The Complete List of Homeschool Essentials

If you’re looking for some advice on homeschool essentials that make everything easier, you’re in the right place! A few years ago, when everything shut down because of COVID and parents of kids who normally attended traditional school were thrown into homeschool life, I got a lot of questions. Today, things are back to normal, but many families transitioned to homeschooling permanently after that experience.

At the time, I shared what I thought would be helpful to those mamas who were thrown into that new adventure over on my Instagram. My hope was that I could make life just a bit easier for them. One of the questions I got there was “What items can I buy to make things easier?” So this post was born. I compiled some of the items that I really think help me teach my kids at home. It’s my complete list of Homeschool Essentials!

I just want to preface that I slowly built up my school supply stash over the first 3 years of teaching. Don’t feel like you have to buy all of this to teach your kids. Whether you are just starting out or you’re looking for a new way to do homeschooling, this list will be helpful. You can teach your kids with very little, but these are just items I have purchased and find helpful in case you feel you might need them, too.

The Homeschool Essentials We Rely On

Here are the homeschool supplies that I have actually used during my years of homeschooling experience:

Laminator – I put this first on my list because I have not regretted this purchase at all. Well worth the money at the top of my list of homeschool essentials. You will find so many uses for this as a homeschool parent. It’s a total game changer.
Laminating pouches – These are a must for your laminator.
Printer – I use my printer every single day. having a good printer is a must for me and this one has been really good to us. I also subscribe to the HP instant ink program. It saves me so much money!
Paper cutter – Honestly, I thought I didn’t need this for so long and now that I have it I don’t know how I lived without it.
Electric pencil sharpener – This will save HOURS of your life.
Scissors – This goes without saying, I always get these child-safe ones. You’ll need one pair for each child.

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Chalkboard/whiteboard – This comes in handy when you are trying to explain a lesson. I ended up making my own extra-large one for cheap. You can find the tutorial in this post.
Sentence Strips
Cardstock
Dry erase pockets
Wet-Erase Markers – There is all this talk about dry-erase markers but I find them incredibly difficult to wipe off laminated sheets or pockets. I prefer wet-erase that way I can wipe them off with a damp cloth.
Personal whiteboard – These are great for each kid to have to practice things like math, spelling, etc without using a ton of paper.

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Workbooks
Timer – Great for keeping everyone on track. I also use this to motivate them to finish a lesson or work for a shorter amount of time. Here’s the one, I am looking at purchasing. (I’ve heard good things about it.)
Magnetic Alphabet Letters – we use these letters almost every day. There are so many unique ways you can use these and can work for many ages.
Clipboard – we love to school outside of our school room and clipboards help us take our lessons on the go.
Manipulatives – blocks, bears, anything really could work as a manipulative. I love this math set with tons of options for supporting our lessons.

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Construction paper/printer paper – with the amount of drawing, painting, and art that we do I would suggest buying in bulk.
Paint
Pipe cleaners
Pompoms
Popsicle sticks
Glue
Coloring pencils
Library card & regular visits to the local library – Your local library is full of educational resources for free!
Board games – A fun way to sneak in learning, especially for first graders and second graders.

If you don’t have all of these items, don’t feel like you can’t start homeschooling without them. You will add on as you go and need certain items, and you will learn what you use more of as you go.

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Organizational Supplies

I share most of my homeschool organizational supplies in my homeschool room tour post but I thought I would give a few honorable mentions here:

Book Shelves – I use them for storing all kinds of things, not just books. See how we use them in our homeschool room.
Art Cart – we love our art cart! Another thing we use every single day.
Pouches – we use pouches to store lessons but you could use them to keep subjects together.
Storage Cart – I don’t know what I would do without our storage carts. They keep all my girl’s subjects together but you could use them for toys as well
Homeschool planner & homeschool schedules – Staying organized is key, especially in your first year of homeschooling.
Reliable printer – Printing out worksheets, research papers, and lesson plans is a great way to keep things organized.

If you are looking for ideas for learning games or workbooks we really love, check out my amazon shop. I am constantly adding items we have fallen in love with.

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Homeschool Extras

While my list of homeschool essentials covers the basics, these extras can help make homeschooling more organized, engaging, and fun!

