Free Homeschool Supplies List to Help You Make The Most of Your Day

When you're getting ready for a new year of learning at home, get organized and focused with a homeschool supplies list. Instead of wasting time or money on unnecessary supplies, you'll stick to your budget and be ready to make the most of your time with your kids.

After eight years of homeschooling, I've discovered must-have materials and resources that help our homeschool day flow. And that you don't necessarily need a laminator 😉

Check out my suggestions and get this free printable homeschool supplies list!

Avoid the Overwhelm of Shopping for Homeschool Supplies

Whether you are just getting started with homeschooling or you're a pro, the process of shopping for new homeschool supplies can be daunting. And tempting 😉

There are so many fabulous materials that you can use in your homeschool! All that shiny and new can seem magical, whether you're cruising down the aisle with a cart or browsing online in your p.j.s.

You want to make sure that you have everything that your kids will need for a successful year. The more, the better, right?

Not necessarily...

First of all, your homeschool budget will take a massive hit if you go bonkers in the office supply store.

Also, how much room do you have in your homeschool area to store all of these supplies?

Which brings me to my next point-organization. The more stuff you have, the more time, effort, and energy required to get it and keep it organized.

Because those super cute pencils with the fluffy tops will do no one any good if they're buried under a mountain of stuff!

So, let's avoid all that budget and organizational overwhelm, shall we? 

Tips for Using This Homeschool Supplies List

Before we get to the actual list and recommended resources, here are my tips for keeping it affordable and manageable. Your homeschool needs may vary from mine so customize as you see fit.

1. Consider Ages & Stages: How many kids will you be homeschooling and what ages? Your preschooler doesn't need a calculator. And does your high schooler need playdough? (Maybe...some hands-on fun can be a great brain break when the pressure hits!)

2.  Keep It Simple:  Start with the basics. You can always add to your supplies. 

3. Seek Out Sales:  Look through store fliers for sales at local stores. Browse online or do a search for sales for items you need.

4. Chunk It:  You don't have to buy everything at once. Take it in bits and pieces. Build up your basics and then add on as you find something on sale.

5. Get Creative with Your Shopping:  You can use coupons for {home}school supplies in a variety of stores. Michaels is one of my favorite places to stock up on playdough, crayons, and construction paper with their 40% or 50% off coupons. Also, grocery stores and pharmacies (like Walgreens) may have coupons or deals on supplies.

6. Organize as You Go:  As soon as you get new homeschool supplies, find a home for them. Throwing the bag in the corner or piling it up in the closet might mean forgetting about it and buying double.

7. Keep Track of What You Have:  Use a second list (in the printable pack) to record what you've purchased. Take that list with you when you shop. Then, you won't be standing in the aisle, asking yourself if you need index cards or if you already bought them.

Recommended Resources for Your Homeschool Supplies List

One way that I save time and money is shopping online. I don't get tempted by new and shiny so I can stick to my list. Oh, and I detest shopping so online is for me!

The only exception I have to this self-imposed rule is when I use those awesome coupons at Michaels 😉

I share here our favorite, tried-and-true homeschool supplies. We use all of these materials in some way throughout our school year. If you like these items as well or have others you'd recommend, please share in the comments area!!

**You'll find these items on the free printable Homeschool Supplies List at the end of this post. Also, there's a blank list that you can customize and/or use to record what you've purchased.

Basics for Your Homeschool Supplies

• pencils-regular or mechanical? My homeschool friends rave about Ticonderoga pencils
• pencil sharpener
• ruler-so handy for math and projects!
• glue sticks-great for crafts and assembling lapbooks
• glue
• scissors
• tape
• paper clips-awesome for organizing paper and tracking your homeschool days!
• rubber bands
• hole punch-fantastic for using on index cards with loose-leaf rings to create fact rings
• stapler (and staples)

Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Graphite Pencils, #2 HB Soft, Yellow, 96 Count (13872)BIC Xtra-Life Mechanical Pencil, Medium Point (0.7 mm), 40-CountTiconderoga Wood-Cased My First Pencils, #2 HB Soft, Pre-Sharpened, With Eraser, Includes Bonus Sharpener, Yellow, 4 Count (33309)BIC Xtra-Strong Mechanical Pencil, Colorful Barrel, Thick Point (0.9mm), 24-Count (MPLWP241)

BAZIC Jeweltones Color Ruler, 12 Inches, 1 Pack of 4 RulersElmer's All Purpose School Glue Sticks, Washable, 7 Gram, 30 CountElmer's Liquid School Glue, Washable, Pack of 12Scotch 3105 ¾U Brands Paper Clips, Medium 1-⅛-Inch and Large 2-Inch Sizes, Assorted Colors, 450-Count700 Paper Clips,Medium and Jumbo Size,Paperclips for Office School and Personal Use(28 mm,33mm,50 mm) (Silver)AmazonBasics Assorted Size and Color Rubber Bands, 0.5 lb.BAZIC 465 Multicolor Rubber Bands for School, Home, or Office (Assorted Dimensions 227g/0.5 lbs)Fiskars 23517097J Circle Hand Punch, ⅛ Inch, PurpleAmazonBasics Stapler with 1000 Staples - Black

