Whether you’re teaching number recognition, place value, or other beginning math skills, a blank hundreds chart is an easy-to-use learning tool for kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade math.

Kids can fill in the missing numbers, practice counting to 100, identify number patterns, and more with this number chart. I’ve included some of my favorite ideas below to get you started.

Scroll down to grab your free blank 100 number chart PDF!

What Is a Blank 100 Number Chart?

A blank 100 number chart (also called a blank hundreds chart) is a 10×10 grid containing 100 empty squares. Instead of having the numbers already filled in, the squares are blank. Kids can write the numbers in themselves, giving them valuable practice with counting, number order, and place value.

Why Use a Blank Hundreds Chart?

Writing the numbers instead of simply reading them off of chart really does help reinforce important math concepts. As kids complete the chart, they begin noticing patterns that make future math skills easier to understand.

A blank 100’s chart can help children practice:

• Counting from 1 to 100
• Number recognition
• Number sequencing
• Place value
• One more and one less
• Ten more and ten less
• Even and odd numbers
• Skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s
• Beginning addition and subtraction strategies
• Number patterns

Because the chart is so flexible, it can be used throughout kindergarten, first grade, and second grade as your child’s math skills continue to grow.

How to Introduce a Blank 100 Number Chart

If this is your child’s first time using a blank hundreds chart printable, begin by showing them a completed number chart (one with the numbers already filled in). Explain that the numbers increase by 1 as you move across each row and by 10 as you move down each column.

When your child starts filling in the blank chart, I’d suggest keeping the completed number chart handy for reference. It’s totally ok if they need that extra support. The learning is still happening even if they are using a model to help them!

Encourage your child to complete one row at a time instead of trying to fill in the entire chart all at once. As their confidence grows, they’ll rely on the reference chart less and begin completing the blank chart independently.

Remember that mistakes are part of learning. If a number is out of place, ask questions like, “What number comes before this one?” or “What should come after 59?” to help your child discover the correct answer.

Easy Ways to Use a Blank 100 Number Chart

If you don’t know how you might use a blank 100’s chart in your homeschool, I’ve got a few ideas to get you started.

1. Fill in the Missing Numbers

Have your child complete the entire chart from memory, or provide a few starting numbers and let them figure out the rest using number patterns.

For younger children, I suggest filling in at least half of the numbers to make it easier to complete. Make sure that you have AT LEAST ONE number filled in in each column and row so that your child can see number patterns to help them along.

You may also like: Missing Number Worksheets

2. Color the Patterns

After completing the chart, use crayons or markers to highlight one of the following:

• Even numbers
• Odd numbers
• Multiples of 5
• Multiples of 10
• All squares containing a certain number in the correct place (for example, color all the squares that have a 3 in the tens place)

Kids love discovering the colorful patterns that appear, and they are learning so much at the same time.

3. Hundreds Chart Puzzle

This one is fun! After your child fills in the hundreds chart, cut it into rows, columns, or irregular chunks. Mix the pieces and challenge your child to rebuild the chart in the correct order.

Download Your Free Blank 100 Chart

Fill out the form below to download your free printable blank 100 number chart. You’ll also get a set of full-color and blackline hundreds charts to use for reference, all in one easy download.

As a subscriber, you’ll get more educational printables, learning activities, and homeschool tips delivered straight to your inbox!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a blank 100 number chart used for?

A blank 100 number chart helps children practice counting, number sequencing, and writing numbers. It’s commonly used in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade classrooms.

2. What age is a blank hundreds chart for?

Most children begin using hundreds charts in kindergarten and continue using them through second grade as they develop stronger math skills.

3. Is this blank 100 number chart free?

Yes! You can download and print the PDF for free for personal, homeschool, and classroom use.

4. Can I laminate the chart?

Absolutely! Laminating your blank hundreds chart allows children to complete it again and again using dry-erase markers, making it perfect for repeated practice.

Final Thoughts

A blank 100 number chart is a simple and effective tool for building strong early math skills. From counting and place value to skip counting and number patterns, this printable gives children endless opportunities to practice while making learning fun.

The post Free Blank 100 Number Chart Printable (PDF) appeared first on Meaningful Homeschooling.

Whether your child is just learning numbers, practicing skip counting, or working on basic addition and subtraction, a 100s number chart will make math more visual and easier to understand. A printable hundreds chart is a simple and effective tool for building number sense.

In this guide, you’ll find free printable 100 number charts, fun learning activities, and simple ways to use number charts with kids in pre-K through second grade.

