Top 10 Back-to-School Homeschool Supplies

Top 10 back-to-school homeschool supplies
are listed here just for you. 

Before you head to
the seasonal school supplies aisle
in your favorite store
or start filling your online shopping cart,
make sure you've considered each of these
back-to-school homeschool supplies. 

Yes, even in this highly digital world, you're going to need paper!

• spiral-bound notebooks
• loose-leaf lined notebook paper
• construction and card stock paper for crafts
• large sheet paper (like butcher paper rolls) for drawing or painting
• index cards

Depending upon your children's ages, interests, and needs, you can buy:

• good quality pencils (consider reloadable mechanical versions)
• crayons and/or markers
• highlighters (a great study tool for older students)
• various types of paints, too, for art projects

What do you do with all of the loose papers, worksheets, assignments, etc.? Binders and folders to the rescue! 

If you are homeschooling more than one student, you can color code these for each child. 

Some homeschoolers even buy comb-binding machines to create customized booklets. 

If you're maintaining schoolwork sample portfolios, binders or file folders are great for that. 

These amazingly versatile tools can be used in many ways: bookmarks, to-do lists, reminders, and more.

Stickies come in lots of sizes. Tiny ones can mark pages. Larger ones can be used for messages. 

Consider color coding sticky notes – one color for each child.

Every homeschool family needs some of this sticky stuff:

• transparent and masking tape
• pliable adhesive, like Sticky Tack
• rubber cement
• liquid glue and/or glue sticks
• clear contact paper (for protective covering)

Basic office items are top 10 back-to-school homeschool supplies:

• stapler and staples
• scissors
• pencil sharpener (consider an electric one)
• fasteners, like paper clips and brads

You might also want to consider these items:

• single and 3-hole punch
• paper cutter

You'll definitely feel much more organized if you round up scattered supplies into designated storage containers.

All of these are in this top 10 homeschool supplies category:

• storage bins & totes
• plastic crates
• baskets
• drawer carts

Each student can have a storage container for schoolbooks and supplies. Art supplies can be stored in a covered tote or in a drawer cart. A basket can hold the library books and the current read-aloud book.

Planners can be purchased, but, if you're a Homeschool Iowa member, you can download our homeschool planner from the Member Portal. Not a member? Join now!

An accessible and easily visible family calendar will help you stay on track, too.

Back-to-school homeschool supplies include computers & printers.

Many of us have student-friendly computers or tablets for homeschool use.

If you have several students using a computer or audio device, invest in a good set of headphones.

Do you have a computer printer and/or a copy machine? If so, make sure to stock up on paper and ink.

Our top 10 closes out with a few extra ideas for back-to-school homeschool supplies. 

Many homeschoolers rave about their laminators. You might like one, too.

Also consider a white board or chalkboard. Keep an eye out for maps, timelines, and other instructive visual resources you can display in your home.

And, if you and your students work at a shared table, how about a carousel supply caddy?

Here's a BONUS back-to-school homeschool tip!