When it comes to homeschool kid must-haves, this is the good stuff, you guys!
Traditional Homeschool Supplies
When I hear the term homeschool supplies, my mind automatically goes to curriculum books, pencils, crayons, and other kid-friendly art supplies.
While all of those traditional homeschool supplies are great and essential, this fun list of homeschool kid must haves focuses a little more on the extra side of things.
From the important snack time essentials to all the activities.
Homeschool Kid Must Haves
That said, homeschooling looks different for all of us.
While some homeschoolers choose unschooling or deschooling, others prefer online schooling or using physical curriculum books instead.
So, these are what I consider to be the universal homeschool kid must haves — no matter your homeschooling style.
Check out my top picks for all the at-home learning kiddos!
Homeschool Kid Snack Time Essentials
One of the major perks of homeschooling is that kiddos can pee when they want and eat when they want!
No more asking for permission to use the facilities or waiting till lunchtime to get some brain-fueling grub.
Plus, kids simply work more efficiently when they are hydrated and fed — crazy, right?!
At-Home Snacking Needs
- Snack station
- Healthy snack options
- Yummy treats
- Water mix-ins
- Snack containers
- Water bottle
Having designated snack areas such as a snack tray filled with healthy homemade snacks or a snack drawer for grab-and-go snacking is ideal for grazing homeschool kiddos who need a pick-me-up.
The snack drawer in our RV!
Before I homeschooled my own kids, I worked in a kindergarten classroom and I can’t tell you the amount of meltdowns and behavioral issues we dealt with on a daily basis.
These kids were expected to sit at a desk all day, breaking once for lunch (which was so hectic most of the kids barely ate) and occasionally an in-classroom snack.
No wonder my kids were always cranky and starving when they got home from school, you guys!
Focus on providing simple snack ideas and let your young ones snack throughout the homeschool day, only setting limitations if needed.
Our homeschool snack tray.
While creating a functioning system for your kid’s at-home snacking needs is something I consider to be essential, having an at-home cup with a lid is also crucial.
Skipping traditional at-home glasses and leaning on a cup with a lid helps eliminate accidents while working on lessons.
We tossed all of our traditional glassware years ago and opted for water bottles and cups with lids and I’ve never looked back, you guys!
My kiddos prefer cups with staws for their at-home learning experience simply because they don’t have to remove a lid whenever they want a drink.
The best part? We can add electrolyte powder to their water for an energy boost when needed — something that’s simply not allowed in traditional schools.
On-the-Go Snacking Needs
While providing for at-home snacking needs is crucial to the homeschooler, prepping for snacking and homeschooling on the go is just as important, you guys!
We often homeschool at the library and these are some of the awesome things we lean on!
- Pre-packaged snacks
- Travel food containers
- Travel water bottle
First, I just have to say how much more fun it is to shop for snack containers when you homeschool!
I can utilize larger containers for family snacking on the go or high-quality personal containers without the worry of kiddos losing them at school.
Plus, now that we road school often, I’m like an on-the-go snack-packing queen.
Last, but not least, having a travel cup with a screw-on lid is my final homeschool kid must-have for snack time.
While we love our at-home cups, having a backup for travel days is ideal.
I’ve learned from experience that travel cups get banged up quicker (sometimes making them not sit well on flat surfaces), dirtier faster, and even sometimes get left in the car.
This is why I love having a second cup that always stays at home.
Plus, straws simply aren’t always safe while on the go and my kiddos definitely prefer them for sit-down learning and playing.
Homeschool Free Time Extras
While free-range snacking is likely the number 1 priority for most homeschooled kids, the extra items and activities that make homeschooling fun and exciting are just as important, you guys!
These are just a handful of our favorite extras.
- Digital learning games & apps
- Manipulative items
- Activity books
- Reading books
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Sensory items
- STEM activities
Whether you are utilizing a homeschool loop schedule or you decide to wing it with your homeschool extras, all of these are the fun homeschool kid must-haves.
Some of our favorite homeschool extras.
In our homeschool, we utilize a detailed block homeschool schedule allowing us to arrange for free time during our homeschool day.
While my youngest is in her room for our daily quiet time, my older boys are in the living room looping through fun activities.
I absolutely love this part of our day, you guys!
We circulate toys, board games, activity books, reading books, puzzles, and workbooks.
However, we also thoroughly enjoy leaning on digital educational material from time to time as well.
Our favorite? The Osmo learning system.
Having homeschool free time items on hand is essential for the homeschooler.
Other Homeschool Kid Must Haves
While the two categories mentioned above are what I consider to be the most important extra homeschool kid must-haves, there is actually a wide variety of other (more traditional) things I consider must-haves for the at-home learner!
- Quality curriculum
- Computer or tablet
- Personal planners
- A library card
- Quality craft & office supplies
- Out-of-the-home learning experiences
While having a solid curriculum sounds like a no-brainer (unless you unschool), I had to mention it first on this list.
Not all homeschool curriculum is created equal and not all good curriculum works for all kids.
Do your research, don’t be afraid to try new things, and toss what doesn’t work.
Our current world history curriculum.
That said, there are a number of other items kiddos need when homeschooling.
Like a computer or tablet for example.
While yes, I like to focus on bookwork and experiences over screen time, these kiddos are growing up in a technological world, you guys!
So, knowing how to use devices for educational purposes, not just entertainment, is an important life skill young students need to learn.
I also consider student planners a huge must in our homeschool because it’s the main method I use for teaching responsibility in our homeschool.
Personally, I utilize student planners as a part of our weekly lesson planning process.
However, you can easily use planners alongside reward systems and other homeschool curriculum organizational systems.
Lastly, out-of-the-home learning experiences such as playdates, field trips, or co-ops are so important to homeschoolers!
My kiddos attended our local Zoo bi-weekly science classes for years and they were so good, you guys!
All that aside, kiddos also need parents who are involved and supportive while providing a learning-rich environment filled with a combination of structure and flexibility.
Encourage your kiddos by being their cheerleader and teaching them through hands-on fun.
You’ve got this!
