Your Must-Have Homeschool Tools List (From Real Homeschoolers, Not Influencers)
If you ask Google, Instagram, or Pinterest, you can get plenty of lists telling you what tools you “need” in order to homeschool successfully. Some are aspirational or inspiring. Most are unrealistic, if not discouraging. Almost all of them are misleading. Because, in reality, you don’t need most of those carefully curated and Amazon-linked items.
If you, instead, ask veteran homeschoolers what homeschool tools are really essential, you’ll get quite a different list. So different, in fact, that it is best, perhaps, to start this article with a list of Mustn’t-Have Homeschool Tools.
So, without further adieu, here is your list of . . .
. . . just some of the homeschool tools you don’t need:
A ton of money,
A dedicated school room,
A parent who doesn’t work,
A serene, monochromatic decor,
Expensive curriculum,
Supplies that look like they were purchased at an art gallery gift shop,
A laminator.
I could go on, but you get the point. Homeschooling is a process, a lifestyle, and a relationship with your child. No one aesthetic, curriculum, or tool is going to make or break it.
Nevertheless, I’m assuming you’re here because you would like some practical advice about homeschool tools. So, are you ready for a real list from real homeschool veterans about the tools that sincerely make all the difference? Well, buckle up because it’s not what you might expect. We’ve broken up each section into the homeschool tools that are truly important and the ones that will just make life a bit easier.
1. A Space
Like, really any space. Homeschooling can be done at the kitchen table, or the sofa, or in the backyard, or at the library, or all of the above! Here are the really important elements of your homeschool space to focus on. (Hint: None of them involve motivational wall signs, bookshelves full of curricula, or a microscope.)
Actually Important:
Good lighting! It’s hard to read and write well if you can’t see well.
Paper and pencils and lots of erasers. You will regret not ensuring that you have plenty of these basic supplies.
A proper place for your child to write. It can be very difficult for little ones to write neatly or for any length of time at a table that is too high for writing. That doesn’t mean, however, that you need to splurge on a school desk. Try a higher chair like a bar stool or even put a pillow on a seat to raise them up. Or, if sitting on the sofa, use a lap desk that raises the paper to the proper height.
Some way to organize schoolwork. Some three-ring binders, some folders in a banker’s box, or just scan the papers and save them in the cloud. Having some way to keep all the papers neatly corralled is both important for record-keeping and a massive headache saver.
Just Nice to Have:
A large whiteboard. It really helps kids to see things BIG on the board. And it will really help you explain and illustrate different concepts, work through math problems, bullet point important things to remember, and so much more. If you don’t want to hang a whiteboard on your living room wall (which I totally get), just slide it behind the sofa or bookshelf when not in use.
An electric pencil sharpener. Need I say more? This goes back to all those pencils I said you will need. They’ve got to be sharpened somehow.
2. Educational Resources
As mentioned, an expensive curriculum is not necessary. Neither is your own personal at-home library. Books are pricey, not to mention heavy, hard to store, and hard to move, and kids grow out of books just like they grow out of shoes. While most homeschoolers have some books and curriculum, you should think quality over quantity and focus on these tools:
Actually Important:
A library card. Libraries don’t just have books these days. Many offer access to computers, puzzles, videos, STEM activities, passes to local museums, educational classes, social events, and so much more!
The internet. Homeschooling can quite literally be free as long as you have reliable access to the internet. Got a printer? Even better! But even if you’re springing for a boxed curriculum, the internet is really an indispensable tool. It’s a reference library, a digital reader, and a worksheet generator. It’s access to thousands of online courses. It’s virtual field trips to anywhere in the world. Truly a must-have!
Nice to have:
Some good reference books. Unlike a textbook that is good for one year or a novel that might get read once, reference materials pay for themselves because you return to them over and over. A good dictionary and thesaurus tops the list (even though you can get those online these days). Other great options to consider are:
a comprehensive historical encyclopedia,
a well-rounded science encyclopedia,
field guides for local wildlife, and
an anthology of poems, short stories, and other literature selections.
Maps and/or a globe. And speaking of reference material, what about an atlas? Even a simple wall map is better than none. One for our country and one for the world are even better. And consider splurging on an actual globe, which gives a much better visual sense of the world and where places are than a flat map.
A couple educational digital subscriptions. You can certainly take the time to weed through the tons of free resources, YouTube videos, and other “educational” material that is up for grabs on the internet. There are truly a lot of great resources out there! But if you want to save time and hassle, it can pay to actually pay for a couple of subscriptions that give you tried and true go-to options. These are lifesavers for those times you desperately need science to be a quick documentary or on sick days when you’re going to let them have screen time but want them to learn something too. Think documentary streaming apps or even educational games.
3. A Tribe
Most homeschoolers consider a support system and a social outlet essential. For some, it is enough to glean this from family, friends, and neighbors—homeschoolers or not. But it can also help tremendously to find other like-minded homeschoolers who can gather for everything from classes to field trips to just plain fun with other people in your same boat. This must-have tool is very personal to your unique family and homeschool style. So, instead of breaking it down into “actually important” and “nice to have,” let’s just say it’s important to have help when you need it. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Facebook groups. Local homeschool FB groups can be ideal locations to meet homeschooling friends, get the latest field trip ideas, and even buy and sell used curricula or borrow those more expensive items (telescopes or microscopes) that you don’t want to purchase. Even FB groups that are not local to you can be astounding resources for crowdsourcing how to teach a tricky subject, finding a pen pal for your child, or just having someone who understands and you can vent to on hard days.
Enrichment classes. One of the things you’re likely to hear about in those FB groups is all of the enrichment classes available online or in your area. Take advantage! It’s a great way for your child to interact with others (kids and adults) and it takes some of the pressure off of having to teach every single thing yourself. Check your community newsletter, ask your librarian, or, again, get online to find something your child will love!
Co-ops. If you’re ready for a bigger commitment, a co-op might be for you. Some homeschoolers take a pass while others swear they can’t live without one. A co-op is a group of homeschoolers that meets regularly to formally study together. Parents often take turns teaching, and there is usually some structure to the organization and sometimes dues to belong that are used for field trips or supplies.