The Best 1st Grade Science Curriculum

Only 36% of U.S. fourth graders performed at or above “Proficient” in science on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which is a warning sign that many children are not building strong science foundations during the elementary years. For many families, first grade is when that realization starts to matter, because kids are naturally curious, but school science can be inconsistent and light on real investigation. Parents often want a science plan that feels joyful and doable, but they also want it to be accurate, secular, and strong enough to support later biology, Earth science, chemistry, and physics. We reviewed widely used homeschool science curricula and supplements, examined sample lessons for accuracy and clarity, and prioritized resources that are engaging, mastery based, and aligned with NGSS expectations.

For most first graders, Blossom and Root First Grade (Science and Nature Study Bundle) is our top pick because it builds real scientific habits through nature study, excellent books, and simple investigations that help young children observe carefully and explain what they notice. It is an ideal fit for families who want science to feel calm, meaningful, and connected to the real world. The main drawback is that it is parent led and requires some book gathering and light prep, which is why we also recommend strong alternatives for families who want a more structured or more hands on kit approach.

How we vetted

First grade science works best when it protects curiosity while building real understanding. We look for programs that help children practice the core work of science: noticing patterns, asking questions, making simple predictions, and explaining what happened using evidence from observation. We read sample lessons closely to check whether explanations are accurate and age appropriate, and we pay attention to how the learning is structured, because a cute activity does not automatically create understanding. We also screen for red flags that signal weak science, including materials that present religious viewpoints as science or that avoid mainstream scientific topics. Finally, we evaluate whether a program is realistic for a normal household, including how much preparation it requires, how clear the guidance is for parents, and whether it can be sustained week after week without falling apart.

• Secular. We prioritize non religious programs that teach mainstream science and do not frame faith based explanations as scientific alternatives.
• Scientifically accurate. We look for correct explanations, clear terminology, and content that aligns with modern scientific consensus, without errors or misleading shortcuts.
• Engaging. We favor resources children genuinely enjoy and want to return to, because attention and curiosity drive learning in the early grades.
• Mastery based. We choose programs that build concepts step by step and give children repeated chances to apply ideas and explain them in their own words.
• Aligned with NGSS. We prioritize programs that reflect NGSS expectations, including scientific practices like observing, modeling, and using evidence to explain phenomena.

Our top choice overall: Blossom and Root First Grade (Science and Nature Study Bundle)

Blossom and Root First Grade (Science and Nature Study Bundle) is a nature based, literature rich science plan designed to help young children build scientific thinking through observation, discussion, and simple investigations. What differentiates it is the way it makes science feel lived instead of assigned. Children spend time noticing seasonal change, studying animals and plants, and building vocabulary through real experiences, while parents guide short activities that connect what kids see to clear explanations. This works especially well in first grade because children are ready to record simple observations, compare patterns, and talk through “why” questions, but they still learn best when science feels like discovery. Parents often love that the program is gentle without being empty, and that it creates a sustainable rhythm for science. It is not the best fit for families who want a fully independent program or a kit that includes all materials. Pricing is typically a one time digital purchase, which is strong value for families who want a full year plan without a recurring subscription.

What parents like

Parents choose Blossom and Root because it keeps science joyful while still building real habits of observation and explanation. They also like that it is flexible and easy to adapt across seasons and family schedules.

• The program makes science feel like discovery, which helps many children stay curious and motivated.
• Nature study routines build strong observation skills through repeated, simple practice.
• The book based approach supports comprehension and vocabulary without relying on worksheets.
• The plan is flexible, so families can move slowly, repeat favorites, or adjust pacing without breaking the sequence.
• Because it is a digital download, many families reuse it with younger siblings and get strong long term value.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

Most frustrations are about logistics rather than content. This program works best when a parent is willing to gather some books and guide lessons consistently.

• Parents often need to source recommended books, which can add planning time if you do not use the library regularly.
• Because it is parent led, families who want independent student work may prefer a different option.
• Outdoor activities require adaptation in harsh weather seasons or in environments with limited outdoor access.
• Some families want more explicit assessments to document understanding and progress.
• Children who crave frequent structured experiments may want a more lab heavy supplement.

