By Audrey HayesUpdated November 2026
Parents who teach at home often want a hands on preschool homeschool curriculum because young children learn most when they can touch, build, count, cut and move. A good program gives you a weekly structure, a clear list of activities and enough material to fill the days without constant planning. This guide looks at five products that fit that need, judged on how well they support tactile learning, how easy they are to use without a teaching background, how much they cover across literacy, math and motor skills, and how well they suit a range of home setups.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallWiggleworms Volume 1 Preschool Teaching GuideView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for activity-based seat workWiggleworms Volume 1 Coloring and Puzzle BookView on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for planning a full yearThe Weekly Curriculum BookView on Amazon - 4
Best for faith-based daily lessonsThat It May Go Well PreschoolView on Amazon - 5
Best budget pickCarson Dellosa Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills Preschool WorkbookView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
The list below is ordered by how closely each product matches a hands on approach across a typical week. Each choice reflects published specifications, the brand’s stated approach, and common patterns in owner feedback. We have not tested these products ourselves.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Wiggleworms Volume 1 Preschool Teaching Guide | Structured weekly hands-on lessons | Letter of the week activities and crafts |
| Wiggleworms Volume 1 Coloring and Puzzle Book | Companion practice between activities | Printed coloring and puzzle pages |
| The Weekly Curriculum Book | Thematic year-long planning | 52 complete preschool themes |
| That It May Go Well Preschool | Faith-based daily lessons | Lessons built on Scripture themes |
| Carson Dellosa Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills Preschool Workbook | Budget-friendly skill practice | Alphabet, counting, shapes and pre-writing |
Wiggleworms Volume 1 Preschool Teaching Guide
Wiggleworms Volume 1 Preschool Teaching Guide: Faith-Based Hands-On Curriculum for Ages 2–5 | Letter of the Week Activities, Bible Lessons, Crafts, … Preschool (Hands-On Preschool Curriculum)
Best for: Structured weekly hands-on lessons
This is the most complete option here for a parent who wants a lesson outline, not just worksheets. It suits families who want a faith-based framework and a ready list of crafts, sensory play and letter activities to rotate through the week.
Key specs
- Designed for children roughly ages 2 to 5
- Organized around a letter of the week with linked activities
- Includes Bible lessons and craft ideas, per the listing
Pros
- Gives a clear weekly rhythm without much preparation
- Activities use common household and craft supplies
- Strong emphasis on movement, art and storytelling
Cons
- Religious content will not suit every family
- Some activities require gathering materials in advance
Bottom line: A strong first choice for a parent who wants a full hands-on week laid out in one book, especially within a faith-based home.
Wiggleworms Volume 1 Coloring and Puzzle Book
Wiggleworms Volume 1: Coloring and Puzzle Book for Preschoolers (Hands-On Preschool Curriculum)
Best for: Companion practice between activities
This companion book works best alongside the teaching guide rather than on its own. It gives children a quieter, fine-motor task that reinforces the week’s letter and theme.
Key specs
- Coloring and puzzle pages aimed at preschoolers
- Designed to match the Volume 1 theme set
Pros
- Builds pencil grip and focus through simple tasks
- Easy to use during transitions or quiet time
- Pairs directly with the teaching guide
Cons
- Limited value if used without the main guide
- Pages are worksheet-style rather than open-ended
Bottom line: Worth adding if you already use the teaching guide and want extra seat-based practice for children who need calm, structured tasks.
The Weekly Curriculum Book
The Weekly Curriculum Book: 52 Complete Preschool Themes
Best for: Thematic year-long planning
This book is built around themes rather than a single letter-based sequence. It helps a parent map out a year of learning and choose activities that fit each theme.
Key specs
- 52 complete preschool themes, one per week
- Covers multiple areas of early learning within each theme
Pros
- Gives a full year of weekly topics in one place
- Flexible enough to adapt to different ages in the home
- Encourages cross-subject, hands-on projects
Cons
- Requires more planning than an all-in-one lesson guide
- Materials are not always included and must be gathered
Bottom line: Best for a parent who likes to plan and wants a thematic year-long framework with room to customize.
That It May Go Well Preschool
That It May Go Well Preschool: Curriculum Based on God's Word
Best for: Faith-based daily lessons
This product is built around Scripture and aims to combine early learning with faith formation. It suits families who want a spiritual foundation running through each lesson.
Key specs
- Curriculum based on God’s Word, per the listing name
- Designed for preschool-age children
Pros
- Integrates faith and early learning in one program
- Provides a consistent daily structure
- Useful for families seeking a shared values approach
Cons
- Not suitable for secular or non-religious households
- Less focus on physical manipulatives than some alternatives
Bottom line: A good fit for families who want Scripture woven through preschool lessons and are comfortable with a faith-centered approach.
Carson Dellosa Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills Preschool Workbook
Carson Dellosa Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills Preschool Workbook, Toddler Activity Book With Alphabet, Colors, Shapes, Counting, Phonics, and Pre Writing Practice
Best for: Budget-friendly skill practice
This workbook is the most straightforward of the five. It targets core skills such as the alphabet, counting, shapes, colors, phonics and pre-writing, and it works as a supplement to hands-on play rather than a full program on its own.
