Raising Kids Gear and Products The 25 Best Homeschool Supplies of 2021 Keep yourself and your kids organized with these learning essentials By Ashley Ziegler Ashley Ziegler is a lifestyle writer specializing in motherhood, family health, and consumer products. She has written for Romper, Moms.com, and more. Learn about our editorial process Ashley Ziegler Updated on December 28, 2020 Print More in Raising Kids Gear and Products Activities Celebrations Technology Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Our Top Picks X-Acto School Pro Electric Pencil Sharpener at Amazon"Say goodbye to manual pencil sharpening and loose shavings with X-Acto's heavy-duty, electric sharpener."AmazonBasics Hanging 6-Pocket File Folders at Amazon"Students and teachers won't lose important papers again with this collapsible file folder that can be hung on a wall or door."Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas at Amazon"If you need some inspiration on teaching your kid the basics, from math to history, you can find it all in one spot in this book."Gaiam Kids Balance Ball Seat at Amazon"Tailor study sessions to your high-energy kiddo with a balance ball that has built-on legs so they can stay energized but focused."Global Datebooks Elementary School Student Planner at Amazon"Your young student will learn the importance of organization with this colorful planner that tracks assignments and weekly goals."Crayola Colored Pencils - 120 Count at Amazon"Youngsters who enjoy doodling, arts and crafts, or writing in color will enjoy using various shades in this pre-sharpened set."Mead 1 Subject College Ruled Spiral Notebooks (6 Pack) at Amazon"Designate each subject to one notebook with this set of six, complete with perforated edges so sheets can easily be torn out."Westcott Kids Blunt Scissors (2 Pack) at Amazon"Your child can safely use these blunt blade scissors for crafts, experiments, or developing their fine motor skills."TSJ Office Foldable Tabletop Dry Erase Board at Amazon"Kiddos of all ages are sure to get a lot of use out of this whiteboard which can be used for math practice or freehand drawing."Sharpie Liquid Retractable Highlighters at Amazon"Your student's notes will look more exciting with shades of indigo, berry, and orange once they use these non-bleed highlighters." Whether this is your first year teaching your kids at home or you’re a veteran homeschooler, one of the most important things you need to do is make sure you, your student, and your "classroom" are stocked up on everything you need to have an organized successful school year. Keeping your learning space filled with essentials will make the teaching and education process smoother for both you and your mini-scholar. From marker boards to pencils to planners, here are some of the best homeschool supplies you can use to make this year the best school year yet. Our Top Picks X-Acto School Pro Electric Pencil Sharpener Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Office Depot No matter what grade your kid is in, they (and you) need pencils, which means there needs to be a pencil sharpener in the classroom. This electric pencil sharpener will get the job done (and get it done well). It can fit a variety of pencil sizes, has an automatic stop, is equipped with several safety measures, and is easy to clean out. The 7 Best Online Homeschool Programs of 2021 AmazonBasics Hanging 6-Pocket File Folders Buy on Amazon Great for teachers and students, this colorful hanging file has 6 folders to make organizing classwork, worksheets, and other important information easy. You can hang the file on the wall or fold it up, accordion style, for a more compact organization system. Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas Buy on Amazon Buy on Barnesandnoble.com Regardless of how many years you’ve been homeschooling, it’s always helpful to have a resource of activities to keep your students occupied and help them learn in the process. This book is packed with activities for kids between 3 and 12 years old, so it has enough content to last you through several years of school. The 7 Best Online Learning Platforms of 2021 Gaiam Kids Balance Ball Seat Buy on Amazon Kids who have a tough time sitting still will love this balance ball seat that allows them to bounce a little while they’re studying. It’s available in two sizes. The 45-centimeter option is great for kids between 5 and 7 years old, and the 52-centimeter ball is made for kids between 8 and 11 years old. It’s available in a variety of colors and made from durable plastic to keep it strong. Global Datebooks Elementary School Student Planner Buy on Amazon It’s important to learn how to keep track of assignments and due dates, and starting that habit in elementary school can help turn it into a lasting one. This 8.5-inch by 11-inch planner is designed specifically for elementary-aged kids, with a weekly layout, bookmark, resources, and bright colors and stickers. The planner will encourage them to stay on top of their schoolwork while also making it easier for you to help them manage along the way. Crayola Colored Pencils - 120 Count Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Crayola.com Kids as young as 4 years old can enjoy coloring with basically every color on the spectrum using this 120-count colored pencil set. Each pencil is a unique color and comes pre-sharpened. They’re non-toxic and designed to go on smoothly, creating vibrant works of art. The 11 Best At-Home Craft Kits for Kids Mead 1 Subject College Ruled Spiral Notebooks (6 Pack) Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Lowe's Middle and high school students will have plenty of room to write using these college ruled single subject spiral notebooks. They come in a set of six, so your kiddo can use one for every subject. Each notebook contains 70 pages of perforated pages to make them easy to pull out with a clean edge. Westcott Kids Blunt Scissors (2 Pack) Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Staples Buy on Office Depot Younger kids who are still getting the hang of using scissors will do great with these blunt scissors. You get two in a pack, and each can be used by either the left or right hand. The blades are made from stainless steel, so they’re sharp enough to cut through tougher textures, but the blunt blades add a layer of safety. TSJ Office Foldable Tabletop Dry Erase Board Buy on Amazon Buy on Toyboxtech.com Kids in all grades can use this double-sided whiteboard that folds up to sit on a tabletop. It measures 16 x 12 inches and comes with three colorful markers and two magnets. Each marker also has an eraser attached to the cap, making for easy cleanup. Sharpie Liquid Retractable Highlighters Buy on Amazon Buy on Office Depot Buy on Walmart Buy on Staples Great for kids in late elementary and beyond, these highlighters make studying a little easier. They click open like a