Homeschool hub: Hampton Roads

Three separate programs, each with its own registration and with museum admission included in the ticket. For the Littles: Smell (9:15–9:45 a.m., ages 3–5) uses storytelling, an activity and an Animal Ambassador visit. Nature Detectives: Why Do Animals Live in Different Sized Groups? (10–10:45 or 11–11:45 a.m., ages 6+). STEM Exploration: Astronomy (10:30 a.m.–noon, ages 12+). One adult may accompany each student.

• Ages: Smell: ages 3–5. Nature Detectives: ages 6+. Astronomy: ages 12+
• Cost: Smell and Nature Detectives: children $17 ($6 members), adults $18 (members free, ticket required). Astronomy: students $26 ($14 members)
• When: Wed Nov 18, 2026 · 9:15 a.m.–noon (program times vary)

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

Homeschool families are invited for a day of animal-themed learning adventures: explore, create and discover how animals move, live and adapt.

• Ages: Not listed on source
• Cost: Not listed on source
• When: Thu Nov 19, 2026 · 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

A series of hands-on nature classes for homeschoolers: Owls 101 (Oct 27, with an owl pellet dissection), Sycamores & Sweet Gums (Nov 3), Decomposers 101 (Nov 10) and Overwintering Crops (Nov 17). Children need a paid, pre-registered ticket, and so do attending adults. Program tickets include Garden admission.

• Ages: Recommended for ages 6–10 with some chaperone help
• Cost: Members $12 per child (adult members free). Not-yet members $20 per child and $20 per adult
• When: Tuesdays Oct 27, Nov 3, Nov 10 and Nov 17, 2026 · 10–11 a.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

A homeschool series for older kids: Corpse Flower 101 (Oct 27), Project Feeder Watch (Nov 3), Scarecrow STEM (Nov 10) and Pickling Vegetables (Nov 17). Program tickets include Garden admission; Corpse Flower 101 does not include the Tropical Conservatory.

• Ages: Recommended for homeschoolers ages 9–14
• Cost: Members $14 per child (adult members free). Not-yet members $22 per child and $20 per adult (price shown on the Oct 27 page)
• When: Tuesdays Oct 27, Nov 3, Nov 10 and Nov 17, 2026 · 1–2:30 p.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

Michaels' own policy lists "teachers who work in ... home schools" under who qualifies for its 15% teacher discount. Many items are excluded (for example clearance, books, classes and some brands), so check the list on the policy page.

• Ages: For the parent-teacher
• Cost: Free to join (Michaels Rewards)
• When: Year-round
• Proof needed: Verify as a teacher in Michaels Rewards (checked by a third-party service) with a document showing your name, your school or organization, and your status. Michaels says a valid educator ID lets you make 3 purchases while verification finishes.

Apple's Education Sales Policy says any K-12 employee is eligible for education pricing, "including homeschool teachers."

• Ages: For the parent-teacher
• Cost: Education prices (vary by product)
• When: Year-round
• Proof needed: Apple may ask for extra qualifying information before it accepts an order, and it audits education purchases, so keep documents that show you homeschool. Yearly limits apply (for example one MacBook and two iPads per year).

Come hang out at the library with friends: read a book together, do crafts and other activities. For homeschool families.

• Ages: Ages 6–10
• Cost: Free
• When: Thu Nov 5, Thu Nov 12, Thu Dec 3 and Thu Dec 10, 2026 · 1–2 p.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

A hangout for older homeschoolers at the library: books, crafts and activities with friends.

• Ages: The library lists tweens, ages 9–13; the branch describes the group as ages 11–14
• Cost: Free
• When: Thu Nov 5, Thu Nov 12, Thu Dec 3 and Thu Dec 10, 2026 · 2:30–3:30 p.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

The last hangout each month is a Joint Group meeting for the whole homeschool crowd: read a book together, do crafts and other activities.

• Ages: Ages 6–14
• Cost: Free
• When: Thu Oct 29, Thu Nov 19 and Thu Dec 17, 2026 · 1–3 p.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

A monthly homeschool STEM meetup at the Lafayette branch. This month: stop-motion animation. The December session is Wed Dec 16, 1–3 p.m.

• Ages: The library lists elementary school age (5–9) and families
• Cost: Free
• When: Wed Nov 18 and Wed Dec 16, 2026 · 1–3 p.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

Elementary and middle school homeschoolers join an adventure on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, diving into science, art, history and more. Topics: Measuring Wind (Oct 27), Earth's Water (Nov 10), Moon Phases (Nov 24), a poinsettia art project (Dec 8) and gingerbread engineering (Dec 22).

• Ages: Grades K–8
• Cost: Free
• When: Tue Oct 27, Tue Nov 10, Tue Nov 24, Tue Dec 8 and Tue Dec 22, 2026 · 1–2 p.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

Explore history through interactive games and puzzles. The November topic is Native Americans.

• Ages: Ages 8–12
• Cost: Free
• When: Thu Nov 12 and Thu Dec 10, 2026 · 1:30–2:30 p.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

Read Matthew Forsythe's "Aggie and the Ghost" together and create art inspired by the book.

• Ages: Grades K–8
• Cost: Free
• When: Thu Oct 29, 2026 · 1–2 p.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

Meet the Three Sisters: learn how Indigenous agricultural knowledge connects corn, beans and squash, with hands-on experiments in plant biology and ecology.

• Ages: Grades K–8
• Cost: Free
• When: Wed Nov 18, 2026 · 1–2 p.m.

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →

A class for parents on balancing homeschooling with work, led by a homeschool mom who is a certified teacher. Children are welcome.

• Ages: Parents; children welcome
• Cost: Free
• When: Mon Nov 30, 2026 · 11 a.m.–noon

See the full card on our Hampton Roads page →