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History Unboxed

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Recommended Ages
Our materials follow CPSIA guidelines for ages 8+

4th-12th Grades

History Unboxed is a hands-on, story-rich history curriculum designed for curious kids and busy homeschool parents. Founded by a second-generation home educator passionate about making history meaningful, it has grown from a single ancient history kit to a full secular world history subscription serving thousands of families. Each box includes crafts, comics, maps, timelines, and curated reading: everything you need to bring the past to life without the prep. Ideal for learners who thrive with creativity and context while parents love the rich content and flexible format.

Features
Advanced LearnerBookExperientialInclusive

History Unboxed is perfect for curious and creative kids and families who value flexible, project-based learning. Our open and go kits are perfect for busy educators. The multi-sensory materials appeal to kids with ADHD, autism, and other learning disabilities as well as gifted students. The rich educational content provides a well-rounded history experience.

Pros

Our families love that History Unboxed makes history exciting, memorable, and easy to teach. The hands-on projects bring the past to life, while our coloring pages, timelines, and story-driven lessons make even complex topics engaging and age-appropriate. Parents appreciate that everything they need is included with no extra prep or supply runs required. Many love the secular, global perspective that highlights voices and stories often left out of traditional curricula. Our flexible format works with a wide range of homeschool styles, and kids love getting mail that's just for them. It’s learning that feels like an adventureand it sticks.

Cons

Our boxes encourage exploration, which means they don’t follow a strict daily schedule, which can be challenging for families who thrive on a more structured routine. We’ve also faced past delays in shipping, and while we’ve worked hard to improve fulfillment, we’re continuing to refine our processes. We're actively updating materials to increase accessibility and are working on adding more digital support tools for families who want extra guidance or teaching tips. Because we import many of our materials from their country of origin (like boomerangs from an Aboriginal Australian family business), we have higher costs and shipping times.

We are approved by most California charter schools as well as numerous state ESA programs. Reach out to hello@historyunboxed.com for specific information.

Boxes start at $47.95 each for subscribers and curriculum packages. Each box is a month-long learning adventure. A la carte boxes and semester packages are also available.

History Unboxed
$47.95 USD

Skills

What kids will learn

Our mission

Our mission is to bring the past to life through immersive, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, build critical thinking, and celebrate global perspectives. We believe history should be inclusive, engaging, and accessible to all learners. We commit to storytelling, creativity, and cross-cultural understanding. Each box is designed to inspire wonder, invite connection, and help kids see themselves in the rich tapestry of the human story.

Our story

History Unboxed was founded by Elizabeth Hauris, a second-generation home educator who previously ran a living history program on an educational farm. Wanting to bring that same immersive, hands-on experience into homes, she created History Unboxed to make history feel alive for learners of all ages. What started as a passion project has grown into a beloved resource used by families around the world. Today, we’re proud to feature guest writers, expand into modern world history, and continue delivering meaningful, story-rich experiences that make the past unforgettable.

FAQ: Additional Details about History Unboxed

Picture this. Your child opens their History Unboxed package to find a richly illustrated magazine, a bundle of hands-on materials, and a page to color. As you read a letter from a time-traveling penpal, your student giggles at her run-in with a colorful figure from the past. Then it's time to get messy: your child dips their finger into clay, sculpting an oil lamp based on an original artifact. The earthy smell of the clay mixes with the scent of the oil and the burning wick. Later, you curl up together on the cough to read from the magazine and your child traces the borders of an ancient kingdom on the map. They stick a new timeline sticker on their timeline with pride, having crafted, read, colored, and laughed their way through an immersive learning experience. They turn from their timeline poster and ask when the next box will arrive.

Each History Unboxed box explores a specific time period or culture through a mix of hands-on activities, stories, and rich educational content. When your box arrives, you’ll find everything you need inside: a full-color magazine, step-by-step craft kits, a coloring page, a letter from a time-traveling pen pal, a timeline sticker, and optional reading lists. You can use the included lesson plan to guide your week. Most families use one box per month, working through the materials in 3–5 sessions. There's no need to prep or gather supplies; just open the box and start exploring. It's easy to adapt for multi-age learning or pair with other subjects like literature or geography. Whether you're following a structured homeschool plan or creating your own learning journey, History Unboxed fits right in.

