science

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

December 16, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun meteorology for kids amazing potato straw experiment sure to give you the eww and aww moment you need in your science day. Also, I have this fun Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning post for more teaching ideas.

Learning about air pressure should be fun. When kids can’t see something like air, for example, show them what air can do.

First explain what is air pressure. Air pressure is the force that the air exerts on everything around us.

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

And it’s pushing on us all the time although we don’t really know it.

Too, air is made of tiny particles (molecules) that are constantly moving and bumping into things.

Although we can’t see, air is all around us.

Too, air has weight. It presses down on everything here on Earth.

WEATHER BOOKS & RESOURCES FOR KIDS

Also, here are a few weather and book related resources.

Add them to your home library.

10 Weather Unit Study Resources & Books

Add a few of these resources to your weather unit study for hands-on learning.

Eric Sloane's Weather Book

"Amateur weather forecasters (which includes just about everyone) will find this volume an informative and entertaining account of the why and how of the weather." — The Nation. In simple language, Eric Sloane explains the whys and wherefores of weather and weather forecasting — and does it in a style that's universally appealing.With humor and common sense shining through in a book that's also lively and informative, Sloane shows readers how to predict the weather by "reading" such natural phenomena as winds, skies, and animal sounds. This beautifully illustrated and practical treasure trove of climate lore will enlighten outdoorsmen, farmers, sailors, and anyone else who has ever wondered what a large halo around the moon means, why birds "sit it out" before a storm, and whether or not to take an umbrella when leaving the house.

You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Extreme Weather!

This series takes readers (Ages 8-12) on a historical journey, examining how people coped in the past and how they developed ingenious ways to make life safer and less unpleasant. Each book features full-color cartoon-style illustrations and hilarious speech bubbles to heighten interest, making the series attractive even to reluctant readers.It's a nuisance when it rains on a picnic. It's a tragedy when a tornado destroys a neighborhood. Some plants can grow only in hot, dry conditions; others require cold temperatures at certain times of year. And if the Arctic and Antarctic were less cold, melting ice would raise sea levels around the world and cause widespread flooding.

If You Were a Kid Surviving a Hurricane

If a hurricane was heading toward your home town, what would you do?

Readers (Ages 7-9) will enjoy the thrilling story of Carrie and Dan, two friends who find themselves caught in the path of a major hurricane. Along the way, they will learn how hurricanes form, how weather scientists track and study these storms, what people do to protect themselves from wind and flooding, and much more.

The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting

With experiments, observations and activities children ages seven to thirteen will learn to predict the weather by understanding the science behind it. From foggy mornings to sunny afternoons to our changing seasons, weather forecasting is a year-round, practical science that children will have fun learning about.

Weather: Explore Nature with Fun Facts and Activities

How is a forecast predicted? What makes a rainbow? Packed with facts and activities, this book has these answers and more, and is a perfect introduction to the world of sun, snow, and rain for kids who are curious about nature.

With amazing facts about fun topics like thunder and lightning, Weather lets kids have fun and be innovative as they learn through simple activities like cloudspotting and making a barometer. It includes information on weather found in every season of the year, so kids can discover how weather works no matter what it's doing outside.

What Makes a Tornado Twist?: And Other Questions About Weather

Is each snowflake unique? What comes first: thunder or lightning? What causes the seasons? Charming illustrations, clever charts, and fun text help kids learn whatever they want to know about wild weather. No matter their question, the fascinating answers are right here!

Pet Tornado-Spin and Watch

Nature's most destructive force can be observed and enjoyed in the palm of your hand Hold Pet Tornado from top or bottom and rotate wrist form amazing funnel clouds Includes educational information aboutEF-0 to EF-5 tornados and is a perfect addition to a weather science curriculum or for your future meteorologist Great Stress reliever and the perfect desk toy.

Weather Science Lab 20 All Season Projects

Discover The Wonderful World Of Weather Science With This Scientific Weather Science Lab Kit Designed To Educate The Budding Meteorologist On The Mysteries Of The Climate And Teach Your Young Scientist How To Chart And Predict It.

Spark Your Kid'S Curiosity & Imagination: Including 20 All-Season Activities For All Climates, This Weather Project Kit Covers A Wide Range Of Weather-Related Subjects And Boosts Children'S Cognitive Skills.

