The Homeschool Secret I Didn’t Know I Needed: Highlights Magazine
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you decide to subscribe to Highlights through one of them, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Full disclosure can be found HERE. I only share resources we personally use and truly enjoy in our homeschool life. In fact, this particular recommendation is near and dear to me—it’s a tradition passed along from my mother, and something we genuinely lean on as a meaningful part of our homeschool curriculum, especially during the early years with toddlers and young kids.
Quick Learning With Homeschooling
There’s something I’m always chasing as a work-from-home, homeschool mom: connection and simplicity. I want learning to feel natural and joyful, not forced. I also want to minimize prep time while still keeping my kids engaged and curious. And beyond lessons, I’m always looking for opportunities to have natural conversations with my kids — the kind that deepen their thinking and help them connect with the world around them.
That’s what Highlights Magazine gives me.
It’s not just about keeping my kids busy or screen-free (though that’s definitely a bonus). What I really love is that every single page offers a short burst of meaningful learning. Whether it’s a two-minute story, a quick puzzle, or a thoughtful prompt—it never feels like filler. It feels like progress!
And that’s because it’s low-prep, short-form, and easy to dive into. Any given page can take as little as 2 to 5 minutes to read, complete, or talk about. But somehow, it always sparks more.
If you’re a parent trying to juggle homeschooling and work—or even just looking for something meaningful for your child to do in those in-between moments—let me show you why Highlights has become such a staple in our home.
Why We Started—and Why We’ve Kept It Going
Our journey with Highlights started completely by surprise — and honestly, I almost missed it.
A couple of years ago, a thin magazine showed up in the mail and I initially assumed it was junk mail and nearly tossed it into the trash. But something told me to take a closer look — and I was glad I did! When I flipped it over, I realized it was a children’s magazine and that it had my daughter’s name printed on the back cover.
Curious, I called my mom to ask if she knew anything about it — and of course she did. She had surprised us with a subscription to High Five, the version of Highlights geared toward younger kids. She told me she had a subscription to Highlights when she was a child and had such fond memories of it that she wanted to pass the tradition on to her granddaughter.
Now, a couple of years later, that same granddaughter receives Highlights, which is perfect for her age group — and our next oldest gets High Five in the mail each month – both from Grandma. It’s become a joyful rhythm in our home, and both kids absolutely light up when their magazines arrive. (To be honest, I do too! I love seeing each new month’s theme and contents!)
This simple, thoughtful gift from my mom sparked something bigger in our homeschool — it gave us an effortless, meaningful way to build reading, critical thinking, and creativity into our daily lives. It’s more than just a subscription; it’s a tradition.
When We Use It in Our Homeschool Routine
Highlights fits into our homeschool days in such natural, flexible ways. Here’s how it’s woven into our weekly rhythm:
Weekend Mornings (Especially Sundays)
Sunday mornings are the slowest, coziest part of our week—and they’ve unofficially become our Highlights mornings. We’ll often spend 30 to 45 minutes flipping through the magazines together. No pressure, no schedule—just reading, playing, and talking.
It’s one of my favorite times of the week, honestly. And what I especially love is the range of topics packed into each issue. One moment we’re doing a Hidden Pictures puzzle, and the next, we’re deep in conversation about friendship or emotions because of something we read in a story.
A while back, we read a story about a father who had recently remarried. It opened the door to a really gentle, thoughtful conversation about blended families—something that felt timely and important, but not forced. It was a soft, approachable way to start introducing that idea to our kids.
More recently, we read a story where a group of kids noticed that a quiet girl wasn’t participating—not because she didn’t want to, but because no one had asked her to play. That turned into a whole conversation about inclusion, being observant, and ways we can make others feel welcome. It was an entire lesson on emotional intelligence and interpersonal awareness, all from one little story.
Early Mornings or Unstructured Weekday Time
Some mornings, one of the kids wakes up early and needs something to do before we officially start the day. Other days, we need a break between subjects. Highlights is perfect for both. It doesn’t require prep or setup. It’s low-key, low-mess, and high-value.
