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.
Bounce that Ball: Learn Math While Doing Sports
With warm weather finally here, who wants to sit inside to practice graphing? Head out to the driveway, ball in hand, for a bouncing challenge. Then use those results to make a colorful graph that lets your child compare her results to those of the challenger (you!)
Make a Patriotic Pinwheel
This hands-on activity uses just a few ordinary supplies to create an extra-fun Fourth of July craft. You and your child can celebrate our nation's heritage while also boosting skills in geometric thinking. And while you're at it, you'll even demonstrate a little wind power!
Play with Characters...and Writing!
Who are the people young readers meet in their books? How do authors help us know what these characters are like? This reading and writing activity will help your first grader build important comprehension skills that she'll need in second and third grade, too.
Write a Mixed Up Story!
Want to help your child recognize the recipe for a successful sentence? Here's a fun activity to get your child thinking about how sentences work. Plus, he'll create a truly crazy story!
Grow a Holiday Bouquet!
If you're like lots of us, you've secretly decided that your green thumb is actually brown. Parents, take heart! This winter garden project is just about bomb-proof, and believe it or not, it might even make a great gift.
Make a What-I'm-Thankful-For Placemat
Thanksgiving is a great excuse to pause and give thanks for more than what's sitting on the table. This activity gives kids a chance to make a cute collage of things that make them happy, and it's perfect décor for holiday dinner... or any day!
Let Your Kids Campaign!
Kids are acutely aware of what's "fair" and what's not. Here's a quirky way to teach your first grader the importance of voting, by bringing it down to her level.
Slap It!: An Odds and Evens Card Game
This activity is based on the popular card game, Slapjack. It's rip-roaring fun, and it reinforces the concepts of odd and even, which in turn will help your child succeed in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Play Traveling ABC's! A Spelling Game
When it comes to spelling, using a hands-on activity can help children remember each word better than just reading the word on a page. Want to give your kid some spelling practice, without making her groan? Take her spelling list on the road!
Play Contraction Concentration!
A contraction is an abbreviated form of two words. It contains an apostrophe which indicates that there are missing letters. Help your child figure out contractions and their original two words by playing this simple game.
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