Make A Cloud In The Bottle: Measure Temperature With A Real-Life Thermometer, Atmospheric Pressure With A Barometer, Keep Your Head In The Sky To Identify Clouds And Create Fluffy Snow Without Freezing Temps

Keep Children Busy Come Rain Or Shine: Let Your Kids Set Up Their Weather Station Indoors Or Pick The Right Spot For Their Experiments Outdoors. Encourage Them To Take Notes, For The Most Accurate Forecasts

Peaceable Kingdom Sunny and Stormy Day Game

LEARNING AND GROWING: Nourish your child’s social-emotional well-being through this matching-and-sharing game from Peaceable Kingdom that has three difficulty levels adaptable to your child’s age.

HOW TO PLAY: Read the book together, then use your memory skills to find the “sunny” and “stormy” matches from the book before the moon comes up. Use the sun, cloud and rainbow tokens to share the highs and lows of your own day as a family.

WE WIN TOGETHER: Talking about feelings in an age-appropriate way can nurture emotional health and encourage confidence, compassion and kindness. Sunny Stormy game and book help kick-off important conversations between kids and parents.

3 PART, 3 LEVELS: The game’s storybook, memory game and sharing activity can be done all together, or separately, and have three levels of experience to adapt to older and younger children.

INCLUDES: Full-color Picture Book, 24 Game Tiles, 1 Game Puzzle, Heart Pouch with 3 Sharing Tokens, Instructions (For ages 3 and up)

Board Game to Learn About Seasons and Weather

SMART GAMES FOR LEARNING ABOUT THE SEASONS: Easter in spring, Halloween in fall, Christmas in winter. You go sailing in summer and see butterflies in spring. Children love playing and learning about the seasons, holidays, activities, and events with our educational board game.

EASY GAMEPLAY FOR BOARD GAMES: Win the season card by matching different props with the correct season card. The first player to collect the 5 season cards wins the game. This game can be played in multiple ways. Watch the video to know more!

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR KIDS GAMES: Review each picture card, have discussions, and guide kids to sort cards across categories. Gain knowledge about fruits, animals, activities, holidays across the different seasons. Build language, reasoning skills, season identification and categorizing, logical, creative, and critical thinking. "

Then, look at more hands activities to go with our meteorology for kids activity today.

METEOROLOGY FOR KIDS ACTIVITIES

Additionally, look at more facts about air pressure.

FACTS ABOUT METEOROLOGY AND AIR PRESSURE FOR KIDS

Look at these simple facts.

Air pressure can be high or low.
Low pressure can lead to clouds and storms
But high pressure is often associated with sunny skies and clear weather.
Air pressure decreases with altitude. That is why it’s hard to breathe at high altitudes because there is less oxygen.
Scientists use instruments like barometers to measure air pressure.

And look at these words to define.

pressure
atmosphere
molecules
vacuum
weather

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That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Finally, look at this fun experiment to learn about the power of air pressure.

AMAZING POTATO STRAW EXPERIMENT

In this activity, we’re going to explore how air pressure can create force and movement.

Look at this easy list to get the wow factor.

Gather all ages around, it really is that cool!

Supplies:

1 raw potato
1 paper straw (note we tried a flexible straw and used a jumbo smoothie straw for variables)

Directions:

Grab a raw potato and a paper straw.

Try to insert the straw into the potato.

Use the free printable to have your student write his observations and guesses.

Try again and hold a thumb over the end of the straw as you try to insert it. How is this possible?

Because of air pressure!

When a thumb is placed over the opening of the straw it traps air making the straw stronger.

This allows the straw to pierce into the raw potato without bending or breaking. Do it again!!

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

December 14, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re learning how do mollusks breathe and making a fun snail craft.

Mollusks are one of the largest groups of animals.

For example, they include octopus, snails, clams, and squid.

And they are soft bodied creatures. Because they do not have a backbone, they are called invertebrates.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

In addition mollusks can be divided into 3 main groups.

They are Gastropoda (snails and slugs), Bivalvia (clams, oysters, and mussels), and Cephalopoda (octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish).

Gastropods make up the largest group of mollusks.

SNAIL BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these books about snails.

We love to read living books when we can find them.

6 Books About Snails

Add some of these books to your home library or to your unit study for the day.

Matisse's Magical Trail

A young snail's artistic trail inspires a whole class of children to be creative too!

