As a homeschool mom, you see printables everywhere.
Scrolling Pinterest. Browsing Etsy.
And you think, wow, they’re pretty… but how do I actually use these in my homeschool as a working mom?
If you’ve ever wondered how to use printables in your homeschool without turning it into another project on your never-ending list, you’re not alone.
You’re already juggling work, homeschooling, home life, and maybe even a side hustle. You don’t have time to create, craft, and print for days—and let’s be honest, not all of us want to.
That’s the beauty of using printables. They’re flexible, low-prep, and can make homeschooling as a working mom feel a whole lot more doable. When used well, they can save time, reduce decision fatigue, and keep your kids engaged, especially during those “Mom needs to work” hours.
Whether you’re brand-new to printables or already hoarding a folder full on your desktop, I’m going to share ten practical, real-life ways for how to use printables in your homeschool when you’re balancing work too.
Want ready-to-use printables? The Practical Printables Vault includes 25+ categorized printables designed specifically for working homeschool moms.
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1. Strewing: Set It and Forget It (Sort Of)
Strewing is just a fancy word for leaving out interesting activities your kids can explore on their own. It’s perfect for sparking curiosity—and it works beautifully during independent work blocks.
My favorite printables to use for strewing include scavenger hunts, drawing prompts, simple logic puzzles, or interest-based fact sheets.
Set them out in a morning basket or directly on the kitchen table with a few supplies. That way, when your kids come out wanting attention, they discover something fun and engaging—so you can sip your coffee, prep for your workday, or finish a task.
Tip: Place a washable tablecloth underneath—because food and markers will definitely collide.
You’ll find great strewing options in the Practical Printables Vault ready to print and go.
2. Morning Baskets That Work for Working Moms
I first heard about Morning Baskets from Pam Barnhill, and while the idea is lovely, as a working mom, you need something short and simple.
Your morning basket doesn’t need to take an hour. Even 10 intentional minutes can make a difference.
Fill it with printables like:
- Gratitude journals
- Short daily prompts
- Conversation starters
- Themed learning pages
This can become a calm start to the day, a moment of connection, and a natural transition into your work time.
3. Quiet Time or Independent Work Boxes
If you need your child to stay engaged while you take a call or knock out a focused work session, this one’s gold.
Quiet time boxes (or independent work boxes) are filled with activities your kids can do solo—without interrupting you.
Quiet boxes have always been my secret weapon as a working homeschool mom, and it’s a great way to use printables in your homeschool.
Fill them with:
- Dot-to-dot or color-by-number pages
- Word puzzles or mazes
- Easy learning activities based on their current homeschool topics
- Visual task cards
Rotate them weekly to keep things fresh. You can grab printables for these inside the Practical Printables Vault and pair them with a snack and a timer.
Need help getting started? Here’s a great step-by-step: Quiet Boxes for Kids (+ Free Checklist)
4. Notebooking Without the Overwhelm
Notebooking is a great way for kids to show what they’ve learned—but that doesn’t mean you need to create fancy layouts or scrapbook-style pages.
Printables make notebooking quick and accessible.
Use simple templates with space to write, sketch, and reflect. You can use them for:
- Science observations
- Reading reflections
- History timelines
- Research prompts
Print only what you need and keep it all in a binder. No prep needed.
This is one of the easiest ways for how to use printables in your homeschool without adding work for you.
Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
A great place to get started with Notebook is by grabbing the free pages from Notebooking Pages.
Free Homeschooling Resource Hub
5. Add-On to Curriculum (Without Buying More)
If your curriculum is missing something—or your child needs extra practice—printables can fill in the gaps beautifully.
Instead of shopping for a whole new program, grab a printable that reinforces the concept they’re struggling with.
Use them for:
- Extra math or writing practice
- Enrichment activities
- Seasonal learning
- Topic deep-dives
You don’t have to reinvent your homeschool. Just add what’s missing.
If you have younger kids, you might love my Educational Printable Packs that include a lot of activities for kids. I have a Summer Fun Activities for Kids, Winter Kids Activities Printables, and Kids All About Me Scrapbook that work great for practicing different skills.
6. Create a “Mom’s Working” Routine
One of the biggest challenges of working and homeschooling? Constant interruptions.
Use printables to create a visual routine for your kids—a simple plan that shows them what they can do while you work.
Try:
- “What To Do While Mom’s Working” charts
- Visual daily schedules
- Independent task checklists
- Goal or reward trackers
When kids know what’s expected (and what comes next), you get fewer interruptions and more focused work time.
These printables can help you build that routine without needing to explain it over and over.
7. Meal Planning = More Brain Space for Homeschool
When you’re running a homeschool and a household, meal planning often ends up on the back burner.
Using printable planners and prep sheets saves time and energy throughout the week—and frees up your brain to focus on your kids and your work.
Use a printable:
- Weekly meal planner
- Grocery list
- Recipe tracker
- Leftover ideas list
It’s one of the most overlooked ways for how to use printables in your homeschool—but it pays off big time.
I have created The Busy Homeschool Mom’s Meal Planner, which includes all kinds of planning pages and tools to help you get dinner on the table without stressing!
8. Teach Life Skills (While You Work)
You don’t need to be hands-on 24/7 to teach your kids valuable life skills.
Printables make it easy for your kids to build independence with:
- Chore charts
- “How to Clean” checklists
- Basic cooking guides
- Morning/evening routine trackers
These give your child a sense of responsibility, and they give you more breathing room during your work hours.
While I’ve included several styles of chore charts inside the Practical Printable Vault, I also have a complete Cleaning Planner for Busy Moms if you are looking for a comprehensive system, making your cleaning tasks manageable and efficient.
9. Printable Projects That Buy You Time
Need an hour to work? Give your kids a self-directed project using themed printables.
This could be:
- A mini lapbook
- Holiday or seasonal activity packs
- A research-and-report page
- Writing or art prompts
These types of projects are included in the Practical Printables Vault and can be reused or adapted based on your child’s age.
10. Reflect & Reset Without the Overwhelm
Homeschooling while working is a lot. Some weeks go great, others… not so much.
Use printables to help you pause, reflect, and make small adjustments without throwing everything out the window.
Try:
- Weekly reflection pages
- “What’s Working/What’s Not” prompts
- Visual goal-setting sheets
- Habit or mood trackers
Printables can help you check in with your kids and yourself in a gentle, non-stressful way.
The Easiest Way to Get Started with How to Use Printables in Your Homeschool
If you’re wondering how to use printables in your homeschool in a way that’s actually helpful—not just more busywork—the key is starting small and using what fits your current season.
I personally have created an entire shop of digital printables, planners, and tools designed to help working moms homeschool without losing their minds. You can visit my shop here.
As you learned how to use printables in your homeschool, I gave you a list of printables to try. Many of these can be found inside The Practical Printables Vault. It is a growing library of done-for-you printables—designed specifically for working homeschool moms like you. Everything is categorized by topic and ready to download when you need it.
And if you’re feeling unsure about printing logistics, this post will walk you through everything:
👉 How to Print Printables (Tools + Tips)
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