1st Grade Activities

RSS

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.

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.

First Grade | Reading | Writing

Weight Wonders: Big and Light...Heavy and Small?

First graders generally love to think concretely. So if it's a rock, it's heavy. If it's a little box of raisins, it's light. Right? Well, not always. Here's a fun activity to help build thinking skills in young scientists, and to encourage them to have a blast exploring the mass and volume. ...

First Grade | Math | Science

Crack the Code!: A Spelling Challenge

It's a rare kid that doesn't love a good spy game. Here's a way to have fun with mysterious codes while mastering an ordinary, necessary skill: first grade spelling.

First Grade | Writing

Count by 5s Without Losing Your Marbles!

Back in kindergarten, your child probably spent lots of time counting things one by one. But now that first grade is here, he'll need to be able to count in groups, and especially by fives. This activity makes math fun, with treasure that comes in clusters!

First Grade | Math

Cut This Calendar!

First grade math includes lots of work with two-digit numbers. Here is a great activity for early in the year, to practice recognizing and sequencing numbers from 1-30.

First Grade | Math

Play Popsicle Math

Now that it's first grade, "Math Facts" are here. This year, you can expect addition and some subtraction. Worried? Don't be. This is a time to explore lots of fun ways to develop new skills. Here's a hands-on activity that classroom teachers use to help kids get a feel for equations.

First Grade | Math

Oatmeal Pancakes: Cooking with Fractions

Admit it. Sometimes you just don't feel like rolling out of bed in the morning. Well, with Mother's Day, Father's Day, and a host of other excuses (er, holidays) on the calendar, letting your kids make breakfast in bed every now and then seems only fair. Plus, it helps them practice fractions!

First Grade | Math