Scroll down to get your free 100 number charts!

What Is a 100s Number Chart?

A 100s number chart (also called a hundreds chart) is a grid that displays the numbers 1 through 100 in order. Each row contains ten numbers, helping children recognize patterns and understand how numbers relate to one another.

Parents and teachers use hundreds charts to teach:

• Counting to 100
• Number recognition
• Even and odd numbers
• Skip counting
• Place value
• Early addition and subtraction

Math Skills Kids Can Practice with a 100 Numbers Chart

A 100 numbers chart is much more than a counting tool. It’s a versatile visual aid that helps children in preschool through second grade develop essential math skills they’ll use throughout elementary school.

By exploring patterns, solving simple problems, and talking about numbers together, kids build confidence while strengthening their overall number sense.

Here are some of the most important skills children can practice with a 100 number chart:

1. Number Recognition

Young learners can identify and name numbers from 1 to 100, helping them become more familiar with number symbols and their order. Point to a number and ask your child to read it aloud, or call out a number and have them find it on the chart.

2. Counting Forward and Backward

Practice counting from any starting number instead of always beginning at 1. Children can also count backward to build flexibility with numbers and prepare for subtraction.

3. Even and Odd Numbers

Color all of the even numbers one color and the odd numbers another. Children will quickly notice that even numbers end in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, while odd numbers end in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.

4. One More and One Less

Ask questions like, “What number is one more than 46?” or “What number is one less than 72?” Since numbers increase by one as you move across the chart, children quickly begin to recognize these relationships.

5. Ten More and Ten Less

One of the biggest benefits of a hundreds chart is helping children understand place value. Moving down one row adds 10, while moving up one row subtracts 10. This visual pattern makes it easier for children to grasp how tens and ones work together.

6. Skip Counting

Use the chart to practice counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s. Highlighting these number patterns helps children prepare for multiplication while strengthening their understanding of repeated addition.

7. Place Value

As children explore the chart, they begin noticing that numbers in the same column share the same ones digit. For example, 14, 24, 34, and 44 all end in 4. These patterns reinforce the concept of tens and ones, an important kindergarten through second-grade math skill.

8. Comparing Numbers

Ask questions like, “Which number is greater?” or “Which number comes before 58?” These activities strengthen children’s understanding of number order and comparison.

9. Finding Number Patterns

Encourage your child to look for repeating patterns across rows and columns. They might notice that each row contains ten numbers, every column shares the same ones digit, or that multiples of 5 create a recognizable pattern. Discovering these relationships helps children develop strong mathematical reasoning skills.

10. Building Problem-Solving Skills

Turn the chart into a game by giving your child clues to solve. For example:

• “I’m thinking of a number that’s greater than 50 but less than 60.”
• “It’s an even number.”
• “It ends with a 6.”

These simple number riddles encourage logical thinking while reinforcing multiple math concepts at the same time.

Get Your Free 100 Number Chart Printables

Ready to start learning? Enter your email below to download our free printable 100 number charts. You’ll also receive more fun educational printables, learning activities, and teaching tips delivered right to your inbox!

10 Fun Ways to Use a 100 Number Chart

A 100 number chart is much more than a counting tool. It’s the starting point for countless hands-on math games. Whether you’re homeschooling, helping with homework, or looking for screen-free activities, these simple games make learning numbers exciting while building important math skills.

1. Number Detective

Call out a number and ask your child to find it on the chart as quickly as possible. As they improve, make the clues more challenging:

• “Find a number between 40 and 50.”
• “Find an odd number that ends in 7.”
• “Find a number that’s ten more than 24.”

This game strengthens number recognition and critical thinking.

2. Roll and Cover

Grab a pair of dice and a handful of counters or coins. Roll the dice, add the numbers together, and cover that sum on the 100 chart. Keep rolling until someone covers an entire row, column, or diagonal.

For older children, use two 10-sided dice to generate larger numbers.

3. Skip Counting Treasure Hunt

Choose a number pattern like counting by 2s, 5s, or 10s. Have your child color or place a marker on every matching number until they discover the hidden pattern. Then ask questions like:

• What do you notice?
• Which numbers repeat?
• Where do the patterns appear on the chart?

4. Mystery Number

Think of a number on the chart and give clues one at a time.

For example:

• “My number is greater than 50.”
• “It’s an even number.”
• “It ends in 8.”

Can your child guess the mystery number before you run out of clues?

5. Race to 100

Players start at 1. Roll a die and move that many spaces on the chart. The first player to reach exactly 100 wins.