Electric Stapler – A time-saver for binding worksheets, unit studies, and all sorts of papers.
Noise-Canceling Headphones – Helpful for older kids who need to focus on independent work in a busy household.
Magnetic Calendar – to keep track of lesson plans, field trips, and homeschool schedules in your homeschool room.
Label Maker – Organizes homeschool curriculum, art supplies, and educational resources in a dedicated space.
Bean Bag Chairs or Floor Cushions – Creates a cozy learning environment for read-aloud time or casual lessons.
Audiobook Subscription (Like Audible or Libby) – An easy way to add literature and history learning during car rides or quiet time.

These extras aren’t required, but they can definitely make your homeschooling journey more enjoyable and efficient!

The Benefits of Homeschooling

Homeschooling gives my family so much flexibility and freedom, that’s why we love it and that might be why you’re interested in homeschooling too. Here are some of my favorite things about it:

Your child can learn at their own pace

Some kids fly through math problems, while others need extra time. Homeschooling allows you to tailor the curriculum to their needs. You can spend more time where they struggle, and breeze through where they excel.

You can choose a solid curriculum that works for your family

Whether you prefer a faith-based approach, a classical education, or online resources, you get to decide! Or, you can use multiple curriculums. For example, if you really like one for spelling but prefer another for math, don’t be afraid to mix and match, that’s the beauty of homeschooling, it’s not one size fits all.

More time for field trips

Learning isn’t just about books! Field trips to museums, nature centers, and zoos or traveling around the world are all options when you get to choose how and when your kids learn! Whatever they are learning about at the time, look for opportunities in your area to incorporate a field trip with that theme.

Flexible homeschool schedules

School doesn’t have to be from 8 to 3. You can work around your homeschooling parent schedule, travel plans, or even a homeschool dad’s work shift. Some homeschoolers who live in Florida choose to do more school in the summer when it’s either extremely hot or raining most of the day, and less school during the winter months when they want to be outside more. Homeschooling gives you that flexibility.

Stronger family bonds

Spending more time together strengthens relationships and allows for shared learning experiences.

homeschool essentials - girls working at a desk with homeschool supplies

The Tough Parts of Homeschooling

Just like anything else as a parent, homeschooling isn’t always easy. There are pros and cons to every school situation. Here are some challenges that most homeschool families face:

Burnout is real

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially in your first year of homeschooling. Having a homeschool planner and a set homeschool schedule helps. Having a community of other homeschooling parents is also really important, so you can seek advice, encouragement, and not feel lonely!

Balancing different ages & grades

Teaching kids of different ages can be tricky. Having some independent work ready for older kids is an easy way to keep things running smoothly. You may find that you have to do trial and error to create a system that works, and then be flexible to change that system pretty often as your kids grow and change, as does their curriculum.

Socialization & Finding a Homeschool Community

One of the biggest concerns for homeschooling parents is making sure their kids have enough social interaction. You can join a local co-op or homeschool group for regular meetups, sign up for community sports, dance, or music classes, make regular visits to the local library, and plan playdates with other homeschool families.

Limited personal time

Being a homeschool mom (or dad) means you’re “on” all the time. Taking breaks and using online resources like Amazon Video or Amazon Prime for educational shows can help. Plus, the kids really love it!

Finding the right curriculum

Not all curriculums work for all kids. It can take trial and error before you find a homeschool curriculum that fits. I recommend asking around to other homeschoolers in your area, and even asking if you can take a look at the curriculum their using. This can give you a better idea of whether it’s the right fit before you make an expensive purchase.

Tips for a Successful Homeschool Year

Create your own homeschool space – Whether it’s a spare room, a school area in your house, or just a rolling utility cart with supplies, having an organized space helps.
Mix up your homeschool classroom – Switch between the kitchen table, the dining room, and outdoor learning with nature items. A change of scenery keeps things interesting!
Use online resources & reference books – There are tons of educational resources available online for an affordable price.
Make learning hands-on – Kids love art projects, board games, and science experiments. These make learning fun!
Take breaks & drink water – Seriously, keep water bottles nearby and take time to breathe.

Final Thoughts on Homeschool Essentials

Homeschooling is a learning experience for both parents and kids. The good news is that with my list of homeschool essentials, a solid curriculum, and a little flexibility, you can make it work! Whether you’re in the early years or tackling high school, every year brings something new.

And if you’re a first-time homeschool parent, just remember—you’ve got this! The entire family will benefit from the time spent together, and in the end, it’s all worth it. The most important things are you, your time, and a little creativity.

I hope this homeschool essentials list has helped you get started in your homeschooling journey! What are some of your favorite supplies for homeschooling? Leave me a comment and let me know!