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My favorite things to keep homeschool fun!
62
items These items have made our homeschool journey so much fun!
Sections
5
Games/activities
Books
Art supplies
Other helpful tools
Standard Supplies
Games/activities
Various games and activities we use regularly for homeschool or for a specific unit
Such a fun activity. Goes great with a space science unit!
National Geographic Light Up Air Rockets Activity Set
Marble runs are great for just playing, but they are also an excellent STEM activity. There is so much engineering that goes into building with these! Ask your kid questions about their process and encourage trial and error
National Geographic Glow-in-the-Dark Marble Run - 50pc
My daughter got this as a Christmas gift. It has provided hours of science based fun! I love that the guide gives explanations of how the tricks work.
National Geographic Explorer Science Series - Science Magic Kit
We used this to compliment our talks on archeology.
National Geographic Dino Fossil Dig Kit
For inside or out, this provides a great motor skills activity. You can also use this to make a game for following directions and process which are also important skills.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 10 Colorful Foam Stepping & Balance Stones for Kids & Toddlers
We tied in loom weaving to a history unit as well as art.
Weaving Loom Craft Kit - National Geographic
This is a fun game to play with a rock and Earth science unit.
National Geographic Rock and Mineral Card Games
We are HUGE puzzle fans and love to relate them back to what we are learning. With something like this, we do the puzzle together and then we frame it for a poster in our school room.
Eurographics Inc. Illustrated Periodic Table of the Elements 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Books
Some of these books we've picked up for specific units, but all of them are titles we keep coming back to for reference or fun
The photography in this poetry book is phenomenal. We used this for one of our curriculums, but we go back for the pictures often.
National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry - by J Patrick Lewis (Hardcover)
My kiddo loves learning about weather. This was an excellent addition to our bookshelves.
National Geographic Kids Everything Weather - by Kathy Furgang (Paperback)
My daughter is obsessed with Egyptian mythology! This is one of many books in our collection.
Treasury of Egyptian Mythology - (National Geographic Kids) by Donna Jo Napoli (Hardcover)
This was another book we acquired for a specific unit, but we keep it around for the rhythmic poems and gorgeous pictures.
Book of Animal Poetry
We bring this along with our telescope when we go camping! Great way to learn while having fun experiences.
National Geographic Stargazer's Atlas - (Hardcover)
Art supplies
Great for fine motor skills and dressing up art projects!
502pc String A Bling Jewelry Set - Mondo Llama™
We love ceramic painting! This rocket is awesome because it can tie in art and science together!
Paint-Your-Own Ceramic Rocket Ship Kit - Mondo Llama™
My daughter LOVES diamond painting. It's a wonderful fine motor activity as well as works on following directions. Our science unit this year focuses on space so I have this on hand for something to work on during rainy days this summer.
Gem by Number Galaxy Kit - Mondo Llama™
We do a LOT of free art in our house, but sometimes that's overwhelming for my daughter. She's been doing a lot of paint by number as in between to make it less stressful while still creating. We're going to make this one a summer project and paint i...
Paint by Number Kit Butterfly - Mondo Llama™
We're a little past this one for our home, but if you have kindergarten or first grade kiddos, this would be awesome for a community helpers unit!
Paint-Your-Own Wooden Vehicles - Mondo Llama™
This is our favorite easel! It collapses easy and it's light enough to move around. One of our favorite things to do is bring it outside when the weather is nice and do art class in the sunshine!
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel - Dry-Erase Board, Chalkboard, Paper Roller
I didn't think watercolor paper was a big deal… until we used it for the first time! It really is made for watercolor and the experience is very different from using regular paper.
Arteza Premium Watercolor Mixed Media Pad, Heavyweight Cold-Pressed Paper, 9"x12", 32 Sheets
We pick up a pack of this once a year and use it for all sorts of projects.
Crayola 240-Sheet Construction Paper 12-Color
We always have a stack of canvas on hand. It's great for learning projects, but we also often use it to make holiday decorations.
8pk 8"x10" Stretched Canvas White - Mondo Llama™
As your kids age out of the toddle brushes, a set like this is great to get them used to working with different textures and techniques.
6pc Artist Paintbrush Set - Mondo Llama™
The easiest way to dish up paint for art class is by using these trays. It's got a great space to mix colors as well.
5pc Paint Palette Set - Mondo Llama™
I will choose glitter glue over glitter 100% of the time. It still adds that fun touch to projects, but with significantly less mess.
16ct Glitter Glue Pen Pack - Mondo Llama™
A big set of paint like this lasts us about 2 years. This one is fabric paint, but we use it for regular projects as well.
Arteza Fabric Paint, 60ml Bottles, Assorted Colors, Machine-Washable - 24 Pack
There's so many art and drawing classes out there and we try to do at least a few of them a month. Regular colored pencils just don't blend the same way.
Crayola Signature Colored Pencils 24ct
Another art center staple. We use these to make puppets, we've made counting materials, houses, picture frames and more. One of the most versatile craft items out there!
150ct Craft Sticks Natural - Mondo Llama™
How cool are these? We've been really impressed with Arteza quality.
Arteza Professional Watercolor Artist Paint Set, Metallic, Half Pans, Non-Toxic - 24 Colors
We got this for school 4 years ago. It's still going strong! We like having a dedicated set for school that doesn't get broken or have missing colors from sharing with others.
Crayola 120ct Crayon Set with Crayon Sharpener
This is our go to clay. It's so universal and can easily be painted. We love that it's air dry as well. No worries about having to bake it or do anything extra. Just play and let sit!
Crayola 2.5lb Air Dry Clay White
This is the best watercolor set we've ever owned! The colors are beautiful.
Grabie Watercolor Paint Set, 100 Colors Painting with Water Brush Pens
Other helpful tools
We love having a telescope. We make special nights in the summer where we go stargazing for constellations. We also take it with when we go camping.
