Online Homeschool Programs for Travelling Families: 90+ Picks by Subject (2026)
Online Learning on the Road: What We’re Testing with Louie
Last updated 28 September 2026
Every night before bed, Louie opens Duolingo and practises his Vietnamese. Nobody has to remind him. He thinks Vietnamese is a really fun language to learn, and he’s getting good at it. 🇻🇳
That’s the thing about online programs. The right one fits into your family’s life without a fight. The wrong one becomes another thing to nag about.
Not everything has stuck. Louie tried Squla, a Dutch learning app, and found it too childish for a 9-year-old. Fair enough. Scratch has been a much better fit for his age, and he’s happily building his own projects on the tablet he uses for school.
We’re still testing to see what Louie actually enjoys. Our rule is simple: start free, and only pay once something sticks. Duolingo is about to pass that test. The free version has ads and limits how much he can do, so we’ll probably upgrade soon.
Leo, our 2-year-old, is a different story. We keep him mostly screen-free, apart from a few musical alphabet songs. 🎶
This page is where we keep track of everything else we’ve researched: over 90 programs, sorted by subject, age and cost. Most we haven’t used ourselves, and we say so clearly. For our full routine and what learning costs us each month, see Homeschooling While Travelling.
👉 Know a program we’re missing? Jump to the submit form ↓
Browse 90+ Online Programs by Subject
Tap a filter to browse by subject, or scroll through everything. Each card shows the age range, cost and who it suits best.
⭐ We use this means Louie uses it right now. Everything else is based on our research and on what other homeschooling parents recommend.
Prices change often, so check the current price with the provider before you sign up.
Submit a Resource
Know something we’re missing?
We’d love this list to keep growing with help from other families. If a program, course or creator has made a real difference for your family, tell us about it.
And if you are the creator? Submit yourself. We check every submission ourselves. 🌍
What Actually Works When You’re Travelling
A program that works well at a kitchen table at home can fall apart in a guesthouse with patchy Wi-Fi. Before you commit to anything, it’s worth checking four things.
Internet. Live classes need a steady connection. Self-paced programs are far more forgiving. If you’re booking live lessons, check our nomad internet speed guide for your next destination first.
Time zones. Live classes are usually scheduled around US or European time. From Asia or Australia, that can mean early mornings or late nights. Some online schools, like bina, set their timetables around different time zones.
Offline options. A few tools keep working without internet. The Scratch app and ScratchJr work offline. Libby lets you download ebooks and audiobooks before a long travel day. Printables from small creators need no signal at all.
Cost creep. Subscriptions add up quickly, especially with more than one child. We use free versions first and upgrade only when Louie actually uses something. It saves money and a lot of half-finished subscriptions.
How We Choose What to Include
We’re a Dutch-Australian family living in Vietnam, and we’re still working out what suits Louie best. So this directory is mostly research, not a list of things we’ve tested.
We include programs that other homeschooling and worldschooling parents recommend, and that we’ve checked ourselves. We look for clear pricing, age ranges and a real track record. Newer programs are labelled so you know.
⭐ We use this means Louie uses it right now. We’ll add more stars as we test things, and we’ll tell you honestly when something doesn’t work for us.
We’re not paid to list any program. If a price has changed or a link is broken, please let us know. For parent-recommended books and materials rather than online programs, see our homeschooling resources list.
Your Worldschooling Journey Starts Here.
Not sure where to start? Neither were we.
Our free Worldschooling Roadmap walks you through choosing a learning approach and finding other families on the road.
Our Subject-by-Subject Guide
📚 Full Curriculum Programs
Some families want a backbone that covers the core subjects each week. A full curriculum gives you that structure, and you can still build travel and local experiences around it.
Full curriculum programs aren’t the same as accredited schools. If you need formal recognition, jump to Accredited Online Schools. Our guide to education and childcare for nomad families covers the bigger picture.
