Favorite Planning Tools For Homeschool Moms - A Quiet Simple Life with Sallie Borrink

After homeschooling for several years, I’ve learned what works best for me when it comes to planning. I’m happy to share with you a few of my favorite planning tools for homeschool moms.

Remember that your homeschooling experience will evolve and change. Tools that are very helpful one year might be less necessary another. Homeschooling is about being flexible and adapting as you go. So take a look at my suggestions below and see what might work best for you!

Editable Homeschool Planner

I’m sure I’m biased, but I think my printable and editable homeschool planners are some of the best homeschool planners available. We sold many planners the first year we created them and then we made them even better because now they are EDITABLE! They offer great flexibility and there are many pretty colors to choose from.

Click on any cover to see more details, including an editable preview file that you can try out!

March 2021 – June 2022 in Lavender & Teal March 2021 – June 2022 in Turquoise & Orange March 2021 – June 2022 in Cottage Pink & Blue March 2021 – June 2022 in Daisies & Gingham

3 Ring Binders

I’ve written before about how I love to use three-ring binders for organizing homeschool materials. I also use them for my homeschool planner pages. I like to use the white ones with the clear pocket on the front and spine, but have also used pretty decorated ones in the past.

Avery Heavy-Duty View Binder with 3-Inch One Touch EZD Ring Samsill Fashion Print 3 Ring Binder Assortment – Turquoise, Pink, Silver – 6 Pack bloom daily planners 3 Ring Binder

InkJoy Pens

I discovered InkJoy pens last year and they quickly became a favorite. They are comfortable to hold, they are smooth, and the colors are gorgeous and rich. Caroline likes them too for her drawing and art projects. I think these will be a staple in our house for a long time. The mini ones are super cute! I have a set in a jelly jar on my desk and I use them all the time!

Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens, Medium Point, Assorted Colors, 14 Count Paper Mate InkJoy 100 Mini Ballpoint Pen, Capped, Assorted Colors, 16-Pack Paper Mate InkJoy 300RT Retractable Ballpoint Pens, Medium Point, Assorted Colors, 8 Count

Composition Books

I use composition books all the time for planning. They are great for making lists that I don’t need to keep forever in a planner, but that I also don’t want on random pieces of paper throughout the house. I use composition books for personal lists, work projects, brainstorming, food journals, etc. They are great because they are big enough to hold a lot of info on a page, but small enough that they fit neatly on my desk or counter. You can use colorful pens and washi tape to personalize them as well!

Mead Composition Book, Wide Ruled, 100 sheets Marbled Composition Notebooks College Ruled 100 Pages 5 Color 5 Pack

Washi Tape

Caroline got me started on washi tape last year and I’ve enjoyed seeking out pretty patterns to use. The hard part is choosing since there are so many gorgeous ones! But they are a fun way to add color to whatever you are working on.

Love My Tapes Washi Tape Set Mudder Washi Masking Tape Collection

Ticonderoga Pencils

In the past I couldn’t have really included them in a “colorful” list, but woo hoo! Colored barrels (even neon!) have come to Ticonderoga pencils! But seriously. Ticonderoga pencils are the best. Buy them for yourself. Buy them for your kids. They really are worth the extra money. Every time I pick up a pencil that isn’t a Ticonderoga, I put it back and look for one.

Dixon Ticonderoga Wood-Cased #2 Pencils, Black Lead, Box of 10, Assorted Color Barrels Dixon Ticonderoga No.2 Pencils, Assorted Neon, 10-Pack Dixon Ticonderoga Wood-Cased 2HB Pencils, Pre-Sharpened, Box of 30, Yellow