32+ Interesting Activities for 3rd Grade

Looking for an exciting learning journey for third graders? You’re in the right place! We’ve curated over 32 engaging activities specifically for third-grade students.

These activities are designed to boost academic growth, improve self-esteem, and promote emotional well-being. Explore science activities, math challenges, art projects, team building, and mindful exercises that make learning fun and comprehensive.

So grab a coffee and explore the world of learning with us!

Activities for 3rd Grade

Suncatcher Making Activity

Suncatcher Making is a creative activity that allows kids to create beautiful decorations that catch and reflect sunlight. This activity helps develop fine motor skills and encourages artistic expression.

Materials: Colored paper, laminating sheets, scissors, and colorful tissue paper, leaves, flowers, or mirrors.

How to Do:

1. Cut shapes from colored paper to make a frame with an open center.
2. Place clear contact paper on the frame, sticky side up.
3. Decorate with tissue paper, flowers, leaves, or mirrors.
4. Seal with another piece of clear contact paper.

Mother’s Day Craft

The Mother’s Day Craft activity is a creative way for kids to show their love and appreciation for their mothers. This craft project is simple and fun, making it perfect for young children to create a special gift.

Materials: White paper, paint, and sponges or brushes.

How to Do:

1. Tape the letters “MOM” on white paper.
2. Dip sponges or brushes into different paint colors.
3. Dab paint around the taped letters, covering the surface with colorful dots.
4. When dry, remove the tape to reveal “MOM” in white.

Sunglasses Decorating Activity

Sunglasses Decorating is a creative activity that allows kids to design and personalize their own pair of paper sunglasses. This activity encourages artistic expression and fine motor skills development.

Materials: Construction paper, scissors, markers, stickers, and glue.

How to Do:

1. Draw and cut sunglasses from construction paper.
2. Give your child markers for designing.
3. Decorate sunglasses with stickers, gems, or other items using glue.

Ice Cream Craft Activity

Ice Cream Craft Activity is a fun project that lets kids create their own ice cream cones using paper and various decorations. This activity helps develop fine motor skills and encourages creativity.

Materials: Colored paper, markers, scissors, glue, paint, brushes, and stickers.

How to Do:

1. Draw and cut out an ice cream cone and scoops from colored paper or cardstock.
2. Decorate with markers or crayons, adding sprinkles, cherries, or chocolate chips.
3. Glue scoops onto the cone, stacking them for a multi-scoop look.
4. Let your child add stickers for extra decoration.

Scissor Craft Activity

Scissor Craft Activity is a fun project that helps kids practice their cutting skills while creating a colorful craft. This activity enhances fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue, and markers.

How to Do:

1. Draw and cut out a shape from colored paper.
2. Draw and cut strips of paper for rays or extensions, and write vowels on them.
3. Let your child roll the dice.
4. Help your child cut the letters on the dice along the lines on the strips.

Match the Color Activity

Match the Color Activity is a fun way for kids to learn about colors and improve their fine motor skills. This activity involves matching colored shapes, enhancing their ability to recognize and differentiate colors.

Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue, and a marker.

How to Do:

1. Cut shapes from colored paper or cardstock, like houses and circles.
2. Arrange shapes on a large sheet, houses on one side and circles on the other.
3. Draw lines matching colors on the right.
4. Have your child connect shapes with lines of the same color.

Make a Paper Snail Activity

Make a Paper Snail Activity is a creative project that lets kids craft their own colorful snails using simple materials. This activity helps develop fine motor skills and encourages artistic expression.

Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue, markers, and googly eyes.

How to Do:

1. Cut a large and a smaller circle from colored paper.
2. Fold the larger circle in half.
3. Glue the smaller circle onto the larger one, then attach it to the snail’s body.
4. Draw a spiral on the shell and add googly eyes or draw eyes on the snail’s head.

Water Cycle Model

Creating a Water Cycle Model is hands-on activity that helps kids understand the different stages of the water cycle. This activity involves making a visual representation of how water moves through the environment.

Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue, and markers.

