Before curriculum, there are homeschooling materials, especially for the new homeschooler that are essential must-haves to consider. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more tips! You’ll love tips on my page Free Boot Camp for new homeschoolers.
This list is for any type of homeschooler even if you’re deciding what kind of homeschool family you want to be.
For example, there is Charlotte Mason, unschoolers, unit study families, eclectic, classic with every subject laid out in a box, or anywhere in between.
Beyond the basics, I like materials that can be used for more than one year by different ages and for more than one purpose.
I like to get the most bang for my buck, don’t you?
Not included in the list are copious amounts of coffee, bubble baths, and chocolate but they are also helpful.
Additionally, I could continue adding to this list for ages, art supplies, science tools, sewing machines, items for organizing, and others but that is for another post another time.
I wanted to narrow it down to the very basics.
So, we are going to start with the basic must-haves.
And if you already have some of these you are ahead of the game and ready to round out your list with some other useful items on the bonus list that I still consider important for a basic homeschooling foundation.
Must-Haves for New Homeschoolers
Next, besides the materials I list below, here are a few more essential things.
- Library card. While I do spend plenty on books sometimes if it is a book that you will use just once it is smart to just borrow it from the library, my sagging shelves are always grateful.If you do not already have one head straight to your local library and get everybody a card to check out books for fun and learning. Most libraries offer extras now too like checking out toys, instruments, DVDs, CDs, video games, and other items.
- Memberships to zoos and museums are a huge part of learning for any age.
- Annual passes to state parks and national parks.
- YMCA pass if you have a location near you because some do a homeschooling class.
More Homeschooling Materials Resources
- Day 14 Homeschool Supplies List And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
- Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed)
Now, look at some of our favorite homeschooling materials for the new homeschooler.
Homeschooling Materials for The New Homeschooler
Grab some of these resources for new homeschoolers and homeschooling materials.
Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is a real eye-opener on homeschooling. It will alleviate a lot of the anxieties about getting started homeschooling. Reading each chapter’s highlights will give you encouragement, knowledge, guidance, and peace of mind to homeschool with confidence. The best part is that you’ll be educating the person who loves your kids the most in this world--YOU! Armed with the knowledge to make better choices in curriculum will empower you to continue the path of home education. Unlike many books based on one family’s experience, Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is also based on Tina’s many years of mentoring hundreds and hundreds of new homeschoolers at live workshops.When you don’t know where to begin Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers equips you to successfully homeschool your children.
A good printer that doesn’t require frequent ink refills is essential. It may be an upfront investment but both you and your children can use it. Digital unit studies will need to be printed and it is expensive at office stores, when your child types a paper, for practice worksheets, photos for a scrapbook, I have the last version of this and just love it. I print with it quite a bit and have only refilled it once in the last year.
I know, duh right? But don’t overlook its importance and have a variety on hand. Copy paper for the printer, construction paper, graph paper, cardstock, watercolor paper, and even newspaper. Keep them where they are easy to get to inspire them to get creative as well as use them for everyday assignments.
I use this wall-mounted rack to organize our different types of paper.
A good map and or globe is a must-have item. Whether you use a box curriculum, unit studies, unschooling, or anything in between there will be lots of times and situations that you will point out states, countries, and bodies of water.
If you don’t want to invest the wall space or money on a big wall map, these scrunch maps take up very little space and can be used anywhere. Honestly, even if you have a good map this is a great item to have anyway.
You can get a really good laminator for under $30. This is something that will last several years and can be used more often than you think. I have used mine to laminate things like flashcards and flat craft projects, awards, etc… It has been used countless times to turn consumable worksheets into reusable practice sheets for new writers, to make playdough mats, and so much more.
For obvious reasons a good pencil sharpener should be on your list. While the kids should have cheap little manual ones too, an electric pencil sharpener will get a lot of use. For this item I say you don't need to go to the top of the line but don't buy the cheapest either, it won't hold up.
It doesn’t have to be a huge board that takes up half your wall, I think a 17”x23” or so size is plenty big enough. You can use it as a fun way to introduce new themes, vocabulary words, “announcements'' like field trips for the week, to demonstrate a new math concept, and so much more. If you do not have a dedicated space, it is still easily tucked behind or under a couch.
I also like to have personal-sized ones, that you can find even at Dollar Tree year-round, for the kids to use for drawing, practicing spelling words, family games, and other times.
Go ahead and get a heavy-duty one, the cheap ones only hold a couple of sheets of paper and break quickly. This is another item that both you and your children will use to put together assignments, your yearly records, hole punching manuals for toys, games, and school-related things, and placing them in a binder is a great way to keep them organized and at hand.
I know we can just ask our phones and have the answer right at our fingertips and yes I use it often but I still think learning how to look things up in a good old-fashioned dictionary is an important skill for kids to learn.
I love and highly recommend, often, the entire series of Anatomy books by Julia Rothman. They are fantastic for science reference and have the prettiest illustrations with just enough information, while not comprehensive they are a good go-to for art inspiration, and diorama ideas, and make great field guides. One of the best features is that they can be used from preschool through high school in my opinion. There are currently 5 in the series.
If you have a dedicated homeschool room or space these, come in handy but are especially nice for those that are using the kitchen table or couch to school. Drawers can be used to store school supplies like pens and pencils, paper, small board games, flashcards, manipulatives, and other items like that. or you can label each drawer for a day of the week and put your materials for each child in the drawer. When you're done it can simply be rolled out of the way and put up for the next day.
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