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Two all-in-one homeschool curricula, compared on what actually decides the fit: subjects and math included, faith content, teaching style and how much you'll teach.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
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Compare for my child| Timberdoodle | Sonlight | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | PreK–12th | PreK–12th |
| Subjects | Math, reading/phonics, spelling, grammar, composition, history, science, geography, STEM/critical thinking (Bible/foreign language sold separately for high school) | History, Bible, literature, language arts, science, math (choice of program) |
| Math | Included | Included |
| Faith | Light or optional Christian content | Christian worldview throughout |
| Approach | Curated hands-on/STEM kits: established curricula and manipulatives from multiple publishers, boxed by grade | Literature-based: history, Bible and read-alouds anchor every subject |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Low (curated kit with Curriculum Handbook and online scheduler; minimal advance prep) | Low (scripted daily Instructor's Guides do the planning) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | None: physical kit-based curriculum with an online scheduler; no core video lessons | None: no video instruction; parent-led read-alouds and discussion |
| Cost | $533: Grade 3 Elite Kit, all subjects incl. math | $1,128.65: Grade 3 (Level C) All-Subjects Package incl. Bible/history/literature, language arts, science and Math-U-See math, at Sonlight's 20% package discount |
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Parents love that Timberdoodle takes the guesswork out of curriculum shopping: each kit curates hands-on, STEM-leaning materials from multiple publishers into one open-and-go package with a handbook and online scheduler. The most common complaint is the price, since each child needs a separate kit and costs add up fast for multiple kids, plus juggling several different publishers' materials in one year takes some organizational overhead. Reviewers also note it leans hands-on and gifted-friendly, which may be more variety than families wanting one simple, consistent program prefer.
Parents consistently praise Sonlight's book selections and the fact that daily plans are already built, letting them open the guide and teach with almost no prep. The most common complaint is the sheer volume of daily read-alouds, which can feel relentless for busy or reluctant-reading families, and some feel the schedule leaves little room to swap in different books once the year is underway.
Neither is better for every child. Timberdoodle is the stronger fit for traditional textbooks and workbooks; hands-on unit studies; one child at a time. Sonlight is the stronger fit for christian worldview; literature-based read-alouds; charlotte mason.
Timberdoodle: included. Sonlight: included.
Timberdoodle: $533: Grade 3 Elite Kit, all subjects incl. math. Sonlight: $1,128.65: Grade 3 (Level C) All-Subjects Package incl. Bible/history/literature, language arts, science and Math-U-See math, at Sonlight's 20% package discount.
Summaries are in our own words.