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.
Sinking Ships for Science
How much will your boat hold before sinking? Explore the scientific measurement concept of capacity in your sink or bathtub, and have a splash of a time.
Make a Shadow Clock!
Use your child's natural interest in shadows with this activity! Create a "shadow clock" to measure the time of day. It's a great way to help sharpen her science observation skills, and think about the concept of time!
Create a Garden Art Box
Drawing outside and getting inspiration from nature is fun to do, especially in warm, summer weather. In this activity, allow your first grader to draw almost anywhere by letting him create his own garden art box.
Foil Embossing: "Popping" off the Page
Create interesting art that "pops" off the page! Foil embossing uses simple materials and tools to inspire your child to create an intricate and illuminating design filled with patterns, shapes, and pictures.
Potato Maze: Make a Plant Obstacle Course!
This wonderful experiment is based on a simple principle: plants need light to grow. With this project, your child will watch a potato plant wind its way through a shoebox maze in search of sun, and learn about living things in the process.
Gluep: Solid or Liquid?
First graders enjoy studying solids and liquids because it gives them a chance to get their hands dirty. But sometimes it can get a little predictable. Shake things up with this activity and make Gluep, a goopy substance that behaves like both a solid and a liquid!
Questions, Anyone? Ask Your Way to Reading Comprehension
If your child has a favorite book, you probably know he'll want you to read it to him again and again and again. To help your first grader build memory, listening, and reading comprehension skills, use this fun activity that uses his favorite book as a starting point!
Get Astronomical with an Indoor Star Show!
Everyone loves star gazing. Get your first grader thinking about the wonders of the night sky with this indoor star show. She'll get to look at her favorite constellations even if it's cloudy outside!
Create an Origami Puppet
Here's a fun and tactile way to help your first grader build up crucial reading skills--create this adorable origami puppet!
Make a Recycled Candle!
Think there's no use in saving those old candle stubs? Think again! Do this project with your child to teach her about recycling. It makes a great Earth Day activity but can be used any time of the year!
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