To make the game more challenging, use two dice or include special rules like:

• Roll a 6 and move ahead 10 spaces.
• Land on a multiple of 5 and take another turn.

6. Color the Patterns

Give your child crayons or markers and challenge them to color:

• Even numbers blue
• Odd numbers red
• Multiples of 5 green
• Multiples of 10 yellow

Afterward, talk about the patterns they notice. This activity helps children visualize number relationships while reinforcing skip counting and place value.

7. One More, One Less Challenge

Point to any number and ask:

• What is one more?
• What is one less?
• What is ten more?
• What is ten less?

Have your child move their finger around the chart to find each answer. Over time, they’ll begin solving these mentally without relying on the chart.

8. Fill in the Missing Numbers

Cover several numbers with sticky notes or small pieces of paper. Challenge your child to figure out the hidden numbers using the surrounding numbers as clues.

This activity encourages children to think about number order instead of simply counting from the beginning.

9. Hundreds Chart Bingo

Instead of traditional bingo cards, use a blank 100 chart. Call out numbers, number clues, or simple math problems, and have players cover the correct squares. The first person to complete a row, column, or four corners wins.

10. Find the Hidden Path

Create a secret path by writing down a sequence of numbers, such as:

3 → 13 → 23 → 33 → 43 → 53

Have your child connect the numbers with a marker and guess the rule. Then let them create their own hidden paths for you to solve using patterns like:

• Count by 2s
• Count by 5s
• Count by 10s
• Add 11 each time
• Diagonal patterns

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What age is a 100 number chart for?

Most children begin using one between ages 4 and 7, including preschool through grade 2.

2. Is a hundreds chart the same as a 100 number chart?

Yes. Both names describe a chart displaying the numbers 1 through 100.

3. How do teachers use a hundreds chart?

Teachers use them for counting practice, skip counting, place value, number patterns, addition, subtraction, and interactive math games.

The post Free 100 Number Chart Printable for Kids appeared first on Meaningful Homeschooling.

Touch typing is an absolutely essential skill in today’s digital world—even for kids. In fact, keyboarding is the single most important computer skill that our kids can learn.

Good keyboarding skills make it easier for kids to complete assignments, write papers, take notes, and communicate with friends and family.

In addition, the typing skills that our kids learn NOW will also give them a tremendous advantage when they head off to college or enter the work force.

My family has used several different typing resources over the last few years, but I recently discovered a fantastic homeschool typing program that my kids absolutely love.

The Best Homeschool Typing Program for Kids

Typesy is an online typing program that combines step-by-step video instruction with typing exercises that are tailored to each individual student.

My kids are using Typesy Homeschool, a version designed especially for homeschool families. This is by far the BEST homeschool typing program that we have ever used—and the kids are loving it!

Both Kendra and Weston have been voluntarily working on their typing exercises multiple times a day. They are so excited to see their typing speed and accuracy increase!

You may also like: 7 Top Homeschool Electives for Elementary

Why We Love Typesy’s Homeschool Typing Lessons

1. High-quality video instruction

Typesy Homeschool uses video instruction to teach kids how to type. Parents don’t have to do any teaching at all. Huge timesaver!

New techniques are clearly explained by a real person and demonstrated on a real keyboard. This video teaching method is extremely effective. It’s almost like having a teacher right there demonstrating even my 7-year-old daughter is able to complete her lessons independently.

2. Customized typing exercises

Typesy Homeschool monitors the student’s progress and adapts the exercises to their needs. Each lesson is customized based on the student’s skill level.

For example, Kendra is only 7, and naturally she is progressing more slowly than her older brother. After completing an exercise today, the program recommended that she repeat it to improve her skills. Meanwhile, 10-year-old Weston was able to move on with no problem.

This customization is one of the best features of the program, ensuring that students master each technique before moving on.

3. Excellent monitoring and reports

Not only does Typesy Homeschool do all the teaching and prepare all the exercises, but it also keeps track of the student’s words per minute and number of errors made. Progress reports are available in the parent dashboard.

4. Works on most devices

Typesy Homeschool was designed to work with the devices that are commonly used by families. No fancy equipment needed! You can use the program on MAC or Windows, or with an iPad or Chromebook.

The program can be used on as many devices as you like. Everything is conveniently stored in the cloud and automatically synced between all devices. Super convenient for busy homeschool families!

NEW!! Check out the Typesy Community for help with teaching touch typing.