History Unboxed is designed to be parent-friendly and flexible. Parents don’t need any background in history to use the program. Everything is included and clearly explained. While younger kids will need help with reading instructions and assembling crafts, older learners can often work independently or with minimal guidance. Parents act more like facilitators than formal teachers: reading Ava’s letter aloud, helping gather thoughts after an article, or just enjoying the crafts alongside their kids. The included lesson plan offers a suggested structure, but families are free to move at their own pace. It’s a great way to learn together—no expertise required, just curiosity!

Yes, History Unboxed is a strong fit for kids with ADHD. Our program is built around movement, creativity, and discovery. That makes it perfect for learners who struggle with sitting still or focusing on traditional textbook lessons. Each box includes a variety of activities (reading, crafting, map work, and storytelling), so kids can switch tasks often while staying engaged. Because the materials are self-contained and visually rich, it's easier for kids to stay on track without overwhelming instructions. There’s no rigid pacing, so families can pause when needed and follow their child’s interests.

History Unboxed can be a great fit for many autistic children, especially those who thrive with routine, visuals, and tactile learning. Our boxes have options for consistent structure. Each month follows a predictable format, while still providing flexibility in how and when activities are completed. The rich visuals, clear step-by-step instructions, and hands-on crafts support multiple learning needs. For kids with special interests in maps, cultures, or timelines, the boxes often align beautifully. Because our program is parent-guided, it can be adapted to suit each child’s communication style, sensory needs, and pacing.

History Unboxed is a great fit for children with dyslexia and other reading challenges. Our materials are designed to be easily read aloud by parents or caregivers, allowing students to engage deeply through listening while participating in hands-on activities. The included crafts, maps, and comics provide rich visual and tactile support that helps reinforce learning without relying solely on text. Because our lessons emphasize storytelling and experience over rote memorization, kids with reading difficulties can fully participate, connect with the material, and build confidence in their learning.

History Unboxed can be a good fit for many children with sensory processing challenges, thanks to its flexible, multi-sensory design. Because the program is self-paced, families can take breaks or revisit activities when it works best for their child. While some children may need support with certain textures or steps, many families have found the open-ended, hands-on nature of the boxes helps their kids feel calm, focused, and meaningfully engaged.

History Unboxed is a strong fit for gifted, 2e, and profoundly gifted learners. Our program invites deep, layered exploration with open-ended projects, primary sources, and interdisciplinary connections that challenge advanced thinkers. Gifted learners thrive when they can ask big questions, follow rabbit trails, and connect ideas across subjects. That’s exactly what our boxes encourage. Many of our activities spark extended research, writing, and discussion well beyond the box itself.

Because our materials are flexible and not age-locked, gifted kids can work at their intellectual level without feeling held back by grade-level constraints. We’ve heard from many parents of gifted learners who say History Unboxed is the first curriculum that met their child’s need for depth and novelty, often inspiring multi-month deep dives into history, culture, or invention sparked by a single box.

Yes, History Unboxed is a great fit for twice-exceptional (2e) learners. Our flexible, multi-sensory approach allows gifted learners to dive deep into content through storytelling, primary sources, and creative exploration, while the hands-on projects and open-ended structure support different learning needs, including executive functioning challenges or neurodivergence. With no pressure to follow rigid schedules and plenty of opportunities for enrichment, 2e learners can shine in the areas where they excel while building confidence and skills where they need extra support. Many families tell us our boxes are the first history program their child actually enjoyed. In fact, our curriculum development is led by a former gifted educator with 2e children!

Yes, History Unboxed is a strong fit for kids with ADHD. Our program is built around movement, creativity, and discovery. That makes it perfect for learners who struggle with sitting still or focusing on traditional textbook lessons. Each box includes a variety of activities (reading, crafting, map work, and storytelling), so kids can switch tasks often while staying engaged. Because the materials are self-contained and visually rich, it's easier for kids to stay on track without overwhelming instructions. There’s no rigid pacing, so families can pause when needed and follow their child’s interests.

