Why We Decided to Worldschool Our Three Kids for 500 Days

Before I had kids, the idea of homeschooling felt completely foreign to me. I saw it as a pursuit for mothers far more patient and purposeful than I was, and I worried that children outside the traditional school experience might miss out on something essential. Now, as a mum to three little ones, I am struck by how quickly the years slip by and how soon they’ll need to find their way in a constantly changing and uncertain world. 

To learn more about our worldschooling experience, including schedules, curricula, and lesson plans, visit our Worldschooling Hub!

After years in a fast-paced career, I have reached a point where being present with my children matters more than anything else. I want to understand what sparks their curiosity and shape their learning in ways that suit each child’s personality, pace, and interests. Having the freedom to expand on topics they enjoy, explore life firsthand, and create a learning environment that reflects our family’s values is increasingly important to me. Beyond academics, I love the thought of strengthening our family bonds and sharing moments of discovery, creativity, and joy.

After doing some research, we became genuinely excited about worldschooling. It is a natural extension of everything that attracted us to homeschooling, with the added richness of learning directly from the world itself. Rather than being confined to classroom walls, our kids will learn through traveling, exploring, and immersing themselves in whatever surrounds them. History, the natural world, and art can come alive in ways no textbook ever could.

Along the way, we hope they develop flexibility, creativity, and confidence as they navigate new environments and connect with people from all over the world. Yes, it is far less structured than traditional schools, and planning both our travel and the kids’ education will take a huge amount of effort. Even so, I hope our children come out of this experience curious, independent, analytical, and resilient—the exact toolkit the modern world demands.

Our 500-Day Worldschooling Adventure

We are planning to worldschool our three little ones for 500 days, from the middle of next year to the end of the following year.  I can already picture them learning history while wandering through ancient ruins, practicing languages with locals, and turning every street, market, and museum into a hands-on classroom. 

At the same time, I’m bracing for the chaos: juggling visas, flights, and luggage for three small humans, making sure they are fed, entertained, and safe.  I’m already mentally preparing for inevitable challenges in places that aren’t exactly kid-friendly. Even so, the idea of combining adventure, learning, and family time makes every logistical headache feel completely worth it.

The Digital Detox: Reclaiming Childhood from the Screen

Even a year of worldschooling feels like a chance to take back control over our children’s learning environment. I want to address my growing concern about how much time this generation spends on screens, video games, and social media. 

Despite investing tens of thousands of dollars each year in private international schools, our kids often end up watching more movies there than we would ever allow at home. Even in an privileged environment designed for learning and growth, screens can dominate their day. 

Beyond the time spent, I worry about the broader risks of excessive screen use: exposure to inappropriate content, social comparison, disrupted sleep, reduced attention spans, and fewer opportunities for imaginative play and real-world problem solving. I find myself questioning how to balance technology use, protect mental health, and ensure they engage with the world in meaningful and healthy ways.

Thinking about our upcoming travels, I can’t help but get excited imagining all the adventures waiting for our kids. In Nepal, they’ll encounter unfamiliar wildlife, hike Himalayan trails, and explore temples that seem to have sprung straight from one of our daughter’s fantasy novels. In India, they will see exotic fruits and spices, marvel at the Taj Mahal, and dive into one of the world’s richest literary cultures.

Egypt will impress them with the pyramids, the Sphinx, and adventures along the Nile. Morocco promises camel rides in the desert, wandering through winding medinas, and shape pottery with their own little hands. The UK’s castles and museums will spark their imaginations, while France and Italy offer art, history, and cooking classes where they can taste their own creations.

In Argentina, they’ll discover wildlife, dance to local music, and marvel at natural wonders like Iguazu Falls. Peru will immerse them in the mysteries of Machu Picchu, the Amazon rainforest, and traditional crafts. Every day will be an adventure, and every adventure a chance to collect memories that will last a lifetime. 

The Logistics of the Leap: Planning a 500-Day Curriculum for Worldschooling Kids

I would be kidding myself if I claimed I wasn’t a little nervous. We are used to moving to a new country every few years, but we have never carried quite this much responsibility for shaping our children’s future.

To calm my nerves, I’ve been putting together a curriculum for our youngest, who will be four by the time we set off. Using age-appropriate standards from the United States and New Zealand, I’ve mapped out the skills and knowledge he should gain and created week-by-week templates to keep his learning on track. The framework is flexible, ensuring he receives a well-rounded education even while we’re on the move. 

Once we know exactly where we’ll be and what local events, workshops, or learning programs are available, I can plug those in while keeping our learning goals in mind. Having this plan has already eased so many of my worries. It will help me avoid focusing solely on music and history, which are my personal favorites, while overlooking science, technology, and math. It is comforting to have a roadmap, even if the journey is full of detours, surprises, and spontaneous discoveries.

Fun, Hands-On Learning Activities While Traveling

We will not be doing five hours of “school” every day like I did as a child, but I plan to touch on each learning area daily in fun, hands-on, and manageable ways. Learning might happen while counting rambutan in a market, sketching a temple, measuring ingredients for a cooking class, or observing wildlife in a park. 

My next goal is to create a similar plan for our older son, who’ll be turning seven, tailoring it to his skills and interests while relating it to our location at that time. I cannot wait to watch our kids explore the world, learn in ways we never imagined, and grow into curious, confident, and adaptable little humans as we take on this incredible journey together. 

Reflecting on Choices and Limits: Will We Ever Go Back to Traditional Schooling?

I sometimes ask myself: Are we being selfish by taking our kids out of a system of conventional schooling? Possibly. We have promised to reassess after 500 days, return them to the familiar world of traditional schools, and let them experience the same institutional upbringing that led us both into entirely respectable careers. 

Of course, there’s always the chance the kids fall in love with the adventure, discover how much fun learning in the world can be, and beg us to continue. How could we say no?