I get asked a lot about what homeschool stuff is actually worth buying. Because there is A LOT of homeschool stuff out there, and Pinterest will have you convinced you need an entire classroom in your house.
You don't.
But there are definitely some things I've bought over the years that we use constantly and I would 100% buy again. Nothing on this list is here just because it looks cute in a homeschool room. This is all stuff that has actually earned its spot in ours.
[You can shop everything mentioned in this post here.]
Math
Lakeshore Multiplication Machine
I originally bought this with my oldest in mind because he's working on memorizing his multiplication facts. It's simple, but that's kind of why I like it. He can grab it and practice without me having to turn it into a whole lesson.
Learning Resources View-Thru Geometric Solids
All three of my kids have used these at some point. They're great when you're teaching shapes and early geometry because kids can actually hold and compare the shapes instead of just looking at a picture of one in a workbook.
hand2mind Take Home Math Manipulatives Kit
If I had to narrow this whole list down to a few things, math manipulatives would absolutely make the cut. We use these all the time for place value, addition, subtraction and just making math make a little more sense when somebody isn't getting it on paper.
TOMMYHOME Base Ten Blocks with Place Value Chart
Another good option if you specifically need base ten blocks. We've gotten a ton of use out of base ten blocks over the years, especially in those early elementary math years.
Science
moveland Graduated Cylinders and Beakers Set
Technically I bought these for science. In reality, they get used for science experiments, random kid experiments, crafts, paint water and whatever else my kids decide requires a beaker that day. Either way, they get used.
This is definitely one of the more expensive things on this list, but it's also one of the coolest things we've bought for homeschool.
We've looked at leaves, bugs, kinetic sand and basically anything else the kids can fit underneath it. This is one of those purchases that naturally gets kids curious because once you pull it out, everybody starts looking around for the next thing they can put under the microscope.
Reference Books
Knowledge Encyclopedia Human Body (Wonder House) and Knowledge Encyclopedia Human Body! (DK/Smithsonian)
I am a big fan of having actual reference books around the house. Not every question needs to immediately turn into a Google search.
These are both great for the human body, and DK books in general are some of my favorites because they're really visual and easy for kids to flip through on their own.
Knowledge Encyclopedia History! (DK)
Same thing here. Build up a little reference library over time. History, science, geography, animals, the human body, whatever your kids are interested in. I like being able to say, "Go see if you can find it in one of your books," before we automatically grab a phone.
Setting Up the Space
Flash Furniture Horseshoe Activity Table
This was definitely a bigger purchase, but teaching three kids at the same time made me realize pretty quickly that our table setup mattered.
I can sit in the middle and easily work with everybody without constantly moving from kid to kid. If you're homeschooling multiple kids and have the space for something like this, I think it's worth considering.
We use our whiteboard CONSTANTLY. Math problems, spelling, explaining something that isn't clicking, writing down what we're doing that day. It's probably one of the most-used things in our homeschool space.
I use these for our calendar and other things I want the kids to be able to see regularly. When my youngest was learning letters and numbers, those went up there too. It's an easy way to keep useful stuff visible without covering every wall in the house.
Deli Electric Pencil Sharpener
Just buy the electric pencil sharpener.
Seriously.
We have too many pencils and too many people using them for me to stand around twisting pencils in a tiny manual sharpener. This is absolutely one of those boring purchases that you will appreciate way more than you expect.
Furinno LUDER 11-Cube Bookshelf
You need bookshelves. Probably more than you think you need.
Homeschool somehow causes books to multiply, so having somewhere to put curriculum, library books, reference books and all the random books your kids collect is a must.
Delifox 3-Pack Magazine Rack / File Organizer
These help me keep everyone's work separated. I can put their individual history, science, math or whatever else we're working on inside, and the kids know where to go when it's time to grab their stuff.
Anything that cuts down on "Mom, where is my _____?" is worth considering.
Olympia Tools Pack-N-Roll Portable Tools Carrier
Stay with me because I know this looks like it belongs in somebody's garage.
LIBRARY BOOKS.
If you've ever walked out of the library carrying 37 books because every child swore they would carry their own books and then somehow you ended up carrying all of them, you understand.
Throw them in here and roll them out. It's also great if you homeschool on the go and need to haul books, curriculum and supplies somewhere.
What You Actually Need
None of this is necessary to homeschool your kids.
You do not need a Pinterest homeschool room. You don't need every manipulative. You don't need to buy every cool educational thing you see somebody using on Instagram.
But after homeschooling multiple kids for years, these are some of the things we've bought that I can actually say, yep, we use that.
And in the world of homeschool purchases, that's really the test.
[Shop my full Homeschool Things Worth the Money list here.]
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