Supplies to Help You Organize

• file folders-we use these for small projects and to create lapbooks
• 3-ring binders-have one for each child and for yourself (or by subject)
• binder clips-keep all your papers neatly organized
• permanent markers-great for labeling materials
• pencil pouch or box-store writing utensils and manipulatives

Pendaflex File Folders, Letter Size, 8-½AmazonBasics AMZ401 File Folders - Letter Size (100 Pack) – Assorted ColorsSamsill 3 Ring Durable View Binders - 8 Pack, ½ Inch Round Ring , Non-Stick Customizable Clear Cover, WhiteWilson Jones 1 Inch 3 Ring Binder, Basic Round Ring View Binder, White, 4 Pack (W70362-14W)DSTELIN Binder Clips Paper Clamps Assorted Sizes 100 Count (Black), X Large, Large, Medium, Small, X Small and Micro, 6 Sizes in One Pack | Meet Your Different Using NeedsSharpie Electro Pop Permanent Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 24 Count1InTheOffice Pencil Pouch 3 Ring, Black,1InTheOffice Pencil Pouch 3 Ring, Red & Blue,Sterilite Pencil Box with Splash Tint Lid (17224812)Emraw Utility Storage Box - Bright Color Multi Purpose Pencil Box for School Supplies Durable Plastic Pencil Box, Small Plastic Pencil Case, Mini Organizer Storage Box (Random 4-Pack)Emraw Regal Multipurpose Pencil Box - Assorted Color Dots Pencil Case Box for Organize and Carry Pencils, School Pencil Box Plastic Pencil Case Plastic Stationery Case Box (6-Pack)

Paper Products for Your Homeschool Supplies

• printer paper-great for your printables plus doodle fun for kids
• lined paper-different styles to try; make sure to check your child's handwriting curriculum
• spiral notebooks
• construction paper-great for art and craft projects (especially chalk pastels)
• cardstock-print on this when you need a sturdy resource (and your morning time board materials)
• index cards-make your own facts cards, use as bookmarks, and great for lists of chores and more
• sticky notes-add fun reminders, practice sight words and math facts

AmazonBasics 92 Bright Multipurpose Copy Paper - 8.5 x 11 Inches, 5 Ream Case (2,500 Sheets)Oxford Filler Paper, 8-½AmazonBasics Wide Ruled Loose Leaf Filler Paper, 100-Sheet, 10.5Pacon Lightweight Construction Paper, 10 Assorted Colors, 9Neenah Exact Index, 110 lb, 8.5 x 11 Inches, 250 Sheets, White, 94 BrightnessNeenah Creative Collection Classics Specialty Cardstock Starter Kit, 8.5 X 11 Inches, 72 Count (46407-01)AmazonBasics Heavy Weight Ruled Index Cards, White, 3x5-Inch, 300-CountAmazonBasics Ruled Index Cards, Assorted Neon, 3x5-Inch, 300-CountPost-it Super Sticky Notes, Bright Neons, Sticks and Resticks, Lined for to-do lists, 67% Plant-Based Adhesive by Weight, 4 in. x 4 in, 6 Pads/Pack, 90 Sheets/Pad (675-6SSMIA)

Homeschool Supplies for Creativity & Fun

• crayons-wonderful for coloring pages and craft projects
• color pencils-use for doodle prompts and coloring activities
• washi tape-awesome for STEM challenges and color-coding materials
• paint brushes
• watercolor paints
• tempera paints
• tempera paint sticks-we love using Kwik Stix for mess-free coloring fun
• chalk pastels-one of our favorite parts of our homeschool is chalk pastel fun with Nana 🙂
• woodcraft sticks-use to make your own puppets or play props and for DIY bookmarks
• dot markers-so much fun for identifying numbers, letters, math facts, highlighting, and more!

