Homeschoolers need Back to School supplies just like any other student. We don’t even us that many worksheets or do that many lapbooks but still use lots of supplies. This school year Big Red will need to “officially” become a Preschool Student and do school work. I envision him using lots of pencils, markers, and colored pencils like Eldest and Princess.

(Check to see if YOUR State has a TAX-FREE Shopping Weekend!)

I want my children to be free to use as much variety of supplies as well as whatever they need to create all year long. If you have children that use an art product as much as they breath like Eldest then you better stock up when items are cheap. Eldest loves to draw comics and write short scripts and stories. He likes to keep each of his ideas in a SEPARATE Composition Notebook! This can be pricey if you run out mid-year or have to keep a tight ration UNLESS you buy 10-15 just in case.

I also like to stock up for Operation Christmas Child, Christmas presents, and birthday’s for my nieces. Who doesn’t like fresh school supplies mid-year? So what does a homeschool family with four children put on their Back to School list? We keep the basics of printer paper, pens, glue sticks, and colored pencils but add in a few fun items as well.

We already own a nice stock of art supplies which include watercolors, chalk pastels, oil pastels, colored pencils, crayons, and paper. We use TONS of colored pencils since we do not allow crayons in our vehicles and we can NEVER EVER EVER have enough watercolor paper to satisfy my children’s artistic sides! I feel like we do not do art as much as we should due to the dilemma of high priced paper. (This is where those 40% JoAnn’s coupons come in handy!)

Here’s what I am keeping an eye out to find the best deals this season:

(Using our Amazon Affiliate links in case you want to order without heading out to the store!)

Composition Notebooks– 10 Eldest, 2 for everyone else + 5 for Princess’ birthday party
Colored Pencils– 4 packs + 5 for birthday favors + 2 for Christmas refills
.7 mm Pencil Lead– only if super cheap
Twistable Crayons– any count for Big Red AND van for Ramble Quest’s
Glue Sticks– not sure cause we ran out due to some that dried out
Colored Notecards– just because they are fun and a great size for review & games
Post-it Notes– both colored and shaped IF on sale for MOM
3-ring Binders– gotta assess what we have versus what we might need
Super Glue– lots since Eldest needs this for stop motion video stuff
Washable Markers– skinny & regular packs 2 for Big Red plus extras for Giving Back Pack
Sharpie Markers– never seem to have enough for Eldest!
Fabric pencil pouches for 3-ring binder– great for Busy Bags and drawing on the go kits
Back Pack– Big Red needs one that can double as overnight bag or Bug Out Bag

Back to School Items we own:

Protractor & Compass– brand new in package
Basic Sketching Tools– pencils, charcoal, etc.
Rulers– plastic, wooden, and flexible
Pencils- partial 5 gallon bucket from old business
Erasers, Kneadable & Art Gum– from last 2 years Back to School sales
Construction Paper– .25 per pack at a garage sale
Lunch Boxes– we own 6 or 7 from previous years and YES we do use them!
Backpacks- regular school bags, nature packs, and sling bags from Big Red’s birth

Did you miss out on our NOT Back-to-School posts from last year? Don’t worry you can check them out below:

Our Schoolroom

Our Curriculum

Our Students
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