Get Started with Typesy

Your kids can get started with Typesy Homeschool in just 5 minutes! Choose the subscription option that best suits your family’s needs:

• Homeschool Family plan – 1 parent-teacher account and 2 student accounts
• Homeschool Big Family plan – 2 parent-teacher accounts and 5 student accounts
• Homeschool Co-op plan – 5 parent-teacher accounts and 15 student accounts

Note: All 3 plans include exactly the same content. The only thing that changes is the number of accounts included.

Typesy FAQs

1. What age range is Typesy for?

Typesy Homeschool includes instruction for all ages and levels of students, from brand new typists to those who already have some experience. And it’s not just for kids! While it works beautifully for elementary students, teens and adults can also use the program to learn to type.

2. Do students need to have prior typing experience?

No, not at all! The first lesson starts at the very beginning with an introduction to the keyboard. Students learn basic finger placement on the home row and then move on from there. Even young students can learn to type with Typesy since the program will adapt to their ability.

3. What if Typesy doesn’t work for my child?

If you find that the program doesn’t live up to its claims, Typesy will refund your money PLUS give you an extra $50. But trust me on this one . . . you WON’T need the refund.

The post Typesy: Best Homeschool Typing Program 2026 appeared first on Meaningful Homeschooling.

Art has always been rather overlooked in our homeschool. Sure, my kids have plenty of basic art supplies, and there are hundreds of art tutorials on YouTube.

But my kids have never actually studied art history. They know very little about famous artists or the world’s greatest pieces of art. And honestly, I don’t know very much, either.

Obviously some knowledge of art is important for a well-rounded education, but I didn’t have any idea where to start. Thankfully there is a wonderful new art appreciation curriculum for families that makes it simple to learn more about artists and their works.

Easy-to-Use Homeschool Art Appreciation Curriculum

Beautiful Feet Books is well known for creating literature-based curriculum for subjects that may be harder to teach: music appreciation, state history, geography, and more.

Every Beautiful Feet Books curriculum is easy to use, with clear teacher guides, carefully selected books, and Charlotte Mason-style notebooking. The balance of structure and flexibility makes it perfect for homeschool families.

You may also like: Beautiful Feet Books Music Appreciation Curriculum

Art Appreciation (Family Study) is a new curriculum from Beautiful Feet Books that uses the same approach as their other literature-based studies. Even if you don’t have a background in art, you can teach confidently with these excellent resources.

The art appreciation curriculum includes:

• A beautiful hardcover book, Book of Artists, that contains stories of artists and full-color pictures of famous works of art
• A thorough, easy-to-use teacher guide with detailed lesson plans so you can teach art appreciation confidently
• A set of full-color reproductions of some of the world’s most famous pieces of art (see below)
• A guided notebook with space to record notes for each lesson

Lesson plans for Art Appreciation (Family Study) include plenty of learning activities such as reading from the Book of Artists, observing and discussing various art pieces, and suggested art projects.

In addition to these activities, there are links to helpful videos that tell more about an artist, a particular work of art, or an artistic method. I was surprised at how much my daughter enjoyed this part of the curriculum!

Why We Like This Homeschool Art Appreciation Curriculum

1. One curriculum for the entire family

One of the best parts of using this art appreciation curriculum is that it is designed to be done together as a family. Instead of juggling multiple lessons with different kids, you can teach everyone in grades 5-12 together at one time.

Not only does this save time, but it also allows parents and children to learn and discuss art together, sharing their viewpoints and observations. Instead of learning individually, the entire family can benefit from learning together.

I also appreciate that by learning together as a family, you only need to purchase ONE curriculum for everyone. The only additional purchase is an extra notebook for each student.

2. Simple to use

I love that everything we need is included in the curriculum. I don’t need to try to cram a library visit into a busy week. And I don’t have to come up with supplemental activities, because there are so many options included in the teacher guide.

Art Appreciation (Family Study) truly is an open-and-go curriculum. All you need are the supplies for the optional art projects. That’s it!

3. Fits a Charlotte Mason learning approach

I definitely don’t follow Charlotte Mason’s principles as closely as some homeschool families do, but there is a lot to appreciate about her gentle learning methods. I’ve always especially loved her emphasis on notebooking and copywork.

This curriculum incorporates two of Charlotte Mason’s methods: picture study and notebooking. Instead of studying a textbook and taking tests, students learn by observing the included picture cards closely (the curriculum suggest spending 5 minutes looking at the picture) and notebooking about their observations.

I’ve been pleased to see both of my daughters either picking up the Book of Artists to look through, or going through the stack of picture cards included with the curriculum. I want them to develop an appreciation for great art and the artists who created it.

