Sonlight American History Lapbook Review (Hands-On Learning)
I can’t believe it took us until seventh grade to try a lapbook. We’ve used Sonlight for years and done so much reading-heavy history, but somehow never added the hands-on piece.
Now that we’ve used the Sonlight American History lapbook, I finally get why so many families swear by them.
If you’ve never used a lapbook before, or you’ve used plenty, this particular kit works really well alongside Sonlight’s literature-based approach.
It adds interaction without feeling like busywork, and it gave my son a completely different way to process the early American history topics he was reading about.
**Disclosure: I was compensated for my time to write this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I only share resources that I would use with my own family and those that I believe other homeschool families will enjoy. There may be affiliate links in this post.**
What is a Lapbook?
A lapbook is basically a fold-out file folder filled with mini books, pockets, maps, timelines, and hands-on pieces.
It’s a visual summary of a unit, and the cutting, folding, and arranging helps kids remember what they’ve learned in a different way than reading or narration alone.
Why Lapbooks Work (Especially With Sonlight)
Sonlight is already strong on reading and discussion, so adding the lapbook gave my son a way to connect the dots between the books, maps, and spines.
The hands-on pieces helped anchor names, events, and timelines, and the finished lapbook doubled as a portfolio-style keepsake for the year.
What We Actually Thought
My son ended up enjoying this far more than I expected. History is already his second-favorite subject, but the lapbook changed the rhythm enough to keep things fresh.
At 13 he completed it independently, but younger kids will need support. The instruction booklet Sonlight includes is clear, detailed, and has step-by-step photos, which makes the projects easy to follow.
We’re a secular family, so I always like to mention that Sonlight is a Christian curriculum. Even so, we’ve used their American History program for years and simply adjust the Bible components as needed. If you want a deeper look at the full program, you can read our Sonlight American History review, but the short version is: it’s worked really well for us.
Topics Covered
The Sonlight American History I lapbook covers a wide range of topics from the early explorers through westward expansion, Native American tribes, colonization, major acts leading to the Revolution, key figures, navigation tools, early U.S. maps, and more.
The mix of factual review and creative projects (like the Native Story Bag or real-estate brochure) kept it interesting.
What’s Included
The kit comes with:
- a 38-page instruction booklet with full-color photos
- the lapbook folder
- pre-printed components
- colored paper
- small supplies (Velcro, toothpicks, burlap, plastic sheets, glue sticks, etc.)
You only need basic items at home like scissors, markers, and tape.
How We Used It
We used the lapbook as a Friday project instead of our regular Sonlight schedule. It was a nice way to end the week and gave him something tangible to show for all the reading he’d done.
You could also use it as a short 4–6-week unit study, or as a lighter history spine for grades 4–6 if you pair it with videos and a couple of Sonlight books from the core.
User Tips
- Don’t try to complete too many pieces at once, spreading it out keeps it fun.
- Keep a small tray for loose parts; it saves a lot of frustration.
- Pair each section with a book or map you’re already using in Sonlight.
- Younger kids work best in short bursts; older kids prefer finishing whole sections.
More Sonlight Lapbooks to Explore
If your kids enjoy this one, Sonlight has several other lapbooks that build on the same style of hands-on learning. We’re planning to use the American History II lapbook next year, and the world history options look great for middle-grade learners too.
- American History II Lapbook – picks up where this one ends and covers the later periods of U.S. history.
- World History I Lap Book – a hands-on way to explore ancient civilizations.
- World History II Lapbook – covers the medieval and early modern periods.
- US Elections Lapbook – helpful during election years and great for civics.
Last Updated on 3 December 2025 by Clare Brown