💡 Our tip: You don’t have to pick one and stick with it. Many families use a curriculum as a base and add apps, outings and small creator resources around it.
➕ Maths
Maths is the subject parents worry about most. It also has some of the best free resources. Khan Academy is widely used for instruction, and Zearn covers primary maths for free. IXL is a popular paid option for practice and progress tracking.
For kids who resist worksheets, Prodigy turns practice into a game. Beast Academy suits kids who like a challenge.
💡 Our tip: Short daily practice tends to work better than long weekend sessions.
✏️ Reading and Writing
Reading Eggs is a structured start for young readers. Night Zookeeper aims to make writing fun for primary-age kids. Brave Writer takes a gentler, relaxed approach to writing that many homeschooling families like.
💡 Our tip: Reading together every day matters more than any program. Libby makes that easier when you can’t carry books.
🌍 Languages
Living somewhere gives kids a reason to use a language every day. Louie hears Vietnamese at the market and in cafes, then practises with Duolingo at night. The two work together.
For younger kids, Dinolingo is designed for ages 2 to 12. For conversation practice, iTalki connects you with tutors for live lessons. Dutch families can find NTC lessons and approved distance learning through NOB, and Squla follows the Dutch primary curriculum.
💡 Our tip: Pick the language of the country you’re in. Kids learn faster when they can use it the next morning.
🔬 Science
The world is full of science lessons: rice paddies, reefs, volcanoes, markets. Online programs give kids the words and ideas to make sense of what they see.
Mystery Science is designed for primary ages with little parent prep. CK-12 is free and runs through to high school chemistry and physics.
💡 Our tip: Let your destination guide the topic. Our guide to wildlife travel as worldschooling is full of ideas.
🏛️ History and Geography
Online resources work well as preparation before a visit and follow-up afterwards. Horrible Histories sparks interest in younger kids. Curiosity Stream and our list of the best documentaries for worldschooling kids help with travel prep. Wild World of History is built for high schoolers.
💡 Our tip: Watch or read something about a place before you arrive. Kids get far more out of a visit when they already know the story.
💻 Coding and Tech
Scratch is where Louie started, and it’s free. Kids build games and animations, and learn coding along the way. Tynker and Code.org offer more structured paths. Replit suits teens ready for real code.
💡 Our tip: Let coding start as play. Louie is making things he’s proud of, and that’s what keeps him coming back.
🎨 Arts and Music
Art For Kids Hub on YouTube has thousands of free drawing lessons. For music, Lessonface and Take Sessions offer 1-on-1 lessons online. Outschool has live art and music classes for almost any interest.
💡 Our tip: Mix online lessons with local ones. A class in the country you’re staying in can teach far more than technique.
💛 Small Creators and Digital Packs
Parents and teachers make brilliant resources: unit studies, nature packs, printable field journals and reading guides. They’re usually sold through Etsy, Stan Store, Payhip or their own sites.
I’m in lots of homeschooling Facebook groups, and some of the best ideas I’ve found there come from creators like these. Buying from them supports a small business, often a fellow homeschooling family.
If you’re a creator, submit your resource here. 💛
🛠️ Parent Tools
Planning apps like Homeschool Panda and Homeschool Planet help you track lessons and records. Notion and Trello work well if you prefer building your own system.
💡 Our tip: Start with a simple notebook. Add a planning tool only when you actually need one.
Accredited Online Schools and the Legal Side
Accreditation matters more for some families than others. It helps most if your child will return to school, apply to university or needs formal records.
A few options travelling families often look at:
- Wolsey Hall Oxford: self-paced British and Cambridge courses with tutor feedback, and a pathway to IGCSEs and A levels.
- bina: a live online school for ages 4 to 12, accredited by Cambridge and Cognia, with small classes.
- Euka: an Australian online provider that helps families with registration and reporting.
- Acellus Academy and Bridgeway Academy: US-based accredited schools that accept international students.
