Once Upon A Homeschool Planner (Review)

Once Upon a Homeschool Planner -Review

(Gifted by Homeschool Essentials — all thoughts are my own)

Because we’ve been homeschooling for quite a few years now, Homeschool Essentials reached out and asked if I’d like to try their Once Upon a Homeschool Planner in exchange for my honest review — and if you know me, you know I can’t resist a good planner. I leapt at the chance!

As a work-from-home, homeschool mom of two littles, my planning system has to work hard for me. I need something flexible enough for child-led learning but structured enough to keep me on track — and this planner really does both.

First Impressions

Before I even opened it, I was immediately drawn to the beautiful front cover. The font, the soft illustrations, and the little seasonal icons make it feel like something straight out of a cozy storybook. It’s the kind of planner that makes you want to sit down and plan.

Inside, there are thoughtful details right from the start:

Helpful intro pages with QR codes if you need a little extra guidance getting started.
A gorgeous year-at-a-glance spread — clean, elegant, and color-coded by season.
Space to write down your why, take notes, and reflect on your homeschool journey.

Function & Usability

Now for the good stuff — the actual planning pages.

Each day includes six boxes — perfect for up to six subjects or categories — plus little circles to check off completed lessons. I love this feature because, let’s be honest, sometimes lessons spill over into the next week, and this makes it easy to track what’s done and what still needs attention.

And can we talk about the Saturday and Sunday spaces?
Not all homeschoolers stick to a Monday–Friday schedule, and this planner gets that. It’s one of those small but meaningful details that makes the layout feel built for real-life homeschoolers.

But the feature that completely won me over?
At the end of each week, there are two reflection pages — a space to jot down memorable moments, important takeaways, and anything special that stood out. There are two more reflection pages at the end of each season so we can figure out what has been working or what we’d like to adjust going forward into the next season. These pages transform the planner from a scheduling tool into a keepsake — a little scrapbook of our homeschool journey.

Add in the inspirational quotes sprinkled throughout, and it’s clear this planner was made for the heart as much as the head. On the hard days, those reminders to pause and recenter are exactly what I need.

If I could add one or two personal tweaks, it would be monthly tabs for quicker flipping and a sturdier cover so it stands upright when open. But honestly? Those are small wishes. Functionally, it’s a 10/10 from this homeschool mama.

How It Fits Our Homeschool Style

We homeschool with structured routines and tons of flexibility. I love having a plan, but I also love being able to change it when life calls for it. I use erasable pens to update lessons as we move through the week and color-code everything:

💜 Purple for my daughter
💙 Blue for my son
🖤 Black for both
💚 Green for books or reading
❤️ Red for hands-on activities and writing

It’s simple, visual, and helps me keep our days organized without losing that creative flow.

Final Thoughts

I’ve tried quite a few planners over the years, and this one truly feels special. The blend of structure and reflection makes it more than just a tool — it’s a piece of our homeschool story.

Thank you to Homeschool Essentials for letting me try this beautiful planner. I’m excited to continue using it for the rest of the year and to see all the memories we’ll fill it with. 💛

If you’d like to grab one for yourself, you can find it here.
And don’t forget to check out my YouTube flip-through and Amazon Idea List for my favorite homeschool planning tools.