Cat's shopping lists
What our family packs to learn while we travel, from travel art supplies to luggage and travel-day helpers, each with my own review.
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Also see the Homeschooling shopping list.
School supplies and travel
Cat's review
I absolutely love this pen case. It stands straight up like a cup holding pencils, and it zips closed and travels easily in your bag. This is so good for homeschool families on the go! I ended up giving mine to my high schooler, who's dual enrolled in college, and ordered a new one for myself.
View on Amazon: Mr. Pen Standing Pencil Case (opens in a new tab)
Travel art and school supplies
Cat's review
These are the absolute best markers for worldschoolers and homeschoolers who do work on the go, because there are no lids to lose. They can be used in cars, planes, and trains, and easily fit in backpacks. They are my absolute favorite travel coloring choice for my kindergartner.
View on Amazon: Crayola Clicks Retractable Markers (opens in a new tab)
Language learning and travel
Cat's review
My stepmom bought us this game in English when our daughter was a toddler, and when we were preparing for our trip to Italy, I bought the Italian version. This was really great for my kindergartener to study Italian words before and during the trip, and really fun for her to teach our Italian family English words. It's also very light and packs easily into a small child's bag.
224 words: MAYAPHILOS Italian and English Talking Flashcard Game, 224 words (opens in a new tab) 510 words: MAYAPHILOS Italian and English Talking Flashcard Game, 510 words (opens in a new tab)
Language learning and kindergarten
Feedback from Paolo, shared by Cat
This Italian workbook is what my husband and kindergartener were doing together over the summer. He said he was pleased with it. I wasn't participating in the Italian part of her education as intimately, so I don't have a personal review, just the feedback from my husband, which is that he liked it.
View on Amazon: Italian Workbook for Kids (opens in a new tab)
Travel activities and kindergarten
Cat's review
These Paint by Sticker books have been absolutely incredible for my kindergartener. We bring them when we travel to other countries and practice the numbers in Italian or Spanish. They're really fun to pull out on an airplane, at a dinner with friends, or while on a long wait somewhere. I do not recommend the mermaid one because the stickers kept falling out.
Pets: Paint by Sticker Kids: Pets and Under the Sea, Pets (opens in a new tab) Under the Sea: Paint by Sticker Kids: Pets and Under the Sea, Under the Sea (opens in a new tab)
Kindergarten and travel learning
Cat's review
This is hands down my favorite kindergarten resource. This is what we use when we travel and during the summer in between semesters. It covers all the subject matters and has a checklist in the front so you can keep track of how many lessons you've done. My daughter enjoyed this workbook a lot!
View on Amazon: The Essential Homeschool Kindergarten Workbook (opens in a new tab)
Creative play and travel activities
Cat's review
Wikki Stix are an amazing activity for the whole family in terms of boredom busters. You can build creatively while you're worldschooling, while you're waiting for a plane or a train, or while you're on a long car ride. You can bring them to restaurants. They're super handy. My kids and my whole family have loved them.
View on Amazon: Wikki Stix Big Count Box (opens in a new tab)
Co-op teaching and school supplies
Cat's review
If you don't have a big whiteboard inside your home, or you homeschool on the go, or at parks, or you're a co-op teacher, this is an excellent addition to your homeschool. I use this regularly when teaching classes at our community school, and I actually want to buy another one for our homeschool because I ended up donating it to the community school. We would write writing prompts on this, notes during unit study classes, etc.
View on Amazon: Small Desktop Dry Erase Whiteboard (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
This is a worldschooling suggestion. I love this set. It's very lightweight and has maintained good durability as we travel, and the small duffle that comes with it has worked really well as a water-resistant beach or lake bag. It smashes down totally flat in your luggage. And the bright color makes it stand out in the airport, easy to find.
View on Amazon: Eeeza 5-Piece Luggage Set (opens in a new tab)
Homeschool bags and organization
Cat's review
This is one of the greatest bags I've ever owned as a mother. Not only is it super stylish and beautiful, but it is perfectly compartmentalized. I can hold stuff for a little kid and books and workbooks for older kids. It's the best homeschooling bag I've ever had.
This bag is no longer available. We will keep checking for its return.
Cat's review
My husband and I both have this fanny pack. We absolutely love it. There's a perfect amount of pockets. You can fit multiple passports in it. There's a back zipper where you can hide cash while traveling. I have been able to get into big stadiums and concerts with this, although I had grief from a security guard once. Really, really great worldschooling travel fanny pack to keep your documents and money and keys close on your body.
View on Amazon: KOMALC Buffalo Leather Fanny Pack (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
Absolutely fantastic worldschooling travel bag. I actually stole this from my husband. It was on my shopping list for years, and he bought one for himself, and then I ended up with it somehow. It's the perfect size for somebody, or a family like us, who is able to pack light. If you're a world schooler and you need to be able to travel the world in a backpack and a carry-on, this is an excellent toiletry bag. Be sure to bring a shampoo bar and conditioner bar.
