Toys for a first grader

25 Best Educational Toys and Games for First Grade

First graders are the best. Ready with their tooth-less grins, they are excited to imagine and create, and they are earnest about learning, too. Treat them to games and toys that leave room for a lot of exploration. Here are 25 of our favorite educational toys for first grade students.

Basic blocks are always appropriate—but fun add-ons like this castle-themed set are perfect for imaginative first grader builders. They offer intriguing geometry and physics connections, too. Will your castle withstand an invasion?

Extend a love of LEGO to teach kids about simple machines. Directions are straightforward enough for a first grader to follow, but the results are wow-worthy. Win!

Simple but genius: First graders love working together to build big structures from these flexible straws. As teachers, we love to pull them out to explore 2-D vs. 3-D shapes. Make a square, make a cube, make a circle, make a cylinder … you get the idea.

Squishing, squeezing, and rolling are still good activities for first grade hands—and they still love to do it. Modeling clay is a creative upgrade from traditional play dough to stretch older kids’ creativity. This set comes with a fun step-by-step idea book, too.

Weaving challenges kids’ manual dexterity, encourages persistence and concentration, and results in a unique and satisfying product. There are plenty of possibilities for continuing to create with this large, sturdy loom for months and years to come.

We love how this set does double-duty. Play traditional dominoes and other domino-related math games, or challenge kids to build an epic domino run.

This simple game motivates competitive kids to practice basic math facts to 12 like no other. Roll the dice and race to make combinations that equal the target number.

Get kids up and moving while you work on identifying numbers to 100. When we look at the patterns on this mat we think, “Math Twister!”

Kids love dice in dice, and they hold so many possibilities for math practice games; check out this full list!

Make the idea of equivalency concrete for kids with this adaptable, self-correcting manipulative. Use the activity cards included or devise your own. When math is over, hook cups to the each end and just play with balance!

This is a perfect way to combine play with math practice. It could be a ready-made math center or partner activity. The fish are sturdy enough to adapt to any other practice item. Next up, fishing for sight words?

First graders are old enough to actually play this classic code-breaking game strategically, and it’s so, so good. Check out our full list of board games for kids ages 6-12.

Kids gain experience with story elements and retelling stories by using picture cards to make up their own tales. We like the mix of straightforward character and setting cards with speech bubbles and other cards that suggest plot twists.

These parts of speech dice are a simple and fun way to reinforce the concept of sentence for kids. We like using just some of the die for kids to fill in sentence frames with high-frequency words, too.

The makers of this game get it—kids love using fly swatters. Why not use that enthusiasm to their learning advantage and have them smack sight words?

Kids also love the classic picture-matching game Zingo, and this version that involves fast recognition of sight words is the ideal first grade variation. It’s great for playing at home or as a literacy center.

Calling all rising superstars! Kids love the legit feeling of this multi-function microphone. Teachers love how it makes phonological awareness games extra fun and motivates kids to practice reading fluently—books OR song lyrics, of course!

Magnets are most definitely fun and fascinating! First graders can enjoy free exploration with this collection of magnetic materials, or use the experiment cards for more focused learning.

This telescope’s compact size and straightforward operation make it extremely first grade-friendly. Use it to view the moon when learning about the moon’s phases, or check out that cool bird in the distance!

Perfect for at-home fun, a center, or small group exploration, this kit combines creativity and the science of light and shadow. Kids can experiment with puppet and light placement as they put on unique puppet shows.

Combine music and the science of sound with this exceptionally fun percussion product. The name says it best: by whacking the tubes against any surface, kids create different tones. Learn about how sound is created, high vs. low notes, and how sounds combine to create music.

Oversize, durable cards feature engaging invitations for kids to pause and turn inward. The language is developmentally appropriate without feeling babyish. (Psst: We adults could take a few pointers from these cards, too.)

We’ve never met a kid who can resist this game. (Maybe because it looks like it’s full of ice cream sprinkles?) We love it for a small group brain break, or to keep in a Calm Down area to help kids learn to ride out big feelings or refocus.

This product is an amazing resource to introduce kids to globes and world geography. Kids discover as they “travel” using the app-based features. We also appreciate that, once you download the app, it’s 100% usable without WiFi.