History Unboxed can be a great fit for many autistic children, especially those who thrive with routine, visuals, and tactile learning. Our boxes have options for consistent structure. Each month follows a predictable format, while still providing flexibility in how and when activities are completed. The rich visuals, clear step-by-step instructions, and hands-on crafts support multiple learning needs. For kids with special interests in maps, cultures, or timelines, the boxes often align beautifully. Because our program is parent-guided, it can be adapted to suit each child’s communication style, sensory needs, and pacing.

History Unboxed is a great fit for children with dyslexia and other reading challenges. Our materials are designed to be easily read aloud by parents or caregivers, allowing students to engage deeply through listening while participating in hands-on activities. The included crafts, maps, and comics provide rich visual and tactile support that helps reinforce learning without relying solely on text. Because our lessons emphasize storytelling and experience over rote memorization, kids with reading difficulties can fully participate, connect with the material, and build confidence in their learning.

We accept returns of unused items in new, original packaging. (Please note: we do not pay return shipping).

We highly suggest using USPS priority mail as it will give you a tracking number and $50 of insurance – we cannot issue a refund for items lost or damaged in the mail. Please note that returns must be mailed within 30 days of original receipt by tracking #. Once the return is received, we can issue a refund or exchange. We also suggest emailing the tracking number to hello@historyunboxed.com as this will help to expedite the return process.

History Unboxed may not be the right fit for families looking for a traditional, textbook-based curriculum with worksheets, quizzes, and tests. Kids who prefer highly structured lessons with step-by-step instruction and little room for creativity might not enjoy our open-ended, exploratory format. It’s also not ideal for families who prefer screen-based or fully digital learning, as our program emphasizes tactile, hands-on activities. While we provide clear guidance, our boxes invite curiosity, flexibility, and a bit of mess—perfect for adventurous learners, but not a match for those who thrive on rigid routines or test-focused outcomes.

For a more traditional or structured secular history curriculum, we recommend Curiosity Chronicles. For academically rigorous high school videos, we recommend Nomadic Professor. For fully digital and independent learning, Khan Academy offers free world history video lesson and quizzes.

As of Fall 2025, we’re excited to launch our new Modern World History series—one decade at a time! This series begins with the 1860s and moves forward monthly, offering deep dives into each era through the 1970s. Designed specifically for teen learners, each box includes a link to a curated digital resource page featuring Spotify playlists, YouTube video collections, and bonus materials to extend learning and help families build a rich, customizable high school history course.

Let your kids lead the way! While our lesson plans offer structure, some of the best learning happens when families follow their child’s curiosity, whether that means diving deeper into a craft, role-playing a historical moment, or taking a field trip inspired by the box. Keep a history journal to document projects, questions, and reflections. It not only reinforces learning but creates a beautiful keepsake of your journey through time (included in our full curriculum packages!). And don’t be afraid to spread a box over several weeks. Slow, joyful learning sticks best!

We believe history is more than a list of dates or battles. It’s the story of people, cultures, inventions, struggles, and triumphs across time. That’s why every box is designed to reflect diverse voices and global perspectives, helping kids see themselves (and others) in the past. We also offer multi-box discounts and multi-age lesson plans, making it easy to learn together as a family. Whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or a seasoned pro, we’re here to support your journey with creativity, flexibility, and a sense of wonder.

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Meet Elizabeth Hauris

History Unboxed® was founded in 2014 by second-generation home educator, Elizabeth Hauris. Her background as a living history educator and entrepreneur allowed her to launch an educational company that brought the living history experience into homes around the world. Her experience as a busy parent to seven children led her to create open-and-go materials that brought the whole family to the table to learn together.

Modulo's expert opinion

Our learning specialists give their honest evaluation
ManishaCEO and Founder of Modulo

History Unboxed brings history to life through stories, artifacts, and projects that help students see themselves in the past.