Alternatives to Blossom and Root First Grade (Science and Nature Study Bundle) for different families

Evan Moor Science Homeschool Bundle Grade 1

Evan Moor Science Homeschool Bundle Grade 1 is a workbook based option designed to make daily science simple, predictable, and easy to implement. What differentiates it is convenience: lessons are short, directions are clear, and the routine supports consistency in homes where science tends to get pushed aside. It is an ideal fit for busy families who want low prep science, for children who do well with short written assignments, and for parents who want visible work samples they can save. It is not a great fit for families who want investigation driven science as the primary method, or for children who disengage when learning becomes mostly reading and writing. Parents often like how straightforward it is and how easy it is to “just do science” each day, but they may want to add more hands on activities to deepen understanding. Cost is typically modest compared with full curriculum packages, which can make it a strong value when paired with a weekly nature walk or simple experiment day.

What parents like

• The routine is clear and predictable, which helps science happen consistently.
• Lessons are short and manageable, which fits well into a busy homeschool day.
• The written work provides tangible evidence of learning for parents who want documentation.
• The format is easy to teach, even for parents who feel unsure about science.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• The approach can feel worksheet heavy for children who need more exploration to stay engaged.
• Families often need to add experiments to build stronger scientific reasoning.
• Some children lose interest if the routine becomes too repetitive.
• Parents who want deeper discussion and investigation may find it too surface level on its own.

LearnLibre

LearnLibre is a Montessori inspired online platform that offers open and go lessons with clear visuals and concise explanations. What differentiates it is structure without heaviness: families can follow a guided sequence without assembling books and activities from scratch, and the presentation is clean and calm. It is an ideal fit for parents who want science to feel organized and easy to deliver, and for children who do well with short lessons that can be completed independently with light oversight. It is not a great fit for families pursuing a screen light day, or for parents who want science to be primarily outdoors and hands on rather than digital. Parents often like the clarity and consistency, but some wish it included more built in experiments and offline projects to deepen learning. Cost is subscription based, which can be good value if you use it consistently across subjects or across multiple children, but it can feel expensive if you only use it occasionally.

What parents like

• The lessons are organized and easy to implement with minimal parent planning.
• The explanations are concise and visually clear, which helps many children stay focused.
• The platform supports consistent progress when parents want a dependable weekly routine.
• It can work well as a second explanation when a concept does not click the first time.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• Families who prefer minimal screen use may not want a platform based option for first grade.
• Many children benefit from additional hands on activities to retain concepts more deeply.
• Parents who want a full year plan with offline investigations may need to add more resources.
• The subscription model can feel less cost effective if you only use it for science.

Khan Academy Science

Khan Academy Science is the strongest free science option on this list, and it works best as support rather than as a complete first grade plan. What differentiates it is accessibility: parents can quickly pull up an explanation or practice when a child has a question or when you want to reinforce vocabulary and diagrams. It is an ideal fit for families who want a zero cost supplement, for parents who want quick review tools, and for children who benefit from short, focused explanations. It is not a great fit as a stand alone first grade science program for most homeschoolers because it does not provide a coherent sequence of offline investigations, nature study, or parent guided discussion that young children typically need. Parents like that it is free and easy to use, but many find children become passive unless adults add discussion and hands on follow up. Cost is free, which makes the value excellent when used intentionally as a supplement alongside richer science experiences.

What parents like

• The resource is free, which makes it easy to add without increasing your curriculum budget.
• Short explanations help parents reinforce concepts without extra prep.
• It can support review and confidence building when science has been frustrating.
• Families can use it flexibly without committing to a full curriculum purchase.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• It does not provide a complete first grade science plan with offline investigations.
• Children can drift into passive watching unless parents require active response.
• The sequence can feel fragmented if families do not choose a coherent path.
• Hands on learners often need experiments and nature observation to retain ideas.