Get Started with Homeschool Art Appreciation

Ready to get started with art appreciation in your homeschool? From now until the end of July, use promo code IHN26FS to get free shipping on your order from Beautiful Feet Books!

Promo code is only valid on orders within the United States. This offer expires July 31, 2026.

The post Homeschool Art Appreciation Curriculum appeared first on Meaningful Homeschooling.

Cryptocurrency has always been a mystery to me. In spite of multiple explanations by knowledgeable family members, the concept has been hard for me to understand.

When I had the opportunity for my daughter to take a beginner blockchain course, I was all in. She was admittedly a little less enthusiastic. Ha!

However, I wanted her to have a better understanding of blockchain fundamentals than I do. And secretly, I hoped that I might learn a little bit along with her.

Beginner Blockchain Course from Mr. D Math

To be completely honest, I might not have considered this course for my daughter if it hadn’t come from a trusted source. Because my kids have taken many different classes from Mr. D Math, I didn’t have any hesitation in enrolling Kendra in this blockchain course.

Blockchain Beginner – The Genesis Block is a great starting point for beginners to learn the basics of cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and online security. And it’s not just for teens; adults who are new to the crypto world (like me) can also take the course to gain a better understanding of how it works.

Easy for Beginners to Understand

Students don’t need any technical background to succeed with this course. Lessons start at the very beginning and build a solid foundation for further learning.

The class starts with what cryptocurrency is, how it works, and how to create a crypto wallet. It even includes information about how to set up Coinbase and Cash App accounts to use for trading.

Kendra’s only prior knowledge of cryptocurrency was hearing some general references to Bitcoin. She was surprised to learn in this beginner blockchain course that you can buy PART of a Bitcoin. (It’s a whole different thing than nickels, dimes, and quarters!)

Video Lessons

The video-based lessons in Blockchain Beginner – The Genesis Block feature a variety of styles, including animation, recorded interviews, and actual teachers speaking. Videos are short, avoiding overwhelm and informational overload.

Kendra appreciates that the lessons are all videos. She feels that it makes the lessons easier for her to understand.

I personally appreciate the closed caption option, which is very helpful for people like me who retain information best by seeing the written words in addition to watching the video.

No Extra Materials Needed

After watching each lesson video, students complete a short online quiz. I love that everything is online. There are no textbooks, answer keys, or printed worksheets. Kendra can just open the laptop and do everything in one place.

Includes Higher-Level Learning Assignments

Homeschool parents who want to challenge their students will love that this blockchain course includes research assignments and essays about various topics. For example, in Lesson 3, students are required to write a paper (2 to 3 pages long) explaining blockchain technology and its real-world uses.

In addition to the actual report, students are required to submit a glossary of 10 key terms, cite at least 3 credible references, and include a Works Cited section in their paper. (This would be great practice in writing research papers.)

No Teaching or Grading

I love, love, LOVE that I don’t have to teach anything myself. It would have been a huge undertaking for me to learn enough about blockchain to be able to teach it effectively. With this course, every single lesson is taught for me by someone who truly knows what they’re talking about.

And I don’t have to grade any lessons, either. Everything is graded automatically. All I have to do is keep an eye on Kendra’s grades and let her do all the learning on her own. It’s such a timesaver!

This also means that my daughter is able to complete lessons independently, without waiting on me to be available to help. She can jump right into her daily work and get it done without any wait. (Just the way she likes it!)

I can’t say that cryptocurrency and blockchain have suddenly become Kendra’s favorite subject (she’ll still pick history first every time!), but I can tell you without a doubt that she knows more about these topics than she did when she started.

Get 20% Off the Beginner Blockchain Course

If you’re ready to let Blockchain Beginner – The Genesis Block give your teen (or yourself!) a foundation in crypto and blockchain, you’ll want to take advantage of this special offer.

Mr. D Math is offering a 20% discount when you demo their math courses. You’ll get to see firsthand what the lessons are like, and how the online quizzes work. You and your student get to experience Mr. D Math before you even purchase the course!

The post Beginner Blockchain Course for Teens appeared first on Meaningful Homeschooling.

Many years ago, when I switched schools in junior high, I needed to make up a geography course I had missed. The teacher’s solution? Draw a map of the world. Geography completed.

That world map was the extent of my geography study in school. And quite honestly, I was relieved to have it behind me. Learning where all those countries were located was BORING.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! When you add in the human component of what life is actually like for real people in other countries, geography really comes to life.

THAT is what was missing in my “boring” introduction to geography. So when I found a fun, story-based way to learn more about other countries, I knew that’s what I wanted for my kids.