The snail's spell

"Brilliant illustrations and a short text invite an unnamed sleeping, pajama-clad child into a garden teeming with wildlife. The boy gradually shrinks until he is so small he experiences things as a snail would. The incredibly detailed drawings and the idea of shrinking to enter another world should capture children's imaginations

Escargot

Escargot is an adorable French snail who only wants two things: 1) To be your favorite animal, and 2) To eat the delicious salad at the end of this book. Except this delicious salad has a carrot in it. And Escargot hates carrots. But when he finally tries one―with a little help from you!―he realizes that it’s not so bad after all.

The Snail House

Here is the story Grandma tells one evening on her wide veranda steps. It has Michael and Hannah and the disappearing baby in it, a tigerish bird, raindrops like sacks of water, and the hugest apple you ever saw. Oh yes . . . and the Snail House. So gather round, climb up now into Grandma’s lap. Darkness is falling, the air is still, and the story is just about to begin.

Snail in the woods (A Nature I can read book)

A snail's life from the time it is hatched to the time it lays its own eggs.

The Biggest House in the World

A young snail dreams of having the biggest house—or shell—in the world. Then one day, his wise father tells him the story of another snail with the same dream. He grew and grew, adding bright colors and beautiful designs, until he found that his house came at a terrible cost. The young snail decides that a small, easy-to-carry shell might be best for a life of adventure and exploration.

Also, look at these facts about how do mollusks breathe.

HOW DO MOLLUSKS BREATHE

Most mollusks live in water. For instance, clams, oysters, and snails use gills.

However, land snails breathe through a lung-like organ called a “pallial cavity,” which works kind of like our lungs.

The majority of mollusks live in marine environments.

Additionally, two groups, the bivalves and the gastropods, contain freshwater species.

And only the gastropods have animals that live on land (snails and slugs).

For breathing, the gills or lung-like organ is located inside their bodies.

Water or air flows through an opening in their body called the mantle cavity.

So mollusks have different ways of breathing depending on where they live.

Look at more activities about mollusks.

MORE ACTIVITIES TO GO WITH HOW DO MOLLUSKS BREATHE

Finally, look at how to make this adorable pipe cleaner snail.

HOW TO MAKE A PIPE CLEANER SNAIL WITH KIDS

First, look at this short list of supplies.

Colorful pipe cleaners
Googly eyes
Craft glue
Round object (pen or marker or sharpie)

Step 1:

Select 3 pipe cleaners, 2 of the same color and 1 different color.

Step 2:

Take that one pipe cleaner and a round object such as a pen or a sharpie.

Step 3:

Coil the pipe cleaner around the round object firmly and evenly.

Step 4:

Coil the entire pipe cleaner.

Step 5:

Take out the coiled pipe cleaner carefully.

Step 6:

Now, place the 2 other pipe cleaners adjacent to each other.

Step 7:

Insert both pipe cleaners through the coil and draw out about 1.5” of their length from the other end of the coiled pipe cleaner.

Step 8:

Bend that 1.5” to 90 degrees.

Step 9:

Twist the longer sides of the pipe cleaners evenly.

Step 10:

Start by making a small coil at the open end of the longer end.

Step 11:

Continue to coil the twisted pipe cleaners.

Step 12:

Coil and bring them near the 90-degree bent part.

Step 13:

Bent the open ends of the 1.5” sides by a cm. Select 2 googly eyes.

Step 14:

Use craft glue to join the googly eyes to the bent parts. Allow the glue to dry.

Electricity STEM: Lighting Up a Shoebox Tiny House

December 12, 2024 | 3 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun electricity stem lighting up a shoebox activity.Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

Learning how electrical circuits work are important science skills for kids 4th grade and up.

When you understand how electricity works, you can begin to troubleshoot electrical devices and can even begin to build and design your own inventions!

Electricity STEM: Lighting Up a Shoebox Tiny House

It’s important for kids to get hands-on experimenting when learning the different parts of a circuit.

When they have an opportunity to practice using electricity, they’ll soon see the importance electricity plays in our everyday lives.

This highly engaging electrical activity will challenge kids to design their own homes by providing each room with a light, fan, and switch!

I love it when you can combine creativity in a learning project!

BOOKS ABOUT ELECTRICITY FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books to add to your learning day.

5 Electricity Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Learning about electricity is a fascinating subject for kids to learn about. Add one or two of these books to your home library.

Electronics for Kids: Play with Simple Circuits and Experiment with Electricity!

