The Middle Ages – A Homeschool Guide for Ages 12–18

The Middle Ages! This was the age of towering cathedrals, the rise of kingdoms, and the birthplace of knights! It was also a time of great struggles—famines, wars, and the Black Death. For all its challenges, the Middle Ages gave us new technologies, epic literature, and the foundations of modern Europe!

But how do you make this interesting for teens?

The answer: give them opportunities to explore the drama, the conflict, and the everyday life of people in the past!

Instead of memorizing dates, let them analyze events, debate choices, and connect the dots between medieval life and the world they see today!

Free Learning Resources

Here are some FREE resources and activities that make the Middle Ages come alive:

General

• Ducksters – quick reference guide for kids!

• Medievalists.net — filled with tons of different articles podcasts
• Castles and Manor Houses — 
• BBC Bitesize – Medieval History for kids
• Nicki Truesdell — a Website made for homeschoolers, by homeschoolers

 Free Videos & Documentaries

• CrashCourse: European History — Episodes on feudalism, the plague, and the Renaissance.

• The Genius Design of Medieval Castles — 

• What Life Was Like For A Medieval Teenager —

• Medieval Times Discovered —

Hands-On Activities

sometimes learning comes quicker through actually doing things by hand:

• Medieval Games: Play games from the middle ages, like Nine Men's Norris!

• Heraldry Project: Create a coat of arms that represents your family.

• Medieval Feast Night: Research and cook recipes inspired by medieval Europe.

Books to Explore

here are books to check your local library or bookstore for!

• A World Lit Only by Fire — William Manchester (A classic, for older students).

• Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Castle — Richard Platt

• Mysteries of the Middle Ages: True Stories from the Medieval World— E.B. Wheeler.
• Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess — Richard Platt

History Plus Brings It All Together

With History Plus, teens don’t just read about the subjects—they step into it. Our program takes students beyond memorization, rather it lets them see the world’s most fascinating eras through:

- Cool video lessons made just for ages 12–18

- Fun, printable worksheets

- Short, engaging video lessons.

- A discussion section to ask questions.

Ready to Step Into History the FUN way? Sign up for History Plus!

— Janaya Allers