Homeschool Supplies Checklist by Grade Band: What to Buy, What to Borrow, What to Skip

Quick answer: most homeschool supply lists boil down to core tools (paper, pencils, books, a way to store work), subject tools (math manipulatives, science basics, art materials) and records (folders, a planner). Buy the core first, add subject tools as lessons call for them, and borrow or reuse whatever you can.

Back-to-school aisles are designed to make every item feel urgent. A homeschool does not need most of what fills those aisles, and it needs a few things the aisles never mention. Sorting supplies by grade band keeps you from buying for a seventh grader what a first grader will use up in a week.

The lists below group learners into four bands: kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth, sixth through eighth, and ninth through twelfth. Real children do not follow bands neatly, so slide items up or down to match your learner. Treat every list as a menu, not a shopping order.

Before You Buy Anything: Three Quick Checks

Start with the curriculum. Many programs list required or recommended materials in the teacher guide or on the product page, and some include a supply list for each unit. Ordering a curriculum first and supplies second prevents duplicates.

Next, shop the house. Scrap paper, cardboard tubes, cereal boxes, jars, measuring cups, rulers, magnets and kitchen scales are all useful for lessons. Dry beans, buttons and coins can serve as counters. A tape measure and a clock already in the house cover a surprising amount of early math.

Finally, check your state’s requirements. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and the U.S. Department of Education both publish state-level information, and some states ask for records or evidence of work. If yours does, folders and a planner stop being optional extras and move onto the core list.

A few habits make any list work better. Label bins by subject rather than by child, so shared items such as scissors and rulers have one home. Keep a “ready tray” for the day’s lessons so nobody wanders off to look for a pencil. Reset the space at the end of each lesson, even if only for two minutes. Small routines like these save more money than any coupon, because supplies that are easy to find are supplies that do not get bought twice.

It also helps to separate consumables from durables. Workbooks, paint and paper get used up, so they belong in the yearly budget. Rulers, globes, scales, shelves and manipulatives last for years and can pass down to younger siblings. When you are weighing a pricey durable item, ask how many learners will use it and for how many years, and whether the library or a homeschool group might lend one instead.

Core Supplies for Every Grade Band

These items appear across the whole checklist, so buy them once and restock as needed.

• Pencils, erasers and a sharpener, plus pens for older learners
• Lined and unlined paper, plus graph paper from about the middle grades
• A ruler with inches and centimeters
• Scissors, glue sticks and clear tape
• Crayons, colored pencils and markers
• A binder or accordion folder for each learner
• A planner or wall calendar for the adult
• A stapler, hole punch and sticky notes
• A small whiteboard and dry-erase markers
• A shelf, bin or crate for each subject area

Quality matters in a few places and not in others. A comfortable pencil grip matters for a young writer with tired hands. Basic copy paper is fine for scribbling math. Spend money where a child will notice the difference every day and save elsewhere.

Kindergarten Through Second Grade

Early learners need things to touch, sort, trace and build. Reading and number sense develop through repeated, playful contact with real objects, so this band leans toward hands-on tools over screens and worksheets.

Reading and writing

• A bin of picture books and early readers, ideally from the library
• Letter tiles, magnetic letters or alphabet cards
• Primary-ruled writing paper with a dotted midline
• Chunky pencils or triangular grips if small hands tire quickly
• A blank notebook for drawing and journaling

Math

• Counters such as beans, buttons or counting bears
• A number line and a hundreds chart
• Base-ten blocks or a homemade set from craft sticks and bundles
• A play clock with movable hands
• Coins for sorting and counting, with an adult nearby

Science, art and movement

• A magnifying glass and a notebook for nature observations
• Watercolors, brushes and heavy paper
• Modeling clay or play dough
• A box of safe building materials such as blocks or interlocking bricks
• A mat, jump rope or beanbags for movement breaks

A note on safety for the youngest learners: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has small-parts rules for toys intended for children under three. If younger siblings share the room, keep counters, beads and other small pieces out of reach, and follow the age grading printed on packages.

Browsing a shop’s Toys & Games category can spark ideas for movement and building items, though plenty of early learning tools cost nothing at all.

Third Through Fifth Grade

Learners in these years write more, read longer books and start working on their own for short stretches. Supplies shift toward organization, independent practice and early science investigations.

Reading, writing and research

• A dictionary and a simple atlas or map set
• Wide-ruled notebooks and a few composition books
• A book basket sorted by interest, with a rotating library selection
• Index cards for vocabulary and notes
• A basic binder for finished writing samples

Math

• Fraction tiles, circles or strips
• A multiplication chart for reference
• Place-value mats and base-ten blocks, if your program uses them
• A protractor, compass and ruler set
• Graph paper for arrays, area and perimeter

Science, history and art

• A kitchen scale, measuring cups and spoons, thermometers and a few clear containers
• A simple magnet set, a flashlight and a hand lens
• A wall map or globe, and a timeline strip
• Sketchbooks, pencils for shading and watercolor sets
• Folders for projects and finished work

At this stage, a dedicated study corner begins to matter. Learners who know where their things live waste less time hunting and more time working. A cube shelf or labeled bins works well. If you are planning your room, watch for a guide on setting up a homeschool space on a budget on this site.

