Raising Kids Gear and Products The 25 Best Homeschool Supplies of 2022 From balance balls to math sets, stay organized with these learning essentials By Ashley Ziegler Ashley Ziegler LinkedIn 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 Updated on April 21, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Whether this is your first year teaching your kids at home or you’re a veteran homeschooler, make sure you, your student, and your homeschool space 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 scholars. Reviewed & Approved The X-Acto School Pro Electric Pencil Sharpener can fit a variety of pencil sizes, has an automatic stop, is equipped with several safety measures. For organizing, we recommend the Amazon Basics Hanging 6-Pocket File Folders. Keep in mind the schoolwork your children will be participating in and the supplies they will need. We carefully considered durability, design, ease of use, suitability, utility, and value when reviewing products. From marker boards to pencils to planners, here are the best homeschool supplies. Our Top Picks X-Acto SchoolPro Electric Pencil Sharpener at Amazon Jump to Review Amazon Basics Hanging 6-Pocket File Folders at Amazon Jump to Review The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas at Amazon Jump to Review Gaiam Stay-N-Play Balance Ball at Amazon Jump to Review Crayola Colored Pencils, 120 Count at Amazon Jump to Review Mead 1 Subject Notebooks at Amazon Jump to Review Westcott Kids Blunt Scissors at Amazon Jump to Review TSJ OFFICE Foldable Magnetic Whiteboard at Amazon Jump to Review SHARPIE Liquid Retractable Highlighters at Amazon Jump to Review edxeducation Math Cubes Set of 100 at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Family X-Acto SchoolPro Electric Pencil Sharpener Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Office Depot The X-Acto School Pro Electric Pencil Sharpener ranks high on our list because 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 2022 Amazon Basics Hanging 6-Pocket File Folders Amazon View 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. The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities Amazon View On Amazon View 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 2022 Gaiam Stay-N-Play Children's Balance Ball Gaiam View On Amazon View On Gaiam.com 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. Crayola Colored Pencils, 120 Count Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Crayola.com Kids as young as 4 years old can enjoy coloring with just about 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. 10 Nature Crafts To Do With Your Kids Mead 1 Subject College Ruled Spiral Notebooks 6-Pack Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View 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 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View 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 Dry-Erase Magnetic Whiteboard Amazon View On Amazon View 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, 8 Count Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Office Depot 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. edxeducation Math Cubes Set of 100 Amazon View On Amazon View 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 9 Best Educational Toys for Toddlers of 2022 SpriteGru Laminated Periodic Table of Elements Science Poster Amazon View 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 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Gomrpen.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. Amazon Basics Multi-Angle Portable Stand Courtesy of Amazon View 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 Amazon View 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 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View 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. 100 Write-and-Learn Sight Word Practice Pages Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Barnesandnoble.com 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 9 Best Kids Activity Books to Keep Kids Busy AHXLL Kids Blue Light Blocking Glasses, 2 Pack Amazon View 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 with Nano Receiver Courtesy of Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View 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 2022 Crayola Construction Paper, 12 Colors, 240 Sheets Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View 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. edxeducation Student Place Value Flip Chart Amazon View 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 Amazon View On Amazon 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 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Office Depot 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: 100+ Fun STEM / STEAM Projects and Why They Work Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Barnesandnoble.com 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. Nurturing a Gifted Kid's Talents Artfan 2021-2022 Academic Weekly Monthly Planner Amazon View 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. Global Datebooks Dated Elementary Student Planner Amazon View 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. 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. What to Look for in Homeschool Supplies Utility When you’ve made the decision to homeschool your children for the first time or for another year, investing in the right supplies is essential. Typically when children enter a classroom, many supplies are already provided by the teacher and school. While it’s okay for your children to pick out fun supplies for homeschooling, ensuring they’re also useful will make their lives (and yours, too) much easier. Keep in mind the schoolwork your children will be participating in and the supplies they will need. No matter what grade they’re in, buying supplies that fit grades across the board will be useful to as well. Supplies like pencils, a pencil sharpener, and markers are a great place to start for any age. Aside from the basics, check out supplies that will help them thrive while learning at home like a quality laptop, blue light blocking glasses, and workbooks. Suitability Get familiar with your children’s lesson plans for the school year and determine if the supplies you have or will be buying are appropriate for their grade level and the subjects they'll be studying. While it’s great to be prepared for the coming school year, there are usually some supplies that can wait for the next year or two. Sometimes, homeschooled students learn at different grade levels for their subjects and that’s absolutely fine. You want to ensure the supplies that they have actually help them thrive on the grade level they’re currently at instead of the one they should be at. Durability Supplies that will last you through an entire school year are always worth the money. Some items, like markers, because they dry out easily, will more than likely have to be replaced at some point. Check out supplies that will last for an extended period. There’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to reuse all school supplies year after year, but if your child takes good care of them, there’s a good chance they will. For example, durable folders for school work can hold up for the duration of the academic year while a high-quality graphing calculator will last from algebra to geometry lessons. Frequently Asked Questions How many hours a day is recommended for homeschooling? There’s no magic formula or schedule for successful homeschooling. That’s because homeschooling can be super structured or flexible—the curriculum is in your hands. How do I choose a homeschool curriculum? A good first step is to connect with families who are already homeschooling. Popular homeschool curriculums include Waldorf, Montessori, eclectic curriculums, homeschooling based on unit studies, and Charlotte Mason. At what age can I start homeschooling? Some parents begin in preschool and others begin in kindergarten. Other families begin homeschooling later in their child's academic career. Regulations and guidelines differ by state so check your state’s requirements. Why Trust Verywell Family Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce for a variety of platforms. She’s 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. 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. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Purdue University and her Master of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit