First Grade Arts and Crafts 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.
Create a Wax-Resist Nightscape!
Children often draw beautiful pictures of suns and rainbows but seldom do they venture into drawing the scenes around them at night. Here's an activity that has your child using crayons and black paint to create a beautiful wax-resist nightscape.
Make "Stained Glass" Holiday Stars
Create a dazzling window display with cut stars with this craft project, and send goodwill into the neighborhood.
Make a Coastal Crab!
This fun activity makes use of some simple "ingredients" to make a crab while your child learns about this unique creature. Get started with just a few pasta shells and some paint!
Build Up for an Edible Structure
Learning how to see the world and then translate it into 3-D can be challenging when in the two dimensional world of paper and pencils or crayons. This activity encourages a child to sculpt in free form with the only rule is they have to build 'up'.
Create a Coiling Snake
In this activity your child will make a coiling snake out of simple household materials, and also find out why they coil. In the end, he will have a coiling critter to hang up and enjoy!
Weave a Paper Thanksgiving Placemat
Let your first grader contribute to your Thanksgiving table with this fun paper weaving activity ... while extending handwriting and math skills at the same time!
Make a Matzoh Vase
This special Passover-themed vase will showcase springâs freshest flowers and give give your children an opportunity to be part of this unique holiday.
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!
Make a Valentine's Mobile
You can use old Valentine's Day cards to make this pretty mobile, which will brighten your child's room long after the roses have wilted and the candies have been eaten.
Make a Thanksgiving Table Runner
Okay, so your first grader is way too little to carve a turkey. But that doesn't mean he can't help! Put him--and a sibling or cousin or two--to work on this gorgeous laminated centerpiece. And guess what? You'll be helping him develop his best kid handwriting, too.
