Play the Card Challenge Game!
Tell your child you want to work on kindergarten readiness skills and she's not likely to get very excited. But turn it into a game and it's a different story. This game of challenges is a blast to play, and in between all the hopping, jumping, and drawing, it helps develop important skills.
Write a Tall Tale
As your child learns about tall tales in school, try this wacky writing activity that's sure to bring on the giggles. Encourage him to pen his own tall tale...about his family!
Make a Paper Bag Book
This project combines arts and crafts with writing, as your child writes a story and publishes it into a book made out of a paper bag!
String Story Necklaces
Tell your kid you're going to spend the afternoon working on comprehension and you're sure to get a yawn. This activity delivers the goods with a fun art project that will also teach kids to look for a story's beginning, middle, and end.
Magnetic Letter Game!
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!
Practice Writing with Monster Markings
Give your first grader some extra practice in reading and writing with these "monster marking" riddles!
Hop Those Spelling Words!
Those second grade spelling lists may be getting serious, but that's no reason to stop having fun. Here's a high-energy hopscotch game to try.
Build Vocabulary with Prefixes and Suffixes
Learning prefixes and suffixes is a great way to boost vocabulary quickly. And these letter combos are best learned in the context of the words that they create. Here's an easy game to get your child thinking about these beginnings and endings, in between a lot of shouting and laughing.
Instant Poetry! A Writing Exercise
This activity allows your child to translate what he observes around him into a beautiful poem. Plus, the process will sharpen his awareness that words hold meaning and are a way of expressing himself.
Time Book About the Day
If your child is struggling with the concept of time, help him practice with this fun time book about his typical routine! Not only will he get some practice telling time, but you'll encourage his reading skills, too.
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