Why do the lights in a house turn on when you flip a switch? How does a remote-controlled car move? And what makes lights on TVs and microwaves blink? The technology around you may seem like magic, but most of it wouldn’t run without electricity. Electronics for Kids demystifies electricity with a collection of awesome hands-on projects.
In Part 1, you’ll learn how current, voltage, and circuits work by making a battery out of a lemon, turning a metal bolt into an electromagnet, and transforming a paper cup and some magnets into a spinning motor. In Part 2, you’ll make even more cool stuff as you:–Solder a blinking LED circuit with resistors, capacitors, and relays–Turn a circuit into a touch sensor using your finger as a resistor–Build an alarm clock triggered by the sunrise.

Switch On, Switch Off (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Read and find out about electricity in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

It seems like magic! It's not—it's electricity. But how does a light actually work? In this clear and simple book learn all about electricity, how it's produced, and how it can be used.

At the end you'll learn how to conduct safe, fun experiments that will let you generate electricity yourself!

Electrical Circuit Experiment Kit White

Size: Battery case: ( L X W X H): 57 x 30 x 13 / 2.24 x 1.18 x 0.51inch.
Material: The mini bulb is a kind of tungsten wire bulb, made of glass, metal, insulation materials.
Application: Used for electrical experiments in primary and middle schools/home DIY circuit test.

Oscar and the Bird: A Book about Electricity (Start with Science)

Start with Science books introduce kids to core science concepts through engaging stories, fresh illustrations, and supplemental activities. When Oscar the kitten finds a tractor in a field and accidentally turns on the windshield wipers, he is full of questions about electricity. Luckily, Bird knows the answers! With the help of his friend, Oscar finds out how electricity is made and stored, which machines need electricity to work, and why we always need to be careful around wires, batteries, plugs, and sockets. Back matter includes an index and supplemental activities.

Nikola Tesla, Electrical Genius

Electrical engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) was indeed an electrical genius. In language suitable for both young and old, author Arthur J. Beckhard describes all aspects of Tesla’s personal and professional life, including Tesla’s childhood and his education at primary school, at the Higher Real Gymnasium, and at the Polytechnic Institute; his years working for the telegraphic engineering department of Austria, then as an engineer in Paris, and then as an employee of Thomas Edison in America; his substitution of alternating current for direct current—a simpler and more economical method of converting electrical into mechanical energy; his rotary magnetic field, which was used in transmitting the power of Niagara Falls to nearby cities; his independent research at his own electrical laboratories in New Your City; and much more. Originally published in 1959 as part of Messner Publications' "Men of Science" series.

Electrical Shoebox House STEM Activity

When I was a kid in school, I was intimated by science and especially electricity.

I had that stereotypical thought that science was for boys and way too difficult for me to understand.

When I was thinking about classes to teach for my up and coming tutorial year, one word kept jumping at me: STEM.

STEM is a highly used buzz word for educators across the world. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

I was terrified to teach STEM, but I knew if I wanted my kids to be comfortable with science, I was going to have to get over my fear of it. And boy am I glad I did.

If you’re feeling uncertain about your abilities to teach STEM, don’t. Just jump in and do it.

To do this activity you’ll need:

a shoebox
alligator clips (at least 4)
2 AA battery holders with wires connected
4 AA batteries
one motor
one switch
2-3 miniature light bulbs
tape

To begin this activity, your kids will need a good grasp of how a circuit works. You can always have them play around with the circuits to practice lighting up all of the light bulbs and the motor.

EASY HANDS ON HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE

When they have a pretty good understanding of the concept, it’s now time to build the house. First, section off the different rooms of the shoebox. You can use scraps of cardboard to be the dividing walls.

Once the walls are up, it’s time to wire the house.

You may need box cutters to cut holes in the walls (shoebox) to run the wires from the outside of the shoebox into the inside.

Tape may be needed to secure the power source on the outside of the house.Now it’s time to hook up your electricity.

Challenge your kids to light up two rooms of the house and run one fan.

Then, if you want to add a little bit of design into your challenge, your children can cut out a door and design furniture.

This highly engaging electrical activity will challenge kids to design their own homes by providing each room with a light, fan, and switch!Click here to make this fun and easy hands-on homeschool science activity!

It really is a tiny house! What a cool way to learn about electricity!

