Free or Low Cost Resources for Homeschoolers in Hawaii
As homeschool families are often on single incomes, we are always on the lookout for great deals. This month, CHOH takes a look at low-cost or free resources for your Hawaii homeschooling budget. If you’re feeling the financial pinch of living in the islands, here are a variety of local activities, field trip tips, and online resources to help you out.
Local Activities
The Homeschool Ohana PE ministry (HOPE) meets weekly at Patsy Mink Park in central O’ahu. Free to all, the kids get to exercise while moms and dads get to meet and talk. Check for weekly meeting info. https://www.facebook.
com/profile.php?id= 100084378362529
Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii
This volunteer run organization is a great way to instill the ethics of hard work while giving your child a taste of what it’s like to be around horses. Find out more about their volunteer programs.
Ben Franklin
Not just for moms! Check the schedule for your local Ben Franklin event calendar. With classes available for adults and kids, it might be a much needed way to make a mess elsewhere!
District park programs
Have you ever checked into community classes? Optimal for homeschoolers with flexible schedules, here is a link to a variety of free or low-cost classes hosted by your community center or one of five nearby botanical gardens.
https://pros5.hnl.info/
activities?d-page=3&d-offset= 30&d-limit=10
Library
More than books! Did you know being a part of the Hawaii state library system gives you access to self-paced music lessons, Mango language lessons, as well as movie streaming services? Even better, you can use your library card to access the Libby app, making e-book and audio book borrowing a breeze!
School Supplies
Fisher Hawaii has graciously offered to extend their teacher discounts to homeschooling parents! Mention Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii and get that discount we’ve all been wanting!
Field Trips
Can’t afford a membership, but still want to visit? Consider putting together a group of students for group rates. Here are a few places to start with.
Mission House Museum
With minimal costs and age-appropriate tours, this is a must for children of Hawai’i. Students $5, adults $8, one free adult with every 10 students. Be sure to go next door and visit the grounds and interior of Kawaiha’o Church.
https://sites.google.com/
missionhouses.org/ hmheducationresourcecenter/ book-a-school-tour?authuser=0
Honolulu Museum of Art
Take a free docent led tour. 25 student minimum, 1 adult per every 10 students.
Or lead your own group on a free self-guided tour. Book 2 weeks prior.
Bishop Museum
School groups with older students (5-17) get 1 free chaperone for every 10 students, whereas groups with younger students (4 and under) get 1 free chaperone for every 5 students. $8 per person.
USS Missouri
Group discount for school groups – a group of 10 (minimum) students with one teacher, the cost is $10 per student, $14 for the teacher/adult. Contact Scott Tyrrell, School Programs Coordinator at [email protected] for more information.
Hikes
This site has many great ideas, but it also contains links to family friendly hikes.
https://oahufamilyfun.com/
free-things-to-do-in-oahu- with-kids
Online
YouTube videos can be a helpful resource for explaining science and history concepts and facts. Be sure to vet all videos before showing your kiddos.
Numerous free homeschool curriculum listed by subject area. This site is extremely helpful and well organized. Updated and easy to search, it is highly recommended. https://
freedomhomeschooling.com/
Virtual field trips
I know we’d rather see it in person, but many museums and places of interest offer free virtual tours. Use it as research for the next the paper, get to know a place before you visit, or visit a faraway land.
With many more options out there, hopefully this list will give you a good starting point to launch out and find those low-cost or even free resources! What’s your most helpful tip or favorite place to take your homeschooling kids?