I’ve always found the more organized I am, the easier it is to homeschool or teach. I don’t have hours to prep a project. I want to grab what we need and get started. Baskets, cups, mason jars, and bins of all sizes, I’m a big fan. We store our games together. Glue has its own home, as does construction paper and paint. But some things, like writing supplies, I like to store together. Easy to grab, when we want to write, all we have to do is grab our writing basket. Outside, inside, on the floor, or at the kitchen table, our writing basket has everything we need. There’s also something about a pretty basket filled with pens and paper. It’s inviting. A writing basket is not only functional, it’s encouraging.

Create a Writing Basket

A writing basket is filled with anything your children might find inspiring. Fun pens, favorite journals, a few writing prompts- think simple. The items should be easy to access and functional.

Consider:

What might inspire your children?

What would they like to write with?

What journals or types of paper would they enjoy?

Next:

Grab a basket or nice container and start collecting. Maybe you already have everything you need or maybe pick up a few things at Target’s dollar section next time you’re there. Either way, think function. The pens need to work. Tiny journals, while cute, are hard really use.

Items in a Writing Basket

Again, anything goes, and function is key.

1. Writing utensils– Kids love colors. If writing in green encourages your kids to write, stock up on green pens.

2. Journals– Inside our basket is a stack of journals because we have stacks of journals. Some homemade, some store bought and embellished, journal making and decorating can also be a fun way to get kids interested in writing.

3. Games for Writing- This book is full of ideas to help kids love to write.

4. Story Cubes- My kids enjoy rolling story dice and creating a story. They are a fun way to find inspiration.

5. Writing Prompt Jar- Another way to help kids find ideas is to create a writing prompt jar.  Cut strips of paper and write words, favorite quotes, a question, or the beginning of a sentence on each piece.  Then, fold them up and stick them in a jar.

6. Notecards– Letter writing and practicing gratitude is something our family values, so I make sure we also always have notecards in our writing basket.

Encouraging our children to write and creating a writing practice isn’t always easy. Having the right tools on hand to help you facilitate can be. Create a writing basket and be ready to write.