Sixth Through Eighth Grade

Middle grades bring heavier reading and writing, more abstract math and science with real procedures. Supplies grow up too: fewer manipulatives, more reference tools and organization systems.

Language arts and humanities

• A one-subject notebook or digital document per class
• A style guide or writing handbook your program recommends
• Highlighters, sticky tabs and a planner for assignments
• A wall map, a timeline and library cards for research
• A folder for each major writing project, to track drafts

Math

• A scientific calculator when the curriculum introduces one
• Graph paper, a compass and a protractor
• A geometry set or drawing tools
• Algebra tiles, if the program uses them
• A formula or reference sheet that the learner builds over the year

Science and electives

• Safety goggles and gloves for experiments that call for them, with adult supervision
• Measuring tools such as graduated cylinders, beakers and a digital scale
• A microscope or a good magnifier if life science is a focus
• Basic electronics components if the curriculum has circuit units
• Art supplies for projects, plus a sturdy portfolio for storage

Science supplies deserve extra care. Read each experiment ahead of time, follow the safety notes in your curriculum, and keep chemicals, heat sources and glassware under adult supervision. When an experiment lists a material you cannot identify, check the instructions or ask a qualified instructor before substituting.

Ninth Through Twelfth Grade

High school supplies serve two goals: doing the work and documenting it. Colleges, employers and some states ask about coursework, so records matter more here than at any other stage.

Core study tools

• A reliable laptop or computer, if your courses require one
• Notebooks or digital note tools for each class
• A graphing calculator if the math sequence requires one, bought after confirming the exact model your course uses
• A binder or digital folder for each course with syllabi, assignments and graded work
• A planner or calendar app for long-term deadlines

Labs and projects

• A lab kit suited to the science course, ideally one recommended by the curriculum
• Safety goggles, gloves and an apron
• Drawing tools or a drafting set for design courses
• Instruments, art media or workshop tools needed for electives, matched to the course

Records and planning

• A transcript template or tracking spreadsheet
• A course log with titles, materials and hours
• A folder for test-prep materials, if applicable
• A file for volunteer, work and extracurricular records

HSLDA offers state-by-state legal information, and many families also contact a state agency or a local homeschool association to learn what documents colleges and states expect. Confirm requirements directly instead of relying on a general list like this one.

What to Borrow, Reuse or Skip

Seasonal timing matters too. Many retailers discount school supplies in late summer and again after the school year starts, and end-of-year sales can help with next year’s stock. Prices change, so compare unit costs rather than trusting a sale tag, and avoid buying a full year of consumables for a child whose needs may shift by spring.

Think about accessibility and comfort as well. A left-handed learner may need different scissors, a child with sensory sensitivities may do better with unscented markers, and a learner who struggles with fine-motor tasks might prefer larger grips or a slanted writing surface. These small adjustments cost little and can change how a child feels about sitting down to work.

Spending less rarely means teaching less. Library cards give access to books, audio, kits and online resources at no charge in most communities, though offerings vary by library. Homeschool groups often hold swaps, lending shelves or group orders. Used curriculum can be a good deal when it is the current edition and its answer key is included, though check that consumable pages have not already been written in.

Skipping is a skill too. Pre-packaged “complete kits” often include pieces your lessons will not touch. Laminators, elaborate pocket charts and bins of themed crafts look appealing but rarely earn their cost. Hold off on anything you cannot name a specific lesson for.

• Borrow: books, atlases, science kits, musical instruments for trial
• Reuse: binders, folders, manipulatives from older children, containers for storage
• Skip until needed: specialty art kits, large furniture, extra decor, duplicate sets of materials
• Buy new: items children put in their mouths, safety goggles and anything the curriculum insists on in a specific version

A Simple System for Restocking

Keep a running list on the fridge or in a notes app. When a glue stick runs dry, write it down before it becomes an emergency. Do a monthly sweep of pencils, paper and markers, and take a bigger inventory at the end of each term. A tidy supply station also makes it easier to teach on a bad day.

For new tools and learning materials, browse the Shop and the Learning by Subject category, and read the About Us page to learn what Luminary Post is about. Questions about the site can go through the Contact Us page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the one thing I should buy first?

A curriculum or lesson plan, because it tells you what other supplies you need. After that, buy writing tools, paper and a way to store finished work.

How much should I budget for supplies?

There is no standard amount. Set a number based on your family, buy core items first and add subject tools as lessons require them. Library, used and household items can cover a lot.

Do I need a microscope or a lab kit?

Not necessarily. Check what your science curriculum recommends. Many early experiments use kitchen items, and advanced courses may call for specific equipment.

Are there supplies I should avoid for young children?

Keep small parts away from children under three, following the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s small-parts guidance, and follow age labels on all products.

Do I have to keep records of the supplies I buy?

Your state’s homeschool rules may not require it. Keeping receipts and notes is still a good habit, and a qualified tax professional can explain anything related to taxes.

Can I use this list if my children are different ages?

Yes. Start with the core list, then pull items from each band that match each child’s level, and share materials such as art supplies and reference books across ages.