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Everyday is a new day in our homeschool and setting up the environment for learning is a big piece of keeping the learning happening. I enjoy trying new games and activities to see what will spark my children’s interest but there are some materials that I find they keep coming back to.

1. Play Money

   • Kid money along with a kid’s cash register is an engaging way for us to practice using money and math skills for real life. I’ve noticed my kids have shown a bigger interest in math from playing with money. It also helps us to use real money in real life though making purchases and participating in our homeschool entrepreneur market.

2. Recyclables

   • Card board boxes are still a hit with my school aged kids and they create all sorts of “inventions” with the pieces of recyclables we have. I break down smaller boxes into pieces, leave then in a basket next to their art shelves and the pieces go fast. It’s fascinating to watch their minds work with such simple materials.

3. Loose parts/craft things

   • Loose parts can be literally anything. I collect objects from craft kits and keep them organized on their shelf. They love to glue, string and tape the loose pieces on card board, paper or whatever project they’re working on. Other loose parts can be office supplies (paper clips, washi tape, erasers), bottle caps (plastic and metal), craft pieces (buttons, pom poms, string, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks).

4. Non Fiction Picture Books

   • My children have always enjoyed books with real pictures and often it leads us to want to learn more about a topic. Some of our favorites include: Smithsonian and DK.

5. Dry Erase Markers

   • There is something about using markers that can erase that will engage my kids for a good 30 minutes. I always have markers and Dry Erase Boards accessible to allow them to draw or practice writing letters and numbers when they feel inclined.

6. Chalk

   • Indoors, outdoors, an old time classic. There is something about using different mediums to write that invites children to want to draw, scribble, write and create. When we have a fresh box of chalk my kids will write notes on the driveway, design homes, create maps, draw pictures. There are endless ways to use chalk in your homeschool.

7. Playdoh

   • I know there are people who can’t stand Play-Doh, but there are so many benefits to its use! Play-doh is especially good for developing hand strength for writing. I attribute all of our play-doh play to my son’s ability to hold his pencil properly now. I also like to use play doh to make shapes and letter shapes when my children are beginning to write to help the form the letters that are a little more difficult to get the hang of.

8. Kid friendly Cook Books

   • Kids love to imitate us and one of the best things we can do is to teach them a love for the kitchen. Whenever my kids are helping me cook they are trying new foods and feel so confident in themselves.  They love to pick out meals or treats based on pictures. There is also  so much math and science rolled into cooking you can’t go wrong. Measuring, timing, reactions of ingredients with each other.

9. Calendar

   • Specifically one that they can draw on each day in the square or put a sticker to mark off the days. Both of my older kids have always loved to do this and they have naturally learned the days of the week/months of the year and the date from checking off the days every night.

10. Magnet Letters

    • Once children learn the letter sounds they can start to form words with letter tiles before they’re fully able to write. We use objects or pictures and will take the letter magnets out to try and spell the words or make short sentences. I never force this but it’s a fun way to practice the sounds, alphabetical order and writing

Some runners up would be building blocks like magnet building blocks and legos, Computer/Ipad, coloring books and play grocery toys. These are essentials that are always available for learning too.

What do you think? what are some of your favorite toys and tools for learning at home?