How to Start Worldschooling Your Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide for Curious Families

✨ What Is Worldschooling?

Worldschooling is the practice of using travel and real-world experiences as the foundation of your child’s education. It's not one-size-fits-all — some families follow structured curriculums, others embrace unschooling, and many land somewhere in between.

At its core, worldschooling is about:

• Embracing global cultures and perspectives

• Encouraging experiential, hands-on learning

• Designing an education aligned with your family values and lifestyle

🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Start Worldschooling

Step 1: Define Your Why

Before choosing destinations or curriculum, ask yourself:

• Why do we want to worldschool?

• What values do we want to teach our children?

• Are we seeking cultural immersion, language learning, flexibility, freedom?

💡 Having a clear purpose keeps you grounded when challenges arise.

Step 2: Know Your Legal Requirements

Worldschooling is not a legal education method — you’ll still need to comply with your home country’s homeschooling laws.

📍 Do this:

• Check your state or country’s homeschooling rules

• Keep a portfolio or progress journal for your child’s learning

• Register with an umbrella school or online platform if needed

Step 3: Choose Your Educational Approach

There’s no “right” way — but here are some options:

StyleGreat for families who…Tools/ResourcesStructuredWant consistency while travelingTime4Learning, Khan AcademyUnschoolingTrust their child's natural curiosityNature, travel journals, podcastsHybridWant to cover basics but stay flexibleWorkbooks + cultural immersionProject-basedLove unit studies based on places they visitBookShark, Torchlight

🔍 Tip: You can adjust as you go. Worldschooling evolves with your family.

Step 4: Create a Flexible Routine

Kids thrive on some structure — even when you’re hopping continents.

🛠️ Start with:

• A morning rhythm: breakfast, journaling, discussion

• A weekly theme: “Ancient Greece,” “Mayan culture,” “Rainforests”

• Weekly reading, nature days, creative expression

📌 Consistency without rigidity = travel-friendly flow.

Step 5: Choose Your First Destination Wisely

When starting out, go where:

• The pace is slower

• The cost of living is manageable

• The local culture is family-friendly

🌍 Some great starter locations:

• Oaxaca, Mexico

• Lisbon, Portugal

• Naxos, Greece

• Bali, Indonesia

• Quebec, Canada

Step 6: Start Small — and Reflect Often

You don’t have to sell everything and hit the road forever. Try:

• A 1-month trial trip

• A summer or winter abroad

• A few local road trips with a worldschool lens

📖 Keep a family travel journal. Ask:

• What did we learn today?

• What surprised us?

• What would we do differently next time?

Step 7: Connect with Other Worldschooling Families

You don’t have to do this alone.

👫 Join:

• Facebook groups like “Worldschoolers” or “Families on the Move”

• Worldschool hubs (like San Miguel de Allende or Chiang Mai)

• Local events or co-ops wherever you land

🌱 Building community is one of the most enriching parts of the journey.

🧳 Final Thoughts

Worldschooling isn't perfect. There will be tough travel days, educational doubts, and messy moments. But there will also be breakthroughs, new friendships, and the joy of seeing your children connect the dots of the world in real time.

You don’t have to have it all figured out — just take the first step.

🛠️ Want Help Getting Started?

Grab our free Digital Nomad Family Checklist to see exactly what to plan for your first big trip — from homeschooling supplies to gear and mindset tips.
👇
GRAB MY FREE CHECKLIST

Or check out our $27 Digital Nomad Ebook with real stories, planning templates, and budget hacks to help you launch your own freedom-based lifestyle.