You absolutely can homeschool without buying a curriculum, but if you are just getting started I recommend starting with a framework that inspires you and then deviating from there. There are free online curriculums like Khan Academy and multiple YouTube channels that can guide you to develop your own plan. I would also encourage you to join your local homeschool group. It may be a little overwhelming at first (homeschoolers are usually way more active than people expect), but you will find friends and other families who have learned a lot and are willing to share what they know. There are other types of homeschooling which are not curriculum based that you might want to explore before choosing a homeschool curriculum: Eclectic Homeschooling: This method involves pulling resources from a variety of places to tailor a program that fits your child's unique needs. This might include online resources, library books, workbooks, and learning through practical experiences. Unschooling: This is a type of homeschooling that advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning. Unschooling students learn through their natural life experiences including play, household responsibilities, personal interests and curiosity, internships and work experience, travel, books, elective classes, family, mentors, and social interaction. Project-Based Learning: This is a student-centered pedagogy that involves a dynamic classroom approach in which students acquire a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems. The child chooses a project of interest to them and learns various subjects through the execution of the project. World Schooling: In world schooling, the world is the inspiration for study. Some families will travel and then explore all the aspects of history, geography, science, culture, art within the places they visit. Other families might do their traveling virtually, yet explore through books, online resources, food, local resources and people they know from home.