Essential Home Education Supplies List for UK Families

Editor's Note: This list is based on the actual resources and supplies we use daily to home educate our three children in the UK. Last updated: 12.11.25. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely use and love.

When we started home educating, one of our first questions was, "What do we actually need to buy?" It's easy to get overwhelmed. After five years on this journey, we've whittled it down to the essentials that truly make a difference in our daily learning. Here's our practical guide to the supplies that have worked for our family.

Core Learning Materials

Curriculum Guide: This is your roadmap. We use Scholastic's "The National Curriculum" books as our main guide. They break down what children are expected to learn in each subject by year group, which gives us a clear structure to follow.

Textbooks & Workbooks: We don't rely on just one publisher. We've found great value in books from CGP, Collins, and Letts. They are clear, curriculum-linked, and often have practice questions. We use them alongside free online platforms to give the children a mix of digital and book-based learning.

A Good Whiteboard: This has been one of our best investments. We have a standing whiteboard that we use for group lessons, explaining new concepts, and even for the kids to practice writing on. It's much more interactive and engaging than just working in a book.

Basic Manipulatives: You don't need a lot, but items like building blocks, a set of counters, and a clock with movable hands have been invaluable for making maths concepts like addition, subtraction, and telling time tangible for our younger children.

Our Go-To Online Resources

You don't need expensive subscriptions to get started. Our top two platforms are:

• Oak National Academy: Our number one, completely free resource. It provides video lessons, quizzes, and worksheets for every subject and year group. It's our go-to for introducing a new topic or when we need a structured lesson from another teacher.

• Twinkl: While it has a paid subscription, it also offers a huge number of free worksheets and printable resources. We use it constantly for themed activities, handwriting sheets, and craft ideas.
  
  

Organisation & Planning

A Planner: Staying organised is key. You can use a simple notebook or a digital calendar. Twinkl sends a free physical planner to subscribers each academic year, which we find really helpful for mapping out our terms.

Notebooks & Folders: Each of our children has a basic notebook for their daily work and a folder to store completed worksheets and projects. This keeps everything tidy and in one place.

A Dedicated Workspace: You don't need a separate classroom. We started at our dining table! We've since upgraded to a sturdy foldable table, which gives them their own space and can be packed away easily. They use our dining chairs—no need for a special desk chair unless you have the space and budget.

Technology We Actually Use

A Computer or Tablet: You don't need both. A laptop is our preferred choice as it helps children learn basic computer skills. We use an Acer Chromebook Spin, which is affordable and perfect for accessing online learning platforms. An Apple iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tablet are also great alternatives, especially for younger children.

A Reliable Internet Connection: This is non-negotiable for accessing online lessons and resources.

A Printer: This is a must-have for us. We print worksheets, craft templates, and project resources almost daily. A basic, affordable inkjet printer does the job perfectly.

Everyday Supplies

• Pens, Pencils & Markers: A stash of these is essential.

• A4 Paper: We buy one bulk pack every 2-3 months.

• Scissors & Glue: For arts, crafts, and cutting out worksheets.

• Storage Bins: A few simple storage boxes keep all our books, supplies, and craft materials organised and out of the way.
  
  

Final Thoughts & A Word on Budget

You don't need to buy everything at once. We started with just pens, paper, and free online resources. Build your collection slowly based on what your children need.

The most important thing isn't the supplies, but the learning environment you create. Our backyard and local park have been just as valuable as any textbook. Focus on the resources that reduce your stress and increase your child's engagement, and you'll build a wonderful home education setup over time.

The Uwah Family