These are the kinds of “little” moments where I feel like we’re building something important—bit by bit.
While My Husband Cooks Dinner
Dinner prep time is its own unique challenge in a homeschool household. Everyone’s a little tired, a little hungry, and not exactly in the mood for a structured lesson. But they’re also still eager to do something.
That’s when we reach for Highlights. Whether it’s flipping through stories or quietly working on a puzzle at the table while I cook, it gives us a calm, focused transition into the evening. And we often end up discussing what they read while we’re eating.
What We Love Most About the Magazine
Every child (and parent!) will find their favorite parts, but here’s what our daughters keep coming back to—and why I love it, too:
Hidden Pictures
Both of their absolute favorites. They flip to this page first every time a new issue arrives. It’s fun, challenging, and great for building attention to detail and visual discrimination—plus it’s screen-free, mess-free, and easy to do alongside a sibling or parent.
Short Stories That Spark Big Conversations
So many of the magazine’s stories lead to important (but natural-feeling) conversations. Like I mentioned earlier, a story about a shy classmate turned into a full discussion about kindness and inclusion. These are the kinds of lessons that truly stick.
Goofus and Gallant
My oldest has recently gotten really into this classic feature—and she cracks up every time Goofus makes one of his not-so-great choices. It’s the perfect jumping-off point to talk about behavior and social norms in a light, non-preachy way. We laugh about Goofus, and then naturally shift into why Gallant made the better choice.
Crafts, Recipes, and Activity Ideas
Perfect for low-prep weekends or when I want to do something creative without a huge time investment. They’re often seasonal, themed, or tied to real-world learning in a way that makes them feel purposeful—not just busywork.
It’s More Than a Magazine—It’s Mail With Meaning
Can we talk about how magical it is for a child to receive something in the mail with their name on it?
In a world of apps and digital everything, there’s something so grounding and sweet about real mail.
My kids light up when their Highlights and High-Five magazines arrive. It’s a built-in lesson in how the mail system works, but more than that—it’s joyful. It’s “happy mail.” It feels personal. And it builds anticipation for learning.
I love that they associate paper and print with excitement and curiosity. It’s the kind of memory I hope they carry with them into adulthood.
What It’s Teaching—Beyond the Obvious
Yes, Highlights supports reading comprehension, critical thinking, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. But honestly? It’s the life lessons, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness that impress me most.
- Understanding feelings and social cues
- Developing patience and attention to detail
- Gaining confidence through independent learning
- Exploring different cultures, family types, and problem-solving strategies
It’s a well-rounded mix of learning that supports the whole child—not just their academic development.
How Much Does It Cost?
This was something I know other parents think about—since when we’re all juggling multiple homeschool resources.
At the time of writing, Highlights magazine subscriptions start around $48 per year (for 12 issues), and the workbooks and activity books vary, usually between $8 and $15 depending on the level and theme. You can often find bundle deals or seasonal promos that bring the cost down even more.
It’s extremely reasonable for what you get—and when you consider how much you might spend on other enrichment resources or screen-based activities, it’s an incredible value.
Click here to check the latest prices and offers
Final Thoughts: A Simple Joy That Sticks
As a parent who wears many hats—homeschooler, work-from-home professional, family cook, calendar keeper—I’m always looking for simple wins. Things that don’t require a complicated setup or Pinterest-level energy… but still feel like they’re moving us forward.
Highlights is one of those things.
It offers connection. Curiosity. Thoughtful storytelling. Gentle lessons. And it fits into the nooks and crannies of our day in a way that feels intentional and never overwhelming.
If you’ve been wondering how to add more meaningful, low-pressure learning to your days—or if you just want something screen-free and joy-filled for your kids—I genuinely recommend giving Highlights a try.
Want to see what it’s all about? You can subscribe directly through this link, and if you do, I’d love to hear how your family enjoys it!