Free Stuff for Teachers: The Ultimate Guide to Free Classroom Resources
Pencils, paper, books, bulletin boards, tissues, snacks, storage bins, supplies for students who don't have any…the list grows right along with the school year.
The good news? There are a lot more free resources for teachers than most people realize.
Some are completely free. Others are free with an account, require you to verify you're a teacher, or depend on where you live and teach.
So before you spend your own money, check out this list. Thank you for all you do!
🏷️ How to Read the Labels
Completely free:Â No purchase or paid subscription is required.
Free account required:Â You need to create a free account to access it.
Eligibility required:Â You must meet specific requirements, such as being a verified teacher or working in a certain school district.
Limited availability:Â Availability may be limited by location, funding, inventory, dates, or participation.
Availability varies:Â The resource isn't available in every location.
đź“š Free Lesson Plans & Learning Resources
PBS LearningMediaFree videos, interactive lessons, and classroom activities organized by grade and subject.
Free stuff:Â Videos, lesson plans, interactive activities.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free to use; a free account lets you save and organize resources.
Lessons and practice across math, science, and more. Helpful for review, extra practice, and students working at different levels.
Free stuff:Â Lessons, practice exercises, teacher tools.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Completely free.
Reading passages and question sets you can sort by grade level and skill.
Free stuff:Â Reading passages, comprehension questions, vocabulary support.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free account required.
CK-12 Customizable digital textbooks, practice, and simulations, mostly for middle and high school.
Free stuff:Â Digital textbooks, practice, simulations.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free resources available; some features may require an account.
Library of Congress for TeachersPrimary sources, lesson plans, and student activities. Great for social studies and ELA.
Free stuff:Â Primary sources, classroom materials, teaching activities.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Completely free.
NASA STEM EngagementScience and STEM activities, videos, challenges, and educational materials for different grade levels.Free stuff: STEM lessons, activities, videos, printables.🏷️ Offer conditions: Completely free resources; individual programs may have eligibility requirements.
Free computer science lessons and activities for multiple grade levels.
Free stuff: Coding curriculum, projects, teacher resources.🏷️
Offer conditions:Â Completely free curriculum and activities.
Printables, lesson plans, and activities for the elementary and middle grades.
Free stuff:Â Worksheets, printables, activity ideas.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free resources available; check individual items for access requirements.
🖍️ Free Printables & Design Tools
Filter by "Free" and you'll find lesson plans, printables, and activities shared by other teachers. Follow a few sellers you like, since many post free resources regularly.
Free stuff:Â Lesson plans, printables, activities.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free account required. Many resources are paid, so use the "Free" filter.
Canva for Education Premium features for K-12 teachers, including templates for slides, worksheets, newsletters, and classroom decor.
Free stuff:Â Premium design tools and templates.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Eligibility required. Teachers must be verified.
Crayola for Educators Lesson plans, art activities, and classroom ideas.
Free stuff:Â Lesson plans, activities, printable resources.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free resources available; some activities may involve Crayola supplies.
đź’° Free Classroom Funding
DonorsChooseYou post a classroom project, the community funds it, and the materials are shipped to your school.
Free stuff:Â Funding for classroom projects.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Eligibility required + Limited availability. Projects aren't guaranteed to be funded.
Teachers can set up a classroom page to receive donations for supplies.
Free stuff:Â Classroom supply donations.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Eligibility required. Funding isn't guaranteed.
đź’ˇ Try the Library
Your local library can help with classroom materials too.
Look for:
Teacher library cards
Classroom book loans
Digital books and media
Free printing or copying services
Storytime and author events
Book clubs and reading programs
Homework help
🏷️ Offer conditions: Availability varies by library and location.
🌟 Free Resources for North Carolina Teachers
North Carolina teachers have some unique options, including free "shopping" at teacher supply stores. Most are tied to a school district and require an appointment. Hours and eligibility change, so check each website before you go.
đź’» Online
Instructional resources, standards-aligned materials, and professional learning for NC educators.
Free stuff:Â Instructional resources and professional learning materials.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free resources available; some programs may have eligibility requirements.
đź“Ť In Person
Run by WakeEd Partnership at 1816 Capital Blvd, Raleigh. Wake County Public Schools teachers and certified staff shop for free once a quarter. You use points to pick out supplies, including pencils, paper, folders, and more.
Free stuff:Â Classroom supplies.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Eligibility required + Limited availability. Sign-up for a time slot required; walk-ins aren't accepted.
809 Bacon St, Durham. Durham Public Schools teachers can order online or shop in person at the warehouse.
Free stuff: Classroom essentials like paper, pencils, markers, and crayons.4🏷️ Offer conditions: Eligibility required. Durham Public Schools teachers only.
2116 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte. Teachers at eligible schools can shop once a month, August through May. The store carries school supplies, books, backpacks, STEM materials, and more. Phone: 704-377-1740.
Free stuff:Â School supplies, books, backpacks, STEM and literacy materials.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Eligibility required + Limited availability. Appointment required.
134 Franklin Blvd, Greensboro (look for the big Quonset hut). Guilford County Schools educators can get free new and gently used supplies all year.
Free stuff:Â New and gently used classroom supplies.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Eligibility required. Guilford County Schools educators only.
A local education resource center in Lenoir at 110 Church St, offering free classroom supplies to Caldwell County teachers. Call 828-292-1570 to make an appointment.
Free stuff:Â Classroom supplies.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Eligibility required + Availability varies. Appointment required.
Not in one of these counties? Ask your school's front office or PTA. Some schools have a supply closet or exchange that isn't well advertised.
đź”– Create a "Free Teacher Stuff" Bookmark Folder
Instead of trying to remember every website, create a folder in your browser called FREE TEACHER STUFF.
Add your favorites:
Lesson plan sites
Printables
Design tools
Funding sites
Supply store sign-ups
Library resources
Local school and district programs
Then check the folder before you buy something with your own money.
Because the best price for classroom supplies is $0.
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