View on Amazon: KOMALC Buffalo Leather Toiletry Bag (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
This RFID-blocking wallet is amazing. My husband got it for me as a gift, and I have taken it all over the world. I absolutely love it. Cannot recommend it enough.
Homeschool and travel organization
Cat's review
These zipper bags are incredible. I use them for worldschooling and homeschooling. I organize school supplies, office supplies, toys, road trip items, airplane items. You can write on them with a Sharpie or a paint pen. They're highly durable, and because of the color-coded zippers, it trains your brain to know what's in each bag.
View on Amazon: Color-Coded Mesh Zipper Pouch Bags (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
The zipper silicone pill bag is a really great way to travel and have supplements on you. For worldschoolers, it's just a favorite little gear bag that I have.
View on Amazon: A7-L Zippered Pill Pouch Travel Set (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
This double stroller is quite incredible. It's a good worldschooling purchase if you have two small children. I had a newborn and a two-year-old, and we took this through Amtrak from Texas all the way to New Hampshire and back. We took it to a camping festival that was on concrete camping roads, not necessarily dirt or off the grid. But it's pretty rugged and sturdy and allows you to carry a lot of things and two children.
Similar product: Cat's own is no longer available, so this links to Graco Ready2Grow LX 2.0, a similar current double stroller. She hasn't used it herself.
View on Amazon: Graco DuoGlider Classic Connect Double Stroller (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
These earmuffs were instrumental in our early worldschooling days. My daughter has been on at least a dozen flights every year of her life, and we didn't want the loud noises of the airplane impacting her hearing or waking her up if she was sleeping. So she would wear these earmuffs on the plane and through the airport, and if we ended up in a loud environment like a festival, fireworks, or a concert.
View on Amazon: Alpine Muffy Baby Ear Protection (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
This suitcase is one of my favorite suitcases. It has a built-in stroller top. We have two versions of this. I like this one the best because it does sit straight up, and there's no need for extra wheels or a tripod like the other one we have. There are some cons to this model, but for having an older toddler, it's really good. The other one I have is better if you have a smaller child.
View on Amazon: MRPLUM Ride-On Luggage with Seat (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
This is hands down one of my favorite worldschooling items. If you are on a long-haul transatlantic flight and you're a side sleeper, you absolutely need one of these blow-up pillows. They quickly deflate and roll up into your bag. I actually use it once I get to my destination as well because there's never enough pillows anywhere I stay.
View on Amazon: TRAVELREST Inflatable Neck and Body Pillow (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
These reusable earplugs are incredible. You can use them on airplanes, at concerts, etc., and you don't have to keep buying more. I love these. They come in multiple sizes depending on how big or small you are.
View on Amazon: Loop Quiet 2 Reusable Earplugs (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
We absolutely love these bamboo travel blankets. They fold up small. They're large. They clip on so they won't fall on the floor while you're sleeping. And they have a carrying bag. Super luxurious feel. Absolutely love these. 10 out of 10. A bit heavy if you're counting ounces of weight, but totally worth it. Huge. Will cover you for your whole flight.
View on Amazon: Compact Bamboo Travel Blanket (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
These green KEENs are incredible. They are so good for travel. They are super lightweight. They dry quickly, and I don't have to deal with tying laces. They travel really well. We took them all over Europe and Mexico.
View on Amazon: KEEN KNX Knit Travel Shoes (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
Part of our homeschool curriculum is travel and adventure and exploration. I often need a way to keep important things away from water. These fanny packs have been excellent. We have worn them snorkeling in Greece, in swimming pools in Serbia, and out on the ocean in Mexico. You can keep a passport, a phone, your money, all sorts of goodies.
Linked color: black and green 2 pack (IPX8 waterproof, as listed). Cat's own pair is black and teal, a combination no longer offered.
View on Amazon: Niveaya Waterproof Fanny Packs (opens in a new tab)
Worldschool travel essentials
Cat's review
The travel clothesline has been incredible. We use it in hotel rooms for worldschooling adventures. We've taken it to homeschool conventions, to the water park, and on outdoor field trip adventures to swimming holes, etc.
View on Amazon: Portable Travel Clothesline (opens in a new tab)
Audiobooks, music, and travel
Cat's review
This speaker is one of my greatest homeschool finds. We take it with us almost everywhere we go. We can run dance routines. We can listen to audiobooks. We can have dance parties in the kitchen. It has been a really, really useful resource for both worldschooling and homeschooling.