How to Do:

1. Cut out shapes for clouds, sun, trees, water bodies, and arrows.
2. Arrange shapes on paper to show stages of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.
3. Glue shapes in place to illustrate the water cycle.
4. Label each stage with markers and draw arrows to show flow.

DIY Paper Caterpillar Activity

DIY Paper Caterpillar Activity is a creative project that allows kids to make their own colorful caterpillars using paper. This activity helps develop fine motor skills and encourages creativity.

Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue, markers, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners.

How to Do:

1. Cut colored paper into 1-inch wide, 6-inch long strips.
2. Create loops with each strip and secure the ends with glue or tape, then glue the strips together on a stick to form the caterpillar’s body.
3. Cut a circle from colored paper for the head, draw a face, and add googly eyes if desired.
4. Attach the head to the body and add antennae with glue or tape.

DIY Wrist Watch Activity

DIY Wrist Watch Activity is a creative project that allows kids to make their own wrist watches using paper. This activity helps children learn about time while developing their fine motor skills and creativity.

Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue, markers, and a hole punch.

How to Do:

1. Cut a long strip of colored paper for the band with overlap.
2. Cut a circle or square for the face and draw numbers and hands; attach movable hands if desired.
3. Decorate the band with markers or cut-out shapes and attach the face to the center.
4. Punch holes on one end and cut slits on the other for a buckle.

Happy vs Sad Teeth Activity

The Happy vs Sad Teeth Activity is an engaging way for kids to learn about healthy and unhealthy foods for their teeth. This activity involves sorting foods into categories that make teeth happy or sad, promoting dental hygiene awareness.

Materials: Printed pictures of various foods, a white sheet, glue, and scissors.

How to Do:

1. Draw or print pictures of healthy (vegetables, fruits) and unhealthy (cake, pizza) foods.
2. Cut out the food pictures.
3. Create “Happy Teeth” and “Sad Teeth” sections.
4. Discuss which foods are good or bad for teeth, then help your child sort and glue/tape the pictures into the correct sections.

Paper Robot Craft Activity

Paper Robot Craft Activity is an imaginative project that allows kids to create their own robots using simple materials. This activity helps develop fine motor skills and encourages creativity.

Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue, markers, clothespins, and googly eyes.

How to Do:

1. Cut colored paper into shapes for the robot’s head, body, arms, and legs.
2. Decorate the shapes with markers.
3. Glue the pieces together to form the body.
4. Attach clothespins for legs and arms, then add googly eyes or draw eyes with markers.

Fraction Suns Activity

The Fraction Suns activity is an educational way for kids to learn about fractions. This hands-on activity helps children visualize and understand fractions through interactive play.

Materials: Yellow construction paper, scissors, and markers.

How to Do:

1. Cut yellow circles for suns.
2. Divide circles into fractions with markers.
3. Cut along lines to make fraction pieces.
4. Help child assemble pieces into whole suns to learn fractions.

Paper Monsters Activity

The Paper Monsters activity is a fun craft where kids can create their own unique and colorful monsters. This activity encourages creativity and fine motor skills.

Materials: Colored construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, and googly eyes.

How to Do:

1. Cut out monster shapes from colored paper.
2. Draw faces, arms, and legs on them.
3. Glue on googly eyes onto the monster.

Make a Paper Snake

Making a paper snake is a fun craft that kids will enjoy. This activity is great for improving fine motor skills and creativity, and the results are playful and colorful.

Materials: Construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, and googly eyes.

How to Do:

1. Cut colored paper into strips and fold them in a zigzag pattern.
2. Glue the ends to form the snake’s body.
3. Cut and decorate a small circle for the head, adding googly eyes.
4. Attach the head with glue and let it dry before playing.

Rainy Day Art Activity

The Rainy Day Art activity is a lovely craft that allows kids to create a beautiful scene of a rainy day. This activity is perfect for sparking creativity and teaching kids about weather.

Materials: Blue and white construction paper, colored paper, scissors, glue, markers or crayons, and a small stick.

