A curriculum fair is an event where homeschooling families can browse, compare, and purchase educational materials from multiple vendors while attending workshops and connecting with other homeschoolers.
What is a Curriculum Fair?
A homeschool curriculum fair—often called a convention—brings together curriculum publishers, educational vendors, and homeschooling families under one roof. These events typically span 2-3 days and feature large vendor halls with 100+ exhibitors alongside workshops, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities. For many families, the annual curriculum fair is the highlight of their homeschool planning year: a chance to physically examine materials, speak directly with publishers, score convention discounts, and return home energized with fresh ideas and new connections.
Key Takeaways
- Major events include Great Homeschool Conventions (5 locations), Teach Them Diligently, and state conventions
- Most occur March through July with spring being the peak season for major events
- Expect 100+ vendors, workshops, keynote speakers, and used curriculum sales
- Benefits include hands-on browsing, convention discounts, expert conversations, and community connection
- Planning ahead with vendor research, budget-setting, and booth prioritization maximizes your visit
Major 2026 Curriculum Fairs
What to Expect at Your First Fair
Walking into a curriculum fair vendor hall for the first time can feel overwhelming—and that's completely normal. You'll find booths ranging from major publishers like Sonlight and Math-U-See to small family businesses selling specialized resources. Many vendors offer convention-only discounts, free shipping, or bundle deals. Beyond the vendor hall, you'll choose from dozens of workshops covering topics from teaching reluctant writers to navigating high school transcripts. Most conventions include keynote sessions with well-known homeschool speakers. The atmosphere tends toward encouraging and supportive, with veterans happy to answer newcomers' questions.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Preparation separates productive convention visits from exhausting, overwhelming ones. Before you go, review the vendor list and prioritize booths you must visit. Set a firm budget with your spouse—convention excitement can lead to overspending. Bring comfortable shoes, a tote bag or rolling cart, and snacks. During the fair, hit your priority booths first while your energy is high. Ask vendors about their return policies before purchasing. Take notes or photos of items you want to research later rather than making impulse purchases. Most importantly, don't feel pressured to buy everything at the convention—vendors' websites remain open after you leave.
The Bottom Line
A curriculum fair offers what no website can replicate: the ability to flip through actual workbooks, compare programs side by side, and have real conversations with curriculum creators. For families feeling lost in the sea of options, a well-planned convention visit can bring clarity and confidence to your curriculum decisions. Even veteran homeschoolers find these events valuable for discovering new resources, attending workshops on topics they're currently navigating, and reconnecting with the broader homeschool community. If there's a major convention within reasonable driving distance, it's worth attending at least once.
