Curriculum & Supplies · Comparison
Workbooks vs online curriculum
Both can work well; the right choice depends on your child's age, your screen-time comfort, and how hands-on you want to be. Here's how to decide.
At a glance
| Crayola Crayon Classpack (832 Count) | Osmo Genius Starter Kit for iPad | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen time | Low / none | Higher |
| Parent involvement | More hands-on grading | More self-guided |
| Cost pattern | Per-book, reusable if laminated | Often subscription |
| Best ages | Great for early writing/handwriting | Often better for older, independent learners |
Best overallDepends on your child — see the framework below
Best budgetWorkbooks (reusable when laminated)
Best premiumBlended online + hands-on
Check Crayola Crayon Classpack (832 Count) on Amazon
Check Osmo Genius Starter Kit for iPad on Amazon
Best for specific use cases
- Young kids / handwriting: Workbooks for pencil-and-paper skills.
- Independent older kids: Online for self-paced learning.
- Screen-free homes: Workbooks, clearly.
A simple decision framework
- Decide your screen-time comfort first; it rules a lot in or out.
- Match to age: younger kids benefit from paper, older from self-paced online.
- Consider your available time for grading and instruction.
- Many families blend both by subject.
What matters most
- Screen-time values. This is usually the deciding factor.
- Child independence. Self-directed kids do well online.
What matters less
- Brand hype. Fit-to-child beats popularity.
Final recommendation
For younger kids and handwriting, lean on workbooks (laminate to reuse). For older, independent learners, online curriculum saves you time. Blending both by subject is completely normal.
Get the free buying checklists
One useful email when we publish a new guide or printable. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Last updated 2026-07-02. Verify current details on Amazon before buying.