Homeschool Supplies: 16 Essential Tools to Get You Organized

Homeschooling is a rewarding experience for many families. Still, it can be challenging to find the right homeschool supplies. With so many options out there, how do you know what you need? We have created this list of 16 must-have homeschool supplies to help your family succeed in their homeschool endeavors. Save time and stress by having all the supplies you need on hand. This list will help you figure out the best products for you and your family.

The Essential Homeschool Supplies – Tools To Make Things Easier

Finding the right homeschool supplies for your family can be a bit of a challenge. There are so many options that it can be hard to know what you need and what is not vital.

Experienced homeschoolers suggested everything on this list. We have taken the guesswork out of finding the best homeschool supplies for your family! I am a homeschooler as well, and I know how tight budgets can be. I wanted to share our essentials with you, so you would know where to spend your money.

A Solid Printer

A good color printer is worth its weight in gold. You will be printing A LOT of stuff, from worksheets to games to emergent readers. And do not forget all of the homeschool freebies out there.

When choosing a printer, do not forget to factor in the price of replacement cartridges. It may be worth paying a little more for the printer if the cost of ink is significantly lower. Save money by buying off-brand ink. They work just as well despite what the printer manufacturers say.

Click here for some great printers that are highly rated and won’t cost the earth.

Talking about homeschool freebies. We have over a million pages of free worksheets. You can check them out here.

A Good Laptop

Let’s be honest. Digital information has revolutionized our world and educating children at home without adequate technology is almost impossible.

It takes a lot of time and effort to homeschool your children. You need the right tools for success, which means investing in a decent laptop should not be overlooked if you can help it! A computer with internet access is necessary for so many things. Researching topics, downloading curriculum, and even communicating with other homeschoolers on social media.

Each of these models is highly rated and is reasonably priced.

We strongly suggest checking the Consumer Reports Guide. Each year they review the latest technology, and they will help you make an informed decision.

Homeschool tip: Your Library may provide free access to the Consumer Reports website. Check with library staff.

Homeschool Planner

Your homeschooling schedule can quickly dissolve into utter chaos if you let it. You set out with the best of intentions. But, before you know it, you are drowning in a sea of sticky notes, notebooks, and papers.

A homeschool planner keeps all your information organized so that it does not become overwhelming or stressful. It will help you figure out your goals and keep track of state requirements. It is also invaluable for planning daily/monthly schedules, special projects, and individual lessons. There is a myriad of planners out there. This is one of our favorites.

Homeschooling can be quite time consuming, so simplifying your life will make things much easier for you. Check out this 4 step system that will help you do this.

Electric Pencil Sharpener

Pencils are an essential piece of equipment for kids of all grades. Naturally, this means there needs to be a sharpener in every classroom! Do yourself a huge favor and go electric. You will be glad you did! There is no need to mess around with manual pencil sharpeners when you have this beauty. It fits a variety of sizes and has an automatic stop. It will get the job done in a flash!

Stapler

A stapler is one of those mundane office supplies that you quickly realize gets used most days. It is particularly helpful for putting together worksheets, homemade books, and journals. It is worth buying a heavy-duty model that can handle multiple stacks of paper.

I like this stapler because the extra-long reach makes it a breeze to put staples into the middle of homemade books. It can also staple 50 sheets in one go.

Hole Punch

This one doesn’t need much explanation. I like this heavy-duty punch that can punch through 40 sheets with no effort from the user.

Sticky Notes

Sticky notes are a lifesaver for jotting down quick notes and reminders. I use them for the initial stages of planning projects and scheduling. You can brain dump ideas onto stickies and then move them around to create a plan of action.

A Library Card

Libraries are goldmines for homeschoolers, and many give free memberships. Libraries provide so much more than books these days. Our little rural library has a collection that includes nature documentaries (DVD), magazines, audiobooks, newspapers, coding toys, and even science kits. Many library memberships include interlibrary loan programs. It means you can borrow almost from other libraries and can usually find anything you need.

When I was working at our library, homeschooling families would order armloads of books and DVDs about every topic under the sun. Not only that, but you can also get books about homeschooling and even lesson plans. If you have not already explored your library, now is the time! Library membership will save you thousands of dollars a year.

Essential Homeschool Supplies to Keep Your Stuff Organized

I can guarantee one thing. Homeschoolers gather a lot of supplies, and you need to find a way to organize them. Believe me when I say your sanity depends on it. Chaos and clutter are very stressful and do not make a peaceful environment. A few well-chosen items can make a huge difference.

Filing Cabinet

You want to be as organized as possible when it comes time for your children’s education. You will generate a lot of paper. It will include everything from re-usable worksheets, to games, to tracking charts. There may also be official forms and legal paperwork to fill out. A filing cabinet will help keep everything organized and make it easier to find things when you need them. This is the one we recommend.

A rolling organizer

It is hard to teach effectively without organized supplies! That is why I love this storage unit for all of our regularly used equipment. This one organizer keeps everything together, making it a winner in my book.

While shelves and storage bins have a place, I love how this unit rolls to wherever and whenever you need it and then locks for safety. Two columns of varying-sized drawers give you plenty of storage for a wide range of objects. Semi-transparent drawers make it easy to see what is inside.

Shelves and Organizing Bins

You have a lot of supplies that you use for homeschooling. It is hard to keep track and store. Shelves and organizing bins will help you stay organized. Your kids will know where to go to get what they need. Perhaps more importantly, designated storage bins make it a lot easier to clean up.

Every homeschooling family will have different storage needs. Make a list of the things you need to store. Now take a look at the options for shelves and bins. You should be able to find something that fits your situation.

Glass Jars

I love all the different things I can store in my glass jars. Keep dice, manipulatives, and other small pieces together and visible! Glass jars are perfect because you can see the contents, and it is easy to grab just what you need. Take a look at these options.

Buckets

These handy buckets come in a few different sizes and can store oodles of things. You will find them in all kinds of colors. Use them to hold markers, pens, manipulatives, pencils, and art supplies.

Whiteboard

A whiteboard is a must for homeschooling families. It is so versatile, and you will use it for so many things. Here are some ideas.

Use your whiteboard to write down

• Schedules and assignments
• Helpful tips for a particular project
• The day and date
• Daily and weekly checklists
• Word bank for whatever theme you are following
• Inspirational quotes

You can also

• Write the question of the day and have kids write their answers
• Use it for brainstorming sessions

Read this article to see how other homeschooling families use their whiteboards.

We like this model because it is such a good size. You will also need whiteboard markers and an eraser.

Homeschool Supplies That Are Nice To Have

We have identified homeschool supplies that are essential for homeschooling. The last two items on our list are not vital. Still, they will benefit your children and make homeschooling easier for you.

Pocket Calendar

This hanging pocket calendar comes with everything you need to track the days and months as you move through the school year. It also includes cards to mark most holidays and the weather.

The calendar is a great size for little hands. It has large pockets so that kids will have no problem placing the cards! The bright colors and large fonts make it easy to read. It is well made and sturdy. You will love the loops at the top for hanging.

World Map

Every homeschool classroom will benefit from a large world map. This set has two maps. Both come ready laminated for durability. You will turn to these often when teaching geography and history.

Final Thoughts

In the end, it does not matter if you are starting homeschooling or have been doing it for years. The key is to stay organized and have all of your supplies ready before school starts each year! We hope this list helps make that task easier for you. If we anything that you think should be included, let us know in the comments below. For now, take a look at our suggestions and see if any might work for your family’s needs.