My Favorite Tools for Preschooling at Home
(These simple supplies make a big difference!)

If you're planning to do preschool-at-home (or maybe you're already doing it!), you might be wondering what tools and supplies you actually need.

Good news—you don’t need to spend a fortune or fill your house with fancy gadgets.

In fact, I’ve found that a few simple, budget-friendly tools can go a long way in making your preschool-at-home routine fun, engaging, and successful.

Here are my favorite go-to items that I use regularly when teaching my preschooler at home:

✅ Laminator

Okay, hear me out: if you’re planning to do preschool-at-home long-term (or have younger siblings who will use the same materials), a laminator is totally worth it.

You can laminate:

Matching cards
Letter and number flashcards
Learning games
Visual schedules

It keeps things sturdy and wipeable—and makes everything feel a little more "official" to your preschooler.

Since a lot of at-home preschool resources are printable, having a reliable printer is super helpful. Whether you're printing letters of the week, themed units, or simple coloring pages, this is one tool I use all the time.

Bonus: Consider using an ink subscription program (like HP Instant Ink) to save money if you're printing often.

✅ Plastic Bins or Folders for Organizing

Preschool at home gets so much easier when you have a system for keeping papers and supplies in order. I love using:

Clear plastic bins for themed materials
File folders or binders to store weekly plans and printables
A rolling cart for daily supplies (think glue, crayons, scissors, etc.)

You don’t have to get fancy—just find a system that helps you feel a little less scattered!

✅ Craft Supplies

Think basics here—no need to overdo it:

Crayons, markers, glue sticks
Safety scissors
Construction paper
Stickers (these are a big deal in our house!)
Washable paint and paintbrushes

I keep these in one easy-to-access spot so my preschooler can use them during structured activities or for independent creative time.

✅ Learning Toys + Manipulatives

Hands-on learning is at the heart of preschool-at-home. Here are a few things we rotate in:

These don’t have to be expensive—check thrift stores, discount bins, or even swap with a friend!

✅ Books, Books, and More Books

Reading is one of the best things you can do during preschool years. Build a little home library with picture books, alphabet books, counting books, and read-aloud stories.

📚 Mom Tip: Make storytime part of your daily routine—it’s great for language development and bonding time!

Final Thoughts

You don’t need everything on this list to get started—just pick a few that fit your style and your child’s needs. Preschool-at-home should feel simple and doable, not overwhelming.

The most important “tool” isn’t something you can buy—it’s YOU.
Your love, attention, and creativity matter more than any printable, marker, or schedule.

If you're wondering what to teach and when, I’ve got a variety of activity books and workbooks that many parents find helpful for organizing preschool-at-home. The activity books offer parents the opportunity to provide hands-on learning activities in a low-prep manner. Whereas, the workbooks provide a no-prep way to learn letters, numbers, and math. Below you will find the best book to fit your child’s age.