KiwiCo

KiwiCo is a hands on STEM subscription that delivers build projects and experiments designed to spark curiosity through making and testing. What differentiates it is convenience: materials arrive ready to use, which lowers the barrier to doing projects consistently at home. It is an ideal fit for families who want a reliable weekly project day, for children who love building and troubleshooting, and for parents who want hands on science without sourcing supplies. It is not a great fit as a complete first grade science curriculum because a kit subscription does not usually provide a coherent year long scope and sequence across life, Earth, and physical science. Parents often like how engaging the projects are and how easily they fit into busy weeks, but some wish the kits included deeper explanation and stronger connections across topics. Cost is subscription based, typically starting in the mid twenty dollar range per month depending on the plan, which can be good value if you use the kits consistently and add a short discussion or notebook page to connect the project to underlying science ideas.

What parents like

• The projects are engaging and hands on, which helps many children stay excited about science.
• Materials arrive organized, which reduces parent planning and supply shopping.
• Building and testing naturally encourages persistence and problem solving.
• It can work well as a supplement to a book based curriculum or nature study plan.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• It does not replace a coherent science curriculum with full coverage and assessment.
• Subscription costs can add up over time, especially if kits pile up unused.
• Some children want more explanation than a kit format naturally provides.
• Parents often need to add reflection questions to deepen understanding.

Mel Science STEM experiments for kids

Mel Science STEM experiments for kids is a subscription kit that pairs experiments with guided digital supports, which can make science feel exciting and modern at home. What differentiates it is polish: kits are high quality and the companion app and videos help explain what is happening, which can reduce parent teaching pressure. It is an ideal fit as a consistent experiment routine and as enrichment alongside a core science plan, especially for families who struggle to gather supplies and want science to happen reliably. It is not a great fit as a complete first grade curriculum for most families because it is not designed as a full year scope and sequence with repeated concept development and offline discussion built in. Parents often like the convenience and the novelty, but some wish the boxes were more intentionally sequenced and more concept rich across months. Cost is subscription based, commonly starting around thirty dollars per month depending on plan, and it is best value when families treat it as the hands on layer of science and add brief discussion and a simple “what I learned” response after each kit.

What parents like

• The kits reduce prep time because materials and instructions are organized for you.
• Experiments can keep children engaged when other science formats feel too abstract.
• The subscription rhythm helps science happen consistently across the year.
• The digital guidance can help parents explain concepts more clearly.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• It is best as a supplement, so families still need a primary plan for coherent coverage.
• Subscription costs can become significant over many months.
• Some activities are messy and require a protected workspace and cleanup time.
• Parents may need to add reflection prompts to ensure learning goes beyond entertainment.

Green Kid Crafts

Green Kid Crafts is a monthly STEAM kit subscription designed for younger children, with an emphasis on eco friendly themes and creative projects. What differentiates it is its nature friendly angle, which can be appealing for families who want science to connect to the environment in a practical, kid accessible way. It is an ideal fit for parents who want hands on projects delivered to the door, for children who enjoy making and creating, and for families who want an easy way to schedule a science afternoon without heavy planning. It is not a great fit as a complete first grade science curriculum because it does not typically provide a full, coherent year long science sequence with repeated mastery checks. Parents often like the convenience and the fun, but they may want more explicit science explanation and stronger connections across projects. Cost is subscription based, often in the low to mid thirty dollar range per month depending on plan length, and the value is strongest when families consistently use each box and add short discussion to connect activities to core ideas.