Want to see a really cool shoebox house? Take a look at this video Shoebox House STEM Project

Get even more ideas for teaching hands-on science in your homeschool below!

MORE ACTIVITIES ABOUT ELECTRICITY

Written by Christa at Little Log Cottage School.

How to Make a Homemade Electrical Switch

December 10, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We are learning how to make a homemade electrical switch to get a better idea of how electricity works on a small scale. Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

This activity is incredibly easy.

We’re creating a simple electric circuit and label each part using a kit that includes everything you need but first let’s learn about electricity.

How to Make a Homemade Electrical Switch

Electricity is like a river of energy that flows through wires, and it brings light, warmth, air conditioning, music, and power in general to our homes.

It’s the invisible force that makes our computers hum, our lights shine, and our refrigerators keep our food cold.

But have you ever wondered where this amazing energy comes from, how it works, and why it’s so important to be safe around it?

Let’s explore the fascinating world of electricity.

Electricity is a form of energy that comes from the movement of tiny particles called electrons.

These electrons are like super-fast race cars zooming around inside atoms, the building blocks of everything around us.

When these electrons get excited and start moving in the same direction, they create an electric current, like a river of energy flowing through a wire.

This current can then be used to power all sorts of things, from tiny light bulbs to giant machines.

WAYS TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY

Electricity can be generated in many ways, using a variety of energy sources. Some of the most common ways are:

Power Plants: These are like giant factories that use different sources of energy, like coal, natural gas, or nuclear power, to create steam.

This steam spins huge turbines, which are connected to generators that produce electricity.

Renewable Energy Sources: These are sources of energy that are naturally replenished, like the sun, wind, and water.

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, wind turbines use the wind to spin generators, and hydroelectric dams use the force of flowing water to generate electricity.

Batteries: These are like portable power plants that store chemical energy that can be converted into electricity. Batteries are used in all sorts of devices, from flashlights to electric cars.

Once electricity is generated, it travels through a vast network of wires called the power grid. This grid is like a giant highway system for electricity, carrying it from power plants to homes, schools, and businesses.

The electricity travels at incredibly high speeds, reaching our homes almost instantly when we flip a switch.

When electricity reaches our homes, it flows through wires in the walls and ceilings to outlets and switches.

When we plug in a device or flip a switch, we complete a circuit, allowing the electricity to flow through the device and power it.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT ELECTRICITY

Next, look at these books about electricity.

I prefer to read living books when we can find them.

5 Electricity Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Learning about electricity is a fascinating subject for kids to learn about. Add one or two of these books to your home library.

Electronics for Kids: Play with Simple Circuits and Experiment with Electricity!

Switch On, Switch Off (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Read and find out about electricity in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

It seems like magic! It's not—it's electricity. But how does a light actually work? In this clear and simple book learn all about electricity, how it's produced, and how it can be used.

At the end you'll learn how to conduct safe, fun experiments that will let you generate electricity yourself!

Electrical Circuit Experiment Kit White

Size: Battery case: ( L X W X H): 57 x 30 x 13 / 2.24 x 1.18 x 0.51inch.
Material: The mini bulb is a kind of tungsten wire bulb, made of glass, metal, insulation materials.
Application: Used for electrical experiments in primary and middle schools/home DIY circuit test.

Oscar and the Bird: A Book about Electricity (Start with Science)

Nikola Tesla, Electrical Genius

Also, look at these facts about electricity.

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT ELECTRICITY

The first person to coin the word “electricity” was William Gilbert in 1600.
Lightning is a natural form of electricity, and a single bolt of lightning can carry up to one billion volts of electricity.
The human body is a good conductor of electricity.
The electric eel can generate up to 600 volts of electricity.
The average American uses about 10,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

And look at more activities to go with our how to make a homemade electrical switch.

ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTS TO EXPAND HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE ELECTRICAL SWITCH

Another fun way to explore electricity, currents, switches, and more is with a Snap Circuits kit.

A simple circuit needs at least 3 things- a circuit pathway (wires), a power source (battery) and load (lightbulb), a switch is also helpful to turn it on and off.

HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE ELECTRICAL SWITCH

You will need:

Electrical Circuit Experiment Kit
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Cardboard or scrap board-optional

First, starting with a kit like this makes it easy but still gives kids a ground up learning experience.

Plus, as they learn to connect each piece and problem solve if something isn’t working right.

