Here's a hilarious alternative to those sugary conversation hearts...and a way to keep building first grade literacy skills while you're at it!

This string a necklace arts activity teaches first grade readers to look for a story's beginning, middle, and end.

Take a beach ball, a 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!

Here's an activity to help your first grader read and write, while staying in touch with a faraway friend or relative. Here's how:

Practice reading and writing by helping your first grader create a family recipe book!

Who are the people young readers meet in their books? This reading activity will help your first grader build important comprehension skills.

In this activity, your first grader will practice calendar skills, observe the weather and learns to read calendar words. Here's how to get started:

Invite your first grader to create this "layers of love" keepsake for that special someone! It holds a sweet, personal message for the recipient.

Try this simple activity to stimulate some very complex thinking with your first grader to develop those all-important reading and comprehension skills.

Teach your kindergartener or first grader about the art of correspondence by guiding them to create their own postcards out of favorite family photographs.

Guide your first grader through a map drawing project inspired by her favorite fairy tale. Its masked as a fun art activity, but it also packs learning punch!

A new twist on the game of charades will inspire your first grader to look at her favorite books in a whole new light.

Make these simple homemade New Year's gifts with your child this holiday season to give to friends and family, each with a special message inside.

Sure, you can go out and buy a box of Valentine cards--but for a special message try this simple craft activity to make someone's day.

Let your imagination take flight as you explore the beautiful continent of Africa! Do this fun writing activity with your child to honor Black History Month.

This Father's Day, give dad something he'll really appreciate: a book about him, written by his favorite author...his son or daughter!

Help your child gain reading comprehension skills, as well as listening and memory skills with this fun activity that uses his favorite book!

Make a Santa-shaped "wish card" holder for your child...and sneak in some solid practice in reading and writing, too!

Build your kindergartener's reading comprehension by making a classic box of objects that invite them into the books you're reading together.

Here's an wholesome arts and crafts activity for your kid: create awesome handmade apple note cards with just some paint and blank paper!

Build your child's social studies skills by making a map together.

This goofy scramble book activity will bring laughs...but also some good, solid comprehension skills too!

Make a photo book to provide a reassuring guide for your child's first days and weeks of school.