Best Homeschool Art and Music Curriculum Options
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Looking for the best homeschool art and music curriculum? Whether you’re a new homeschooler or simply hoping to enrich your family’s fine arts studies, this guide is packed with favorite programs, updated recommendations, and helpful resources.
Need even more homeschool support? Be sure to check out my podcast: Called to Homeschool!
Teaching Art and Music in Your Homeschool
Art and music study often look a little different than core subjects like math and reading. While there are some excellent full curriculum options, many homeschoolers prefer to piece together their own fine arts program using a blend of resources, books, and activities.
As a music minor and long-time arts enthusiast, I’ve loved helping my kids develop an appreciation for great art and music. Over the years, I’ve gathered top curriculum picks from my own experience and recommendations from other homeschool families.
I’ve divided the following options into two main sections:
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Homeschool Art Curriculum
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Homeschool Music Curriculum
You’ll also find a list of bonus resources and free ideas to make your arts education even richer!
Before we dive in, don’t miss my e-book: The Quick Guide to Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum — it’s a helpful tool if you’re feeling overwhelmed by choices.
Homeschool Art Curriculum Options
Full Art Curriculum Programs
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Artistic Pursuits
My Review | A long-time homeschool favorite offering comprehensive art instruction by age and skill level.
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Meet the Masters
Structured art appreciation and technique lessons based on master artists.
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See the Light Art Curriculum
Faith-based video lessons that blend art instruction and Biblical inspiration.
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Home Art Studio
Video-based, grade-specific art curriculum with hands-on projects.
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Masterpiece Society Studio
A full membership offering online art courses in drawing, painting, mixed media, and art appreciation. Created by homeschool mom and artist Alisha Gratehouse. Highly recommended! -
Ms. Wood’s Wild Art Adventures
Fun, hands-on lessons ideal for younger artists.
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How Great Thou Art
Christian-based art instruction across multiple levels, from beginner to advanced. -
Harmony Fine Arts
Combines music and art appreciation through history cycles.
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World’s Greatest Artists Curriculum
A unit study-style resource from Confessions of a Homeschooler focusing on famous artists.
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A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels
E-books and video lessons on pastel art, designed to be approachable for beginners.
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Art History Kids
Modern, online art appreciation program connecting art to deeper conversations about culture, creativity, and critical thinking. -
Atelier Homeschool Art
Online video art lessons with full supply lists, suitable for multi-age families.
Art Resource Books and Fun Extras
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Draw Write Now book series
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Drawing With Children by Mona Brooks
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Discovering Great Artists by MaryAnn F. Kohl (See my review on Global Art!)
- My books: Science Art & Math Art 🙂
Homeschool Music Curriculum Options
Full Music Curriculum Programs
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Hoffman Academy (formerly Free Piano Lessons 4 Kids)
My Review | Excellent free and affordable online piano instruction.
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SQUILT (Super Quiet UnInterrupted Listening Time)
Easy, no-prep music appreciation lessons.
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Alfred’s Teach Your Child Piano Kit
Step-by-step piano lessons designed for homeschool use. -
World’s Greatest Composers Curriculum (Confessions of a Homeschooler)
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Prodigies Music Lessons
Colorful video-based program for teaching young children music theory and performance basics through handbells and singing. -
Music in Our Homeschool Membership
Affordable, all-access online music courses for homeschool families covering music theory, history, appreciation, and more.
Music Resource Books and Fun Extras
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Classics for Kids — Free podcasts and composer activities
- Opal Wheeler Composer Books– these have been some of our absolute favorites!
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Classical Kids CD Collection — Fun, story-driven CDs introducing famous composers
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Story of the Orchestra Book & CD
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Those Amazing Musical Instruments Book & CD
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Carnival of the Animals Book & CD
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Maestro Classics — Storytelling CDs with homeschool curriculum guides
Some of the Art Lessons in our Homeschool:
Paul Cezanne Artist Study Lesson
Do you have a favorite Homeschool Art and Music Curriculum Teaching Resource? Â Share it in the comments!
This is such a comprehensive post, Karyn! Thank you for including my hymn study series.
Karyn,
What an amazing resource post!!!! Love it, especially the literature!
Blessings,
Kyle
I recently found the blog http://www.thatartistwoman.org/. She shares wonderful step by step art lessons. We have adapted a number of her lessons to our homeschool project days.
We’ve also used the book Drawing with Children by Mona Brooks. I haven’t used it page by page; however, I gained much insight into how to teach my children to draw. I highlighted the book when began our drawing series. http://waddleeahchaa.com/2011/02/21/all-children-can-draw-book-of-the-week-giveaway/
You rock the house Karyn Tripp! This is just what I needed today! 😉
Elizabeth Little
Karyn – This is such a fantastic list! thanks so much for including our chalk pastels!
This is a great compilation!
I hope you don’t mind my sharing the free multi-level music appreciation/history plans I have on my website. http://www.sevenkids.net/blog/2014/07/multi-level-music-plans.html
Of course! Thanks for the link!
I’ve been searching for a great music curriculum to use for our first grade next year. Right now we’re using a mixture of My Father’s World (Say Hello to Classical Music–really enjoy the music; wish the activities were more varied) and Pfeiffer House Music’s Kindergarten Music (not loving this as much as I’d hoped.) I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Music Appreciation Book 1 Collection from Zeezok Publishing and would be over the moon if we could use it, but it’s soooo expensive.
In subsequent searching I’ve found a series called God Made Music by Praise Him Inc. that also looks really good. Has anyone ever used it? I haven’t found many online reviews so I’m wondering how it really is.
Wow, thank you for spurring this conversation and compiling all of the resources. It’s so interesting learning more about what people are using for integrating music and arts in their homeschooling. We are both music educators so we generate much of our own material and recently started sharing some of our ideas and projects here: http://raisingcreativechildren.net .
Otherwise we love the global music series by Patricia Campbell and Bonnie Wade, which is not a curriculum but a set of books that have great information on musical and musical cultures around the world with a lot of activities. Though it is written for music teachers, we also think the book Teaching For Musical Understanding by Jackie Wiggins is a great foundation for anyone who wants to try creating engaging music projects. You can also find really useful conversations about music teaching on the Music Teachers Facebook group and even the website of the National Association for Music Education! Thanks again for getting the conversation started!
Thanks so much for your suggestions!
Great thanks for sharing valuable resources. I think this would encourage them more for music.. I always believe Introducing children to music lessons is essential in providing them with a well-rounded education. As a music lover ans father to two adorable kids I really appreciate this.
Wow. Love your list. Thank you for sharing a post from my blog.