To begin with you want to make sure that the end of each wire is exposed, use wire strippers or carefully remove the coating with a knife.

Wrap the end of the exposed wire coming from the battery pack onto one contact point on the switch.

Attach the other wire on the battery pack by wrapping it around a contact point on the lamp holder.

Take a loose piece of wire and run it from the other contact point on the lamp holder to the other open contact on the switch.

Add batteries to the battery pack and flip the switch.

Now if you want you can mount the setup onto a piece of cardboard or wood by attaching the battery pack with a bit of hot glue on one end.

Tack the switch to the side.

Now to add a new layer of learning you can create labels on cardstock.

Have your child place them in the correct spot for each part of the simple circuit.

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

December 6, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Jello earthquake experiment is a great way to learn about earthquakes and how they can affect structures. Also, look at my page Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas.

It can be used to teach children about the different types of earthquakes.

And use it to teach the causes of earthquakes, and the effects of earthquakes on people and property as well as the importance of earthquake preparedness.

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Earthquakes are a natural hazard that can cause widespread damage and loss of life.

They occur when there is a sudden release of energy below the Earth’s surface, which creates seismic waves.

These waves travel through the Earth’s crust and can cause the ground to shake violently.

Earthquakes can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Tectonic plate movement: The Earth’s crust is made up of several tectonic plates that are constantly moving. When two plates collide, one plate may be forced beneath the other, causing an earthquake.
Volcanic activity: Earthquakes can also be caused by volcanic activity. When magma moves beneath the Earth’s surface, it can create pressure that builds up and eventually causes an earthquake.
Landslides: Landslides can also trigger earthquakes, especially if they occur in areas with unstable soil or rock.

Look at earthquakes from different viewpoints from measuring them with a seismometer to learning about engineering.

You can build structures that can withstand them with all the activities I have included as well as videos and books.

Of course, we have some cool facts to share while you put together the Jello earthquake experiment.

EARTH SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, add some fun books to this activity.

When possible I prefer to add living books when I can find them.

9 Books for Kids Who Love to Read About Earth Science Topics

Add these books to your learning day to learn about various earth science topics.

The Story Book of Science (Yesterday's Classics)

The wonders of plant and animal life told with rare literary charm by Uncle Paul in conversations with three children. Besides such stories as the ants' subterranean city, the spider's suspension bridge, and the caterpillars' processing, he unlocks the mystery behind thunder and lightning, clouds and rain, the year and its seasons, and volcanoes and earthquakes. Suitable for ages 9 to 12.

Earthquakes (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Some earthquakes are so small that you don’t even feel them, while others can make even big buildings shake. Learn why earthquakes happen, where they are most likely to occur, and what to do if one happens near you.

Now with updated text and art, this classic picture book describes the causes and effects of earthquakes (including a tsunami). This book features rich vocabulary and fascinating cross-sections of mountains, volcanoes, and faults in the earth’s moving crust.

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. The text and art were vetted by Dr. Roland Burgmann, Professor of the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley.

The First Book of the Earth

A republication of the 1958 book by Irene Sevrey with illustrations by Mildred Waltrip, The First Book of the Earth is an elementary level natural history book that was written during a time when children's books held a student's interest and imagination because they were "living" rather than simply based on factoids and vivid pictures. It is a wonderful introduction to the subject of geology and covers the earth as a planet in the solar system and the physics of how it circles the sun, thereby defining our days and years. It then moves on to describing the earth's origin as scientists understand it and takes up the topics of the earth's composition, its structure, molecular makeup, rock families, minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes, mountains and their formation, and how glaciers and rivers affect the shaping of the earth's surface. The book ends by briefly discussing dinosaurs and the possible aging techniques used to date the earth's age in terms of epochs or periods.

Rocks, Gems and Minerals: A Fully Illustrated, Authoritative and Easy-to-Use Guide (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press)

This handy identification guide to the most common kinds of rocks and minerals offers concise and fascinating information on:- Physical and chemical properties- Origins and geologic significance- Gems and semiprecious stones- How to find and collect specimens

Earth: An Intimate History

Beginning with Mt. Vesuvius, whose eruption in Roman times helped spark the science of geology, and ending in a lab in the West of England where mathematical models and lab experiments replace direct observation, Richard Fortey tells us what the present says about ancient geologic processes. He shows how plate tectonics came to rule the geophysical landscape and how the evidence is written in the hills and in the stones. And in the process, he takes us on a wonderful journey around the globe to visit some of the most fascinating and intriguing spots on the planet.

