We are excited to celebrate ten years of creating curriculum and nurturing happy families this summer.
One of our best selling resources is Playful Pioneers, and it was the second curriculum we created after Peaceful Preschool.
Many families have heard about it from friends who have loved it, or read reviews on line, and are trying to decide if they should start with Playful Pioneers Volume 1 or do our newer resource Playful Pioneers Volume 2 so we wanted to show you a little detail about both resources and answer some frequently asked questions.
The Playful Pioneers, Volume 1
Volume 1 will lead you through daily readings from The Little House on the Prairie series and picture books that introduce your child to American history—from Native Americans to the Age of Industry.
Along the way, you’ll read about notable people and events, including Leif Erikson, Squanto, Benjamin Franklin, Harriet Tubman, Clara Barton, Thomas Edison, Tecumseh, and more.
As your child explores American history, they will:
Identify U.S. states and landmarks
Learn about immigration in America
Enjoy weekly nature study, science experiments, and cooking projects
Discover beautiful poetry, art, hymns, and much more
Volume 1 Book List
Volume 1 Sample
Scope & Sequence
Purchase Playful Pioneers Volume 1
The Playful Pioneers, Volume 2
Volume 2 uses a variety of chapter books, as well as Holling C. Holling titles, to guide a regional study of the United States—crafted to make American history, science, and geography come alive.
Rooted in Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy, this curriculum emphasizes storytelling, hands-on projects, and nature study to cultivate curiosity and a love of learning.
Through monthly themes exploring each region of the U.S., children learn about significant historical figures and events, paired with science and geography activities that deepen their understanding of the world.
Volume 2 Book List
Volume 2 Sample
Scope & Sequence
Purchase Playful Pioneers Volume 2
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between Playful Pioneers Volume 1 and Volume 2?
Both volumes are Charlotte Mason–inspired homeschool guides that combine history, literature, nature study, and hands-on learning, but they focus on different approaches to American history.
- Volume 1 follows the storyline of pioneer life using the beloved Little House on the Prairie series alongside picture books to explore early American history from Native Americans through the Age of Industry.
- Volume 2 takes a regional approach to the United States, exploring different areas of the country through literature, geography, and science activities.
2. Do I need to complete Volume 1 before using Volume 2?
No. Each volume is designed to stand alone, so families can begin with either program depending on their interests or the books they already own. Volume 2 includes slightly more advanced books than volume 1 so you would typically use volume 1 with younger students and volume 2 as they get older.
3. What age group is Playful Pioneers designed for?
Playful Pioneers is typically used with 1st-8th grade, although families often adapt the activities for a range of ages when teaching multiple children together.
4. What subjects are included in the curriculum?
Both volumes integrate several subjects through a literature-rich approach, including:
- American history
- Geography
- Science
- Nature study
- Poetry
- Art
- Hymns
- Cooking and practical life skills
5. What books are used in each volume?
Volume 1 centers around the Little House on the Prairie series with additional picture books that introduce important figures and events in American history.
Volume 2 uses a variety of chapter books along with titles by Holling Clancy Holling, which help bring American geography and natural history to life.
6. How is history taught in each volume?
- Volume 1 introduces children to American history through stories of pioneers, explorers, inventors, and historical figures such as Leif Erikson, Benjamin Franklin, Harriet Tubman, and Clara Barton.
- Volume 2 focuses on regional exploration, helping children understand how geography, culture, and history shape different areas of the United States.
7. Are hands-on activities included?
Yes. Both volumes include hands-on projects and experiences such as:
- Nature study
- Science experiments
- Cooking projects
- Geography activities
- Art and poetry study
These activities help bring the lessons to life and encourage curiosity.
8. Can siblings learn together with this curriculum?
Yes. Playful Pioneers is designed with family-style learning in mind, allowing parents to read aloud and complete projects together while children work at their own level. We include student sheets featuring simple one work lines for kindergarten, print tracing for early elementary, cursive for 2nd grade and up, as well as an elementary packet which includes blank lines for copying the daily verses, quotes, or poetry.
9. How long does each volume take to complete?
Each volume is typically used for one homeschool year, though families can adjust the pace to suit their schedule.
10. Do I need to buy every book on the book list?
No. Many families borrow books from the library or substitute similar titles. Most of the weekly books are also available as Youtube read alouds. The curriculum is flexible and can be adapted based on what resources you have available.