National Geographic Telescope
This is a great starter microscope.
National Geographic Microscope Explorer Series Kit
Standard Supplies
Paint markers have been a must have for us. They are great to have on hand for poster board projects, but we also use them for painting wood projects too!
uni POSCA 8pk PC-5M Water Based Paint Markers Medium Point 1.8-2.5mm in Assorted Colors
This is a very standard school supply I encourage you not to overlook! I know pencils come with a small eraser, but it will be used up well before your pencil is.
Smudge-Free Erasers - up & up™
I have tried other brands of markers and ALWAYS end up back with Crayola. They are the best in terms of being washable and also quality of ink.
Crayola Markers Broad Line 10ct Classic
We have a 6x4ft dry erase board on our wall and it's been an awesome move. We like the fine point markers for working on math and as a fun way to do spelling. We also use it for plotting out writing assignments and memorization activities.
Expo 10pk Dry Erase Markers Fine Tip Multicolored
We keep these on hand for a few reasons. One, they are fun! It's a great activity to do on bad weather days and you can incorporate the subjects you're learning about.
Crayola 8ct Washable Window Markers
We go through a LOT of sharpies! I like this pack because of the variety of tip sizes.
Sharpie 6pk Permanent Markers Ultra Fine/Fine/Chisel Tip Black
These are a really cool medium to have on hand. We try to keep a variety of art supplies so we always have something different to experience.
48ct Aquarelle Half Pan Water Brush Pen Color Set in Tin Case - Kingart
I prefer to use an 18 month planner for myself. I like to have a well kept calendar and only having 12 months just never seems like enough.
The Happy Planner 2023-24 18 Month Academic Planner Beautiful and Brave Spoonful of Faith
My kiddo gets her own planner. It helps teach responsibility, but she also likes to know what days we have things going on without having to ask.
Color Me Courtney for Blue Sky 2023-24 Academic Planner 5.875"x8.625" Weekly/Monthly Wirebound Clear Pocket Cover Lilac Haze
Binders get expensive, so I stick with the plain options and let my kiddo decorate the cover. We keep one binder for each curriculum (36 weeks roughly) and all of the notes/worksheets/extra pages of materials end up in there. It makes it an easy refe...
1.5" 3 Ring Binder Clear View - up & up™
We always keep plenty of printer paper on hand. Not only for printing, but for when art inspiration hits!
750 Sheets Letter Printer Paper White - up & up™
We often use tape instead of glue for small projects. That way, we avoid drying time before putting something away in our binder.
4ct Transparent Tape - up & up™
We prefer glue sticks for paper on paper projects. It dries so much faster!
Glue Stick 2ct Disappearing Purple - up & up™
Kids scissors are a must have. I like my kiddo having her own so she isn't using my sharp crafting or sewing scissors.
2ct Kids' Scissors Blunt Tip Pink/Blue - up & up™
I know not everyone has room for a full wall dry erase board like we do. This smaller one would work well! It's a great tool to have on hand for working through math problems or other short term activities.
U Brands 16"x20" Magnetic Dry Erase Board Silver Frame
I prefer a metal ruler as I think it helps more with straight lines and holds up better.
12" Metal Ruler - up & up™
We keep binder rings on hand for all sorts of projects. We've used them to make books, flash cards, spelling practice and more!
8ct Binder Rings - up & up™
While I depend on my binder, we keep a monthly “At a glance” calendar up as well. That helps communicate with my husband as well and keeps us all on the same page for our daily happenings.
U Brands 14" Frameless Magnetic Dry Erase Monthly Calendar Board
You wouldn't believe how big of a difference it can make to write with a fun colored pen! I've noticed sometimes this simple little tool is all it takes to get my kiddo excited about a certain assignment.
Paper Mate Ink Joy 10pk Gel Pens 0.7mm Medium Tip Multicolored
We always have a roll on hand. It's awesome to be able to select the size. We've done full body tracing, huge maps and more!
Art Street Super Value Easel Paper Roll, 18 Inches x 75 Feet, White
We're always taking a notebook with us when we go places, especially during the summer. We stop regularly to draw what's going on around us.
Arteza Art Sketchbook, 5.5x8.5", 100 Sheets of Drawing Paper - 3 Pack
Ticonderoga is the number one pencil you'll see recommended in homeschool groups and there's a reason! They write so nicely. It makes a difference for little hands that tire easily.
Ticonderoga #2 Pencils, 0.7mm, 10ct - Assorted Colors
A must have to get all those extra sheets into your yearly binder for record keeping.
Swingline 3 Hole Punch 10 Sheet Capacity Silver/Black
For younger kiddos, wide ruled notebooks will be easier on them than college ruled as their writing is usually less precise.
Five Star 1 Subject Wide Ruled Solid Spiral Notebook (Colors May Vary)
We love these bins for all the little pieces in our school room. Manipulatives, counting objects, dice, etc. There's all sorts of small things that fit well in here. The reason we like these so much is that they are small and see through. That makes ...
mDesign Plastic Storage Bin with Handles, Lid for Office - 4 Pack
We use a file box like this to store all of our construction, craft and printing paper. It does a great job at keeping it organized.
10" x 14" x 13.25" Mesh Crate File Box - Brightroom™
Such a simple thing, but man is it helpful! I said for a long time we didn't need one and the manual sharpeners we had were fine… until I got fed up with finding the shavings everywhere! So happy with our electric sharpener.
X-ACTO Powerhouse Electric Pencil Sharpener with SafeStart Motor
A definite staple! We use these for the obvious uses like flashcards, but they are also great and handy for making games. Especially matching and memory games or small puzzles.
100ct 3" x 5" Ruled Index Cards - up & up™