If you're here on this post, you're looking for my most favorite supplies and resources for homeschool preschool and kindergarten. Literally, this list could look a variety of ways for every homeschooling mama, but for me, these are the supplies that I gravitate to the most. For this post, I've broken it down into 3 different categories---
Types of Supplies
1. General School Supplies
2. Art + Craft Supplies
3. Random Supplies + Resources
Honestly, if all you bought were the "general supplies" you could teach your homeschool preschool and kindergarten baby with ease. You could make an adapt to create a lot of learning activities and experiences just using these basic supplies and materials you have on hand at home. My top 10 general supplies are
Crayola Markers
Big Crayola Crayons for easy gripping with those little hands
Glue Sticks
Some type of journal or notebook
Some type of folder for storing worksheets, drawings, and coloring pages
Fiskar brand scissors (trust me, they are superior to other brands)
Dry erase markers (and a dry erase board if you don't have one)
Big Ticonderoga Pencils - Again, trust me on the brand, here. On top of helping with pencil grip, these babies will LAST and wont tear up your pencil sharpener.
Some type of bin for sensory play. This one is $3 from Target and is my favorite. Plus it has a lid., so bonus.
Pencil Pouch for each child. Honestly for homeschooling, a backpack is completely unnecessary unless you're doing something like co-op.
Ok, if your kids are anything like mine, they love a good craft, and most of the time hands on experiences will keep them occupied with a purpose. Also, 9/10 an art or craft activity will lead to more independent play. So, what are my top art and craft supplies?
Play dough and tools. Buy store bought, or make your own dough. Doesn't really matter. My favorite dough tools are the Melissa + Doug brand.
Do-a-Dot Markers... yes, I know that sometimes they can be pricey...but they are WORTH IT and last a while! Also, you can often find them at HomeGoods/TJ Maxx/Marshalls for a cheap price. These things are GOLD.
Dot Stickers. You can find these on Amazon for cheap. Just type in "Rainbow Dot Stickers" and you can do SO MANY activities with these little things! Plus, the kids LOVE them.
Astrobright paper. I prefer this brand over construction paper for crafting because the quality is just better. Cuts easier, and doesn't tear up your markers.
Washable paints, water color paints, tempera paint sticks
Trays for containing messes, and creating a boundary for an activity. I am ALWAYS pulling out these! They usually sell these at Hobby Lobby in the kitchen areas. I bought mine in the spring time.
Pom Poms + Pipe Cleaners, use these for crafts, sensory bins, sorting, games, the list goes on. These are very open ended and can work for a lot of themes if themed activities are your thing.
Ok, now for the random stuff my kids like and that I often pull for multiple themes and lessons.
Wooden Alphabet Puzzle - this one is from WalMart and only costs like $4.95
Counting Bears - I have a whole blog post full of ideas for these. You can read that post here. You can purchase these for cheap on Amazon, there are several different sets at several different price ranges.
Mini Erasers - I have found most of mine at Target, but you can also sometimes find them at Dollar Tree or online in places such as Oriental Trading or Amazion.
Pop Cubes - These are a fun "toy" for the kids, but also have a lot of uses for math, color sorting, counting, comparing size, length and great to use for nonstandard measurement.
Loose parts in all of the colors. When it comes to loose parts, I have a collection in each color with items such as alphabet and number magnets (I have a few different types), Letter and number mini erasers, pouch tops that I've saved from baby foods and applesauce pouches.
Colored Stacking Cups that are different sizes - These GROW with your child from toddlerhood well into Kindergarten. Simple stacking building fine and gross motor and hand eye coordination... but more than that you can use them for color identification
Colored Measuring Cups - Mine are from Hobby Lobby, but any variety colored ones will do. (I bought during the spring time sale) They are perfect for scooping and pouring practice with sensory bins!
Handheld Hole Punch - mine is from Amazon but my kids love to use this to punch holes into shapes or strips of paper (this is GREAT fine motor practice, that will help with handwriting and scissor skills!)
Tongs - Pair these with a ton of activities and have your child build up their hand strength. Adds a fun twist to sorting activities and helps fine motor muscle development.
Pippettes - These are fun to use with liquid watercolors, vinegar and baking soda, water sensory bin play.
If you're looking for worksheets, printables or lesson plans you can tap the boxes below to check out some of my resources from my shop, or my favorite preschool curriculum from Sandbox Academy, it's called the Preschool Playbook. The Preschool Playbook has lesson plans of hands on activities and ideas for an entire year. If you're looking for something more simple, basic, or cheap, I also put an image of my two favorite store bought workbooks below--
Now, please remember, You don’t need all this stuff to do homeschool PreK or K ✨ I only put together this post because people will often ask what my favorite supplies are. So, if you’re like me, and school supplies and learning stuff makes you happy, then by all means go right ahead.
However, if you’re just trying to get your little one to learn the skills necessary for “preschool” you don’t need but just a few things and I bet you already have them on hand!
Join our journey over on Instagram @ourblessedhomeschool and follow along for #easyathomeideas for your littles using common school and household supplies ✨
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