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I combine a few different homeschooling styles. Overall, picking what works for us and leaving behind what doesn’t. My main influences are Charlotte Mason and classical education. It was actually while researching Charlotte Mason’s teachings that I first came across the term “morning basket.”

As I explored how to adapt her ideas to fit our family, the morning basket was the first thing I decided to try. I loved the idea of us exploring books, discussing character, and then maybe even enjoying some early morning treats together.

But once we began our first simple morning basket, I quickly realized that the peaceful, slow mornings I had envisioned weren’t exactly what my 5-year-old needed. He wanted a morning filled with wiggly interruptions and spontaneous readings instead!

Since that first attempt, I’ve learned a lot. And I’m happy to say that a morning basket doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be purposeful and full of family connection.

Six years in, we’ve changed what’s in our basket, what topics we cover, when we pull the basket out, and how long we spend on it. The main thing I’ve learned is that you have the freedom and flexibility to make morning basket time work for you and your family. Best of all, you can always change things up when needed.

What Is a Morning Basket?

If you’re new to homeschooling, you’ve probably heard the term “morning basket” more than once. A morning basket is a special time at the start of the day. When your family gathers to share stories, poems, songs, devotionals, and other educational activities. It’s a cozy, relaxed way to ease into the day and set the tone for the rest of your homeschool time.

This time also blends parenting with teaching. Ultimately, allowing you to connect with each child while reinforcing values like honesty, hard work, and integrity. I choose stories, poems, or songs that introduce topics or ideas in a natural way. This makes it easy to dive into learning without pressure. I focus on connection and remind myself that how much we cover isn’t as important as how we connect.

The beauty of a morning basket is its flexibility. It can include anything from nature walks to read-aloud books, depending on your family’s needs and preferences. The goal is simple: to create meaningful moments and begin the day with purpose.

There are plenty of blog posts and videos out there on what to include in a morning basket, and that’s great! It’s an opportunity to explore different ideas and see just how flexible this time can be. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. What matters most is what works for your family.

What Can Go in a Morning Basket? (Spoiler – Whatever Works for You!)

What you include in your morning basket should be whatever works best for you and your family. If none of these categories speak to you, that’s totally fine! And if you already have something in mind to add— even better. Below, I’ve listed a few basics that many families find helpful to include in their morning basket. But remember, you don’t need to cover every category every day. This isn’t a checklist. It’s a rhythm.

Read-Aloud Books

A read-aloud is a cozy option to start off your morning basket time. We often include a chapter book to enjoy throughout the month, along with a few picture books to read together. I’ve even read the same picture book every day for a week, and I’m always amazed by the new observations that come up each time!

Poetry

I love including poetry in our morning basket—whether it’s a whole book of poems or a single poem (or two!) to memorize that ties in with our theme. My kids absolutely love performing their memorized poems for friends and family, and I’ve noticed how much their confidence and public speaking skills have grown through this.

Devotions or Character Studies

I make it a priority to include devotions or something related to character development. I want to model spending time with the Lord in the morning and help get them in the habit before they have to manage their own schedules. Some days, we don’t have time to finish everything in the basket, or the baby is fussing, but these few moments still plant seeds that will last.

Memory Work & Classical Elements

We blend classical education and Charlotte Mason in our homeschool, so I like to weave lots of memory work into our morning basket. This includes memorizing Latin roots, science or history facts, scripture, and even basic safety info like phone numbers or addresses.

Art & Music

Many families enjoy including art and music appreciation in their morning baskets. These subjects can be a wonderful way to expose children to creativity and culture, but I’ll be honest—this is an area I’m still working on. I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s as simple as playing a seasonal playlist during breakfast or pulling out an art card that introduces a famous artist or musical piece.

Overall, you don’t need to overthink it—just let these moments flow naturally into your day. If you’re looking to add a little more structure, consider incorporating an artist study or learning a song that ties into the theme of the month. The key is to keep it simple, but consistent, to create an appreciation for the arts without feeling overwhelmed.