A note on US public online schools: Connections Academy is tuition-free, but only for residents of the US states it partners with. Most families living abroad won’t be eligible.
⚠️ Important: Enrolling in an online school doesn’t automatically meet your legal education requirements. The rules depend on your home country and where you live. Our worldschooling legal guide covers this country by country.
Planning ahead for the teenage years? Read worldschooling with teenagers and can worldschooled kids go to university?. If you’re weighing up in-person schools, see our international schooling options guide.
What Does “Accredited” Actually Mean?
“Accredited” sounds official, but it means different things depending on where the school is based. Here’s the short version.
- US schools: the US government doesn’t accredit schools at all. Independent bodies such as Cognia and WASC do. An accredited US online school can issue a high school diploma, but each university decides how it treats it.
- UK schools: online schools aren’t inspected like schools in England. Instead, there’s a voluntary government scheme, the Online Education Accreditation Scheme, with Ofsted doing the checks. King’s InterHigh and Minerva’s Virtual Academy hold it.
- Cambridge (IGCSE and A level): the school teaches the course, but exams are sat in person at an approved exam centre, often a British Council office or an international school near where you’re living. Any student can enter as a private candidate.
- IB Diploma: fully online options are rare. Dwight Global and King’s InterHigh offer the full Diploma online. Pamoja runs IB courses, but only for students enrolled at an IB school.
Our rule of thumb: for primary school, accreditation matters less than whether your child enjoys it and whether it meets your home country’s rules. From about age 14, it matters a lot, because exams and diplomas decide what comes next.
What Accredited Online Schools Cost in 2026
These are the schools travelling families ask us about most, with fees converted to euros. Prices are per year unless stated, and most exclude exam fees. Always check the school’s own fees page before you enrol.
| School | Based | How it works | Ages | Leads to | Approx. cost (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolsey Hall Oxford | UK | Self-paced, with a personal tutor | 3 to 18 | Cambridge IGCSE and A level | Primary about €2,830 a year (4 courses); IGCSE about €3,780 for 4 subjects |
| King’s InterHigh | UK | Live lessons | 7 to 19 | GCSE/IGCSE, A level, IB Diploma | €5,190 (primary) to €8,960 (A level); IB €12,980 |
| bina | International | Live lessons, 9am to 2pm in your time zone | 4 to 15 | Cambridge-registered school (ask about the exam pathway) | About €9,630 to €10,350 |
| Acellus Academy | US | Self-paced video lessons | 5 to 18 | US high school diploma | From €223 a month (€71 with its scholarship), plus a €89 graduation fee |
| Laurel Springs | US | Self-paced, with optional live workshops | 5 to 18 | US high school diploma | €6,440 (primary) to €10,460 (high school) |
| Minerva’s Virtual Academy | UK | Online secondary | 11 to 18 | GCSE and A level | About €12,690 |
Converted at the European Central Bank rate on 08-10-2026 and rounded. Euka, which we also list, is an Australian curriculum provider rather than a school, and doesn’t publish prices in text, so check with them directly.
Don’t Forget Exam Fees
For British qualifications, the school fee usually doesn’t cover the exams themselves. You pay the exam centre directly. King’s InterHigh estimates around €180 to €240 per subject, and centre fees vary widely by country. Check where your nearest Cambridge or Pearson exam centre is before you choose a pathway, especially if you’ll be moving during exam season.
What If We Go Back to School at Home?
This is one of the biggest questions for travelling families. The honest answer: it depends on your home country, so check before you enrol, not after.
- The Netherlands: foreign diplomas are assessed by Nuffic’s diploma recognition service. For younger children returning to Dutch school, the government points families to NOB, which supports Dutch education abroad.
- Australia: home education is registered by each state, and families living permanently overseas generally can’t register until they return, so check with your state.
- Everywhere else: keep a portfolio of work, reports and any certificates. It makes placement conversations far easier.