What parents like

• The kits make it easier to do hands on projects without sourcing supplies.
• Many children stay engaged because the activities feel creative and satisfying.
• The themed format supports a predictable routine that is easier to sustain.
• Families who care about the environment often appreciate the eco conscious emphasis.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• It is not a complete curriculum and usually needs a concept teaching spine.
• Ongoing subscription pricing may not fit every family budget.
• Some projects still require cleanup and storage space, which can be challenging in small homes.
• Parents often want more explicit explanation tied directly to each activity.

wild kratts world adventure

wild kratts world adventure is an educational game that uses animals and habitats to spark curiosity about the natural world. What differentiates it is motivation: children who already love Wild Kratts often stay engaged longer than they would with a traditional lesson, which can make it a useful entry point into life science topics. It is an ideal fit as a light supplement for first graders who are fascinated by animals, and it can work well as a bridge into books, nature walks, and simple research projects. It is not a great fit as a primary science program because it does not provide systematic concept development, hands on investigation, or a coherent year long plan. Parents often like that it is more purposeful than random entertainment apps, but they may find children need adult guidance to connect game content to real learning. Cost is typically a low one time purchase compared with full curricula, which can make it a good value as a small engagement tool when paired with offline science.

What parents like

• The app can motivate animal loving children to pay attention to real facts about habitats and species.
• It is easy to use as a quick supplement without additional preparation.
• Families appreciate having a more purposeful alternative to purely entertainment screen time.
• It can spark curiosity that leads naturally into books and nature observation.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• It does not provide a complete science curriculum with investigations and structured mastery checks.
• Some children focus on game mechanics more than content unless parents follow up with discussion.
• Screen time can become the default unless families intentionally connect it to offline learning.
• It is best for engagement, not for deep explanation on its own.

For focused science topics

Real Science Odyssey Life Level One

Real Science Odyssey Life Level One is a structured, secular life science curriculum that treats elementary science seriously while still keeping lessons accessible for young students. What differentiates it is its coherent sequence and its emphasis on investigation, so children do not just hear facts but practice observing, modeling, and explaining. It is an ideal fit for families who want a more formal science spine than a nature study program and who can commit to parent led lessons and simple labs. It is not a great fit for families who want minimal prep, or for children who need science to be short and highly flexible with little structure. Parents often like the clarity and the way activities reinforce the concept being taught, but some find preparation and materials gathering demanding. Cost is typically a one time curriculum purchase in the higher but still reasonable range for a full course, and it is strong value when used as a complete life science year rather than as an occasional supplement.

What parents like

• The sequence is organized and clear, which helps parents feel confident about what to teach next.
• The curriculum is secular and emphasizes real scientific reasoning.
• Hands on investigations reinforce understanding instead of feeling like crafts.
• The program can serve as a complete science spine for families who want structure.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• Labs require planning and supplies, so it is not a zero prep option.
• The program generally requires consistent parent facilitation.
• Some children need help recording observations and drawing conclusions.
• Families wanting a very gentle, open ended approach may find it more formal than they prefer.

Real Science Odyssey Earth Environment 1

Real Science Odyssey Earth Environment 1 is a strong option when you want Earth science to be explicit, coherent, and grounded in real world phenomena such as weather, rocks, water, and landforms. What differentiates it is the way it treats Earth science as connected systems instead of a collection of disconnected activities. It is an ideal fit for families with children who love maps, storms, rocks, and outdoor observation, and for parents who want a secular program that does not avoid mainstream science. It is not a great fit for families seeking minimal supplies and minimal preparation, because the investigations require materials planning and parent guidance. Parents often like the content depth and the purposeful projects, but some find the reading and notebooking expectations require careful scaffolding in the early grades. Cost is typically a one time curriculum purchase, and it can be strong value if you want a robust Earth science spine you can reuse across multiple children.

What parents like

• The program gives Earth science real structure instead of scattered activities.
• The explanations support evidence based thinking and discussion.
• Many lessons connect naturally to outdoor observation and simple home investigations.
• The sequence helps children build understanding across topics rather than memorizing isolated facts.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• Some lessons require preparation and materials gathering that adds parent workload.
• The reading and concepts may feel advanced without parent read aloud and discussion.
• Children who resist writing may need alternatives for recording work.
• Families who want a fully open and go routine may find the logistics challenging.