Crayola Ultimate Crayon Collection, 152 Pieces, Coloring Supplies, Styles May Vary, GiftCrayola Jumbo Crayons 16Count, MulticolorCrayola Colored Pencils, 50 Count, Adult Coloring40 Rolls Washi Tape Set, Decorative Masking DIY Tapes for Children and Gifts Warpping (Mix)Artlicious - All Purpose Kids' Paint Brush Set (25 Brushes)Crayola Washable Watercolor Paint, 16 Colors (Pack of 3)Crayola Artista II Washable Liquid Tempera Paint, Set of 12, 16oz , Assorted Colors (54-8216)Crayola Washable Kids' Paint, Includes Glitter Paint, 12CountThe Pencil Grip TPG-604 Kwik Stix Tempera Paint Pack of 24, Grade:Kindergarten to 12, Assorted (Pack of 24)ALEX Toys Artist Studio 48 Chalk PastelsDarice Jumbo Wood Craft Sticks – Natural Color – Perfect for Craft Projects – Sturdy Wood Sticks Used for Kids Projects, Classrooms, Home, Garden and More – 5 ¾” Long, 80 Per PackDarice Wood Craft Sticks – Multi-Colored – Perfect for Craft Projects – Vibrant Fun Colors – Sturdy Wood Sticks Used for Kids Projects, Classrooms, Home and More – 4 ½” long, 120 per packDo A Dot Art! Markers 6-Pack Rainbow Washable Paint Markers, The Original Dot Marker

Helpful Extras for Your Homeschool Supplies

• erasable pens-my boys and I love using Frixion erasable pens for writing-so smooth and no worries about mistakes!
• dry erase board-we use dry erase boards (and mini dry erase boards) and supplies every day in our homeschool. Great for handwriting, solving math problems, fun reminders, and more.
• dry erase markers
• dry erase eraser
• dry erase board spray-or you can make your own dry erase board cleaner with these ideas
• timer-this simple device can help you focus and be used to motivate kids to get work done
•  clipboards-great for organizing work and if you homeschool on-the-go
• loose-leaf rings-use these to organize facts rings and chores
• small chalkboard for personal use

Pilot FriXion Clicker Retractable Erasable Gel Pens Fine Point (.7) Assorted Color Inks 7-pk; Make Mistakes Disappear, No Need For White Out with America’s #1 Selling Pen BrandPILOT FriXion Color Sticks Erasable Gel Pens 10-pack of Assorted Colors (32454) Black, Gray, Hunter Green, Blue, Purple, Magenta, Salmon Pink, Red, Orange, Navy, Erase Mistakes without White Out10 Pack Dry Erase Ruled Lap Boards l 9 X12 inch Lined Whiteboard (Double Sided White Boards) Erasers Included6 Pack Dry Erase Lap Board 9”X12” | Interactive Learning Whiteboard Educational (Single Sided) Erasers IncludedMelissa & Doug Magnetic Chalkboard and Dry-Erase Board With 36 Magnets, Chalk, Eraser, and Dry-Erase PenCrayola Dry Erase Board SetCrayola 98-5912 Washable Dry-Erase Fine Line Markers, 12 Classic Colors Non-Toxic Art Tools for Kids & Toddlers 3 & Up, Easy Clean Up, Won't Stain Hands or Clothes, Great for ClassroomsEXPO Dry Erase Marker Starter Set, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 6 PieceKitchen Timer, 2 Pack Digital Kitchen Timer Magnetic Countdown Stopwatch Timer With Loud Alarm, Big Digit, Back Stand, Hanging Hole for Cooking, Shower, Bathroom, Kids, Teacher - AAA Battery IncludedColortrak 60 Minute Wind Up Timer, BlackOfficemate Slim Clipboard Storage Box, Charcoal (83303)Trade Quest Plastic Clipboard Transparent Color Letter Size Low Profile Clip (Pack of 6) (Assorted)SOTOGO 70 Count Book Rings Loose Leaf Binder Ring Key Chain Key Rings,Including 1 Inch 1.2 Inch 1.8 Inch Three SizeCharles Leonard Loose Leaf Rings, 1

Get Your Free Homeschool Supplies List to Get Organized & Be Prepared!

Now, I know how tempting it is to put all the things in your cart when it comes to homeschool supplies.

Reminder:  You do NOT need all the things! Determine what's right for your family and go with that.

I shared our favorites and what works for us. We have a relaxed, eclectic approach to homeschooling with an erratic schedule for multiple ages. (Whew! That's a mouthful!)

Take a look at this homeschool supplies list and keep the things that you want to try or need. You can use the blank list to create your custom shopping list and/or use it to record what you purchase.

You can print out as many copies as you need. If you have a friend who you think could benefit from this free printable activity, please share the link to this post with them 

When you click on the image below to subscribe and join the Rock Your Homeschool community, you’ll receive this printable pack in a PDF download in an email, along with a super-secret password that opens the library to all RYHS freebies.

In addition to your freebies, you’ll be added to our email list and I’ll update you with ways to make life and learning fun.

(Psst! Current RYHS members just need to access the Subscriber Freebies page and enter the password in your welcome email. If you have any questions or problems, please email at rockyourhomeschool@gmail.com)

TAP HERE or on the image below to subscribe and go have fun shopping with your Homeschool Supplies List!

Okay, now I want to know all about your recommendations and suggestions!
What would you add to this school supply list? 

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