First Grade Learning Games

First graders are not usually interested in especially cute or complicated games. They like games they can play independently--that make them feel smart and capable. That's why adapting traditional games is often one of the easiest and most successful ways to get first graders to play learning games.

Action Games

Try a new version of Simon Says. Use your name instead of "Simon," don't act out the actions yourself and focus on using direction words. To work on spelling, spell out words in the directions, "Mr. X says, touch your f-o-o-t."

Card Games

Play Go Fish with number cards (use playing cards with face cards removed or make some from index cards). Instead of trying to match patterns, have students make pairs adding up to 10 or 20.

Board Games

After completing a science or social studies unit, have small groups of students make board games (based on Candy Land or Trivial Pursuit, for example). Then allow students to switch games to play each other's games.

Computer Games

The website Starfall.com. has lots of fun reading games that are great practice for first graders.

Questions Game

Play 20 Questions. Add the learning aspect by emphasizing the difference between questions and statements, and focus the topic on a number, letter or theme.

Charades Game

Do a version of Charades. Have pairs of students act out well-known stories and have the class guess the story.

Resources

• Starfall