View on Amazon: JBL Go 4 Portable Speaker (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
Having a good pair of headphones is really important for a worldschooling family to be able to work from the road, make phone calls, listen to audiobooks, and just generally keep the engines rolling on the business side of things so that the family can enjoy the adventures of seeing the world. I love JBL products. You'll see I also recommended their JBL Go 4 speaker, which I love.
Also see the JBL Go 4 speaker in this list.
View on Amazon: JBL Tune 670NC Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Homeschool technology and travel
Cat's review
As a homeschooling family with people home all day and lots of devices, having very fast charging is important, especially when we're on a worldschooling adventure. Sometimes we need power fast in between airplanes or while we're on the go. This charger station is incredible. It charges all of our devices very rapidly.
View on Amazon: USB-C Multi-Device Charging Station (opens in a new tab)
Family food and worldschool travel
Cat's review
You may be wondering what an egg steamer has to do with homeschool. A lot! When you have co-op or field trips on the go, an egg steamer allows everyone to have protein in a quick and easy, no-mess way. Also, this one is lightweight and plastic and can be packed in luggage, and it is something, as worldschoolers, we have used all over the world. When we use it abroad, we plug it into a voltage-converting power strip.
View on Amazon: Elite Gourmet EGC115M Egg Cooker (opens in a new tab)
Travel and supplies for parents
Cat's review
If travel and worldschool are a part of your homeschool curriculum, I would like to recommend this Stanley pour-over and mug. These are invincible. They do not break in your luggage. You can actually store things inside of them, like travel packets of creamer or coffee. I take the Stanley with me everywhere I go, so I always have a way to drink my own coffee, and my own coffee is so important. This is more of a how-to-support-mom-through-the-process-of-homeschooling sort of item. It's an indirect homeschooling purchase. Great for camping as well.
View on Amazon: Stanley Perfect Brew Pour-Over and Mug (opens in a new tab)
Field trips, camping, and meals on the go
Cat's review
I actually had this multi-tool utensil set confiscated by TSA in one airport, although I've been able to get it through TSA in other airports. I love this. This is great if you're a field trip mom, or you have a lot of electives and activities and sports. Having a multi-tool like this on you at all times allows you to prepare meals on the go.
View on Amazon: Orblue 4-in-1 Camping Utensil Tool (opens in a new tab)
Family food and travel
Cat's review
This is another worldschool or on-the-go homeschool mom hack. Having powdered instant bone broth on you at all times is a really great way to make sure you have protein on the go. It just takes a little hot water. You can make this in your Stanley cup that I mentioned earlier in the shopping list.
View on Amazon: Bare Bones Instant Beef Bone Broth (opens in a new tab)
Cat's review
Worldschooling items. This travel Gillette is perfect. It's very small and compact, has its own case, and helps keep your travel bag dry if you're in a hurry.
View on Amazon: Gillette Venus Mini Travel Razor (opens in a new tab)
Athletics and travel comfort
Cat's review
Part of our homeschool curriculum is athletics and travel, and this mini back massager has been incredible. It's helped me fend off headaches on long travel days, and my daughter uses it during dance competition season.
Linked color: white. Cat's own is green, which is no longer available.
View on Amazon: HEYCHY Super Mini Massage Gun (opens in a new tab)
Geography and travel preparation
Cat's review
These dry erase maps are incredible! I first got them at a homeschool convention and came home and bought duplicates on Amazon. You can draw on them with a dry erase marker, and they take up very little space. You can actually use them as placemats at the dinner table so your family can study geography together. This is a really neat way to prepare for an upcoming trip! I also use these during my Charlotte Mason inspired geography class at homeschool co-op.
View on Amazon: Painless Learning Dry Erase Geography Maps (opens in a new tab)
Art supplies and travel
Cat's review
This watercolor set is excellent for travel. It comes with paintbrushes that have a water container located inside the handle of the brush, so you can refill it without the need to have cups. This means you can actually use it on an airplane if you want. Our family has been using this to make art as we travel and for our Charlotte Mason inspired geography books.
View on Amazon: Watercolor Paint Set, 100 Colors (opens in a new tab)
Travel art and geography
Cat's review
These small watercolor art books are great for travel. We take them with the watercolor travel set that I already listed in this shopping guide. You can rip out a page and glue it into a bigger art book when you get home! We are trying to document our travels this way moving forward. It's been really fun for us. It's also an easy art book to throw in any small child's backpack so they can do art on the go. It also comes with the refillable watercolor paintbrushes.
View on Amazon: Dispowreath Travel Watercolor Journals with Water Brushes (opens in a new tab)
Art supplies
Cat's review
We absolutely love these acrylic paint markers. One end is like a paintbrush; the other is more like a marker. Our kindergartener uses them in her art class at co-op, and the teenagers and I use them for our Charlotte Mason inspired geography maps.
View on Amazon: ARTISTRO Dual-Tip Acrylic Paint Markers, 36 Colors (opens in a new tab)