There are so many fun possibilities for home and school here, from a simple indoor motor break to all-out obstacle course creation. All you need are sticky notes to add some sight words or math facts to each stone to make it a review game, too.

What are your favorite educational toys and games for first grade? Let us know in the comments.

Plus, the best first grade books and websites.

Educational toys for first graders

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When your child goes to school

Do you already have a pupil living in your home? It is amazing how time flies! Children around 6 years of age are facing a big challenge. They enter a new social role: becoming students in their elementary school! It is a great step for both children and parents.

What are the developmental milestones for first graders?

Changes continue to occur in children’s physical, motor, social, emotional and cognitive development. Please note, that children develop at their own pace but you can expect that their physical abilities and fine motor skills will be much better, even though they may not be noticed at first glance. They gain strength and stamina as well as get better at writing. However you may notice the change in the way children view the world and interact with it. Young students will look for more logical answers to their questions and will form real friendships.
Although kids are increasingly looking for “more adult” activities and have many more new responsibilities, play still plays a key role in their development. Let’s take advantage of it, because learning through play is still the most effective and enjoyable. On top of that, it’s a great opportunity to spend time together with children who are continuously devoting more and more time to their own hobbies and peers.

Educational toys for a First Grader

School has a big impact on a child. On one hand we suggest that sport as possible. On the other hand, it is important to nurture childrens’ hobbies, interests and gaining new knowledge.
Students in school already have to master new materials and switch to a different mode of learning. The right toys will allow kids to deepen and systematize the knowledge gained in class and inspire further exploration, exploring their favorite topics. Although interactive gadgets and electronics play an increasingly important role in young people’s lives, it turns out that analogue toys are still going strong. However, kids this age know what they like. At Banana Panda we treat the students very seriously. Our toys have great educational value, beautiful images and are designed the way that even adults want to play!
Each of our educational puzzle makes an excellent gift that will keep on giving. They will inspire students to learn, ask their own questions and look for further answers. They deepen the knowledge. What is more, they are great as family puzzles or puzzles for adults – join the fun and spend some valuable time together with your children.
All our puzzle pieces are made of high-quality, thick cardboard. They are kept in large, keepsake boxes with practical, sturdy handles.

What in the World. Young Explorers – Puzzles for ages 7+

This jumbo floor puzzle shows a map of the world. When completed it measures 98x68cm/38.5×26.5”. Assembling this 168-piece puzzle is a fun way to learn about oceans and continents, wild animals, plants and some most famous places on our planet Earth. Every corner of the world is full of interesting things to see and discover. Play with puzzles trains visual memory, perception, and concentration. It has great educational value – it inspires to learn about landmarks, nature and history.

Observation Puzzle My Body – Puzzles for ages 7+

This is probably the most fun and inspirational way to learn about the human body.
Our very detailed educational puzzle will delight advanced puzzle lovers, both children and adults. Start with assembling the 204-piece puzzle, and then have fun finding the elements from the picture frame. The large double-sided poster is full of fascinating facts about human anatomy. Puzzles are perfect for learning about the structure and functioning of the human body. Play with observation puzzle trains perception, visual memory and concentration.

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First grader toys and school essentials list

Is your child going to first grade soon? He has grown so much! Of course you are worried. After all, now you are not just parents, you are the parents of a student. How will everything turn out for him? Will he enjoy studying? How to help him with this? How to get a child to school so as not to miss anything? Which is better: a satchel or a backpack? Are there any special toys for a first grader? How to choose them? What books should parents read to prepare their child for a new stage of life?

How to get a first grader ready for school: a list

School uniforms and shoes, uniforms for physical education, clothes for extracurricular activities
School bag (satchel or backpack)
Change bag
Case
Lunch box
Stationery (rulers, erasers, plasticine, paints, etc. )
Writing utensils (pens, pencils, markers)

First grader needs very little. What exactly, the teacher will tell the parents in advance. ( Complete sets see here.)

About what to present to a first grader on September 1, , read here.

Size Chart by Child's Height and Age

I've compiled a size chart for you to help you choose your clothes. Height meters can be selected from this link.

