First Grade Science Topics & Activities for the Year!

First grade is a time for curiosity, exploration, and hands-on learning in science! This year builds on kindergarten concepts, introducing simple experiments, observations, and early problem-solving skills. Below is a breakdown of key first-grade science topics by season and a list of 20+ engaging activities to help young learners discover the wonders of science throughout the year.

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Fall Science (Sep – Nov)

• Animal Life Cycles – Understanding how animals grow and change
• Weather Patterns – Tracking changes in temperature, wind, and precipitation
• Basic Needs of Plants & Animals – What all living things need to survive
• Seasons & Changes in Nature – Why leaves change color and why the weather gets cooler

Fall Science Activities:

1. Leaf Sorting & Rubbing – Explore different types of leaves and their textures
2. Apple Life Cycle Craft – Learn how apples grow from seeds to fruit
3. Pumpkin Sink or Float Experiment – Test different pumpkins in water
4. Tracking Weather with a Chart – Observe daily weather and seasonal changes
5. Bird Feeder STEM Challenge – Create a simple bird feeder to observe local wildlife

Winter Science (Dec – Feb)

• Day & Night Cycle – Why do we have daytime and nighttime?
• States of Matter – Learning about solids, liquids, and gases
• Energy & Heat – Exploring how heat is produced and transferred
• Animal Adaptations & Hibernation – How animals survive cold temperatures

Winter Science Activities:

6. Melting Ice Experiment – Test what melts ice the fastest: salt, sugar, or warm water
7. Shadow Length Investigation – Measure and compare shadows throughout the day
8. Hot vs. Cold Experiment – Compare how quickly different materials warm up in the sun
9. Blubber Glove Experiment – Learn how animals stay warm in winter
10. Snowflake Science & Symmetry – Cut and observe different snowflake patterns

Spring Science (Mar- May)

• Plant Growth & Needs – How do plants grow, and what do they need to survive?
• Insects & Pollination – How bees and butterflies help plants
• Water Cycle – Understanding evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
• Living & Non-Living Things – Identifying and classifying objects in nature

Spring Science Activities:

11. Germinating Seeds in a Bag – Watch seeds sprout and grow roots
12. Bee Pollination Demonstration – Use a cotton ball to transfer “pollen” between flowers
13. Make a Rain Gauge – Measure and track rainfall over a week
14. Sorting Living vs. Non-Living Things – Classify pictures or real-life objects
15. Water Cycle in a Bag – Create condensation and precipitation inside a sealed plastic bag

Summer Science (Jun- Aug)

• Simple Machines – How ramps, levers, and pulleys help us do work
• Sound & Light – How vibrations create sound and how light travels
• Oceans & Marine Life – What lives in the ocean and how waves form
• Magnets & Forces – Exploring push, pull, and magnetic attraction

Summer Science Activities:

16. Building a Paper Roller Coaster – Experiment with ramps and gravity
17. Exploring Shadows with a Flashlight – Test how different objects block light
18. Floating & Sinking Ocean Science – Test what items sink or float in water
19. Magnet Sorting Activity – Find objects that are magnetic and non-magnetic
20. Homemade Kazoo Experiment – Learn how vibrations create sound

How to Use These Science Activities

• Encourage hands-on exploration – Let kids experiment, make predictions, and observe
• Use real-world connections – Relate science to everyday life (e.g., observing weather, planting a garden)
• Ask open-ended questions – “What do you notice?” “What do you think will happen next?”
• Make it fun! Science is about exploring, questioning, and discovering