Story-Based Country Studies for Kids

Around the World Stories is an easy, enjoyable way for homeschool families to learn more about other countries. These stories are NOT just bland geography. Instead they are engaging stories that introduce kids aged 5-11 to different cultures around the world.

Each country study has four 30-minute audio stories focused on a child from that country, making geography interesting and relevant for kids. The stories are engaging and fun, and they show students how kids in other countries live. This real-life approach is what really helps kids become interested in other cultures.

Around the World Stories currently has stories available from 21 countries. And the best part is that you and your child get to choose which country you want to learn about first! You can choose a country that fits in with your history studies, or simply choose one that your child is interested in.

Scroll down to get a FREE country study!

Kiera’s first choice of country was India. (Our older daughter’s husband was born in India, and Kiera was excited to learn more about what his early life was like.)

The country study about India follows the life of Raj, a fictional character who lives with his family in Delhi, India. Throughout the series, Kiera learned about the Festival of Colors and the Taj Mahal, as well as what daily life is like for both the wealthier and the impoverished families in India.

With Around the World Stories, she was able to learn more about Indian culture, history, and daily life. No books or tests required! And as an added bonus, she found that she could take her learning with her outside, which is her favorite place to be.

As a homeschool mom, I appreciate that these stories can be taken literally anywhere. Whether waiting in a doctor’s office, lining up for your Azure pickup, or taking a family road trip, you can just grab your phone and pull up the next story. It’s a flexible option for any homeschool family.

Other Activities for Country Studies for Kids

In addition to the stories, each country study in Around the World Stories also includes cultural activities, recipes, fun facts, coloring pages, and more. These are very interesting and would make great jumping-off points for related topics.

For India, the extra information focused on Hinduism, Mahatma Gandhi, the Bengal Tiger, the history of the Taj Mahal, and the game of cricket that is played in India. You could easily delve more deeply into any of those topics to create a fabulous unit study about India.

One of the Indian recipes included was for phirni, a delicious dessert similar to rice pudding. We’ve not yet tried making it, but I’m delighted to have the recipe for the yummy pudding we’ve eaten in an Indian restaurant. (Definitely add this to your India country study!)

In addition to India, there are story packs for 20 other countries, including England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Spain, Russia, and many more. Remember, YOU get to choose what you want to learn about next.

Get Started with Country Studies for Kids

Ready to get started with these amazing stories? Sign up for a monthly subscription to receive one ticket (unlocks one country) each month. There is also an option to purchase 12 tickets at one time instead of getting one per month.

Right now you can also get one country study for FREE! Your family can learn all about Germany and enjoy all the fun activities without spending a dime.

The post Story-Based Country Studies for Kids appeared first on Meaningful Homeschooling.

If your family is planning to visit the zoo soon, these coloring pages are a great activity for younger children before or after your trip.

You could also use these pictures along with a letter of the week study. For example, your child could color the elephant while learning “E is for elephant.” Pair it with a colorful book about elephants for even more learning!

You may also like: Free Printable Spring Color by Number Pages

Free Printable Zoo Coloring Pages

These zoo coloring pages are simple enough for young children to enjoy. Preschoolers will probably find it easier to color with thicker crayons like these fun animal-themed crayons.

This set includes eight zoo-themed pictures to color, as well as a cute cover with the title “Zoo Animals.” Kids can color the cover and assemble the pages into their own special coloring book.

Scroll down to download your free zoo coloring pages!

Includes coloring pages for 8 different zoo animals:

• Bear
• Elephant
• Giraffe
• Hippo
• Lion
• Monkey
• Penguin
• Zebra

Download Zoo Animal Coloring Pages

If you see a lock on the image below, please log in or sign up to unlock the download.

Once you are logged in, you’ll get immediate access to all of my FREE homeschool printables. No need to sign up for each one—just do it once and you’re done!

Have a friend who would like a copy? Please send them to this page! Thank you for respecting my copyright.

More Fun Activities for Kids

Looking for more animal-themed activities to enjoy with your kids? Here are a few to get you started!

Kangaroo Papercraft

Mom and Baby Bird Papercraft

The post Free Printable Zoo Animal Coloring Pages appeared first on Meaningful Homeschooling.

Learning basic sewing is so much more enjoyable for kids when they love the project they are making. You can’t go wrong by choosing these adorable avocado stuffies. Kids are sure to love them!

