Engaging Ancient History for Homeschoolers

Ancient history is often where many homeschooling families begin—and for good reason! It’s where our civilisation originated and it’s full of amazing people and some of the best stories ever written. From ancient Egypt to Ireland, and Greece and Rome, Ancient History gives children their first real sense that the world has a deep and awesome past.

But it can also feel like a lot. Where do you start? What do you include? And how do you keep your kids actually interested–instead of just overwhelming them with a collection of facts? Read on!

Start Homeschooling with a Story: Not (necessarily) a Textbook

One of the simplest shifts you can make is to move away from dry textbooks and towards story-based learning.

Children remember stories. They connect with people, places, and events when they’re brought to life through narrative.

Using well-written Living Books—be they biographies, historical stories or even fiction written during that time period—helps history feel real rather than abstract. These kinds of books tend to stay with children far longer than facts learned for a worksheet or a dry textbook.

Now, this doesn’t mean to ban all textbooks! If you are using a textbook (and there are some excellent ones on the market!) just look for one that teaches history with real stories, and real people. A so-called Living Book. A Living Book is, simply, a book that is actually interesting! It incorporates real stories into history.

Ancient History: Textbook Recommendations

Here are some wonderful textbook recommendations for Ancient History. These would all be good examples of a Living Book–and are sure to keep your children interested!

The Story of the World Vol. 1: popular Classical history of the World. Not Catholic, but Christian.

The Story of Civilization Vol. 1: Catholic World history for Primary, by a homeschooling father and popular writer, Phillip Campbell *Our pick for general Ancient History.

The Saga of Ireland: is a wonderful look at our own Irish history. *Our pick for Irish history!

Ancient Egypt

Discover the fascinating world of angels and tTheheir roles in history and faith. This book offers insightful teachings and stories that illuminate the significance of these celestial beings.

Experience the gripping tales of triumph and faith during challenging times. This book presents stories of perseverance and courage that will inspire readers of all ages.

Travel back to ancient Egypt with this captivating story, following the life of a young boy as he journeys through history filled with wonder and adventure.

Delve into the life of one of the most iconic figures in history, King David. This book explores his legendary tales and the songs that convey his deep faith and resilience.