Best Secular Holiday Resources for Homeschoolers: Inclusive & Joyful Ideas for Winter Learning
The holiday season is officially here, which means it’s time to pull out all the cozy traditions, twinkly lights, and meaningful moments that make this time of year feel magical. And if you’re navigating December in a secular homeschool, you know how challenging it can be to find resources that are festive without being faith-focused.
That’s exactly why I put together this guide to the Best Secular Holiday Resources for Homeschoolers—a curated list rooted in diversity, inclusivity, and a whole lot of everyday magic. Whether you’re planning low-stress themed learning, exploring winter celebrations from around the world, or simply looking for fun projects to keep things joyful, you’ve come to the right place.
Because yes, you can celebrate this season in a way that honors culture, connection, education, and your family’s unique values.
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🎄 Why Secular Holiday Resources Matter in Homeschooling
Secular homeschoolers know the struggle: December rolls in, and it feels like every other activity, book list, or download instantly shifts toward religious messaging. And while many winter holidays do have religious origins (and we absolutely acknowledge and learn about that!), it’s also completely possible to enjoy this season through a lens of:
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Cultural awareness
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Educational exploration
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Seasonal celebration
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Inclusivity and diversity
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Connection and curiosity
The Best Secular Holiday Resources for Homeschoolers support learning—not indoctrination—and help your kids understand the bigger picture of how different families celebrate around the world. Plus, themed learning in December keeps kids excited and engaged during a month that can feel overwhelming for everyone.
❄️ Our Favorite Secular Holiday Resources for Homeschoolers
Below are some of the secular holiday homeschool resources that consistently rise to the top of our winter learning. These options support a wide range of ages and learning styles and add just the right amount of holiday spirit—without the pressure.
1. National Geographic Kids: Winter Celebrations
One of my go-to places for secular winter holiday learning is National Geographic Kids. They offer child-friendly explanations of:
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Hanukkah
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Winter Solstice
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Lunar New Year
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Three Kings Day
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Kwanzaa
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Christmas (presented culturally, not devotionally)
This is perfect for introducing your kids to the diversity of global celebrations, traditions, foods, symbols, and stories—all through a secular lens.
2. Books on Global Holiday Traditions
Books like Christmas Is Coming: Traditions from Around the World and multicultural winter celebration books give your kids a broadened view of how families celebrate the season. They’re wonderful for morning basket time, independent reading, or discussion starters in your homeschool.
3. Winter Holidays Around the World – Build Your Library
As a secular curriculum company, Build Your Library is a trusted resource. Their winter holidays unit study brings together crafts, history, geography, culture, and literature with a secular approach that respects tradition but prioritizes education and inclusivity.
4. Harbor + Sprout Winter Holiday Unit
If you love hands-on, multi-age unit studies, Harbor + Sprout has a beautiful secular collection. Their Winter Holiday unit includes projects, crafts, writing prompts, nature studies, and cultural exploration. It’s thoughtful, affordable, and just plain fun.
5. Etsy Secular Holiday Printables
Etsy is filled with small creators offering secular holiday homeschool resources like:
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Holiday-themed STEM activities
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Geography mini-units
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Non-religious Christmas crafts
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Seasonal scavenger hunts
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Writing prompts
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Winter solstice activities
You’ll want to vet creators individually, but once you find your favorites, they become gold.
6. Teachers Pay Teachers: Secular Holiday Activities
A simple search for “secular holiday” on TPT reveals:
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Spelling task cards
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Around-the-world holiday units
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Social studies mini lessons
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December-themed math mats
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Winter solstice teaching packs
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Cultural celebrations activities
There is truly something for every grade level, and you can often grab helpful activities for just a few dollars.
🌎 How to Keep Holiday Learning Secular
If you’re new to secular December learning, here’s the simplest framework:
Focus on:
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Cultural literacy
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Geography
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History of celebrations
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Seasonal science (solstice, animal behavior, weather)
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Literature and storytelling
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Food, art, and traditions from around the world
Skip (or modify):
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Devotional content
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Dogma-centered resources
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Materials with faith-based messaging unless you’re simply studying origins from an academic perspective
Keeping your focus on education, inclusion, diversity, and curiosity lets your family enjoy the season while still staying true to your secular homeschool values.
✨ The Beauty of Secular Holiday Homeschooling
The best part about using secular holiday resources for homeschoolers is the freedom to build a celebration that’s meaningful for your family. When you take a step back from the overwhelm and focus on connection, exploration, and seasonal joy, December becomes something truly magical.
Our homeschool shines brightest when we:
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Include diverse voices
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Explore global traditions
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Stay curious
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Keep things simple
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Make room for fun
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Let go of the pressure
And honestly? That’s what makes this season unforgettable.
🎁 Help Us Expand the List!
If you have a favorite secular December resource—books, crafts, unit studies, websites, traditions—please share it! Growing the list helps every family who is searching for the Best Secular Holiday Resources for Homeschoolers and trying to navigate the season on their own terms.
Happy holidays, friends. May your home be full of warmth, learning, curiosity, and everyday magic. ✨
