Grandparents, Homeschooling, and Meaningful Giftgiving
How Grandparents Can Support Homeschooled Grandchildren Through Thoughtful Gift Giving
One of the great blessings of homeschooling is the way it draws generations together. Parents, children, and grandparents are united by a shared desire to form souls in truth, goodness, and beauty. As a homeschooling mom of seven, a grandmother of eleven, and a co-founder of Homeschool Connections, I’ve seen firsthand how grandparents can play a quiet but powerful role in supporting their children’s homeschooling efforts. Sometimes in the simplest of ways.
One especially meaningful way grandparents can help is through intentional gift giving. Thoughtful gifts can strengthen family relationships, reinforce learning, and even ease some of the financial and practical burdens homeschooling parents often carry.
Offering Practical Help When It’s Needed Most
Even the simplest homeschool life comes with a price tag. Most of us are living on one income in a two-income world. Curriculum, books, science supplies, online classes, and educational resources can add up quickly. This is especially true for families with multiple children.
One of the most generous and practical gifts a grandparent can offer is simply asking, “Is there anything you need for school this year?” Offering to purchase curriculum, textbooks, or online classes can be an enormous relief for parents who feel stretched thin but hesitant to ask for help.
This kind of support isn’t flashy, but it’s deeply loving. It communicates trust in the parents’ educational choices and a willingness to invest in your grandchildren’s academic and spiritual formation.
Choosing Gifts That Support Learning and Faith
Beyond curriculum, gifts for birthdays, sacraments, and Christmas can reinforce a homeschooling family’s values and lifestyle. Educational gifts don’t have to feel like “schoolwork.” In fact, the best ones often feel like play.
High-quality toys such as LEGO, Magna-Tiles, wooden puzzles, Montessori-style materials, and building sets encourage creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. Dolls, even for very young children, can teach compassion and imaginative play. One of my own granddaughters’ favorite gifts has been a simple doll that she carries everywhere. It’s amazing how much learning happens through pretend play.
Subscription boxes are another fun option. I’ve personally gifted Catholic Family Crate, Kiwi Crates, and Radish Kids to my grandchildren, and it has been a joy to see them look forward to each monthly delivery.
And of course, faith-filled items are a must. Here are just a few of my favorite online Catholic kid shops:
Building a Home Library Through Thoughtful Book Gifts
Books are one of the most enduring and meaningful gifts grandparents can give. A well-chosen book can be read and reread for years, shaping imagination and faith, as well as addressing the academic. Classics, joyful read-alouds, Catholic picture books, historical fiction, and beautifully illustrated stories are always welcome in a homeschool family! They may even become part of a family tradition.
Catholic publishers such as Cluny, Arx, Hillside, and Ignatius Press offer books that are rich in beauty, truth, and goodness, making them especially fitting gifts for homeschooling families. I also love pointing grandparents to our curated Homeschool Connections reading list, which makes it easy to confidently choose age-appropriate, time-tested titles.
Giving the Gift of Experiences
Some of the most memorable gifts don’t come in a box at all. Experiences can be powerful learning tools and treasured family memories.
Museum passes, zoo or botanical garden memberships, historical site visits, or even a special outing with grandparents can enrich a child’s education while deepening relationships. A short family trip with grandparents, whether to a shrine, a national park, or a nearby city, often becomes part of a child’s personal “living history.”
These experiences align beautifully with homeschooling. After all, learning isn’t confined to a classroom but woven into everyday life. Plus, experiences don’t create clutter, which is a frustration for many homeschool families.
Encouraging Exploration and Independence
As children grow, gifts that encourage independence and responsibility can be especially meaningful. Journals, planners, cameras, and simple tools help children observe the world more closely and reflect on what they see.
Outdoor and physical play is just as important. Sporting equipment, bicycles, or simple backyard games help children stay active and develop coordination and teamwork.
Even classic items like board games or walkie-talkies foster communication, strategy, and family bonding. In my family, board games are must every Christmas!
Supporting Long-Term Educational Growth
For older students, grandparents may consider contributing toward online courses, enrichment classes, or subscription programs that provide ongoing educational support. Homeschool Connections’ Unlimited Access program, for example, provides families with access to hundreds of courses for all ages, making it a practical and flexible gift for large families.
Another meaningful way grandparents can support their grandchildren’s long-term education is by contributing to a 529 education savings plan. These plans can be used for a wide range of educational expenses, including college, trade schools, and, in some cases, even K–12 educational costs.
These types of gifts say to parents and children alike: “I believe in what you’re doing, and I want to support it.”
A Gift of Love and Partnership
At its heart, gift giving is not about the item itself, but about the relationship. When grandparents take time to choose gifts that align with a family’s faith and educational goals, they become true partners in the homeschooling journey.
Catholic homeschooling is filled with joys and challenges. Grandparents who walk alongside their children, whether by providing financial support, offering meaningful gifts, or simply encouraging their mission, become an irreplaceable source of strength and grace. And that, in the end, is one of the greatest gifts of all.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Join other homeschooling parents and me in the Homeschool Connections Facebook Group or in the HSC Community to continue the conversation.
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