The Best Resources for Teaching Real Principles
Books, websites, podcasts, curricula, and YouTube channels — organized by category so you can find exactly what you need to teach freedom, economics, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking to your children.
Books
The most powerful tool for building deep understanding in children of any age.
The Tuttle Twins Series
The most comprehensive children's series for teaching real-world principles — freedom, economics, entrepreneurship, and personal responsibility. With 18+ titles spanning ages 5 to 16, there's a book for every stage of your child's development. Based on the works of Bastiat, Hayek, Sowell, and other liberty luminaries, adapted into fully illustrated adventures kids love.
Affiliate link — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.
The books below link to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See our full disclosure.
A series of letters from an uncle to his nephew explaining inflation, the business cycle, and monetary policy in plain, accessible language. One of the most recommended economics primers in the homeschool community.
Still the clearest introduction to economic thinking ever written. Hazlitt's single lesson — always account for secondary effects — demolishes dozens of economic fallacies with devastating logic. Essential reading for older teens and every parent in this space.
Written in 1850 but never more relevant. Bastiat's short masterpiece defines law, liberty, and plunder with crystal clarity. The direct inspiration behind several Tuttle Twins books — read the original once your teens have finished the series.
An illustrated parable about three people on an island who discover the principles of savings, capital formation, trade, and credit — then watch what happens when government interferes. Macro-economics made genuinely fun and understandable.
Websites
Free online resources for ongoing learning and deeper exploration.
The official home of the Tuttle Twins series. Beyond the books, the site offers additional resources, bundles, the Tuttle Twins Book Club subscription, graphic novels, and the Inspiring Entrepreneurs guide series. The best single destination for teaching real principles to children.
One of the oldest and most respected free-market educational organizations. FEE publishes accessible articles, videos, and courses on economics, liberty, and entrepreneurship — many written specifically for high school students and curious adults. An excellent supplement to reading.
The preeminent institution for Austrian economics and libertarian thought. The Mises Institute offers free access to hundreds of books, articles, lectures, and courses — including the complete works of Ludwig von Mises, Murray Rothbard, and Friedrich Hayek. A goldmine for serious learners.
A comprehensive online resource featuring the Concise Encyclopedia of Economics — clearly written articles on hundreds of economic topics — along with classic books, podcasts, and the EconTalk podcast archive. Perfect for supplementing reading with deeper dives on specific concepts.
Podcasts
Learn on the go — great for parents, and many are family-friendly for older kids.
The official podcast from the creators of the Tuttle Twins books. Episodes cover current events through a liberty lens, economics principles explained simply, and discussions your family can have together. A natural complement to the books.
Long-form conversations with leading economists, entrepreneurs, and thinkers. Russ Roberts is one of the clearest economic communicators alive — his interviews make complex ideas genuinely accessible. Over 1,000 episodes in the archive. Best for parents and older teens.
Personal finance made practical and non-preachy for young adults. Covers budgeting, investing, debt, entrepreneurship, and building wealth — without the jargon. Particularly good for teenagers starting to think about their financial futures.
Interviews with the founders of iconic companies — how they started, the obstacles they faced, and the principles that drove them. Entrepreneurship education through compelling stories. A great shared listen for families with teenagers.
Curricula
Structured educational programs for homeschoolers and classroom educators.
The Tuttle Twins books come with optional activity workbooks and parent/teacher guides that turn each story into a full unit study. The Guidebook Combo and the Inspiring Entrepreneurs series provide structured curricula for homeschool families. Also consider the Tuttle Twins Book Club for monthly deliveries and lesson plans.
One of the largest youth entrepreneurship and financial literacy organizations in the world. Junior Achievement offers free or low-cost curricula for schools and community programs covering entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy. Many homeschool co-ops partner with local JA chapters.
The Foundation for Economic Education offers free online courses for high school students covering micro and macro economics, the history of economic thought, and entrepreneurship. Self-paced, well-produced, and built on sound free-market principles. An excellent supplement or stand-alone course for homeschoolers.
A structured personal finance curriculum for high school students covering budgeting, debt, saving, investing, and insurance. While Ramsey's philosophy differs from pure free-market thought in some areas, the practical financial skills it teaches are valuable and actionable for every student.
YouTube Channels
Visual learners thrive with these channels — many work well as family watch time.
The official Tuttle Twins YouTube channel features animated content, discussions of current events through a liberty lens, and supplemental content tied to the books. A great way to extend the learning between reading sessions.
Beautifully produced animated explainers on macroeconomics — covering inflation, monetary policy, trade, economic history, and more. Content is presented from a broadly balanced perspective with excellent production quality. A popular choice for older students who enjoy visual learning.
Thousands of short, clear video lessons on microeconomics, macroeconomics, personal finance, and investing. Sal Khan's straightforward teaching style makes complex concepts accessible. While mainstream in perspective, it provides excellent foundational vocabulary for students who then read the liberty-focused books.
Short, five-minute videos from leading economists and thinkers on markets, capitalism, and economic freedom. Presented from a center-right perspective aligned with free-market principles. The economics playlist is an excellent companion to the books and curricula on this list.
Start with the Tuttle Twins
Of every resource on this page, the Tuttle Twins series delivers the most value per dollar for families who want to teach real principles. With 18+ titles and bundles for every budget, there's a perfect starting point for your family.
Affiliate link — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our full disclosure.
More From Teach Real Principles
In-depth reviews of every book on this resources list and more — starting with the Tuttle Twins.
Practical guides for making these resources work in your home or classroom — discussion questions, activities, and more.
A deep dive into teaching economics — all the best resources in one place, organized by age group.