Must-have Preschool Supply List

Preschool should be a lot of fun, but making sure that you are prepared for the school year with the right school supplies is just as important. Having good quality school supplies can help preschoolers learn better without getting frustrated. And, the right art supplies can get kids excited about their school time. This preschool supply list includes all the essentials that every preschooler needs plus some extras that are helpful to have on hand just in case.

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Essential Supplies for your child

These basic homeschool supplies are a must for every preschool classroom. Check out my recommendations for brands that work especially well for preschoolers!

Pencils

Pencils are an essential school supply for preschoolers who are ready to practice writing their letters and numbers. Preschoolers should have several pencils that they always have extras if they break one or lose one.

The best kind of pencils for preschoolers are jumbo-sized pencils with a wide body. Preschoolers are still developing fine motor skills and learning how to hold pencils, and jumbo pencils make it easier for preschoolers to grasp. Pencils with a triangular shape can also help kids as their fine motor skills develop. Jumbo pencils often come in bright and fun colors which preschoolers enjoy.

Recommendation: Ticonderoga My First Tri-Write Pencils

Pencil Sharpeners

Another important tool is a good quality pencil sharpener. If your child is using a wide pencil, you will need a pencil sharpener with a wide opening that can accommodate the pencil. Although an electric pencil sharpener is an investment, a good quality sharpener will last for years and limit frustration from dull pencil leads.

Recommendation: X-Acto School Pro Electric Pencil Sharpener

Erasers

It’s also good to have an eraser handy in case preschoolers make a mistake when they’re drawing or coloring so that they won’t be afraid to try again. Although erasers come in many fun designs, the classic pink eraser works well and its larger size makes it easier for small hands to use.

Recommendation: Paper Mate Pink Pearl Eraser

Crayons

Crayons are another preschool supply that preschoolers need in the classroom. You can buy crayons in smaller sets of 8-10 basic colors but preschoolers often enjoy a big box of crayons with more variety. Having a lot of crayons makes it easier for preschoolers to find the colors they want. The large size crayons work well for preschoolers because they are harder to break.

Recommendation: Crayola Large Crayons, 16 Count

It can also be helpful to purchase a crayon sharpener because crayons always work better when they’re sharp. Be sure to buy a simple crayon sharpener that preschoolers can use without much assistance from grownups.

Recommendation: X-Acto Crayon Pro Electric Crayon Sharpener

Glue Sticks

For preschool-aged kids, glue sticks work much better than bottles of glue. It is easier for kids to control how much glue they use with a glue stick, which means kids won’t have to wait as long for the glue to dry. Glue sticks are usually less messy, too.

Kids who are just learning how to use a glue stick usually have more success with the glue that changes colors when it dries. Glue that is a dark color when wet helps preschoolers see where they have put glue and where they have not.

Recommendation: Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks

Blunt tip scissors

Learning to cut with scissors is an important fine motor skill for preschoolers, so a special pair of scissors is a must. Blunt tip scissors that are sized especially for preschoolers are helpful because you don’t have to worry about preschoolers cutting themselves or other people. Often the blades of these scissors are sharp enough to cut paper, but not hands that might get in the way.

Recommendation: Westcott Classic Kids Scissors

Paper

All preschool classrooms need both lined paper for practicing handwriting and unlined paper for drawing. It’s always helpful to have extra paper for preschoolers who make a mistake when they’re drawing or coloring so that they can try again.

Construction paper is great for crafts. Because it is thicker than regular paper, it holds up well to paint, markers, and glue. The various colors of construction paper can inspire kids to be creative with their artwork.

Recommendations: School Smart Zaner-Bloser Paper, 1 1-8 Inch and Crayola Construction Paper

Optional Supplies for your child

Although it’s possible to do preschool without any of the items on this list, these additional items will make school easier and more fun. Pick them up before the first day of school or add them in throughout the year.

Math Manipulatives

Manipulatives make math lessons more fun, and they are important for helping preschoolers understand new concepts they are learning. Check out this list of math manipulatives that every homeschool needs to learn more.

Markers

Markers are a lot of fun for preschoolers who love to create their own art. For preschoolers, it’s best to look for washable markers so preschoolers won’t ruin clothes when using them.

Wide tip markers work best for younger kids because they can easily ruin fine point markers if they press down too hard. A set of classic colors is a great starting point, but the more variety of color choices, the better. A variety of colors is great for worksheets, like these color by number printables.

