Getting Started

Homeschool Starter Kit: Everything You Need for Your First Year (2026-2027)

Updated for the 2026-2027 school year

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Starting homeschool for the first time is exciting and overwhelming in equal measure. You know you want to do this, but the sheer number of decisions — curriculum, supplies, schedules, record-keeping, legal requirements — can make your head spin before you even begin.

Here is the good news: you need far less than you think. The homeschool industry is very good at convincing new families they need to buy everything, but the truth is that a successful first year requires a solid curriculum, basic supplies, and a simple system for staying organized. That is it.

This guide walks through everything you actually need, what you can skip, and how much it all costs. We have broken it into clear categories so you can work through your list without second-guessing every purchase.

Step 1: Know Your State Requirements

Before you buy anything, look up the homeschool laws for your state. Requirements vary widely. Some states require notification to your local school district, some require standardized testing, and some require virtually nothing. Knowing the rules upfront will save you from buying things you do not need or missing things you do.

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) maintains a state-by-state guide that is the easiest way to look up your specific requirements. Even if you are not a member, their state law pages are free and thorough.

Practical tip: Print out your state's requirements and keep them in your homeschool binder. Refer back to them throughout the year so you do not forget deadlines for testing, evaluations, or notifications.

Step 2: Choose Your Curriculum

Curriculum is the biggest decision and the biggest expense. But it does not have to be complicated. Here is a simple framework for choosing:

If You Want Structure and Simplicity

Go with a traditional, all-in-one curriculum that covers every subject in one package. Programs like Abeka and BJU Press give you textbooks, teacher guides, and lesson plans for every subject. You open the book and follow the plan — no piecing things together.

Christianbook.com is the best single source for buying traditional curriculum. They carry nearly every major publisher, often at significant discounts off the publisher's direct price. Start there to compare pricing across programs.

If You Want a Gentler, Book-Rich Approach

Consider a literature-based program like Sonlight or BookShark. These programs use real books — novels, biographies, and living texts — instead of textbooks. They are more engaging for kids who love to read and tend to create a more relaxed school atmosphere. BookShark is a particularly strong option — it is entirely literature-based, covers language arts, history, and science in one package, and uses real books your kids will actually enjoy.

If Budget Is Your Top Priority

Look into free and low-cost options like The Good and the Beautiful or Easy Peasy. Both provide complete curriculum at little to no cost. Easy Peasy is entirely free and online. The Good and the Beautiful offers free PDF downloads of their language arts program with printed materials available at cost.

If Your Child Needs Specific Help in Math or Reading

You can supplement any core curriculum with subject-specific programs like Saxon Math, Math-U-See, or All About Reading. These are especially valuable if your child struggles in a particular area or if the math or reading in your core curriculum is not clicking.

Practical tip: For your first year, keep it simple. Pick one core curriculum and use it as-is. Do not try to mix and match multiple programs right away — that leads to overwhelm faster than anything else. You can always swap individual subjects in year two once you know what is working and what is not.

Step 3: Basic School Supplies

You do not need a fully stocked classroom. Here is what you actually need for a typical homeschool student:

The Essentials

Nice to Have But Not Essential

What You Can Skip

You do not need a dedicated school room, a teacher's desk, a classroom flag, bulletin boards, laminating machines, or any of the other things that look fun on Pinterest but serve no real educational purpose. A kitchen table, a shelf for books, and a bin for supplies is all you need for the first year.

Step 4: Organization and Record-Keeping

Staying organized is what separates homeschool families who thrive from those who feel constantly behind. You need two things: a planner and a system for keeping records.

Planner Options

Record-Keeping

What records you need to keep depends on your state requirements. At minimum, maintain:

Practical tip: Start a simple binder with dividers for each subject. At the end of each week, file a few samples of completed work behind the appropriate divider. At the end of the year you will have a complete portfolio without ever having to scramble to put one together.

Step 5: Supplemental Tools

Once your core curriculum and basic supplies are in place, there are a few supplemental tools that can make your homeschool significantly more effective — especially if you want to add variety or cover areas where your curriculum is thin.

Math Practice

Prodigy Game is a math platform that turns daily practice into a game. It covers grades 1 through 8 and adapts to your child's level. The basic version is completely free, and the premium membership ($9.95/month) adds detailed parent reports and focused curriculum tools. Use the code HOMESCHOOL26 for 25% off an annual membership. See our full guide to educational games and apps for more options.

Documentary Streaming

CuriosityStream is a documentary streaming service at just $5.99 per month that covers science, history, nature, and technology. It is one of the best educational investments for homeschool families, especially for enriching history and science units. Check out our streaming services comparison for the full breakdown.

Free Resources

Step 6: Budget Breakdown

Here is what homeschooling actually costs, broken down by approach. These estimates are per child for one school year.

The Free Approach — $0 to $50

The Budget Approach — $150 to $350

The Mid-Range Approach — $400 to $800

The Premium Approach — $800 to $2,000+

Practical tip: Most families land in the $300 to $600 range for their first year. Start at the budget or mid-range level and add things only as you identify specific needs. It is much easier to add a supplement than to deal with the guilt of expensive materials sitting unused on a shelf. For the best deals on curriculum, check out our guide to finding curriculum deals and discounts.

Your First-Year Checklist

Here is everything in one quick list. Check these off and you are ready to start:

  1. Research your state's homeschool requirements and file any required paperwork
  2. Choose a core curriculum (start with our curriculum guide if you are not sure)
  3. Order your curriculum from Christianbook.com or your preferred retailer
  4. Stock up on basic school supplies (pencils, paper, folders)
  5. Set up a simple planner — paper or digital
  6. Create a binder for record-keeping and work samples
  7. Get a library card if you do not already have one
  8. Sign up for free resources: Khan Academy, Prodigy, PBS
  9. Pick a start date and write your first week's plan
  10. Take a deep breath — you have got this

The Most Important Thing to Remember

Your first year of homeschooling will not be perfect, and it is not supposed to be. You will change your schedule at least three times. You will probably switch at least one curriculum mid-year. Some days will go beautifully, and some days everyone will be in tears by 10 AM.

All of that is normal. Every homeschool family goes through it. What matters is that you are providing your children with an education tailored to who they are — and that is something no one-size-fits-all school can do.

Start simple, stay flexible, and give yourself grace. The supplies and curriculum matter far less than your willingness to show up every day and keep going.

Ready to dive deeper? Explore our Complete Curriculum Guide, our Guide to Curriculum Deals and Discounts, or follow us on Pinterest for weekly homeschool resources and encouragement.