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.
Egg Carton Addition!
Using nothing fancier than and egg carton and some beans or pennies, you can play this game with your first grader and see real gains in core math skills.
Picasso Pumpkins
There are many wonderful ways to decorate a pumpkin that don't require the use of a carving knife. Case in point: these Cubist art pumpkins.
Make a Halloween Candle Holder
For a Halloween arts and crafts activity that will give your child an introduction to the art of stained glass, give these candleholders a try.
Design a Diorama!
Help your child make an imaginative scene come to life by designing and detailing a diorama. Your child will be practicing two and three dimensional thinking, plus the essential language arts skill of constructing a narrative!
Paint for Learning at "Sidewalk School"
Help your child practice new writing and math skills with a fun outdoor activity that will have your child teaching you! By using watercolor paints to practice writing letters, sentences, and math problems, your child will practice essential first grade skills in his "Sidewalk School."
Make a Labor Day Career Book!
Celebrate Labor Day and give your child a jump start on the school year by taking a walk through your neighborhood and talking about the different jobs that people do, then showing him how to make his very own "career book."
Practice Stick Writing!
First graders will get a kick out of creating a written message and practicing their letters using sticks they find in nature. This also helps to practice their letter formation and handwriting strokes.
Make Your Own Pinata!
A longtime staple of birthday parties, the candy-filled pinata is a part of everyone's childhood. Now, your family can make its own pinata!
Make an ABC Nature Book
Take a nature walk in your backyard or local park to find one object for every letter of the alphabet. Your child will be loving the outdoors while practicing her science, reading, and writing skills.
Get Your Head in the Clouds!
First graders are eager to learn about science - especially using large objects to observe like clouds. Let your child daydream a little and use those science and writing skills, too!
