Games to Teach First Graders the Five Senses

Sight

• Allow your first graders to play a few memory games to practice their sight senses. Have two children play a game of memory. The player who finds the most matches wins the game. Alternatively, divide the students into two teams. Tape random pictures to a board and remove one picture when children are not looking. The first team to tell you the missing item earns a point. The first team to earn 10 points wins the game.

Sound

• Tape random sounds, such as a baby crying or fingers snapping, on a voice recorder or MP3 player. Each child who guesses a sound correctly earns a small prize. Another idea is to fill boxes with items like dry rice, safety pins and coins. Tape the boxes shut so the students cannot see inside the boxes. They can shake the boxes to try to guess what is inside each one. The student who guesses the most correctly wins the game.

Taste

• Prepare a popcorn taste game using different toppings. For example, use toppings like salt, parmesan cheese, butter, plain and sugar. Have each child taste each type of popcorn and guess the toppings. The student who guesses the most correctly earn a prize. Alternatively, give the children condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, relish and mustard to taste.

Touch

• Place random items like a peach, a key, a brush or a remote control in boxes. Have your students reach in the box and feel the item without looking at it. Each student earns a point for each correct answer. The player with the most points wins the game. Make the touch game more challenging by placing the items inside of socks. The students must feel the item through the sock to figure out what it is. Other item ideas include a toothbrush, marble, paper clip and building block.

Smell

• Empty and clean several baby food jars. Fill the jars with a variety of familiar smells like lemon juice, vanilla extract, orange juice and fresh chocolate. Cover the jars with electrical tape so the students cannot see what is in the jars. They must guess each smell, and the student who guesses the most correctly wins the game. You can also use essential oils children would know like strawberry, cotton candy and bubble gum in the jars.