You may also like: Felt Heart Handicraft for Kids

What You’ll Need to Make a Felt Avocado Stuffie

1. Felt: dark green, light green, pink, and color of your choice for heart
2. Scissors
3. Needle
4. Thread
5. Cotton or Poly-fil (for stuffing the avocado)
6. Fabric marker or pencil
7. Printable felt avocado template

How to Make a Felt Avocado Stuffie

Step 1

Select light green and dark green felt for the avocado pattern. Select pink felt for the blush, and any color of your choice for the heart pattern. Trace the template patterns onto the selected felt; cut the pieces out neatly.

Step 2

Take the small base cutout (light green) and use a pen or pencil to draw the eyes and mouth-line on it near the top part of the base.

Using a needle and black thread, stitch along the traced eyes and mouth-line.

Using pink thread, stitch the 2 small blush cutouts on each side of the face.

Step 3

Place the felt heart cutout below the face part, near the bottom edge of the green base. Prepare a needle with thread that matches the heart color.

Stitch the heart cutout on top of the light green base.

Step 4

After stitching on the heart shape, place the green base on one of the dark green (bigger) bases. Using light green thread, stitch the light green base onto the dark green base.

Step 5

Stitch the light green base all around to join it with the dark green base.

Step 6

Take the other dark green base and place it under the stitched base pattern. Using dark green thread, start stitching the edges of the two dark green bases together with flat blanket stitches.

Step 7

Keep a small opening for stuffing the felt avocado. Push cotton or Poly-fil through the opening until the avocado is filled.

Step 8

After stuffing the avocado, stitch the small opening shut. Tie a knot or two to secure the stitching; cut off the extra thread.

If you’d like to make the stuffie into an ornament, attach ribbon at the top for hanging.

And that’s it! Now your child can enjoy showing their handiwork to family and friends.

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As a homeschool mom of eight kids, I’ve tried out many different math curriculums over the years. Some of them were successes, and some of them were complete flops.

So today I’m sharing a list of the BEST homeschool math curriculums I have found over the past 20+ years of homeschooling.

The Best Homeschool Math Curriculums I’ve Found

1. Math Lessons for a Living Education

Math Lessons for a Living Education is a mastery-based math curriculum with a Charlotte Mason flair that I love. The curriculum uses story-based learning with a Biblical emphasis, making this a wonderful resource for Christian homeschool families.

Just ONE book has everything you need (except grade 6, which has a separate teacher guide). The full-color student workbook contains all the instruction, worksheets, and answer keys. It also has an amazing suggested daily schedule (this schedule is GOLD!).

MLFLE uses The GENTLE Approach, a developmentally-aligned approach that allows students the opportunity to learn without struggling to keep up. This approach builds math confidence and reduces the pressure and anxiety that hinder progress.

See my full review: Math Lessons for a Living Education Review

Don’t miss the Math Lessons for a Living Education giveaway at the bottom of this post!

2. Math-U-See

Math-U-See has been a long-time favorite in our family. We made the switch to MUS after struggling for months with a popular spiral-approach curriculum.

Math-U-See emphasizes hands-on learning using math manipulatives such as integer blocks, fraction overlays, and decimal inserts. Each lesson includes three worksheets focused on the current lesson, as well as three cumulative review worksheets to keep skills sharp.

The author, Mr. Demme, teaches each lesson on video, but technically these are intended to help parents teach their kids. However, my independent learners have usually done just fine watching the MUS videos on their own.

Learn more about Math-U-See.

3. Math Mammoth

Math Mammoth Light Blue Series is a mastery-based math curriculum with a strong mental math component. Mental math is very important in everyday living, and Math Mammoth does a great job at building those skills.

Each level is organized into chapters by topics. Each chapter concentrates on one theme, such as place value, division, or decimals. The entire curriculum emphasizes conceptual learning, building a solid foundation for higher math.

All the instruction is included right on the student pages, so no teacher’s manual is needed. If kids need extra help, they can watch free videos in which the author, Maria Miller, teaches the material herself.

See my full review: Math Mammoth Review

4. Apologia Math

Exploring Creation with Mathematics is an elementary math curriculum from Apologia. This curriculum combines regular skill practice with hands-on activities to help kids truly understand math.

I really like the Charlotte Mason flavor of Apologia Math. Instead of mindlessly memorizing facts, kids learn to actually understand and apply math by relating it to daily life.

The curriculum approaches math from a Christian viewpoint, with a devotional at the beginning of each unit that shows how math points to a purposeful Creator.

See my full review: Apologia Math Review

5. Dimensions Math

Dimensions Math is a Singapore math curriculum that uses the concrete-pictorial-abstract approach. Students start learning math with concrete objects, then move to pictures, and finally to numbers and symbols.

