On July 4, 2026, our nation turns 250 years old. There has never been a better time to be a homeschooler. This year brings a unique opportunity for homeschool families and all American families to celebrate together — digging into the founding documents, tracing providence through history, discovering the stories of ordinary people who did extraordinary things, and instilling in our children a deep understanding of what it cost to build this nation and what it truly means to be its citizens.

We've pulled together the best resources we could find—unit studies, free downloads, contests, field trip ideas, faith-based materials, and more—all in one place so you don't have to hunt. Whether you're planning a full semester of American history or just looking for a meaningful way to mark the day, there's something here for your family.

We'll keep adding resources as we find them, so check back often and share anything we've missed. Here's to 250 years, and to the generation that will shape the next 250.

Official Commemorative Hubs

  • America250: The official federal commission website for the nation's 250th anniversary, with events, exhibits, and community programming happening across the country. A great starting point to find local celebrations and national resources.
  • Freedom250: An AI-powered resource hub celebrating 250 years of American freedom and independence, offering a searchable tool to explore anniversary content and help your family plan out your own unique celebration.
  • USA250: A companion website to the Notgrass USA 250 curriculum, featuring additional articles, timelines, and enrichment content to study America's founding.
  • Find Your State's 250th Page: A national directory linking to each individual state's official America 250 celebration page so you can find local events, programs, and resources for your state.

Unit Studies and Curriculum

  • Master Books: America at 250—Faith & Freedom: A free six-week unit study from a Christian curriculum publisher, covering American history through the lens of faith and God's providence. Includes maps, primary documents, hands-on activities, Bible memory verses, and projects for all grade levels, preschool through high school.
  • Notgrass History: USA 250 Activity Pack: An activity pack from Notgrass, a popular Christian homeschool history publisher, designed to supplement their American history courses and celebrate America’s 250th with engaging projects and readings.
  • The Kids' Guide to America's 250th Birthday: A free, colorful guide written specifically for children, walking through key moments, people, and places in American history to help young learners understand the significance of the anniversary.
  • Little Library of Possibilities: A curated book-based learning resource offering literature-rich unit studies and reading guides for homeschool families, with American history titles fitting the 250th anniversary theme.
  • PragerU America 250: A collection of short, engaging videos and supplemental materials from PragerU presenting American history and founding principles from a patriotic, values-based perspective.
  • Classical ConversationsAmerica 250 Ideas: A list of practical ideas for celebrating America's 250th anniversary at home, including primary source readings, family activities, and service projects.
  • Hillsdale College The Story of America: This captivating series explores elements of America’s founding from the “shot heard around the world” to the last signature on the Declaration of Independence, in partnership with the White House Task Force 250.

Government/Institutional Resources

  • Smithsonian Institution America 250: The Smithsonian's central hub for anniversary programming, including special exhibits, educational resources, digital collections, and events across its many museums and research centers.
  • National Archives Freedom250 Access primary source documents, including the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, as well as educational resources from the nation's official keeper of historical records.
  • National Park Service USA 250: NPS resources, ranger programs, and special anniversary events across the country's national parks and historical sites, many of which offer free or discounted admission for families.
  • America's National Parks 250th: Supplemental educational content and programming from the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. Activities and resources connecting students to America's natural and historical heritage.
  • National Endowment for the Arts America 250: Grants, arts projects, and cultural programming celebrating the anniversary through the creative arts to help you incorporate fine arts into your homeschool.
  • National Gallery of Art America 250: Curated art resources, online collections, and programming from the National Gallery connecting students to American visual art and its place in the nation's history.
  • U.S. Department of State Freedom 250: Resources exploring America's founding ideals, with materials suitable for civics and government studies at the high school level.
  • Heritage Foundation America 250: A curated collection of publications, primary documents, and videos designed to educate about America's founding principles, including recommended books and the Founders' Almanac.

Christian/Faith-Based Resources

  • GO250 Gospel & History Booklets: Free commemorative booklets from The Voice in the Wilderness that combine American history—including the full text of the Constitution and biographies of patriots—with the Gospel of John and Romans.
  • Brave Books America 250th Bundle: Three signed books from Dr. Ben Carson, Kirk Cameron, and Riley Gaines, alongside Americana keepsakes to celebrate 250 years of faith, bravery, and achievement.

Contests & Competitions

  • America's Field Trip Contest: The official America250 student contest (grades 3–12) invites students to respond to "What does America mean to you?" through original writing or artwork. A total of 250 winners receive behind-the-scenes field trips to iconic American landmarks, with second-place winners receiving $500 cash prizes. (Note: The 2025–2026 contest closed March 30, 2026; watch for the next cycle in fall 2026.)
  • Freedom in Education Art & Writing Competition: Open to grades 3–12 nationwide, this competition invites students to submit an original piece of artwork paired with a written reflection on America's history and ideals. The top 250 entries will be published in a commemorative coffee-table book.
  • Hoover Institution National Student Competitions: The Hoover Institution at Stanford is hosting multiple competitions for students, including a spoken word poetry contest (The American Experiment in Your Words) and a counterfactual essay contest (Rewriting 1776), inviting young people to engage creatively with the nation's founding ideals.
  • White House Summer Reading Challenge: An official reading initiative sponsored by the Second Lady, encouraging students to engage with American history and literature during the summer of 2026. Winners earn a trip to Washington D.C.!

Field Trips & Travel

  • America250 Field Trip Destinations: A guide to the official America's Field Trip destinations including the Smithsonian, Mount Vernon, the Kennedy Space Center, and more.
  • National Mall Gateway Virtual Field Trips: A free digital platform transforming the National Mall into an interactive classroom, with 360° virtual tours, curated itineraries, immersive storytelling, and educator resources, ideal for families unable to travel to Washington, D.C. this year.
  • Virginia 250: Virginia's official 250th anniversary site, highlighting the state's deep Revolutionary War roots, with events, historic sites, and resources reflecting Virginia's central role in the founding of the nation.