Morning Baskets for All Ages (Including Wiggly Ones!)

One of my favorite things about a morning basket is that ALL my kids can benefit. My 7 year old might get something different out of our time than my 11 year old but they are both engaged and enjoying this time of family connection. 

Let your little ones join in on morning basket time with toys, a coloring book, or Legos. They can play while listening to stories, poetry, and devotions. Their participation will look different each day—some days it’s calm and focused, and other days it’s more chaotic. But that’s okay! We show up, and that’s where the beauty is.

The Power of Including Monthly Themes in Your Morning Basket

I really enjoy putting together monthly morning basket themes because they help give me structure without adding stress to my homeschool planning. Instead of asking, “What should we read this week?” I can simply look at what books fit with our current theme and review my book list.

I like using a monthly theme to introduce a subject and gauge interest. It’s kind of like a free trial before I invest in a full unit study or curriculum. If we’re covering a time period in history or a concept in science that’s sparking curiosity, I’ll keep the learning going by adding relevant books to our morning basket.

If I notice a subject or topic really capturing my kids’ attention, I start researching how I can turn it into a morning basket theme. I think of a morning basket theme as an opportunity to connect with my kids’ interests and serve my homeschool in a way I might not have time for otherwise—like planning a full unit study with all the little projects and demonstrations.

Having a theme for my morning basket removes the pressure to teach on subjects or topics my kids aren’t particularly interested in. Since each theme is born from their curiosity, I feel like I’m satisfying their individuality while also keeping my sanity.

While having a morning basket theme is great for so many reasons, it’s a tool—not a rule. If the theme starts causing chaos or burnout, you have the freedom to drop it and keep the items that are working well for your family.

Morning Basket Flexibility –  Your Family, Your Flow

You might be wondering if you have to include a morning basket in the morning—no! A morning basket, like most of homeschooling, is all about you and your family. What flows well in this season might not be the same in the next, and that’s okay. Feel empowered to make changes and stay flexible with your flow as needed.

Some families do their morning basket at breakfast, others during lunch, or even before bed. You might decide to spread it out over the week, dedicating each day to a specific focus—Monday for music, Tuesday for art appreciation, Wednesday for worship, Thursday for Latin, and Friday for flashcards. There’s no one right way to do it—these are just a few ideas that can work really well!

I recommend trying morning basket time for a few weeks, and if it feels too squeezed into your day, try a different time! There’s truly no “right way” or “right time” to include a morning basket. It’s your family, it’s your flow.

Life Requires Flexibility

I’ve had to shift my morning basket time many times throughout the years. Most of my shifts have been due to life changes, like welcoming a new baby, adjusting nap times, or navigating a particularly busy season—Christmas, I’m looking at you!

When we have a new baby in the house, our morning basket is usually lighter because we need more flexibility to meet the baby’s needs. If naps last two hours, we add more to our schedule because we have dedicated time to work on it.

When my husband worked late into the night, we preferred to do our morning basket before bed. It helped ease bedtime when I was doing it solo. It also gave the kids something they looked forward to. Even though this was a shift from our usual morning routine, it reminded me that we don’t have to overcomplicate things. Sometimes, adjusting to life’s changes just means finding a new, simple rhythm.

That’s why when you’re starting out with a morning basket, it’s best to keep things simple.

Just Start Simple with Your Morning Basket

If all this talk about morning baskets and schedules is making you feel overwhelmed, I encourage you to just start simple. If all you’re able to do is read one book together each morning—guess what? You’ve done a morning basket!

This time together is an investment in connection with your children, not in perfection. Don’t stress about finding the perfect time, the perfect book, or even the perfect theme. If a theme sparks your interest, great! But if not, start with something easy—a favorite story or a poem. It’s about enjoying the moment and building a routine. Not about having everything planned out.