How to Do:

1. Draw raindrops on blue paper.
2. Glue cloud shapes onto the blue paper.
3. Fold colored paper into an umbrella shape, glue it, and add a small stick.

Foil Art Activity

Foil Art Activity is a creative project that allows kids to create shiny, textured artworks using aluminum foil. This activity helps develop fine motor skills and encourages artistic expression.

Materials: Aluminum foil, scissors, and colored markers.

How to Do:

1. Cut shapes from aluminum foil.
2. Use colored markers to draw patterns on aluminum foil.

Paper Weaving Fish Activity

The Paper Weaving Fish activity is a colorful craft that helps kids develop fine motor skills and creativity. It’s a fun way to explore patterns and textures through weaving.

Materials: Construction paper, scissors, glue, and googly eyes.

How to Do:

1. Cut two colored papers into strips.
2. Weave strips for checkerboard pattern.
3. Cut fish shape from woven paper.
4. Glue on a googly eye onto the fish.

Lion Craft Activity

The Lion Craft activity is an fun project for kids that helps them explore their creativity. This activity is perfect for learning about animals and developing fine motor skills.

Materials: Construction paper, paper rolls, scissors, glue, and markers.

How to Do:

1. Draw and cut a lion face from yellow paper.
2. Glue the lion face onto the paper roll.
3. Attach orange yarn onto the lion face with glue.
4. Stick the paper roll onto the stand.

Earth Day Craft Activity

The Earth Day Craft activity is a wonderful way for kids to celebrate and learn about our planet. This creative project encourages environmental awareness and highlights the importance of taking care of Earth.

Materials: Round cardboard, construction paper, scissors, glue, crayons, and small decorative items such as leaves, beads, and shells.

How to Do:

1. Draw the Earth on a round cardboard or paper plate.
2. Cut out continent shapes from colored paper and glue them to a plate for land.
3. Decorate with beads, shells, or leaves for texture.
4. Use crayons for the final touches.
5. Let the glue dry before displaying your Earth Day craft.

DIY Pencil Holder Activity

Creating a DIY pencil holder is a fun craft that helps kids organize their school supplies. This activity encourages creativity and teaches the value of recycling and upcycling materials.

Materials: Empty cardboard tube, colored construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers.

How to Do:

1. Cover a cylindrical container with black paper.
2. Cut out a cone from colored paper for the roof and attach it to the top.
3. Wrap straws or paper strips around the bottom for decoration.
4. Secure the roof to resemble a pencil.
5. Once dry, add your pens or markers.

Feed the Dog Activity

The Feed the Dog activity is a fun way for kids to practice their math skills. This engaging activity combines learning with play, making math more enjoyable.

Materials: Construction paper, scissors, markers, and glue. Additionally, dog image and bone cutouts.

How to Do:

1. Draw or print a dog picture and cut it out.
2. Prepare bone-shaped cutouts from construction paper.
3. Write math problems on the paper near the dog image.
4. Write answers on separate bone cutouts.
5. Have your child solve the problems and match the correct bone to “feed” the dog.

Transportation Adventure Craft

The Transportation Adventure Craft is a fun activity that allows kids to explore different modes of transportation. It’s perfect for encouraging imaginative play and learning about vehicles.

Materials: Construction paper, colored pencils or crayons, scissors, and glue.

How to Do:

1. Draw a scene (road, sky, water) on construction paper.
2. Draw or print and cut out vehicles (cars, boats, planes, helicopters).
3. Color the vehicles and background with pencils or crayons.
4. Glue the vehicles onto the scene to create a transportation adventure.

Yarn Painting Activity

Yarn painting is a unique art activity that kids will love. It allows them to create textured and colorful designs using yarn, fostering their creativity and fine motor skills.

Materials: Colored yarn, glue, scissors, and construction paper.

How to Do:

1. Cut colored yarn into various lengths.
2. Draw a design on construction paper and apply glue to the design areas.
3. Place yarn on the glued areas, pressing gently.
4. Let the artwork dry completely before displaying.

Rice Art Activity

Rice Art Activity is a colorful craft that involves using dyed rice to create beautiful pictures. This activity is great for developing fine motor skills and encouraging creativity in kids.