pen and have an angled tip for precise highlighting. Each pack comes with eight markers in different colored ink that won’t bleed or fade. Edx Education Math Cubes Buy on Amazon Buy on Kmart.com If you’re teaching an elementary student in math, these cubes will come in handy during lessons. You get 100 interlocking cubes in 10 different colors, each of which has different shapes on its sides. You can use these to teach basic addition and subtraction, learn about patterns, color sorting, and shape identification. The 8 Best Educational Toys for Toddlers Laminated Periodic Table of Elements Science Poster Buy on Amazon Memorizing the periodic table will become second nature with this colorful and easy-to-read the laminated chart. Each element features the name, symbol, atomic weight, and a real-world image to help with association. The lamination keeps it in tip-top shape so that your kiddo can use it from the first day of kindergarten to the last day of high school. Mr. Pen 15-Piece Geometry Set Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Gomrpen.com Buy on Sears.com Once you start introducing your student to geometry, this little kit will come in handy. It has all the tools you need for various levels of the subject, including a protractor, compasses, metal divider, pencils and pencil lead, an eraser, a protractor with a swing arm, and two set squares. Your kiddo can keep this high-quality set on hand as they advance through their educational career. AmazonBasics Multi-Angle Tablet Stand Buy on Amazon If you or your student is using a tablet, this stand will make it easier to see and use without straining your neck. Available in either white or black, this stand can hold tablets between 4 and 10 inches. It easily adjusts to give you multiple angles and has a rubber pad to avoid slipping and scrapes. Stylio Dry Erase Calendar Whiteboard Buy on Amazon You can keep things organized with this set of three whiteboard calendars. They are magnetic, so they can be hung on the fridge or just tacked to the wall. The set comes with one monthly calendar, one weekly calendar, and one daily calendar. You also get four markers with erasers attached to the caps as well as a larger eraser for bigger jobs. Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Staples Elementary and middle school students can get a lot of use out of these broad-stroke markers. Each pack comes with eight non-toxic markers in different colors. If your kid makes a mess, there’s no need to worry, because the ink is washable whether it’s on their hands, the carpet, the walls, or furniture. Scholastic Teaching Resources 100 Write and Learn Sight Word Practice Pages Buy on Amazon Buy on Barnesandnoble.com Buy on Walmart Students between kindergarten and 2nd grade can work on reading and writing sight words using this workbook. It has 100 pages of activities to help your kids master handwriting and identifying basic sight words. By consistently incorporating these words into their daily lesson, young children will gain the ability to read and write more fluently. The 11 Best Kids Activity Books to Keep Kids Busy AHXLL Kids Blue Light Blocking Glasses (2 Pack) Buy on Amazon As technology and education become more and more intertwined, it is natural for screens to be a larger part of learning. Keep your junior learner's eyes protected from headache-inducing blue light with these glasses. Designed for kids from 3 to 9 years old, the flexible material makes these glasses comfortable to wear and helps to reduce eyestrain. Jelly Comb 2.4G Slim Wireless Mouse Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Jellycomb.com You and your kids can make navigating laptops a little easier on the wrists by using this slim wireless mouse. All you do is plug in a little USB which then sends signals to your mouse to connect it to the laptop. The mouse runs on one AA battery and lasts a while thanks to the power-saving automatic shutdown that happens after 8 minutes of non-use. The 9 Best Educational Apps of 2021 Crayola Construction Paper - 12 Colors, 240 Sheets Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Crayola.com Buy on Michaels Kids in all grades can benefit from a pack of colorful construction paper, but especially younger kids in elementary and middle school. This pack comes with 240 9- x 12-inch sheets in 12 different colors. Each sheet is thick and durable while still being foldable, so they can be used to create all kinds of art. Edx Education Student Place Value Flip Chart Buy on Amazon Having visuals can help a lot of students learn, even when it comes to math. This flip chart is great for kids in elementary school who are learning about place values and decimal points. The flip chart is color-coded to help students get a better grasp on the subject. Jerry & Maggie Desktop Organizer Buy on Amazon Buy on Sears.com Teachers and students will get a lot of use out of this desk organizer made out of natural wood. Its design allows for some modification so that it can be set up to meet your needs. There’s plenty of space for books, notebooks, small containers, and other items you need access to on a daily basis. Learning Resources View-Through Geometric Solids Buy on Amazon Buy on Office Depot Buy on Walmart Kids 8 years old and up can use these shapes as aids for geometry lessons. The set comes with 14 shapes in six colors. Each 3D shape is made with transparent plastic and can be filled up with liquids to help teach volume. Awesome Science Experiments for Kids Buy on Amazon Buy on Barnesandnoble.com Buy on Walmart You can help get your 5- to 10-year-old excited about science with one of these fun experiments. The book has more than 100 STEAM activities, all of which include complete instructions and photos as aids in the process. The hands-on experiments will help you teach your tiny scientist how to hypothesize and analyze their results. Forensic Science Toys Your Child Can Enjoy Artfan 2021 Student Planner Buy on Amazon Middle and high school students can keep track of assignments and due dates using this academic planner. It has a monthly view so they can have a big-picture reference as well as weekly layouts for more detailed notes. Each month is separated with its own colorful tab, and there’s also a ribbon bookmark to help students keep their place and open right to the current week. Final Verdict Every student needs something different to thrive in homeschool because everyone learns differently. However, no homeschool classroom is complete without an X-Acto School Pro Electric Pencil Sharpener, Mead 1 Subject Spiral Notebooks (either wide or college ruled), and a TSJ Office Foldable Tabletop Dry Erase Board. Why Trust Verywell Family Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce content for a variety of platforms. She’s a wife to a public school administrator and mom to 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit