Plum Paper Planner: Unboxing and Review

Staying organized is essential as a homeschool parent – especially if you’re teaching multiple kids across multiple grades.

We’re juggling a motley crew of curricula, resources, classes, and activities, all on top of parenting, and everything else we need to do to stay on top of everyday life. The only way to keep track of it all, and make sure you’re not missing a beat, is by using a planner. Specifically one that’s customizable, and made just for homeschoolers.

That’s where Plum Paper comes in!

I’ve been using Plum Paper Planners since 2020 when I first began homeschooling. These planners are not only useful, they’re also gorgeous, and super high quality.

Their covers are tear-resistant, and come with an optional clear cover for additional wear and tear protection, and you can even choose what kind of binding you want (depending on the size). With a myriad of designs to choose from – plus the ability to add text and dates – the options are endless.

This year I went with a floral design and a more minimal font and text, but in the past I’ve also added meaningful quotes that have inspired me over the course of our school year. Each planner is unique to you as an individual, and that kind of customization is truly unmatched by other brands.

Inside is where the real magic happens. With 70lb weight paper, there’s no worry of ink smearing or bleeding through. (I blame the quality of paper they use for turning me into a paper snob, I even had to upgrade what we use for our at home printer!) You can also choose from two different vibrant color options, or keep it neutral with three different neutral versions.

The monthly and weekly layouts are also customizable – from the starting month, to the weekly start day (are you a Monday or a Sunday starter??). Whether you want a horizontal layout, or a vertical one, a full week layout, or just the weekdays, you get to style your planner to fit however your planning brain works best. Additionally, you can factor in holidays and moon phases and type your subjects in ahead of time to have them printed, or leave them blank to write in later.

The homeschool specific section is super handy for keeping track of attendance (great for those who homeschool in states where you’re required to track days/hours of school), field trips, books read, grades, student goals, and more. All homeschool specific planners come with one homeschool section already included, but you can add additional sections for more students, to make sure you’re keeping track of everyone’s work individually.

And did I mention the add-ons? From note taking sheets, pocket sleeves, budget trackers, and meal planners, all the way to coloring pages and stickers, Plum Paper has it all. You can choose to get some of your add-ons (such as the note taking sheets and coloring pages) dispersed evenly throughout your planner, so you have a few for each month, or give them their own divided section.

I literally cannot say enough good things about this company, and if you’ve been exploring your options or wanting to learn more about them, I hope that this has been a helpful overview of what makes them so special, and worth the price point.

Not sure what size is best for you?

If you’re a true HOMEschooler, I’d recommend the 8.5×11 size – I personally prefer this size, because it really gives you all of the space you need to jot down and track all of your lesson plans. The one downside to this size is that it can be pretty bulky and heavy, which is why I recommend it only for people who aren’t on the go a lot.

If you’re the type of homeschooler that DOES travel a lot, car schools, or takes your lessons with you on the go, I’d recommend going with a smaller sized planner. What you lose in size, you gain in more light-weight portability!

If you’re ready to make a purchase, but you’re not sure what to pick when you go to order, here are the details on my planner choices:

COVER
Pattern: Fleur Bouquet
Year: 25/26 – Color: Orange
Bottom Text: Align Middle – Color: Sun Kissed Florals Red – Shape: Transparent at Bottom – Font: Typewriter

LAYOUT
Layout: Full Week Homeschool – Size: 8.5″x11″ – Length: 12 Month – Color Scheme: Colorful
Binding: Silver Metal Coil – Cover Material: Synthetic with clear cover
Layout Option: Standard Layout – Color: On – Lines: On
Calendar Lines: Off – Start Month: September – Month Pages Start On: Monday
Holidays & Special Events, Moon Phases: On

ADD-ONS
Homeschool: 1 Additional Student
Dotted Notes Pages: 10 pages
Dispersed Dotted Notes Pages: 1 Page/Mo
Vinyl Page Protector: 2