Recommendation: Crayola Broad Line Markers

Colored Pencils

Colored pencils are a great advanced art supply for preschoolers. Kids may enjoy colored pencils as a less-messy alternative to markers or paint.

Recommendation: Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils

Paint

Tempera paint is great for preschool because it is washable, so you won’t need to worry about your child ruining their clothes. Tempera paint has brighter colors and works well as a fingerpaint when mixed with a little bit of dish soap. Watercolor paints are also fun for preschoolers to explore.

Recommendation: Crayola Tempera Paint

Playdough

Play-doh is an optional preschool supply that is a lot of fun. There are many ways preschoolers can play with Play-doh, and it is a great tool for building fine motor muscles and practicing hand strengthening while having fun.

Recommendation: Play-Doh Bulk Pack, 4 ounce cans

Folders and notebooks

Folders and notebooks can help keep schoolwork organized. Plastic pocket folders hold up better to repeated use from preschoolers than cardboard folders do.

Supplies for your homeschool classroom

Keep these supplies handy wherever you do preschool at home.

Kleenex

It’s always good to keep a large box of kleenex tissues on hand during preschool activities since many preschoolers get runny noses. This will minimize distractions caused by kids having to get up to use a kleenex.

Paper towels

Another great preschool supply for your homeschool classroom is paper towels. These help clean up messes.

Wipes

For preschoolers who like to work with messy preschool supplies, like paint or slime, wipes are a must-have school supply. Baby wipes are helpful because they can be used on preschool kids’ hands. It can also be helpful to have a container of Clorox wipes handy for wiping up spills on the table and other surfaces.

Ziplock bags

Another great homeschool classroom preschool supply is Ziploc bags. A quart-size ziplock bag can help store small objects or keep parts of a project together.

Hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizer can be helpful to keep hands clean before and after activities.

Trash can

It’s important to have a trash can nearby your school area. Preschoolers are often making messes whether they’re playing with preschool supplies or working on preschool crafts. Having a trash can nearby that is accessible to your child can help encourage your child to take responsibility for cleaning up after themself.

Dry erase board and markers

A small dry erase board and a set of dry erase markers is one of the most versatile school supplies you can have in your homeschool classroom. Preschoolers often love to color with markers, so a dry erase board makes any lesson more fun. It also reduces the amount of paper you will need to use in your homeschool.

Recommendation: Magnetic Dry Erase Board with Marker

Pencil box, Case, or Caddy

Another essential is a system to store school supplies. This makes it much easier for preschoolers to grab and go instead of hunting around the looking for their supplies. This also helps prevent supplies from getting lost.

Recommendation: Learning Resources Create-a-Space Storage Center

Laminating Machine

A home laminator is one of the best investments you can make for your homeschool. Run any worksheet through the laminator and it becomes re-usable. Just write on the sheet with a dry erase marker, and erase when you’re done, to use it over and over again.

Recommendation: Scotch Thermal Laminator

Water Bottle

A water bottle can be helpful for kids who tend to get thirsty during preschool time. Reusable water bottles are great for allowing kids to stay hydrated during lessons, which helps their brains function better while limiting waste from disposable bottles or cups.

Recommendation: Rubbermaid Leak-Proof Sip Kids Water Bottle

Now that you know what supplies you need, learn how to get started with homeschooling preschool!

Where to purchase Supplies:

Many major retailers have great deals on school supplies in the late summer and early fall. Office supply stores usually have a good deal on just about everything you need for back to school in one location. Many dollar stores also carry a large selection of school supplies in the fall and can be a great resource for sales and deals.

Amazon.com traditionally runs deals on school supplies in the fall, as well as during Prime Day and Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

Labeling School Supplies

Even homeschool families may want to consider putting their child’s name on some of their school supplies. This can help kids keep track of which supplies belong to them, and help them be able to tell apart their supplies from their siblings’. You can use a label maker or a sharpie marker to label your child’s supplies.

Sometimes it can be difficult to know what type of supplies your preschool will need for their homeschool year. Hopefully this article provides some insight into how preschool supply lists should look like and gives you peace of mind knowing that your little one has all they need for their first day of preschool. This school supplies list will help you prepare for a great school year.

Are you looking for a preschool curriculum for your homeschool? Check out this list of free preschool curriculum options!