The First Book of Caves

A book about caves with drawings for young readers with a vocabulary list and definition at the end.

Rocks and Minerals: A Guide of Familiar Minerals, Gems, Ores, and Rocks (A Golden Nature Guide)

A guide to familiar minerals, gems, ores, and rocks enhanced by 400 full color illustrations. Provides much geological knowledge in how to look for surface forms, rocks, minerals etc. Includes information for the searcher and an useful list of clubs and organizations. Excellent bibliography and index.

A Whale of the Wild (A Voice of the Wilderness Novel)

For Vega and her family, salmon is life. And Vega is learning to be a salmon finder, preparing for the day when she will be her family’s matriarch. But then she and her brother Deneb are separated from their pod when a devastating earthquake and tsunami render the seascape unrecognizable. Vega must use every skill she has to lead her brother back to their family. The young orcas face a shark attack, hunger, the deep ocean, and polluted waters on their journey. Will Vega become the leader she’s destined to be?

Rocks, Rivers, and the Changing Earth: A first book about geology

A living book on the living earth. Told in a conversational style, the book discusses the topics of geology and provides ideas for investigations and demonstrations of the scientific principles. Illustrated throughout, this book is a favorite as an introduction to geology for young readers. This edition includes updated science information on plate tectonics and the structure of the earth.

Also, look at some facts about earthquakes.

6 EARTH SHAKING FACTS ABOUT EARTHQUAKES

The point where an earthquake starts is called the focus or hypocenter and the Earth’s surface directly above the focus is called the epicenter.
Earthquakes are measured using the Richter scale, which ranges from 1 to 10. This logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of the seismic waves.
The largest earthquake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5 earthquake in Chile in 1960.
Earthquakes can cause tsunamis, landslides, and other geological hazards which cause buildings and other structures to collapse.
The deadliest earthquake in history was the Tangshan earthquake in China in 1976, which killed an estimated 242,000 people.
Earthquakes are most common in certain areas of the world, such as along plate boundaries.

Also, look at these fun hands-on activities.

EARTHQUAKE EXPERIMENT ACTIVITIES

If you live in an area affected by earthquakes, talk about your plan during an earthquake, just like you would for fires, etc. Put together an earthquake kit with your child to have one hand should you ever need it.
Try a tasty lesson in How to Make an Edible Kindergarten Earth Science Tectonic Plate Activity to teach younger children.
Scientific America has simple lesson plans for Earthquake-Proof Engineering for Skyscrapers using LEGO, a favorite tool and toy in one.
Don’t forget to add in some great books like All About Earthquakes and I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964 for a rich and full learning experience.
To learn more about the effect in and around the epicenter check out this Earthquake Epicenter Experiment.
Watch Earthquakes for Kids STEM | Learn why earthquakes happen and how to measure them.
Not only can you make your own model of an earthquake measurement device but you will find 10 Hands On Earthquake Activities | How To Make A Model Seismometer.
Check out this simple earth Science experiment on Plate Movement, Earthquakes to simply demonstrate the effects of earthquakes.

Finally, look at this fun Jello earthquake experiment.

JELLO EARTHQUAKE EXPERIMENT

You will need:

1 box of Jello
1 clear container
small objects, such as toy cars, buildings, or trees
A spoon
Mini marshmallows
toothpicks

First, prepare the Jello according to the package directions.

The Jello represents the ground which moves during an earthquake.

Pour the Jello into the clear container and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Once the Jello is set, place the small objects on top of it.

Use the spoon to gently shake the container.

Observe what happens to the Jello and the small objects.

As you shake the container, the Jello will begin to jiggle and wobble.

This is similar to what happens to the ground during an earthquake.

The small objects on top of the Jello will begin to move and may even fall over.

This is because the earthquake waves are causing the ground to shake.

Now, our goal is to build a structure from marshmallows and toothpicks that will hold up to that movement.

Have your learner design and construct buildings out of toothpicks and marshmallows, allow this to be an open ended activity so they can work out for themselves which holds up better- a shorter or taller structure? A square or a more tapered one? At which height is the structure no longer stable?

Offer different sized toothpicks and marshmallows to give your child more variety for building.

Be sure to have your child record their findings in their science notebook from the variables to the results of the jello earthquake experiment.