Age	Height	RF	EU	UK	US
6	116	32	2	4	5-6
7	122	32-34	5	6	7
8	128	34	5	6	7
9	134	36	7	8	S
10	140	38	7	8	S

Backpack or satchel?

Parents of first-graders always worry: “What backpack should I buy for a child in first grade?” Yes, a school bag for a first grader is a serious issue. Let's try to figure out which is better: a satchel or a backpack?

It is not always possible to distinguish between a knapsack and a knapsack in appearance. Unlike a backpack, the knapsack has a rigid orthopedic frame , which has a beneficial effect on the spine. And although backpacks are also orthopedic to one degree or another, experts recommend backpacks for elementary school students. But, as a rule, good knapsacks and the price of is considerable.

Another important criterion to take into account is the school bag weight . Orthopedists believe that a first-grader should not carry a load that is more than 10% of his body weight. Therefore, choosing between a satchel and a backpack, expensive and cheap, heavy and light, you need to think through everything.

Will the child have to walk a lot? In other words, will your student get to class on his own? Then a rigid frame and light weight will go a long way. If you see off and meet the child or the school is a stone's throw from home, then these factors will be less significant. And, perhaps, less expensive, but also a good option would be just right.

Original school supplies: make your child happy

It's great if your child has some interesting school supplies. For example, a notebook in the form of a chocolate bar or a cookie, minion pens, a meowing cat pen, fragrant erasers, stickers with funny inscriptions. This and much, much more can be found here!

Animal rulers

What accessories will create a comfortable workplace? What will help to work at the table with joy? Read about it here.

First Grade Toys: Helping Your Child Learn

First grade teaches reading, writing, counting, observing nature and doing things with your own hands. Now there are many educational toys that will help you start learning with pleasure and joy.

And although physics and chemistry are not studied in the first grade, properly selected toys will help develop a child's interest in future school subjects. Teach him to observe, reflect and draw conclusions. Develop memory and observation. Increase erudition. Different play sets with real materials and reagents will help the child feel like a real scientist. Choose from a list, divided by subject, any development kits, games and toys!

Reading and writing
Account, logic
Natural history
Exact sciences
Labor
Physical education
History, geography
Drawing, art
Music
General knowledge, erudition
English

Learn how to learn English with toys here.

I hope that you have chosen some toys for the first grader from this large list that will help him learn . And now we will choose toys that will help relax and gain strength. But first, let's discuss one important topic...

3 reasons why you shouldn't scold your child for bad marks

1. Scolding is unpleasant. Remember your childhood. Did you enjoy being scolded by your parents? It is better to talk tactfully with the child and find out the reason for the bad grade. Maybe it's not the child's fault. If you do not humiliate his dignity and he sees that you really want to help, and not scold, he will be very grateful to you.

2. This will encourage the child to lie to you. If a child knows that parents will react very violently to a bad grade, he may try to protect himself in some way. How? The easiest way, from his point of view, is not to let you know about his deuce. In the past, when there were no electronic grades, children would tear pages out of their diaries or try to correct their grades with an eraser and a razor blade. Now the technology has changed, but the very essence remains the same: in order to hide the deuce, the child may begin to deceive you. You probably don't want it.

3. A bad grade is not a tragedy. It is impossible to always do everything with five points. A two-point score can also be helpful. What? With its help, you can identify your weaknesses and clarify one important truth: people do not always succeed.

There are a lot of those who were ordinary C students, but succeeded in life: they learned several languages on their own, learned to play a musical instrument, won the respect of others and the love of their family. On the other hand, there are many who graduated from school with a medal, but then all their lives they were afraid of making mistakes and reproached themselves for the slightest failures.

So don't rush to scold children for deuces. Calmly find out what prevented your child from getting a good grade. If the subject is not given to him, additional classes may be required, which you can talk about with the teacher. The main thing is to show the child that you are not his enemies, that everyone can make a mistake and that you are ready to help him.

Toys for first-graders: recreation and hobbies

So, your child will be in a new team. And if he did not go to kindergarten, this is all the more stressful. Because the very concept of "collective" for him will be new. In these circumstances, the child should especially feel the support of the family. Try to communicate and spend leisure time together as often as possible.