Materials: White rice, construction paper, food coloring, glue and markers.

How to Do:

1. Dye the rice with food coloring and let it dry.
2. Draw a simple design on construction paper.
3. Apply glue to the areas to be filled with rice.
4. Sprinkle colored rice onto the glue, pressing gently to stick.

Paper Lantern Making Activity

Making paper lanterns is a creative activity for kids. It’s a perfect way to celebrate festivals, decorate their rooms, or just have fun with arts and crafts.

Materials: Colored construction paper, scissors, and glue.

How to Do:

1. Fold a rectangular sheet of paper lengthwise.
2. Cut vertical strips from the folded edge, leaving an inch at the top.
3. Unfold and roll the paper into a tube, securing the ends.
4. Attach a strip of paper as the handle.
5. Press the top and bottom to puff out the lantern.

Swimming Activity

Swimming is a healthy activity for kids, providing excellent exercise while helping them stay cool in the summer. It’s also an important life skill that builds confidence in the water.

Materials: A swimsuit, swim cap, goggles, and a flotation device.

How to Do:

1. Ensure your child wears a swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles.
2. Pick a safe swimming spot with supervision.
3. Begin with basic skills: kicking, floating, and breathing.

Bird Watching Activity

Bird watching is an enjoyable activity for kids, allowing them to connect with nature and learn about different bird species. It’s a peaceful way to spend time outdoors and can be done in your backyard, a park, or any natural setting.

Materials: Binoculars, a bird guidebook or app, and a notebook with a pencil.

How to Do:

1. Pick a bird-friendly spot like a park, nature reserve, or your backyard.
2. Bring binoculars for a closer view of birds.
3. Use a bird guidebook or app to identify species.
4. Have your child take notes or draw pictures of birds, noting unique features or behaviors.

Bike Riding Activity

Bike riding is a fantastic way for kids to get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and have fun. It’s an activity that promotes physical fitness and helps develop balance and coordination.

Materials: A bicycle, helmet, and comfortable clothes with shoes.

How to Do:

1. Check the bike’s size and condition.
2. Ensure your child wears a helmet.
3. Choose a safe, open area.
4. Teach balance, pedaling, steering, and braking gradually until confident.

Visit to A Funfair

A visit to a funfair is an exciting adventure for kids, filled with rides, games, and delicious treats. It’s a perfect way to enjoy a day out with family and friends, creating unforgettable memories.

Materials: Entrance tickets and comfortable clothes and shoes, as well as money for games and snacks.

How to Do:

1. Check the funfair’s schedule and buy tickets early.
2. Wear comfy clothes and shoes for walking and rides.
3. Bring money for games, snacks, and souvenirs.
4. Explore rides, games, and attractions.

Shaving Cream Ice Cream Activity

The Shaving Cream Ice Cream activity is a creative way for kids to explore textures and colors. It’s perfect for an indoor play session.

Materials: Shaving cream, food coloring or washable paint, ice cream cones or cone-shaped paper, sprinkles or small craft beads, and plastic spoons.

How to Do:

1. Spray shaving cream into a bowl.
2. Add food coloring or paint drops and mix.
3. Swirl colored shaving cream onto cones or paper cones.
4. Decorate with sprinkles or craft beads.

Cards Playing Activity

The Cards Playing activity is a great way for kids to learn new games, practice counting, and develop strategic thinking. It’s a fun and interactive way to spend time with family and friends.

Materials: A deck of playing cards.

How to Do:

1. Select a card game like Go Fish, Crazy Eights, or Snap for the age group.
2. Explain the game rules to all players.
3. Shuffle the deck and deal cards to each player.
4. Start playing, taking turns as per the game’s rules.

Conclusion

In summary, third-grade activities are super important for kids’ growth and learning. Whether they’re exploring science, getting creative with art, or having fun with games, these activities help them learn and have fun at the same time.

By doing hands-on experiments and working together, kids learn new things and develop skills like problem-solving and teamwork.

These experiences help kids feel confident and excited about learning new things every day.