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.
Play Action Word Charades
In first grade, kids commonly learn to tell the difference between nouns and verbs. While they may learn quickly to tell you the definition of each, by saying something along the lines of "a verb is an action word," a full understanding usually takes more time. Here's a fun skill-boosting game ...
Make a Pinata!
Got that party fever? Looking for a crafty distraction for a warm day? Few things are as fun for kids as a piñata, and it's easy-as-pie to make your own!
A Martin Luther King Day Project
Martin Luther King Day is a great excuse to show how just one person can make a difference in the world, and teach kids that they can be that person! This hands-on activity gets them brainstorming about what needs change in the world, and how they can help.
Explore Bubble Science
Want to build the biggest, thickest bubbles around? This recipe makes bubbles that not only blow up nice and big, but do tricks and experiments! How do you do it? It's not a secret, it's science!
Play Story Ball: A Reading Comprehension Game
Take a regular old beach ball, a sharpie marker, and a first grader. What do you get? An outdoor activity that works on reading comprehension, in the midst of a game of catch!
Make Paper Snowflakes
Snowflakes offer endless delight for curious little kids. If you live in Maine or Wyoming, your first grader can step outside in December to collect the real thing; but if you live in warmer climes, no worries! You can make your own.
Dictionary Treasure Hunt
In first grade, vocabulary moves to center stage. But when a kid gets stumped--and we all feel that way sometimes, even as adults--it's time to turn to a lifetime resource: the dictionary. Want a fun way to help your child start making friends with this reference tool? Try this treasure hunt!
The Build-a-Word Card Game: Better than Go Fish!
Compound words may look hard at first, but things get easier if kids can spot two smaller words that they already know. Want to add a little "holy moly!" to something that can feel ho hum? This card game will help you practice making compound words-- and have some fun while you're at it!
Make a Tissue Paper Bouquet
Whether you're a kid or a grownup, spring flowers are just about irresistible. Here's a classic first grade activity to make flowers, anytime, with just a few sheets of tissue paper and some pipe cleaners.
Play: Syllable I Spy!
At some point in your life, you've probably played the game "I Spy." It's perfect for boring waits at the grocery store, or long car rides. But with a little tweaking, the game can also help kids practice a key first grade concept...syllables. Here's how to play:
Browse Activities by Grade & Topic
Holiday Central
Get great ideas for gifts, homemade decorations, recipes, and more...
