First graders need to be able to read color words quickly and accurately, without taking the time to sound them out. Here's a fun bingo game designed to give your first grader fun, colorful practice learning to recognize words like "red" and "purple."

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 to try at home, or even at a party.

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.

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!

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:

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!

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.

When it comes to spelling, using a hands-on activity can help children remember each word better than just reading the word on a page. Want to give your kid some spelling practice, without making her groan? Take her spelling list on the road!

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.

A contraction is an abbreviated form of two words. It contains an apostrophe which indicates that there are missing letters. Help your child figure out contractions and their original two words by playing this simple game.