Shopping for preschool doesn’t have to be hard. Take a look at our preschool supply list to make shopping for your homeschool a bit easier.
Homeschooling a Preschooler
Preparing to homeschool a preschooler can be a bit daunting. According to online platforms, you need all sorts of expensive items to give your little one an environment in which to learn.
This is not true.
With a few simple items, you will be well on your way to home-educating your little one!
Below is our preschool supply list to make shopping a bit easier for you.
This article may contain affiliate links to products that may help you when homeschooling preschool.
Homeschool Preschool Supply List
1. Construction Paper
Construction paper has many different uses in preschool. Because of its vast use, it’s a must-have for our preschool supply list.
2. Modeling Dough
Perfect for fine motor development and boosting your little one’s creativity. Play-Doh and air-dry clay are on hand when you need just a minute to *breathe*.
3. Math Counters
Math counters can be anything from linking cubes to counting bears to a pile of chocolate chips. The nice thing about the cubes and the bears is that they vary in color, so they can be used for sorting practice, too.
4. Puzzles
We have a post about wonderful preschool puzzles to include in your homeschool.
5. Letter and Number Tiles
Foam bath letters and numbers make a great homeschool tool. They are waterproof, so they can be used in all sorts of applications, like in the bath (as intended), in a sensory bin, or even in stamps.
6. Laminator with Pouches, Clear Contact Paper, or Dry Erase Pouches
Whew, what a title 😂We are trying to cover all your bases.
If the intent is to use dry-erase markers on the item, dry-erase pouches allow you to slide in a paper and use the markers on the pouch.
Lamination and contact paper can NOT be reused. Some items, like flash cards for games or name tags, may be better off laminated with a laminator or Contact Paper.
We do have some crafts that use contact paper, such as suncatchers.
7. Crayons and Markers
Large crayons are more manageable for your little one to hold. There are also triangle-shaped crayons, so they don’t roll across the table if that is what you are looking for.
If you are worried about losing the marker lids, they have retractable markers now!
8. Paint
Painting is a beautiful sensory and creative outlet. Washable paint is a must-have for a preschool supply list!
9. Building Blocks
Blocks that link together tend to be a bit less frustrating than ones that rely on being balanced. Both have a place in a preschool setting.
As mentioned, learning how to balance blocks is a great way to practice controlling hand muscles and being gentle when placing blocks on a tower.
10. Pom Poms
Pom poms can be used for a plethora of activities. Sorting by color or size is simply the beginning. Making patterns, gluing them onto projects, and using them as math manipulatives are just a few ways to use them. Because of their multiple-use nature, they are a must on the preschool supply list.
11. Sensory Bin
Many things can be used as a sensory bin. There are marketed sensory bin tables, but a plastic box works well.
12. Pattern Blocks (Tangrams)
These shape blocks are great for pattern practice or doing the puzzle cards that come with the kit. They can easily be used as sorting practice or as math manipulatives.
13. Tissue Paper
Many crafts require tissue paper. You can also use it to fill a sensory bin or to make gifts for loved ones.
14. Chenille Stems (Pip Cleaners)
Chenille stems are lovely because they are firm enough to make it easy to thread beads on them but still flexible enough to make different crafts.
15. Beads
Large threading beads allow preschoolers to work on hand-eye coordination and develop fine motor skills. They are more significant than colored beads, making them ideal for preschoolers.
16. Balls
Balls are fun to have around. You can play educational games or toss it back and forth. They are great for large muscle development (like arms and legs) and coordination.
17. Bean Bags
Bean bags can be used in many games or other activities. If you get the colored ones, they can even be a sorting activity!
18. Balloons
We play a fun game called Pop the Letter P with balloons. The possibilities are endless when it comes to other ways to incorporate balloons into your homeschool.
19. Dramatic Play Things
There are way too many things you can use for dramatic play. But having a few costumes or printable decorations is a great place to start. We have a few printable community helpers hats for you, too.
Check out 75 themes for dramatic play to get some inspiration.
20. Calendar
Having a set space and calendar helps preschoolers visualize what a month looks like. It’s also excellent counting practice!
21. Weather Items
Make learning about the weather more hands-on with a frog that you can dress up for the weather! You may also want to create a bar graph to record the weather for the day.
22. Scissors
Preschool is the perfect time for little ones to learn how to cut. These scissors are multicolored, so your little one will be able to tell if they are holding them correctly.
If you have a lefty– be sure to grab lefty scissors!
23. Glue sticks
24. Tape
25. Stamps and Stamp Pad
Letter and number stamps can work on spelling names or words. Stamps, in general, are great fine motor practice and allow your little one to be creative.
26. Stickers
Pick stickers that match your little one’s interests for instant buy-in to your lesson or activity.
27. Magnifying Glass
28. Books
We have tons of book lists on this blog to help you choose high-quality books. Our local library is one of our most used resources!
29. Printer and Printer Paper
Homeschooling preschool allows you to choose what to teach your little one. There are sure to be a few things you wish to print and do with your preschooler.
30. Games
Who doesn’t love a good game? Nearly anything can be turned into a game.
Have some tried-and-true learning games on hand for when your little one doesn’t want to do work but you can still sneak in some learning.
Preschool Supplies for Homeschooling
Getting all your preschool supplies can be a whole lot easier when you use a preschool supply list. See what you already have lying around, and then decide what else you may want to get for your homeschooling preschool year.