I think what you use depends on your child's age, interests and the community resources you have available. You might spend very little or might spend more compared to another family.
When my dd was younger than 5, I purchased very little with the aim of educating her. We had books and toys. We went to the library. I read to dd every day. We played "I spy" with colors, numbers, and letters when we were waiting in line at the store or in the car. Dd played and explored the world around her. I did not have a felt board. I did not buy a learning clock, weather chart or special calendar. When dd became interested in learning to read at the age of 4 we bought Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons.
When dd was 5, I bought some books related to anatomy because she was very interested in that and some fun books to read to her. We used the internet to answer questions and play games (www.starfall.com). I bought an abacus and a shape game. We played store with play money I made using a greeting card program on our computer. We lived rural and going to the library often was not happening. We got to observe nature a lot for free.
When dd was 6, I bought a full curriculum. We only used part of it. We checked out books from the library on apes and monkeys when dd was obsessed with them. We continued to use the internet for information and fun. I bought smaller blocks and did a lot of activities to encourage her fine muscle development because she was having trouble writing. I bought several different writing tools to try to find something she could use more comfortably.
This year dd is 7 and I am using the curriculum again (stuff we skipped last year plus LA and math). I'm not buying many readers and read aloud books this year. I got a science experiment book on clearance and it uses mainly household items. We are using books from the library or ones we already own. We stocked up on crayons, paper, glue, and pencils when they were cheap. We attended some free nature classes at a wildlife refuge.
When my dd was younger than 5, I purchased very little with the aim of educating her. We had books and toys. We went to the library. I read to dd every day. We played "I spy" with colors, numbers, and letters when we were waiting in line at the store or in the car. Dd played and explored the world around her. I did not have a felt board. I did not buy a learning clock, weather chart or special calendar. When dd became interested in learning to read at the age of 4 we bought Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons.
When dd was 5, I bought some books related to anatomy because she was very interested in that and some fun books to read to her. We used the internet to answer questions and play games (www.starfall.com). I bought an abacus and a shape game. We played store with play money I made using a greeting card program on our computer. We lived rural and going to the library often was not happening. We got to observe nature a lot for free.
When dd was 6, I bought a full curriculum. We only used part of it. We checked out books from the library on apes and monkeys when dd was obsessed with them. We continued to use the internet for information and fun. I bought smaller blocks and did a lot of activities to encourage her fine muscle development because she was having trouble writing. I bought several different writing tools to try to find something she could use more comfortably.
This year dd is 7 and I am using the curriculum again (stuff we skipped last year plus LA and math). I'm not buying many readers and read aloud books this year. I got a science experiment book on clearance and it uses mainly household items. We are using books from the library or ones we already own. We stocked up on crayons, paper, glue, and pencils when they were cheap. We attended some free nature classes at a wildlife refuge.
I agree
I'd also like to get a digital camera, likewise as a "school supply." We don't have a microscope or anything like that yet... nor do we have an analog clock (I just discovered this last week 
I can even do an expanded search & my library will get stuff from Boston or further. It really is a great system.
), and squares of a really nice, heavy, light-yellow paper which was perfect for watercolors, and all sorts of cool things. 
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