Think of something to do together so that the child can get away from school and relax in a warm home environment. There are many interesting and useful family hobbies. For example: origami, beadwork, home gardening. You can also make toys with your own hands.

Choose

board game for the family

Toys for the first grader: what else to consider

Some parents tend to think like this: “The child has a school and lessons. You can't load it with anything else." But this approach will not lead to anything good. It would be wrong to focus only on studying.

The child should develop harmoniously. He must be taught to do physical labor. You need to teach him how to cook simple dishes. So that when he comes home from school, he could at least make a salad with a sandwich.

With a child, you need to go to the zoo, to the theater, to the planetarium, to the botanical garden. And it is also very important - it is necessary to teach him to communicate and be friends.

Many adults who have achieved success in life say that it is not so much important to gain knowledge as to be able to communicate with people. Therefore, it would be very useful to arrange children's holidays at home from time to time. And so that the child himself takes part in their preparation and conduct. Thanks to this, his social skills will develop, and his creative and organizational abilities will also be revealed.

Is your child a future first grader? Literature for you

What should a future first grader know? Are there any recipes that will help to work out with a child before school? What tests can be used to check his readiness to study in the first grade? How to help a child quickly get used to school and join the team? By clicking on the link, you can choose everything you need on this topic.

Rating

( 1 estimate, average 5 out of 5 )

Does a first grader need toys?

Does a first grader need toys? If you were at your kindergarten graduation, you saw the answer with your own eyes. Competitions for future first-graders in packing a portfolio are traditional fun. So remember: what do they put in a briefcase? That's right: a ball, a soft animal, an album, a coloring book and felt-tip pens - in the first place. A pencil case, notebooks and a diary - in the second. And, of course, books (if there is still room). Yes: before the game, my mother whispered in everyone's ear what should be put in a briefcase. Yes: every graduate knows that he goes to school to study. But: almost every briefcase contains a ball and a soft toy. Do first graders need toys? - the answer is clear and very convincing. Let's see what they are for.

Your little one changed from preschool to first grade this summer. But it’s only in the song that he is “yesterday only a child”, and today he is a “first-grader”. In fact, he is still the same yesterday's child, and will be for quite a long time. True, from the first of September, his duties will be added. (By the way, the child perceives his right to education as a duty.) There will be less free time for games. However, this is not at all a reason to arrange a solemn farewell of a first grader with toys and pass them on to a younger cousin. He himself will need his toys for a long time to come. A child communicates with toys in the same way that an adult communicates with colleagues or neighbors. Imagine for a second that you were deprived of your usual social circle - will you be comfortable in this situation?

Children's games are a way for a child to adapt to living conditions. The child can repeat the same situation in the game many times in different versions at his own discretion, until he finds a good solution. In real life, as a rule, there is only one attempt.

Psychologists noticed and began to use the opportunity to work out difficult life moments with the help of a game a very long time ago. Today, business games for adults are a common thing.

Almost all first-graders play school at home: they sit toys at their desks, give assignments, check them, and express their attitude to the situation. The role of the child in the game varies from case to case. He can play for himself, for a teacher, for a classmate, for parents, and in general for any person he met at school. In the game, he lives again and again and assimilates his new image. This game is worth listening to, here you can get the most truthful information about how things are at school and how your child feels about it.

Old, familiar toys for a first grader are his most faithful assistants in the difficult process of adapting to the school environment. Toys help the child get used to the new situation. And this is the main task in the first months of study at school. It's not about lugging a full bag of toys to school. But if the child really wants to take his favorite toy with him, let him take it. Just agree in advance that the toy will wait patiently in the briefcase until all the lessons are over.

Many families celebrate important events in a child's life by purchasing new games or toys. If you have such a tradition, then you should not abandon it this time. On September 1, you can give your child an intellectual game "for two" - checkers, chess, backgammon, Japanese sogo (a three-dimensional version of the game tic-tac-toe). It is important that the game is for two and involves personal direct communication. With such a gift, you, firstly, will emphasize the beginning of a new stage in the life of your child; secondly, psychologically prepare yourself for the fact that now you have to devote much more time to your baby; thirdly, make it clear to the child that you will play with him. But for a first-grader, “play” and “live” are still very close concepts.