

Website: https://www.aza.org/reciprocity/

Here's another tip that many traveling families don't know about!

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has a reciprocal admissions program.

If you purchase a membership at a participating zoo or aquarium, you may qualify for free or discounted admission at other participating facilities around the country.

How cool is that?

For families who travel frequently, this can be a huge money saver.

And zoos and aquariums are wonderful places to learn about animals, marine life, habitats, and conservation.

Just make sure you check the participating locations and their reciprocal benefits before purchasing a membership.

Not every AZA-accredited facility participates, and admission discounts vary.

I also recommend calling ahead before visiting because some facilities have restrictions on reciprocal memberships.

A little planning can save you quite a bit of money throughout your travels!

More Ways We Turn RV Travel Into Education

One of my favorite parts of homeschooling is finding learning opportunities in places we were already planning to visit.

You don't necessarily need to plan elaborate educational field trips.

Sometimes you just have to look at a destination a little differently.

National Parks: Before visiting, learn about the area's geography, wildlife, or history. Many parks also have Junior Ranger programs that encourage kids to explore and complete educational activities.

Historical Sites: Watch a documentary, read a book, or learn about the destination before arriving. That's exactly what we did with Alcatraz, and it made the experience so much more meaningful.

Museums: Science museums, history museums, aviation museums, and children's museums can turn a regular sightseeing day into an amazing learning experience.

Zoos and Aquariums: Take advantage of reciprocal memberships when possible and let the kids learn about wildlife and conservation firsthand.

Everyday Travel: Even planning a route can turn into geography or math practice. There are so many ways to make learning part of everyday life.

And don't forget to ask about educational programs, homeschool days, or discounted admission when visiting attractions.

You might be surprised what you find!

Do We Homeschool Every Day While Traveling?

Yes and no!

We believe in consistency, but we also love the flexibility homeschooling offers.

Some days are traditional school days where the girls spend their mornings working through their online curriculum.

Other days we're exploring a national park, visiting a museum, or learning about history in the very place it happened.

Travel days might look completely different depending on our schedule and internet access.

That's one reason I love having self-paced online curriculum.

We can adjust things to fit our family's needs while still making sure our girls are progressing academically.

And of course, homeschooling requirements vary by state, so it's important to understand the laws and recordkeeping requirements where your family is legally homeschooling.

For us, the goal has always been to give our girls a solid education while also allowing them to experience as much of the world as possible.

You Don't Have to RV Full-Time to Roadschool

After five and a half years of full-time RV living, our family recently purchased a home base in Melbourne, Florida.

And while we're excited to have a house again, that doesn't mean our RV adventures are over!

Not even close.

We're simply entering a new chapter where we have a place to call home while continuing to travel and explore.

And you know what?

I think that's an important reminder for families who dream about traveling more.

You don't have to sell your house and live in an RV full-time to enjoy the benefits of roadschooling.

Whether you're traveling for a long weekend, a few weeks, or several months, there are opportunities to learn everywhere.

And homeschooling can provide a level of flexibility that makes those experiences easier to incorporate into family life.

“I Could Never Homeschool!”

If you had told me five and a half years ago that we'd homeschool three daughters while traveling around the country in an RV, I probably would have laughed.

Because I was the mom who said, "I could NEVER homeschool!"

And yet here we are.

Have there been challenges? Absolutely.

Have we changed things along the way? Of course.

But I'm so thankful we didn't let the fear of doing something different stop us from trying.

Because some of the greatest lessons our girls have learned haven't come from a textbook.

They've come from standing inside historical landmarks, exploring national parks, discovering new places, and experiencing the world together as a family.

And those are experiences I wouldn't trade for anything.

So if you've been dreaming about traveling more with your family, but traditional school schedules are one of the things holding you back, I want to encourage you to explore your options.

Homeschooling might not be the right fit for everyone, but don't automatically count yourself out because you think you couldn't do it.

I thought the exact same thing.

And look where it's taken us!

Want to Travel More With Your Family?

Whether you're dreaming about full-time RV life or simply want to spend more time exploring the country with your kids, we've learned a LOT throughout our years on the road.

And we'd love to help you prepare for your own adventures!

It's filled with lessons we've learned firsthand to help you feel more prepared and confident about RV travel.

And I'd love to know: Have you ever considered homeschooling your kids so your family could travel more?

Or are you still in the "I could NEVER homeschool" camp?

Trust me, I get it!

Happy travels!

Ashley
Peeples & Places