Key specs
- Covers alphabet, colors, shapes, counting, phonics and pre-writing
- Workbook format for toddlers and preschoolers
Pros
- Covers a broad set of foundational skills in one book
- Simple to use with little preparation
- Good for building pencil control
Cons
- Workbook pages are less hands-on than activity-based programs
- Does not include a lesson plan or weekly structure
Bottom line: A practical add-on for parents who already have activities planned and want a low-cost way to practice core skills.
Buying Guide
Hands-on activity density
Look for a program that asks children to build, sort, pour, cut, glue, match and move, not just trace and color. Count how many activities per week involve physical materials. A strong hands on preschool homeschool curriculum should give you a clear list of what to gather and when to use it.
Good picks for this: Wiggleworms Volume 1 Preschool Teaching Guide, The Weekly Curriculum Book
Weekly structure and lesson outlines
Decide whether you want a day-by-day script or a set of themes you assemble yourself. Scripted outlines save planning time, while theme books reward parents who like to customize. Note whether a program offers five-day or shorter weekly rhythms.
Good picks for this: Wiggleworms Volume 1 Preschool Teaching Guide, That It May Go Well Preschool
Age range and developmental fit
Check the listed age range. Many preschool programs target ages 2 to 5, but children vary widely. A toddler may enjoy sensory bins while a four-year-old is ready for pre-writing. Choose materials that let you adjust difficulty up or down.
Good picks for this: Carson Dellosa Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills Preschool Workbook, Wiggleworms Volume 1 Coloring and Puzzle Book
Materials you already own
Hands-on programs often rely on household items such as cups, dry beans, paper plates, paint and crayons. Read through a sample week before you buy and make a list of what you need to purchase. Programs that use common supplies are easier to sustain over time.
Good picks for this: Wiggleworms Volume 1 Preschool Teaching Guide, The Weekly Curriculum Book
Faith perspective and content
Preschool materials differ in their worldview. Some include Scripture and faith themes, while others remain secular. Read the product description carefully so the content matches your household’s values before you commit.
Good picks for this: That It May Go Well Preschool, Wiggleworms Volume 1 Preschool Teaching Guide
Durability and reuse
Workbooks are usually consumed as children complete pages, while teaching guides can be reused for younger siblings. If you plan to teach more than one child, favor programs whose core guide stays intact and whose consumable pages are clearly separated.
Good picks for this: The Weekly Curriculum Book, Wiggleworms Volume 1 Preschool Teaching Guide
Balance of subjects
A complete early program should touch literacy, math, science, art and motor skills. Look at a table of contents or sample page. If a product focuses on one area, pair it with another to round out the week.
Good picks for this: The Weekly Curriculum Book, Carson Dellosa Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills Preschool Workbook
FAQ
What does hands on mean in a preschool homeschool curriculum?
It means children learn by doing. Activities involve handling real objects, making things, moving the body and manipulating materials such as blocks, beads, sand, paint or playdough, rather than only reading or completing worksheets.
How long should a preschool lesson last at home?
Many early educators suggest short, focused sessions for young children. For ages 3 to 5, lessons of roughly 15 to 30 minutes, with breaks for movement, are common guidance. Adjust based on your child’s attention and mood.
Do I need a teaching background to use these programs?
No formal background is required for most preschool materials. Scripted lesson guides are designed for parents with no classroom experience, while theme books assume you are comfortable planning on your own.
Can I combine more than one product?
Yes. Many families pair a lesson guide with a workbook or companion book. Make sure the combined week does not overload your child and that activities support one another.
How much time should I spend on worksheets?
Worksheets work best as a short addition to hands-on activities. A common approach is to keep seat-based pages to a few minutes per session and spend the rest of the time on play-based learning.
Are these products suitable for toddlers?
Some are, but many are aimed at ages 3 to 5. Check the age range and be ready to adapt activities. Toddlers often do well with sensory play and simple tasks drawn from the same themes.
When should I talk to a professional about my child’s development?
If you have concerns about speech, motor skills, attention or learning, consult your pediatrician or an early childhood specialist. No curriculum replaces a professional evaluation when a developmental question arises.
Conclusion
For a complete weekly lesson plan with a strong hands-on focus, the Wiggleworms Volume 1 Preschool Teaching Guide is the most rounded choice. Parents who prefer to build their own year of themes will find The Weekly Curriculum Book useful. Families seeking Scripture-centered daily lessons should consider That It May Go Well Preschool, while the Wiggleworms coloring book adds calm practice time. The Carson Dellosa workbook suits a budget-conscious home that needs foundational skill practice to add to play-based activities. Match the choice to your teaching style, your child’s age, and the content your household wants.
Sources
- Developmental milestones and early childhood learning checkpoints for children ages 2 to 5 (cdc.gov)
- Developmentally appropriate practice guidance for early learning and play-based activities
- Research-based information on early language, motor and sensory development
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About Audrey Hayes
Audrey Hayes is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our early learning at home guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