Don’t Forget Exam Fees
For British qualifications, the school fee usually doesn’t cover the exams themselves. You pay the exam centre directly. King’s InterHigh estimates around €180 to €240 per subject, and centre fees vary widely by country. Check where your nearest Cambridge or Pearson exam centre is before you choose a pathway, especially if you’ll be moving during exam season.
What If We Go Back to School at Home?
This is one of the biggest questions for travelling families. The honest answer: it depends on your home country, so check before you enrol, not after.
- The Netherlands: foreign diplomas are assessed by Nuffic’s diploma recognition service. For younger children returning to Dutch school, the government points families to NOB, which supports Dutch education abroad.
- Australia: home education is registered by each state, and families living permanently overseas generally can’t register until they return (check with your state).
- Everywhere else: keep a portfolio of work, reports, and any certificates. It makes placement conversations far easier.
FAQs
Do we need a formal curriculum to worldschool?
No. Many families use a mix of free apps, books and real-world learning, especially in the early years. Check your legal requirements first, as some countries expect a structured program. Our unschooling guide explains the most relaxed approach.
What are the best free online homeschool programs?
Khan Academy, CK-12, Scratch, Code.org and Zearn are all free and widely used. BBC Bitesize and Oak National Academy are free options built around the UK curriculum.
How much does online homeschooling cost?
It can cost nothing, or several thousand euros a year for an online school. Many families use free resources and pay for one or two programs. Our real monthly learning costs are in our homeschooling while travelling guide.
Should we pay for Duolingo?
The free version works well for building a habit, but it has ads and limits. We’re planning to upgrade now that Louie practises every night. Check the current price in the app, as it varies by country.
Can families living abroad use US online public schools?
Usually not. Tuition-free schools like Connections Academy are generally only for residents of partner US states. Private accredited schools such as Acellus Academy accept international students for a fee.
Which online programs work with patchy Wi-Fi?
Self-paced programs cope better than live classes. The Scratch app, ScratchJr, downloaded Libby books and printables work fully offline.
Do we need an accredited online school?
Not always. It depends on your home country’s rules and your plans for school or university. See our legal requirements guide for the details.
What age should kids start online programs?
There’s no fixed age. We keep Leo, who’s 2, mostly screen-free. Louie, at 9, uses apps on his tablet for short, focused sessions.
Are online programs enough?
They work best alongside real experiences, like markets, farms, museums and local classes. Online tools give structure. Travel gives it meaning.
How do we know if a program is working?
Watch your child. If they use it without a fight and talk about what they’ve learnt, it’s working. Louie’s nightly Duolingo habit is our clearest sign.
How do worldschooling kids make friends?
Through hubs, meetups, local activities and online classes. It takes more effort than school. See our guides to worldschooling and socialisation and helping travelling kids make friends.
How much does an accredited online school cost?
From about €2,800 a year for a self-paced British option like Wolsey Hall Oxford, to around €10,000 to €13,000 a year for live online schools such as bina or Minerva’s. US schools like Acellus Academy charge monthly, from about €223. Exam fees are usually extra.
Our Takeaways
We haven’t found the perfect mix yet, and maybe we never will. Louie changes, where we live changes, and what works changes with it.
What we do know: the best program is the one your child actually uses. For Louie right now, that’s Vietnamese every night and Scratch whenever he gets the chance. The rest we’re still discovering, one free trial at a time. 🌍
If you’re just starting, don’t buy everything at once. Pick one thing, try it for a few weeks and see what sticks. Our guide on how to start worldschooling walks you through the first steps.
Looking for in-person community? Browse our worldschooling hubs directory. New to all of this? Start with our guide to worldschooling for families.
Want a head start? Grab our free Family Nomad Starter Kit, or join our newsletter and become part of our growing community of families doing education differently.
Last updated 28 September 2026. We are not paid to list any program. ⭐ marks what Louie uses right now. Everything else is based on research and recommendations from other parents.
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