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What I’d Buy First With My Step Up Scholarship (If I Had to Start Over)
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
I remember staring at a balance that suddenly felt exciting…and overwhelming.
There are thousands of homeschool products online.
Should you buy curriculum first?
A printer?
A microscope?
A laminator?
Books?
Educational games?
The truth is…
You don’t need everything on Day One.
If I were starting homeschool over again with my Step Up Scholarship, here’s exactly where I’d spend my money first—and where I’d save it for later.
Before You Start Shopping…
One of the biggest mistakes new homeschool families make is trying to recreate a classroom at home.
The truth?
You don’t need a classroom.
You need a learning environment that fits your child’s personality, interests, and learning style.
Start with the basics. Use them consistently. Then add more as you discover what your child truly enjoys.
Priority #1: The Everyday Essentials
These are the items I’d purchase first because they’ll likely be used throughout the entire school year.
Whether you’re printing worksheets, permission slips, handwriting pages, or coloring activities, a dependable printer quickly becomes one of the most-used tools in your homeschool.
If possible, choose one with wireless printing and affordable ink replacements.
If I could recommend one purchase to almost every homeschool family, it would be a laminator.
Laminating reusable worksheets saves paper, keeps activities looking new, and allows younger children to practice over and over using dry-erase markers.
It’s one of those purchases that pays for itself over time.
Instead of printing the same worksheets multiple times, slide them into reusable dry-erase sleeves.
They’re perfect for:
Letter practice
Math facts
Handwriting
Matching games
Morning work
A simple whiteboard becomes part of almost every homeschool day.
We use ours for:
Spelling words
Quick math practice
Drawing diagrams
Brainstorming ideas
Reading games
Don’t overlook the basics.
Good pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, glue sticks, notebooks, folders, and storage containers make everyday learning much smoother.
Priority #2: Create a Learning Space
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect homeschool room.
Instead, focus on creating an organized space where your child enjoys learning.
Some of our favorite additions include:
An organized homeschool space helps both kids and parents feel less overwhelmed.
Priority #3: Build Your Home Library
Books are one of the best investments you can make.
Rather than purchasing hundreds all at once, start with books you’ll read repeatedly.
We recommend including:
Libraries are also a fantastic resource, allowing you to save scholarship funds for items you can’t borrow.
Priority #4: Stock Up on Creative Supplies
Children learn through creativity.
Having art supplies readily available encourages imagination, storytelling, and hands-on learning.
Consider adding:
You don’t need elaborate craft kits—simple supplies often inspire the biggest ideas.
Priority #5: Invest in Educational Games
One of our favorite ways to reinforce learning is through play.
Educational games can strengthen math, reading, problem-solving, and critical thinking without feeling like school.
Some categories to explore include:
Learning through play often leads to some of the best family memories.
Priority #6: Hands-On Learning Tools
As your homeschool grows, consider adding resources that encourage exploration.
Ideas include:
These tools naturally spark curiosity and make learning come alive.
Priority #7: Educational Resources & Subscriptions
Don’t forget that your scholarship may also cover approved educational resources and subscriptions.
These can add variety to your homeschool while supporting independent learning.
Depending on your student’s needs, you might consider:
Online learning platforms
Reading programs
STEM subscriptions
Cooking kits
Hands-on activity boxes
Music lessons
Coding programs
Before purchasing, always verify that the resource is approved through your scholarship program.
Homeschool Mom Favorites Under $25
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.
Some inexpensive favorites include:
These aren’t exciting purchases—but you’ll probably use them almost every day.
My Simple Shopping Strategy
If I were starting over today, this would be my order:
First Week
Printer
Laminator
Dry-erase supplies
Basic school supplies
Storage baskets
First Month
Read-aloud books
Art supplies
Educational games
Morning basket materials
After a Few Months
STEM resources
Science tools
Geography materials
Specialty curriculum
Interest-based learning kits
Buying in stages keeps your homeschool manageable and helps you make purchases with confidence instead of impulse.
Mama’s Thoughts 💌
The Step Up Scholarship is an incredible opportunity, but remember that a successful homeschool isn’t built by owning the most supplies.
It’s built through consistency, curiosity, meaningful conversations, and time spent learning together.
Start with the essentials.
Choose quality over quantity.
Leave room to discover what inspires your child.
Your homeschool will naturally grow alongside your family, and that’s exactly how it should be.
We hope this guide helps you spend your scholarship with confidence. As we continue our homeschool journey, we’ll keep sharing the products, resources, and Amazon finds that have genuinely made learning easier in our home.
Happy homeschooling! 🌿
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