Homeschool Tools We Actually Use
When it comes to homeschooling, there are a lot of things I could tell you we "need." Over the years, we've collected resources, supplies, books, and learning tools that have all played a role in our homeschool journey.
These are the five tools we use every single day. They make our days run smoother, help keep us organized, and support learning in ways that work for our family.
When we first started homeschooling, I turned to social media for ideas. There were so many experienced homeschool families sharing tips, recommendations, and honest advice. Those posts were incredibly helpful when I was trying to figure everything out. Homeschooling can feel overwhelming in the beginning, and hearing what actually works for real families made a huge difference.
My hope is that by sharing the tools we genuinely use, I can pass along some of that same helpful information to families who are just getting started or looking for new ideas.
1. EcoTank Printer
This is absolutely life-changing and a non-negotiable in our homeschool.
If you aren't familiar with an EcoTank printer, it's a cartridge-free printer that uses high-capacity ink tanks that you refill yourself. Instead of constantly replacing expensive ink cartridges, you simply top up the tanks when needed.
After four years of homeschooling, I have printed almost 20,000 pages, and I have only purchased ink twice. Let that sink in for a minute!
We buy a generic ink brand that is incredibly affordable, which makes printing worksheets, unit studies, activity pages, and curriculum materials completely stress-free. I never find myself worrying about whether I can afford to print something or rationing pages because ink is running low.
For homeschool families who print regularly, this has saved us hundreds of dollars over the years. If my printer stopped working tomorrow, replacing it would be one of my first priorities.
If you're just starting your homeschool journey and wondering where to invest your money, an EcoTank printer would be at the very top of my list.
EcoTank Printer This is the printer we have, going strong 4 years with no issues. There is a bigger version but we know people who have had lots of issues with it.
2. Binding System
This was hard to find, there are so many different binding systems available. After trying a few options, I found one that works perfectly for our homeschool.
What I love most about this binding system is how easy it is to use and that the binding coils are reusable. It takes me about a minute to turn a stack of 30 pages into a neat workbook.
Almost everything we use ends up in one of these coil-bound books—morning work, worksheets, unit studies, curriculum pages, writing practice, and any printable resources we are working through. Instead of dealing with loose papers everywhere, everything stays organized and easy to access. After we are done with the worksheets, we undo the coil, toss the papers in a file folder bin and reuse the same coil.
The kids love having their own books to work through, and I love not chasing random pages around the house.
If you print a lot in your homeschool, pairing a binding system with an EcoTank printer is a game changer. I couldn't imagine homeschooling without these.
3. Yoto Player
This is, hands down, my favourite thing I have ever purchased for my kids.
If you asked me which homeschool tool gets the most use in our house, it would be the Yoto Player without hesitation. Honestly, I think every kid should have one.
It goes everywhere with us. If we're leaving the house, it's in the car. If the kids are cleaning their rooms, they're listening to it. If we need some quiet time, it's usually their first choice. It has become such a natural part of our daily routine.
The selection of books available now is incredible. When Yoto first launched, there were only a handful of titles available, but now many of the most popular children's books can be found on Yoto cards. My kids have spent countless hours listening to stories, and it's been an amazing way to encourage a love of books and independent learning.
We don't do a lot of screens in our home, so the Yoto Player has been the perfect alternative. It gives kids access to stories, learning opportunities, and entertainment without putting them in front of a tablet or TV.
Yoto is so versatile. You can purchase Yoto cards, create your own cards with audiobooks, listen to podcasts, play music, and even access radio stations. It grows with your child and works for a wide range of ages and interests.
My kids have had their Yoto Players since they were around one and two years old, and now, at nine, they are still just as obsessed with them as they were when they first got them.
For our family, this has easily been one of the best purchases we've ever made.
Yoto Case & Headphones (in case you haven’t read my other posts, we only use wired headphones to reduce bluetooth exposure)
4. Laminator
I may have a slight obsession with laminating everything possible, so I definitely can't live without my laminator.
Honestly, if it can be laminated, there's a good chance I've laminated it. Instead of taking things to a print shop, I put on a show in the evening and happily spend hours laminating whatever homeschool resources we've been using.
While it might sound a little excessive, laminating has saved us so much time and money over the years. It helps preserve all of the materials you've spent time printing and preparing, especially resources you'll use again and again.
This is particularly valuable if you're homeschooling multiple children or planning to reuse materials with younger siblings. A worksheet or activity that might only survive one use on regular paper can last for years when laminated.
We laminate posters, flash cards, reference sheets, game pieces, checklists, and anything we want to write on with a dry-erase marker and reuse repeatedly. It's perfect for morning menus, handwriting practice, math facts, chore charts, and so many other activities.
A laminator may not seem like an exciting homeschool purchase, but it quickly becomes one of those tools you reach for constantly. For our family, it has helped us get so much more life out of the resources we use every day.
Laminating Sheets These are the cheapest I have found, I also have them in my subscribe and save to help make them a little cheaper
5. Desktop Whiteboard
This was a hard choice because there are so many other things I could add to this list, but for my final favourite, I'm going with mini whiteboards.
These get used a lot in our homeschool.
Portable and easy to grab, these little desktop whiteboards are one of those simple tools that end up being useful for almost every subject. We use them for math equations, spelling practice, reading activities, handwriting, brainstorming ideas, and even quick games when we need a fun break.
They're great because mistakes don't feel permanent. Kids can practice, erase, and try again without worrying about wasting paper or making errors, in their workbooks. It encourages learning through trial and error and makes practicing skills feel much less intimidating.
We also use them for quick games of hangman, tic-tac-toe, drawing challenges, and review activities.
What I love most is that they're inexpensive, reusable, and take up very little space. They get pulled out almost daily and have become one of those homeschool staples that I would replace immediately if they disappeared.
Sometimes the simplest tools end up being the most valuable, and these mini whiteboards are a perfect example of that.
Dry-Erase Markers I only like the skinny ones!
Homeschooling doesn't have to be complicated. Some of our best learning happens with the simplest tools, and these five have stood the test of time in our home. Four years and thousands of homeschool hours later, I can confidently say these purchases were worth every penny.
What would make your homeschool must-have list?
