1st Grade Activities
First grade is a year of firsts: your child's first full day of school, the first time she'll write a small story herself, and the first time she'll read a complete book cover to cover. We've got dozens of wacky reading and math activities, cool science experiments, and indoor and outdoor games to keep the learning fun.
Make Walnut Christmas Ornaments!
With young children in the house, it's no wonder most parents seek out unbreakable Christmas ornaments. These festive little nut balls are not only indestructible, they're fun to make!
Making Measurements: How Big is Your Hand?
What better way to help your first grader get a grip on measurement than with his own body parts? Here's a "hands-on "activity to help your child learn about four kinds of measurements using only a hand and a few household items.
Make Your Own Seed Packets!
For a great autumn activity, try creating homemade seed packets with your child. It will combine your child's love for science and the outdoors with a little writing and drawing fun.
Find Out What Makes Popcorn Pop
Water can go from solid to liquid to gas, but how does popcorn go from kernel to snack? Invite your first grade scientist to find out!
Make a Butterfly Habitat
Create a habitat for a butterfly right in your own home or yard. It just takes a little patience and some butterfly knowledge to make this science wonder a success.
Go Sight Word "Island Hopping"!
All you need is chalk and some pavement to set up this silly, fun, and practical game that reinforces those all-important first grade sight words.
Make Drinking Water Out of Salt Water!
With fresh water becoming scarcer than ever on our planet, scientists are busy exploring ways to take the salt out of salt water in large quantities. Here's a small-scale experiment to help your socially conscious first grade earth scientist figure it out.
Grow Your Own Crystals!
Here's a real-life science experiment you can do with your first grade earth scientist to "grow" crystals in your home! All it takes are some simple, everyday ingredients.
Celery Stick Science
We humans drink water through our mouths, but what about plants? What really happens when you sprinkle that watering can? Here's a classic experiment that demonstrates how plants absorb water.
Spinning Science: Disappearing Color!
Did you ever think you could make colors disappear right before your eyes? This science experiment is just like a magic trick: now you see it, now you don't!
