12 Easy Ways to Include Music in Your Homeschool (E65)

Are you looking for simple, creative ways to bring music into your homeschool—without adding extra stress? I’m Gena Mayo from Music in Our Homeschool, and my mission is to help you make homeschool music fun and easy, no matter your experience level. You don’t have to invest in an expensive curriculum (though that’s a great option too); there are so many simple, no-prep ways to weave music into your days for easy music education.

Let’s explore 12 easy ideas to spark musical joy in your homeschool!

1. Read and Sing Nursery Rhymes

Start young! Nursery rhymes build early language and music skills. Choose classic rhymes like Hickory Dickory Dock or Polly Put the Kettle On. Sing when possible, or simply chant the rhymes to help your kids absorb rhythm and rhyme naturally. This also lays a foundation for literacy and gives your homeschool music routine a gentle, fun starting point.

2. Play Background Music

Create playlists for different parts of your day—quiet instrumental music during study time, fun upbeat tunes during chores, or classical music while you drive. It’s a simple way to expose your children to a wide variety of music styles without even thinking about it. Adding background music is one of the easiest ways to make music a natural part of your easy music education plan.

3. Make Homemade Instruments

Get crafty with the kids by making maracas out of plastic Easter eggs and rice, or simple rainsticks with paper towel tubes. You can find tons of DIY instrument ideas on my blog to inspire hands-on fun. This adds a wonderful tactile element to your homeschool music lessons and helps kids learn about sound and creativity through play.

4. Purchase Simple Instruments

Invest in some basic rhythm instruments like hand drums, jingle bells, or a cabasa. These are affordable, durable, and perfect for kids to play along while listening to music. Having a few instruments on hand means your homeschool music activities are always just a reach away.

5. Play Music Games

Kids love games, so why not make music part of playtime? Use flashcards, bingo games, escape rooms, or apps like Flash Note Derby to teach note reading and music theory in a fun way. Music games are a fantastic tool for easy music education, keeping your kids engaged while reinforcing important concepts.

6. Take Virtual Music Lessons

Today’s technology makes it easier than ever to connect with skilled music teachers online. Whether your child is interested in guitar, piano, or voice, virtual lessons can provide personalized instruction right from home. Virtual lessons are a simple way to add structure and consistency to your homeschool music journey.

7. Practice Ear Training

Help your kids train their ears with listening games. Start with animal sounds or common instruments and ask them to identify what they hear. Try putting different items into containers so they can determine which is which. These activities sharpen listening skills and build a solid foundation for deeper music understanding, a key goal in any easy music education approach.

8. Go on Musical Field Trips

Attend concerts, operas, or musicals in your community. Many organizations offer kid-friendly performances or behind-the-scenes tours that bring music to life in exciting ways. Field trips help connect your homeschool music studies to the real world, making the experience memorable and inspiring.

9. Try Composer Studies

Inspired by the Charlotte Mason method? Focus on one composer for a month (like Bach or Copland), and immerse your family in their music. Composer studies are a wonderful way to enrich your homeschool music curriculum, offering both historical context and deep listening practice.

10. Learn Hymns and Folk Songs

Teaching hymns and folk songs not only connects your kids to cultural traditions but also strengthens their singing confidence. Adding hymns and folk songs to your homeschool music routine builds a well-rounded repertoire and introduces your family to rich musical traditions.

11. Read Living Books About Music

Check out beautifully illustrated books like The Story of the Orchestra or Peter and the Wolf. Many of these come with CDs or online audio, blending reading with listening. Living books bring music education to life and are an essential part of easy music education that doesn’t feel like work.

12. Add Music to Your Co-op

If you’re part of a homeschool co-op, suggest music-focused classes like recorder lessons, bucket drumming, or even music appreciation. Group learning enhances homeschool music by giving your kids the chance to perform, collaborate, and gain confidence in a supportive setting.

Conclusion of 12 Easy Ways to Include Music in Your Homeschool

Music education doesn’t have to be complicated. These 12 ideas are designed to make homeschool music fun, approachable, and stress-free. Try one or two of these ideas this week to get started—and visit Learn.MusicinOurHomeschool.com for even more resources and inspiration for easy music education!

See the YouTube Video “Easy Ways to Add Music to Your Homeschool This Year”

Listen to Podcast Episode 65: 12 Easy Ways to Include Music in Your Homeschool

Listen here or subscribe and follow The Music in Our Homeschool Podcast through your favorite podcast app, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Read the Podcast Transcript here.

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• The Best Ways to Effortlessly Schedule Music Education in Your Homeschool to Make Sure It Will Happen (E29)
• 10 Ways to Use the Music in Our Homeschool Plus Membership to Add Value to Your Homeschool (E28)