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Homeschooling on a Budget: How to Teach Your Kids for Less Than $200 a Year

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Homeschooling is an incredible journey, but when I first started, I was worried about the costs. Between curriculum, books, supplies, and activities, the expenses can quickly add up. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to spend a fortune to provide a high-quality education at home . In fact, I’ve successfully homeschooled my kids for under $200 a year, and I want to share exactly how I do it. Whether you’re new to homeschooling or looking for ways to stretch your budget, these tips and resources will help you teach your kids effectively without breaking the bank . 1. Use Free or Low-Cost Curriculum One of the biggest expenses in homeschooling is curriculum. Traditional programs can cost hundreds of dollars per child. But there are amazing options that are either free or extremely affordable: The Good and the Beautiful – While their full curriculum can cost money, they offer free sample units and worksheets on their website. I love that you can download quality lessons without...

15 Must-Have Homeschool Supplies That Make Life Easier

Homeschooling has been such a blessing for our family, but let’s be honest—it also comes with its own set of daily challenges. Over the years, I’ve learned that having the right tools can make all the difference. Whether you're brand new to homeschooling or just looking to simplify your routine, these are the 15 homeschool supplies that truly make life easier.

These aren't just trendy gadgets or Pinterest-perfect setups. These are real-life essentials that I personally use (or have on my wishlist!)—and they’ve helped bring more peace, organization, and joy into our homeschool days.

Let’s dive in!

“Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!”

1. Dry Erase Board + Markers

A large dry erase board is one of the most-used tools in our homeschool. Whether it’s writing out math problems, brainstorming ideas, or creating spelling lists, this board gets daily love.

Tip: I recommend getting a magnetic one so you can also stick up notes, schedules, or flashcards.

2. Rolling Storage Cart

This cart is a game-changer for organizing everything from books to crayons to manipulatives. I love how I can roll it to wherever we’re learning that day—whether it’s the kitchen, the living room, or even outside. It also comes in different colors.

I use the top tray for daily essentials, the drawer for those small things that always get lost, the middle for workbooks and folders, and the bottom for craft supplies. I love that it also has hooks and cups

3. Electric Pencil Sharpener

You’d be surprised how much smoother your day goes with a good pencil sharpener. Forget the cheap handheld ones—grab an electric one that doesn’t eat up your pencils or your patience. This one is a six-size dial, making it great for nearly every pencil.

This is one of those small investments that saves so much time (and sanity!).

4. Laminator and Laminating Sheets

I love my laminator! I use it all the time for flashcards, visual schedules, chore charts, reusable worksheets, and more.

If you're creating your own printables (or buying them from Etsy or my store 😉), laminating makes them last so much longer.

5. Homeschool Planner

Even if you’re not a "planner person," a homeschool planner makes everything feel less overwhelming. I use mine to track goals, jot down what we actually did (not just what I planned), and organize resources for each subject.

You can use a printed one or grab my digital planner from my store—it’s made especially for busy homeschool parents!

6. Book Bins or Display Shelf

We rotate books weekly, and having a dedicated spot makes it easier for the kids to browse and grab their favorites. Book bins work perfectly for organizing by theme, subject, or grade level.

Bonus: It makes your space feel more like a cozy classroom library.

7. Noise-Canceling Headphones

If you have multiple kids at different levels (like I do), headphones can be a lifesaver. They help with focus during online lessons, audiobook time, or when one child needs a quiet zone to concentrate.

8. Math Manipulatives

Hands-on learning is a huge part of our homeschool. We use things like counting cubes, base ten blocks, fraction tiles, and even a toy cash register to bring math to life.

Even older kids benefit from visual tools, especially when tackling trickier concepts like decimals or division.

9. Reusable Dry Erase Sleeves

These sleeves let us reuse worksheets again and again—perfect for handwriting practice, math drills, or spelling lists. Just slip the sheet in and use a dry erase marker.

It’s eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and fun!

10. Kids' Timer or Visual Timer

We use a visual timer during independent work time and even chores. It helps with transitions and keeps everyone on track without me having to repeat, “Just five more minutes!” all day long.

Some kids really thrive when they can see how much time is left.

11. Printer + Extra Ink

A reliable printer is non-negotiable in our homeschool. Between worksheets, unit studies, and printables, we’re printing something almost daily.

I also recommend keeping backup ink and paper so you’re never stuck mid-lesson without what you need.

12. Craft Supplies Kit

Markers, scissors, glue sticks, construction paper, googly eyes—you name it. We keep a stocked craft bin nearby for art projects, history timelines, science journals, and free time creativity.

Trust me, when the day needs a reset, pulling out the craft supplies always helps!

13. Educational Posters or Wall Charts

Even if you don’t have a designated homeschool room (we don’t!), putting up a few key visuals helps set the tone. We have a world map, a parts-of-speech poster, and a simple multiplication chart.

It makes learning stick without feeling forced.

14. Comfy Seating (or Floor Cushions)

Let’s be real—not every kid learns best at a desk. I keep soft cushions and a bean bag chair nearby for when my kids want to read or work somewhere cozier.

Creating flexible seating options has made our homeschool days more relaxed and enjoyable.

15. Reward Stickers or Incentives

Sometimes a little motivation goes a long way. I use a simple sticker chart for tracking reading goals, chore completion, or behavior. It’s not about bribing—it’s about celebrating progress.

Even older kids love earning a small reward now and then!

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect homeschool room or the latest gadgets to create a peaceful, productive learning space. But investing in a few key supplies that support your rhythm and routine can make all the difference.

These 15 items have made our homeschool days smoother, more organized, and honestly—more fun.

If you're building your homeschool setup or just looking to refresh your space, I hope this list gave you some helpful ideas. Most of these items are available on Amazon, so I’ll link my favorites below to make shopping easy!

Pin This for Later!

Don’t forget to save this post on Pinterest so you can come back when it’s time to shop!

Let me know in the comments—what’s one homeschool supply you can’t live without?

🛒 Quick List of My Favorite Homeschool Supplies on Amazon:

2. Rolling Storage Cart

3. Electric Pencil Sharpener

4. Laminator and Laminating Sheets

5. Homeschool Planner - digital planner from my store

6. Book Bins or Display Shelf

7. Noise-Canceling Headphones

8. Math Manipulatives - counting cubesbase ten blocksfraction tilestoy cash register

13. Educational Posters or Wall Charts

14. Comfy Seating (or Floor Cushions)

15. Reward Stickers or Incentives


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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.

~With love,
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️

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