Fun Ways to Teach Math First Graders Will Love

Teaching the kind of math first graders will enjoy can be a challenging experience but a uniquely rewarding one as well. So, let’s talk about how to help your kids build a solid foundation in math in first grade.

As I mentioned in my recent post on teaching math to kindergarteners, I had high expectations for myself (and my kids) in those early years. When my daughter was doing first grade math (at the age of five), I’d take her and her little brother outside to play, but I’d bring along sets of addition and subtraction facts to quiz her on.

I eventually learned that it’s okay to just let kids play. (There are also neat ways you can incorporate math games into your outside activities without carrying homemade math cards in your baby’s diaper bag.)

The thing is, when your kids are young, you want to find hands-on activities that make learning fun. This is the stage in which young learners are developing those vital number sense skills. (Recall, from that last post, that number sense means the basic ability to understand and work with numbers.) The right approach here for math first graders can set them up for long-term success.

Whether you’re looking for engaging games, hands-on activities, or the best online resources, there are plenty of ways to approach math so your first graders will enjoy learning.

Fun Hands-On Activities for Math First Graders 

Young children learn best when they can touch, move, and interact with objects. Incorporating hands-on activities makes abstract math concepts more concrete. Try these ideas:

• Counting with manipulatives – Use objects like buttons, large wooden beads, or LEGO bricks to teach counting, addition, and subtraction. This will help your math first grader to understand those written numbers actually correlate to concrete objects—building their foundational number sense.

• Number lines and hopscotch math – Draw a number line on the sidewalk with chalk and have your child hop forward or backward to practice addition and subtraction. This way, your kids are learning while having fun outside play time!

• DIY math games – Create a simple card game where children match numbers with the correct number of objects. Or, try something like counting candies on cookies math cards.

• Math in the Kitchen – You might think math first graders are too young to start learning fractions or “parts of the whole” but if you teach them in a fun way–like while making cookies together–this knowledge will come to them naturally and they’ll remember it for a lifetime!

• Math in the Garden – Not only does this get you and your kids outside, but planting a garden is both productive and sensible (especially with produce growing more and more pricey). Even young kids can learn the basics of shapes, volume, perimeter, and graphing in a hands-on way while working in the garden.

These interactive activities help reinforce key math skills in a way that first graders can easily grasp.

The Best Online Resource to Help Math First Graders

Online tools and apps are great for supplementing math first graders’ practice at home. A well-structured program like CTCMath provides engaging, self-paced lessons that help young learners build confidence in math.

With interactive exercises and fun animations, CTCMath makes learning enjoyable while reinforcing core skills like addition, subtraction, and early problem-solving.

Engaging Worksheets to Reinforce Math First Graders Need to Master

Worksheets don’t have to be boring! Look for engaging, interactive worksheets that focus on:

• Number bonds and fact families – Helping kids see relationships between numbers.
• Skip counting and patterns – Preparing them for multiplication concepts.
• Word problems with real-life scenarios – Encouraging problem-solving skills.

Using a mix of digital and printable worksheets can reinforce the concepts first graders need to master while keeping learning fresh and exciting.

Common Challenges in Math First Graders Face

Many first graders struggle with concepts like:

• Understanding place value – Moving beyond counting to grasp tens and ones.
• Memorizing math facts – Learning addition and subtraction facts without relying on fingers.
• Word problems – Figuring out how to apply math to real-life situations.

The key to overcoming these challenges is using a variety of teaching methods, from hands-on activities to engaging online lessons.

If you’re looking for a structured way to build a strong foundation in math first graders need early on, CTCMath offers an excellent curriculum tailored to young learners.

Finding the Right Curriculum for Math First Graders

A strong foundation, when math first graders learn important concepts early on—will help them succeed in later grades. Choosing the right curriculum can make all the difference in building their confidence. CTCMath is an excellent option for homeschool families because it provides:

✅ Short, engaging video lessons
✅ Interactive exercises with immediate feedback
✅ A self-paced approach that fits each child’s learning style

By incorporating hands-on activities, engaging worksheets, and an effective curriculum like CTCMath, you can ensure your first grader develops a love for math that will benefit them for years to come.

Would you like more homeschool-friendly math tips for specific grade levels? Let us know in the comments!