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Physics for kids

July 3, 2013 by Katie 20 Comments

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I took physics in both high school and college, and hated it both times. In grad school, however, I realized how intuitively kids can pick up the laws of physics just from play. For example, they learn about gravity by seeing that every time they jump, they always come back down. This activity that I did with my kids teaches basic physics for kids through play.

Physics for kids - use a homemade wrecking ball to knock over a tower || Gift of Curiosity

My kids have recently spent a lot of time building towers and other creations with our SmartMax magnetic discovery set. QBoy loves to build the towers and then knock them down.

Physics for kids - use a homemade wrecking ball to knock over a tower || Gift of Curiosity

On a recent day, I decided to take advantage of his interest in building towers and knocking them down by adding a new component to the activity. I gathered several different objects from the house. Some were big, some were small, some were heavy, and some were light.

Physics for kids - use a homemade wrecking ball to knock over a tower || Gift of Curiosity

Then I found a pair of old thermals. I placed a rubber band at the bottom of one leg to seal it off. (Note: Tights or stockings would have been ideal for this, but I didn’t have any available.)

Physics for kids - use a homemade wrecking ball to knock over a tower || Gift of Curiosity

I invited the kids to place the large styrofoam ball into the bottom of our homemade wrecking ball. In this way, we created a homemade wrecking ball!

Physics for kids - use a homemade wrecking ball to knock over a tower || Gift of Curiosity

QBoy got up on a stool and began to swing our wrecking ball toward the tower we built. With the styrofoam ball inside, our wrecking ball was not very powerful and our tower did not fall over.

Physics for kids - use a homemade wrecking ball to knock over a tower || Gift of Curiosity

Then we swapped the styrofoam ball for a rubber bouncy ball.

Physics for kids - use a homemade wrecking ball to knock over a tower || Gift of Curiosity

This, too, was not strong enough to topple our tower.

Physics for kids - use a homemade wrecking ball to knock over a tower || Gift of Curiosity

Finally, QBoy made a wrecking ball from a large marble. This time our tower was easily knocked over!

Physics for kids - use a homemade wrecking ball to knock over a tower || Gift of Curiosity

Not only was this a lesson in physics for the kids, it was also a lesson in experimenting with different materials until you find the right one for the job.

Of course, the kids had so much fun with this that we immediately built another tower to knock over again. 🙂

STEAM Kids book

Looking for more hands-on activities that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)? Then you’ll love STEAM Kids! This book features 52 hands-on activities are helpfully identified by category (science / technology / engineering / art / math) so you know exactly what skills your kids are developing.

Grab a copy of the e-book delivered as a PDF download (or this e-book for EU residents) and in print at Amazon.

More science activities for kids

More science activities from Gift of Curiosity:

  • Dancing raisins
  • Candy experiments
  • Jumping colors science activity
  • Make your own glycerin soap
  • Crystallized snowflakes
  • Dissecting an apple
  • What do ants like to eat?
  • Make your own telescope
  • The great baking soda and vinegar experiment
  • Magic inflating balloons

Don’t have time to gather materials? Want to make science super easy? Check out these monthly subscription services that will send science and creativity kits to your door!

  • Steve Spangler Science Kits
  • Tinker Crate Hands-On Experiments
  • Discover Boxes from Green Kids Crafts

Find more great science activities on my Science Activities for Kids page and my Science Activities Pinterest board. 

Follow Gift of Curiosity’s board Science on Pinterest.

M&M science rainbow | Candy science for kids | M&M STEAM activity for kids | M&M STEM activity for kids | Preschool science activity | M&M rainbow science | Candy STEAM | Candy STEM || Gift of Curiosity

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20 Comments

Comments

  1. TheBargainBabe says

    July 3, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    That looks great, I love that the pieces are big enough so you couldn’t choke on them.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 3, 2013 at 4:52 pm

      We love the SmartMaxx – perfect for kids of any age!

      Reply
  2. Growing Up Madison says

    July 3, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    This would be perfect for my autistic 8yr old. He’s a whiz at math and would thoroughly enjoy this. 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 4, 2013 at 2:20 pm

      I think lots of kids would get a kick out of knocking something down. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Stephanie says

    July 3, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    Very cool. I don’t think you can start too early with physics. I cried my way through it in college 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 3, 2013 at 9:13 pm

      Ha ha! It was struggling through physics my first quarter of college that made me realize I was never going to be an engineer!

      Reply
  4. Anna says

    July 4, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    Love the physics lesson! Science = SO not my strong point – so I really appreciate the ideas!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 4, 2013 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks Anna! I actually love science (maybe because my mom was a science teacher), although physics is most definitely not my favorite branch of science. 🙂 That being said, I love that kids pick up basic physics lessons from everyday life. Seems so much simpler than what I was learning in school!

      Reply
  5. TaMara says

    July 5, 2013 at 4:53 am

    What a fun activity and a great physics lesson! I love it when concepts are taught during the course of the day, esp during play time.

    TaMara @ Tales of a Pee Dee Mama

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 5, 2013 at 6:37 am

      Thanks TaMara! Isn’t it great to work lessons into everyday play? 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jana @ HowToRunAHomeDaycare says

    July 5, 2013 at 10:57 am

    Great idea! We’re going to try this one. I pinned it as well 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 5, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      Thanks for pinning – I always appreciate it when people pin my posts to share with others. And if you do try this, I hope your daycare kiddos enjoy!

      Reply
  7. Linda S says

    July 5, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    there is education in everything we do – including playtime! We are always learning. Love how you foster discovery and curiosity in your children. Great ideas, thanks for sharing!
    (stopping by from TGIF)

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 5, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      Thanks Linda – you are so right that there is learning is everything. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  8. Natalie says

    July 5, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    This is a great introduction to forces, and I love your homemade wrecking ball! Visiting from Saturday Share.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 6, 2013 at 7:26 am

      Thanks! Our homemade wrecking ball wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done!

      Reply
  9. alex says

    July 8, 2013 at 8:19 am

    how fun! what a great lesson to introduce physics to kids! 🙂 (found you through the jenny evolution monday link up!)

    Reply
  10. Ticia says

    July 12, 2013 at 6:27 am

    Great post, you’re right kids do intuitively understand so much of physics without our making it boring and hard.

    Reply
  11. Carrie says

    July 12, 2013 at 11:38 am

    Oh, how fun!! What a great lesson too. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!

    Reply

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