Homeschool Items That I Love
- Mellissa Osulf
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
This post may contain affiliate links.
These 15 homeschool essentials are staples In my home. As well all know, kids need just as much mental stimulation as they do physical stimulation. These Items are well used In allowing my kids to get out wiggles and engage In some play-based learning. Take my Ideas and use them at home, or even come up with some fun new Ideas of your own!
1. Dot Markers
We use dot marker sheets every single week in our house! They're one of those simple activities that always seem to save the day. Kids bored? Dot markers. Kids arguing? Dot markers. Need five minutes to finish your coffee? Dot markers.
They're easy to set up, require very little cleanup, and are a fun way to practice letters, numbers, shapes, and seasonal themes while spending quality time together.
2. Laminating Sheets
I don't own a laminator, and honestly, I don't have the space for one. Self-laminating sheets are a simple alternative that help extend the life of our favorite preschool printables. They're perfect for activities we use over and over again.
3. Alphabet Letters
We have alphabet letters everywhere! Magnetic letters, alphabet blocks, letter puzzles—you name it.
They're one of the most versatile learning tools you can own. We use them to practice letter recognition, matching uppercase and lowercase letters, spelling simple words, and creating fun learning games.
4. Washable Markers
Do I really need to explain this one?
Washable anything is a must in our house. Kids are creative, which usually means marker ends up somewhere besides the paper. Thankfully, washable markers clean up easily, and when they don't, a Magic Eraser usually saves the day.
5. Kid-Safe Scissors
My kids absolutely love using their kid scissors—probably more than I do!
We use them for crafts, cutting practice, and even at lunchtime. Noodles, string cheese, tortillas, pancakes...if they can cut it themselves, they're much more likely to eat it. Consider that one a little mom hack!
6. Ink Pads
Ink pads are one of my favorite low-mess alternatives to painting.
They let kids explore colors, stamping, and creativity without all the setup and cleanup that paint usually requires. Sometimes the finished projects turn out even better!
7. Storage Zipper Pouches
If you're collecting preschool supplies, you'll need somewhere to keep everything organized.
I use labeled zipper pouches to separate materials by category—writing utensils, sensory bin supplies, painting materials, seasonal activities, and more. It makes finding what I need so much easier.
8. Play-Doh
Every preschool home needs Play-Doh.
It's fantastic for strengthening little hands, encouraging creativity, and keeping kids engaged for long stretches of time. I love giving my kids a simple challenge like, "Can you make a dinosaur?" or "Can you build a birthday cake?" Then I sit back and watch their imaginations take over.
9. Play Scarves
Play scarves are one of the most underrated preschool supplies.
They're wonderful for movement activities, color recognition, counting games, pretend play, dancing, and even simple science activities. They're inexpensive but incredibly versatile.
10. Counting Cubes
Counting cubes are so much more than a math manipulative.
Yes, they're great for counting, sorting, and patterns, but my kids also use them to build towers, make necklaces, create pretend food, and invent their own games. I love open-ended toys that encourage creativity while naturally building early math skills.
11. Bug Kit
I don't know a single preschooler who isn't fascinated by bugs.
A bug kit encourages outdoor exploration and hands-on learning. We usually spend an entire week learning about insects, and this gets plenty of use. We even bring it to the park or on nature walks to see what interesting bugs we can safely observe.
12. Doctor Kit
Our three dogs are the most frequent patients in our house!
A doctor kit encourages imaginative play while helping children become more comfortable with real doctor visits. It also gives us opportunities to learn about body parts, healthy habits, empathy, and caring for others.
13. Construction Paper
Construction paper is one of those supplies that always comes in handy.
Whether we're making crafts, practicing cutting skills, painting, or creating greeting cards, it gets used constantly. Regular printer paper works too, but colorful paper makes projects feel extra special.
14. Colorful Tape
Kids have an almost magical love for tape.
We use colorful tape for crafts, obstacle courses, color-matching games, decorating projects, and even scavenger hunts. It's one of those inexpensive supplies that ends up being useful far more often than you'd expect.
15. Washable Paint
When I'm feeling brave, we break out the washable paint!
I usually cover the kitchen table with butcher paper, hand everyone a paintbrush, and let their creativity take over. Sometimes we even paint our plastic outdoor playset, then wash everything clean with soap and water afterward—which turns cleanup into another fun activity.
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