The Singapore math approach is well known for helping students develop number sense and mental math skills so they can solve problems quickly and accurately. Instead of just memorizing formulas or following steps blindly, they learn to analyze problems and find creative strategies to solve them.

Dimensions Math is a mastery-based curriculum, ensuring that students fully understand each math concept before moving on. This is a good fit for learners who need help bridging the gap between concrete and abstract math.

See my full review: Dimensions Math Review

So there you have it, friends. These are my top five picks for elementary math curriculums. You may have noticed that all of them use a mastery approach to math. That’s because ALL of my kids struggled with a spiral approach.

Your child may be thriving with a spiral-based math curriculum. That’s great! Don’t quit! If you’re meeting your child’s needs and learning style, I know you’ll have an awesome homeschool journey.

Math Lessons for a Living Education Giveaway

Master Books is giving away one level of Math Lessons for a Living Education! Complete the form below to enter the giveaway.

Giveaway ends April 30, 2026.

Can’t see the giveaway form? Click here to enter.

The post The Best Homeschool Math Curriculums for Elementary Grades appeared first on Meaningful Homeschooling.

Every year my daughter reads DOZENS of history and literature books in her literature-based history curriculum. Over the years she has enjoyed so many wonderful books, but we never actually looked closely at what she had read.

I knew I wanted to pass on my love of the classics to my daughter, but I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t even know the right questions to ask to help her develop critical reading skills.

Thankfully I’ve finally found a solution that has changed the entire way we approach high school literature: Guided Editions of the Classics.

About Guided Editions of the Classics

If you’re struggling to teach literature like I was, you’ll love Guided Editions of the Classics from Telemachos Publishing. Each volume is a comprehensive, easy-to-use homeschool literature resource, all in one book.

These editions were created by a current high school English teacher who has taught the classics for over thirty years. He has also graded the AP English exam and served as a College Board consultant. His expertise clearly shines through in these guided editions.

Guided editions are available for these classics:

• Call of the Wild
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Great Expectations
• The Great Gatsby
• Anne of Green Gables
• Frankenstein
• The Scarlet Letter
• A Tale of Two Cities
• Macbeth
• A Christmas Carol

Developing Critical Reading Skills with Classic Books

When our Guided Editions of the Classics books first arrived, my ninth-grade daughter was skeptical. We decided to start with Anne of Green Gables, a book she had previously found “boring.”

By the second or third day, Kendra was no longer dreading literature time. I could hardly believe my ears when she told me that she was actually enjoying the book that she had previously disliked!

And the discussion that she had always dreaded? Now she genuinely looks forward to it. In fact, when I suggested skipping the discussion one day, she was so disappointed that we went ahead and did it anyway.

Guided Editions of the Classics has completely turned around literature time for my daughter, and I couldn’t be more grateful. This is hands down the best literature curriculum we have ever used in 20+ years of homeschooling.

Guided Reading Questions

Each of these editions contain guided reading questions in the sidebar of the book. These questions really open up new layers in the reading, and I believe this is the biggest reason my daughter is loving the classics now. It has given her a deeper understanding of things that she just skimmed over before.

The guided questions model the critical reading process for students so they can go deeper step by step. These questions are also the solution for the teacher (me!) not knowing what to ask or discuss.

I love that these questions are helping me to teach literature effectively, while also developing Kendra’s independent critical reading skills. Now we both look forward to literature time each day!

Introductory Essay

Each Guided Editions of the Classics book contains an introductory essay that is based on the editor’s experience in grading the AP English exam. This essay is designed to help students see the process for interpreting the book so they can develop a written argument well.

These writing strategies have been tested at a college prep school for more than 20 years, and have been extremely successful. Students using these writing strategies are having a 100% pass rate on their AP English exams, and a whopping 80% of these students are scoring 4s and 5s.

Student model essays and links to additional resources are also included for more help.

Footnotes and Glossary

Footnotes at the bottom of pages explain historical and literary references with which students may not be familiar. I appreciate this since it gives Kendra a better understanding while she is reading independently.

These editions also contain a full glossary of words that are used throughout the text, providing definitions without needing a dictionary.

Get Started with Critical Reading

Guided Editions of the Classics has completely changed high school literature for us. If you want to truly enjoy the classics, I highly recommend these editions.

These books are affordable to start with, but right now you can use promo code HOMESCHOOL for a 15% discount on your order.

You can also subscribe for free teaching resources from Telemachos Publishing.

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