7 Must Have at Home Math Resources

Having a go to bucket or bag at home with resources your kiddo can use at home when working on math is a great way to take some of the stress out of math homework or practice.

This is also great for kiddos that may take their homework on the road with them to practice, dinner, or to a family member or babysitters. Here are what I think are the essentials to have on hand:

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1. Something to write on.

This can be a whiteboard with marker and designated eraser, a notebook dedicated just to math homework, a piece of computer paper in a dry erase sleeve, or something else that works for your family.

The big thing here is that it won’t run out and turn into a chore to replenish.

2. Something to write with.

This should go along with the “something to write on”. If you chose paper, I suggest a few regular pencils and 2 or 3 different colored pencils, thin tip markers, fancy pens, or something of the like.

The freedom of choice kiddos have with what to write with can help the homework be less of a battle, also with more difficult problems, reusing paper, or story problems having more than one color can be helpful. Consider adding a large eraser too!

3. Manipulatives.

It doesn’t matter how old your kiddo is. If they are working on math facts of any kid, story/word problems, or just generally struggle with math manipulatives are essential.

Being able to move pieces to different piles helps kiddos that can’t solve the problem in their head, need help visualizing something they find complicated, or can just make the whole process more enjoyable.

I like to suggest dried beans here. They aren’t at risk of being eaten like m&ms would be and they can be purchased for a few dollars at any grocery store.

You can always mix things up by swapping out manipulatives to go with holidays or your kiddos latest obsession.

Keep these organized in a ziploc bag or jar so they don’t end up all over your floor and stay tidy when not being used.

Encourage your kiddo to take out exactly what they need for each problem and put the rest away. This clears visual clutter but also keeps things clean!

If your kiddo does math homework on the go frequently consider purchasing something magnetic, like these push pin style magnets, to be used and adding a cookie sheet to your math bucket. A cookie sheet can also be used as your “something to write on” as long as you provide dry erase markers.

4. Calculator with minimal functions.

Now this is two fold. It can be used by a grown up if you go back and check your kiddos homework for accuracy, it can be used by the kiddo for the same reason, or sometimes- homework just requires a calculator in the upper grades.

I suggest something that isn’t digital so your kiddo isn’t distracted by apps or the internet. There are also great solar powered calculators that don’t require batteries so you never have to worry about it being dead. Something like this solar power calculator is inexpensive and all you need.

5. Resources provided by your kiddos teacher.

Sometimes teachers send home resources for grownups or kiddos to use on their math homework.

When I taught each new skill meant a new help guide for grown-ups went home. Let these resources live in your math bucket. They won’t get lost and you’ll have them on hand.

When telling time comes into play many teachers will send home a clock to use at home, fractions can mean fraction bars get sent home- those items should also live in your math bucket.

6. For older kids: a guide to help them solve word problems.

Many teachers will have a set method to how to solve word problems. It is a great idea to have the guide in the math bucket.

I like having a completed example and the template or steps also. We want those older kiddos to feel empowered to solve them independently and the guides help with this.

If you need a guide I have an article coming soon with a few tried and true options!

7. Encouragement.

Maybe this is a math worksheet or test your kiddo is really proud of. Maybe it's a cute printed manta, like a simple “I can do this!” Maybe you keep rewards in the math bucket for kiddos that really struggle to stay focused so they can see what they are working towards. A note they write themselves for when they are really struggling.

Something like this can help kiddos stay focused and motivated when they are feeling frustrated or defeated.

Bonus: Include a timer. This comes in handy for simple things like math fact races or timing out how long your kiddo works until their next break. Using smart devices works for this also- but having a timer just for your kiddo to use that lives in the same place helps things stay organized and builds ownership.