VETERAN HOMESCHOOL MOM SHARES HER MUST HAVE HOMESCHOOLING SUPPLIES

Disclaimer: The following post has affiliate links. ARE YOU TIRED OF WASTING MONEY ON SUPPLIES? Don’t make the same mistakes I made! The one thing that I have learned over the last 24 years of homeschooling is to buy quality supplies. And I have learned what is necessary and to eliminate the unnecessary. And this means no more cheap supplies for my household. There is a world of difference when you have great supplies. I am happier, my kids are happier, and this makes for a happier homeschool day. Trust me on this! Quality supplies make the day easier, save time, and save money in the long run. Below I share my wisdom with my top must have homeschooling supplies.

1) PRISMACOLOR COLORED PENCILS 

There is a reason I selected my PrismaColor pencils for the number 1 spot. These are the ultimate colored pencils. I love these, and my kids love them too. I buy a new set every 2 years. They are soft and blend so easily. Once you get these pencils, you will never use other pencils again.

2) BOOGIE BOARD WRITING TABLET 

When I looked at the amount of paper I was buying for the kids to just doodle on, these Boogie boards were a no brainer. Write, push the button to erase, and repeat. These travel easily, slip into your purse, and are lightweight. Make sure to buy one per child (and one for yourself).

• Use them for Bible, Math, History, Science, and Games (Hangman, keep score for cards games, scrabble, etc.).
• Great for Travel
• Keep on the Refrigerator for Grocery List

3) ELECTRIC PENCIL SHARPENER 

I used to buy little portable pencil sharpeners – and lose them often. I actually picked up my pencil sharpener at an auction a few years ago, but I have already picked one out online to replace it.

4) GREAT PENCILS (with great erasers)

I am so tired of cheap pencils. They are hard to write with, and if I don’t like them I am sure that my kids don’t either. When your children have to erase, and it causes holes in their paper, there will be tears! Great pencils and great erasers reduce those tears.

5) A GREAT PLANNER

This is the toughest to recommend, because each homeschool is so different that, and there are so many planners on the market. I have used cheap planners and expensive planners through the years. And I still don’t have a favorite at 24 years. However, I know that a great planner is necessary. I have found that a planner for homeschooling, a planner for my business, and a planner for my home are what works for me. Find what works for you and embrace it.

6) PRANG WATER COLORS 

I love have quality art supplies, and these water colors are so worth it. They make painting more even more fun. We go through multiple Prang Water Color Sets each year. 

7) 3 HOLE PUNCH

I use my hole punch daily! This is a wonderful item for your homeschool, and something the kids love to use too. Bonus Tip: Save the little holes that you have punched out and use it for confetti or for other art projects.

8) STAPLER & STAPLES

No explanation needed here. If you don’t have one in your household, you should. (True Confession Time: My primary stapler I have had since 1986. I worked in a doctor’s office before children and a decorative part came off the stapler. The doctor was going to throw it out, and I rescued it. I have had it for the past 32 years and it has served me well).

9) A GREAT AT HOME LIBRARY

My library at home has been built slowly over time. There are some resources that helped me to build the library. The book, Honey for a Child’s Heart, list out great books to help build your library. Having quality books that each of your children will read is wise. When children see that books are important to you, most likely books will become important to them.

10) GLOBE

I have had to replace my globe several times through the years. The world is constantly changing – countries and boundaries have changed over the years. But no homeschool is complete without a globe. In fact, it is probably time to replace my globe again. In fact, your children will love the globe and running to see if they can find the latest country you are learning about.

11) PAPER CUTTER

Paper cutters are so helpful and not just for school. Every household can use one, and you will find that life has become so much easier because you own one. Just make sure to keep it away from little hands. We store ours ontop of our refrigerator. 

12) GREAT CRAYONS

DON’T skimp on these. If you have never used good crayons, I urge you to do a science experiment. Pick up a cheap pack of crayons at the dollar store, buy a box of Crayola, and finally buy a set of beeswax crayons. Have your children test them out. Which crayon performed better? Does one brand have more vibrant colors? Which crayon was their favorite? I am sure that Crayola or the beeswax crayons will win out every time!

13) PAPER, GLUE, MARKERS

There are so many choices here that I think it is a future post! Just take a stroll down the glue aisle in a craft store and you will find that there are so many glue options out there. Obviously, having glue sticks is essential, but I also have rubber cement, tacky white craft glue, and several bottles of Elmer’s White Glue.

14) LAMINATOR 

Most of the time, I can live without a laminator, but it is a great resource to have. My laminator broke after several years, and I have been without one. I tried to take the laminator sheets and put a thin towel ontop of the sheet and use my iron. It doesn’t work like a laminator! LOL

Hope this list of my top must have homeschooling supplies helps you out! And because you are never too old to learn, I welcome your suggestions for items I may not know about!

For inspiration, read The Prayers of a Homeschool Mom Through the Years!

Until Next Time,

Patty @ A Mother’s Random Thoughts