Real Science Odyssey Astronomy 1

Real Science Odyssey Astronomy 1 is an excellent choice when your first grader is captivated by space and you want that interest to become a coherent science study rather than random space books. What differentiates it is its use of models and investigations to help children understand big ideas such as patterns in the sky, the moon, and the structure of our solar system. It is an ideal fit for families who want a secular space course with a clear plan and who can support hands on projects and occasional outdoor observation. It is not a great fit for families who want minimal prep, because models and projects require supplies, setup, and parent guidance. Parents often like how naturally motivating astronomy is and how activities make abstract ideas more concrete, but some find weather and scheduling can complicate observation components. Cost is typically a one time curriculum purchase, and it is strong value if space science keeps your child consistently engaged and you want a structured course rather than scattered resources.

What parents like

• The topic is inherently engaging and helps science feel exciting and meaningful.
• Models and projects make abstract space concepts easier for young children to understand.
• The course supports observation and explanation instead of only memorizing facts.
• It works well as a focused semester or year of science when families want a clear plan.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• Hands on projects require supplies and coordination, which can be challenging in busy weeks.
• Weather and location can limit observation activities without adaptation.
• Some children need extra support connecting a model to the underlying concept.
• Families wanting broad coverage across many science areas may prefer a general curriculum instead.

NGSS science standards for 1st grade

First grade NGSS expectations focus on noticing patterns, building simple models, and using evidence to explain observations. In practice, strong first grade science commonly includes:

• Investigating how plants and animals use their external parts to survive, grow, and meet their needs.
• Observing that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents, and discussing inheritance in simple terms.
• Exploring light and sound as ways to communicate, including how vibrations create sound and how light helps us see.
• Noticing patterns in the sky, including the apparent movement of the sun, moon, and stars and seasonal changes.
• Practicing simple engineering design by defining a problem, building a solution, testing it, and improving it.

What's the point of science? How to convince your kid to learn science

First graders are most motivated when science feels like a tool for understanding the world they already notice. Science teaches children how to observe carefully, ask questions, test ideas, and explain what happened using evidence. Those skills show up everywhere, from noticing which plants grow best in a sunny window to figuring out why shadows change during the day. When families treat science as curiosity plus careful thinking, children learn that their questions matter and that they can find real answers.

A practical way to build motivation is to connect science to a child’s daily life and give them a simple job. Ask your child to be the “family scientist” who records one observation a day in a notebook, draws what they saw on a walk, or explains an experiment in one sentence. Let them choose small questions to investigate, such as which materials sink, which animals live nearby, or how weather changes across the week. When science becomes a habit of noticing and explaining, children build confidence that makes later science far easier.

Further reading

If you want a broader framework for choosing secular, scientifically accurate programs across grade levels, read The Best Secular Science Programs for Homeschoolers, which explains what to look for and how to avoid common red flags. If you are deciding whether to slow down for real understanding or move faster for broader coverage, So what’s the big deal about Mastery Learning? offers a clear lens for pacing science so it actually sticks. If you want trustworthy video based support to pair with experiments and read alouds, 200 Amazing Educational YouTube Channels includes many excellent science teachers and demonstrations. And if you want curated recommendations across subjects and grades, Modulo’s Free Curriculum Planner can help you compare options and build a plan you can sustain.

About your guide

Manisha Snoyer, CEO and co founder of Modulo, wrote this first grade science guide. Over 20 plus years of teaching in three countries, she has worked with more than 2,000 children across public schools, private schools, and alternative programs, so she knows the difference between a cute activity and a lesson that actually builds scientific thinking. She graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis University and minored in Environmental Studies, a useful lens when vetting nature study, Earth science, and climate content for young kids. Before Modulo, she built CottageClass, an early microschool marketplace, and co founded SchoolClosures.org with Eric Ries to support families during pandemic shutdowns. She also leads MasteryHour.org, a free online tutoring program listed by Stanford’s National Student Support Accelerator. Manisha’s science recommendations reflect a consistent vetting process that includes reviewing scope and sequence, reading sample lessons for scientific accuracy and secular alignment, checking NGSS coherence, and pressure testing top contenders with real students to confirm they are engaging and practical at home.

Affiliate disclaimer

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