Maximizing Your Savings with Homeschool ID Cards: A Fun and Practical Guide

As a homeschooling family, each opportunity to save on everyday expenses and educational resources is a win! One of the best-kept secrets is the power of homeschool teachers and student ID cards. Whether you’re printing out a free paper ID card or upgrading to a durable hard plastic one from the Homeschool Buyers Club, these cards unlock a world of discounts and benefits designed just for you.

Why Get a Homeschool ID Card?

Homeschool ID cards are equivalent to a traditional student ID and serve as official recognition of your homeschool status—making it easier to access a variety of discounts at stores, museums, educational sites, and so much more. Imagine getting the same perks as public and private school teachers and students—just because you homeschool! These savings can add up quickly, making your homeschool budget stretch further while enjoying fun and enriching activities with your family.

Beyond unlocking discounts, homeschool ID cards can be used as an emergency identification for minors. Whether at a crowded event or even just out and about, a homeschool ID card provides quick and reliable identification for your child. It’s a small tool with a big impact, offering peace of mind wherever you go. 

Plus, having an ID can be just plain fun! It can become a keepsake of your homeschool year that your kids can look back on fondly and show to their friends. You can renew your homeschool ID card each year with an updated photo, you create what will one day become a cherished snapshot collection of ID cards on your homeschooling journey. Each card captures a moment in time, a piece of your child’s growing-up story, and reminders of the beautiful memories created along the way. 

How to Create Your Homeschool ID Card

Creating your ID card is simple and can be done directly on our website. Here’s how:

1. Choose Your Card Type: Decide whether you’d like a free printable paper card or a hard plastic one that lasts longer and feels more official.
2. Fill in Your Details: Enter your name, the name of your homeschool, the academic year, and upload a photo if desired.
3. Print or Order: If you opt for the paper card, you can print it out immediately. For a plastic card, submit your ID image, add the card to your cart, and complete your order. Your card will be shipped directly to you.
4. Our 5-Star Customer Service: We are always here to help if you get stuck creating your ID or ordering. You can contact us via the live chat option on the bottom right corner of our website and someone from our team will email you to answer any questions or resolve any issues. 

See the step-by-step instructions on the TEACHER ID and STUDENT ID pages. Once you have your card, you’re all set to start saving!

Where Can You Use Your Homeschool ID Card?

Now, here’s the fun part—discovering where you can use your ID card for discounts and benefits! From educational supplies to family outings, your homeschool ID opens doors to a range of savings:

1. Clothing and Accessories:
• Vineyard Vines, J.Crew, and Levi’s: Enjoy 15-30% off on trendy clothing and accessories for the whole family.
• Adidas and Puma: Save on quality athletic wear, perfect for physical education days.
2. Home and Kitchen:
• Target and Costco: Score 25-40% off on essentials like cookware, mattresses, and more. Whether it’s for science experiments in the kitchen or just upgrading your home, these discounts are a huge help.
3. Books and Educational Supplies:
• ThriftBooks, Scholastic, and Michaels: Get up to 50% off on books and supplies, making it easier to build your homeschool library and stock up on creative materials for hands-on learning.
4. Technology:
• Apple and Dell: Save on laptops, tablets, and other tech gear essential for modern homeschooling. Apple offers $50-$100 off products like MacBooks and iPads, plus 20% off AppleCare+.
• Adobe and Canva: Access discounted or free educational tools for creating engaging lessons and projects.
5. Family Fun and Travel:
• Museums, Zoos, and Theme Parks: Many institutions offer discounted entry for homeschoolers. For example, you might save up to 30% on admission at places like Six Flags and Great Wolf Lodge.
• Movie Theaters: Some theaters provide special rates for educational screenings, making it a fun and affordable way to bring your lessons to life.

Bonus Gift: Downloadable List of Homeschool Discounts

We’ve compiled a handy downloadable list of places to save using your homeschool ID cards, featuring everything from educational resources to family entertainment. Keep this list on hand and make the most out of every opportunity to save!

Real-World Savings Example

Let’s say you’re planning a trip to a science museum, followed by a day at the zoo. With your homeschool ID, you might save $15 on museum tickets and another $20 at the zoo. Pair that with discounts on dining out (hello, 10% off at Red Robin!), and you’ve easily saved $50 or more in a single day. Over time, these savings can add up to hundreds of dollars, making a significant impact on your homeschooling budget.

Tips to Maximize Your Discounts

• Always Ask: When visiting a store or attraction, don’t hesitate to ask if they offer homeschool discounts. You might be surprised by how many places do!  If you see a student or teacher pricing sign, that is your cue to show your homeschool ID and ask. Ultimately, it never hurts to ask, especially for the sake of possibly saving money!
• Check for Updates: Discount offerings can change, so it’s a good idea to periodically check the websites of your favorite stores or attractions for the latest deals.
• Combine Discounts: If a store offers a general sale, see if you can stack your homeschool discount on top for even greater savings.
• Plastic or Paper?: While you can create paper cards for free on our website and print them out, many parents prefer ordering a real plastic card for increased durability and credibility at stores & checkout counters. Create one for free to print or order hard plastic ID cards here. 
• Video: We found this“Homeschool Knockouts” video very helpful, hope you do too! And here is another from “huckelberylane” on Instagram you can check out. 

Other Real-World Savings - (Examples ONLY)

• Scenario: You’re looking to purchase an iPad for your homeschool, which retails around $599.
• Savings: With Apple’s education discount, you could save $50 on the iPad, bringing the price down to $549. Additionally, you could receive a 20% discount on AppleCare+, saving you another $15-$20 on protection plans.

• Scenario: You’re stocking up on art supplies at Michaels for the upcoming school year with a total purchase of $100.
• Savings: Michaels offers educators a 10-15% discount, including homeschoolers. A $100 purchase could save you $10 to $15, making your total $85-$90.

• Scenario: You’re purchasing books and educational materials from ThriftBooks, totaling $150.
• Savings: With discounts ranging from 10% to 50%, depending on the item, you could save anywhere from $15 to $75, significantly lowering your costs to $75-$135.

These examples show how homeschooling teacher and student ID cards can lead to substantial savings on essential items, helping to make your homeschooling journey more affordable and enjoyable.

Example Savings ONLY - Check with each retailer on exact savings!

Conclusion

Homeschooling is an investment in your child’s future, and with a homeschool ID card, it’s also a smart way to save. By taking advantage of these discounts, you can enrich your child’s education, enjoy more family activities, and stay within your budget—all while having fun! So go ahead, create your ID card today, and explore the wonderful world of homeschool savings.

We hope this guide provides you with the information and support you need to maximize your savings with your homeschool ID card. If you have any additional elements or adjustments you'd like to suggest, feel free to share, comment, and let us know how we can improve this guide for our community!