Best of 2025: The Most-Loved Blog Posts from The Lively Bean

A year of real-life homeschooling, gentle encouragement, and lighter mental loads

As the year wraps up and we look ahead to a fresh start, we wanted to pause for a moment and reflect — not on perfection, but on what truly supported homeschool moms in real life this year.

2025 was full of questions, growth, creativity, and learning right alongside our kids. It was also a year where so many of you showed up here, searching for ways to simplify your homeschool days, bring more joy into learning, and feel a little less alone on the journey.

These five blog posts were the most-read, most-shared, and most-saved posts of 2025 — and for good reason. Each one speaks to a very real part of homeschool life.

If you’re new here, this is a great place to start. And if you’ve been with us all year, think of this as a cozy end-of-year roundup with a warm cup of coffee.

🧸 1. The Ultimate Guide to Toy Rotation for Homeschool Families

Because less clutter really can mean more learning

If your floors have ever disappeared under toys, projects, and “important creations,” you’re not alone. This post quickly became a favorite because it offered practical relief — not guilt.

We walked through how toy rotation can:

• Reduce overwhelm for moms
• Increase focus and creativity for kids
• Make learning spaces feel calm and inviting again

Toy rotation isn’t about doing more — it’s about using what you already have in a smarter, more peaceful way. Many moms shared that this was the post that helped them finally breathe easier in their homeschool spaces.

🎭 2. The Power of Pretend Play: Engaging Homeschool Activities for Every Age

Proof that play really does count as learning

Pretend play often gets pushed aside as kids grow — but this post reminded us just how valuable it is at every age.

From imaginative play for little ones to role-playing, storytelling, and real-world simulations for older kids, this article gave homeschool moms permission to:

• Embrace creativity
• See learning through a wider lens
• Trust that meaningful education doesn’t always look like worksheets

This post resonated because it met moms right where they are — wanting learning to be engaging without feeling complicated.

🎃 3. How to Plan a Fun and Simple Homeschool Halloween Party (Without the Stress)

Seasonal fun without the burnout

Holidays are meant to be joyful — but they often come with extra pressure. This post was a favorite because it focused on simple, flexible celebration ideas that actually work for homeschool families.

Inside, we shared:

• Easy homeschool-friendly party formats
• Low-prep activity ideas
• Ways to involve kids in planning (so mom does less)

It quickly became a go-to resource for moms who wanted to celebrate well without turning Halloween into another exhausting to-do list.

🛤️ 4. The Homeschool Mom’s Journey: What to Expect Along the Way

For every mom who’s ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”

This post struck a chord because it spoke honestly about the emotional side of homeschooling — the excitement, the doubts, the growing confidence, and the seasons that feel harder than expected.

It gently walks through:

• The early homeschool years
• Finding your rhythm
• Growing alongside your kids
• Learning to trust yourself as a homeschool mom

Many readers shared that this post made them feel seen, understood, and reassured — and that’s exactly why it earned its place on this list.

🔮 5. Pinterest Predicts 2026: Practical Trends Every Homeschool Mom Should Know

Trends, without the pressure

This end-of-year favorite took popular Pinterest trends and filtered them through a very important question:

“Will this actually help homeschool moms?”

Instead of chasing trends, this post focused on:

• Calm, cozy learning environments
• Nature-based experiences
• Hands-on, curiosity-driven learning
• Using trends as inspiration — not obligation

It was a reminder that you don’t have to do everything — you just get to choose what supports your family.

💛 Looking Ahead to a New Year

As we step into a new year, we want you to know this:

You’re not behind.

You don’t need to do more.

And you’re doing better than you think.

The Lively Bean is here to help lighten the mental load, offer practical tools, and remind you that homeschooling doesn’t have to feel heavy to be meaningful.

Thank you for being part of this community — for reading, sharing, learning, and growing alongside us.

Here’s to a new year filled with connection, curiosity, and homeschooling that fits your family. 🤍