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Easy Hands-On Science: Label the Atom Playdough Activity

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have an atom playdough activity.

This year, we’ve been learning some introductory physics with our fourth-grader. And you can’t talk about physics without mentioning the atom.

Atoms are all around us.

They’re even inside us!

Easy Hands-On Science: Label the Atom Playdough Activity

When my son learned that everything in the universe is made up of atoms, he was amazed.

But that led to more questions, such as “What are atoms made of?”

Which is how we ended up learning more about the parts of the atom through this fun label the atom playdough activity!

Pick up the free printable diagram and see how to complete this hands-on science lesson with your kids too!

Hands-On Science: Label the Atom Playdough Activity

To complete this label the atom playdough activity, you’ll need the following:

  • Printer
  • Laminator
  • Assorted playdough (at least three colors)
  • Printable Atom Diagram Playdough Mat (Download this image and then print it as is to make it a full-size printable.)
  • Mini sticky notes
Atom Playdough Mat

The playdough mat shows a basic diagram of an atom, complete with three electrons moving around the nucleus.

Inside the nucleus are two protons (designated with the positive sign) and two neutrons.

Of course, this is a very simplified diagram.

Scientists now know that electrons travel around the nucleus so quickly that they actually tiny electron “clouds”!

Making a Playdough Atom Diagram

After printing and laminating the atom diagram, you can start having the kids add small balls of playdough to fill in the picture.

We started by adding three electrons with green playdough.

Learning about Parts of an Atom

Then we added two red neutrons inside the nucleus.

MORE FOURTH GRADE HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

Making an Atom Diagram Out of Playdough

And, finally, two protons made out of blue playdough.

Labeling Parts of an Atom

Now it’s time to label each part of the atom!

We added mini sticky notes to each item on the mat and then labeled them all.

Playdough Atom Labeling Activity

Electrons were first, then the nucleus.

Then we labeled the protons.

Labeling a Playdough Atom

And the neutrons.

Learning About Atoms with Playdough

And we’re done!

This was a quick activity that really helped the kids visualize what’s inside an atom.

It’s truly incredible to know that the movement of the atom is what makes up matter inside and around us.

It’s also neat to discover that atoms are in constant motion, even inside solid objects!

Items that appear to be stable are only stable because the atoms that make them up move super duper slowly.

Easy hands-on science: Label the Atom Playdough Activity

But they’re still moving. The chairs at your dining room table? Yep, the atoms inside are in motion.

The foundation of your house? Its atoms are moving too!

This year, we've been learning some introductory physics with our fourth-grader. And you can't talk about physics without mentioning the atom.Atoms are all around us. They're even inside us! When my son learned that everything in the universe is made up of atoms, he was amazed. But that led to more questions, such as "What are atoms made of?" Click here to make this fun and easy hands-on activity!

If you want to try this activity without playdough, you can print it out and have the kids color it in with markers and then label each item on their own.

Or you can challenge them to draw a similar design themselves!

Ready to share more hands-on science lessons with your kids? Try these fun activities!

Hands-On Geography: Australia Awesome and Deadly Animal Art

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

For years now, we have completed “continent studies” and hands-on geography as a way to learn more about our world and it’s geography as we homeschool. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

The truth is: it was so much easier to do this when they were younger. I selected books from the library, we looked at the pictures of different dwellings and foods, and we colored in maps.

But my boys are older now. The same approach no longer keeps anyone interested for very long (including me!).

In order to keep them engaged and increasing in their overall level of knowledge, I decided it was time for a change.

This year, my boys are each “in charge” of their own continent for a more in depth study. Each month, they pick a topic to cover from their continent and “teach” each other about it.

My youngest chose Australia for his study this year without a second thought.

For his first presentation, he asked me to help him put together a presentation on Australia’s deadly creatures, because animals and danger – I am not sure I need to say more.

See how we used this hands-on Australia unit to study the continent’s awesome and deadly animals!

Hands-On Australia: Awesome and Deadly Animals

You see, I remember being in middle school. I remember preparing presentations to deliver in front of the class.

I remember listening to my friends. As much stress as it caused, I have to admit, I really learned from “teaching back” activities. I want my boys, despite being in a “classroom” of two, to experience the same.

And that’s why this hands-on activity was such a good way for us to learn about geography together!

What You Need:

My son began his research at the library, checking out various books on Australia in general, and a few on the animals themselves. For further investigation, we also watched a YouTube video and looked at various pictures of aboriginal art online.

More Hands-on Australia Activities

Then it was time to get started.

Hands-On Australia Activity

Cutting Out Australian Animal Templates

Our first step was cutting out the templates. We then used them to trace animal outlines onto black construction paper.Then we cut out the traced forms of the jellyfish, shark and snake.

Deadly Australian Animal Templates

(Incidentally, if I could do it all over again, I would eliminate the tracing portion and just have my son use the templates to paint. Cutting each animal out twice was far more scissor action than either of us have seen in a long time.)Next, he glued the black deadly creatures onto brown construction paper backdrops.

Decorating Australian Animals with Paint
Making an Australian Animal Display Board

This color scheme is consistent with what we learned about aboriginal art.Taking the q-tips and the paint with us outside, he carefully “dot painted” each of the black forms, true to aboriginal tradition. The Q-tips make perfect paint brushes and are easy to clean up!

Q Tip Painted Australian Snake

The more my son painted, the more excited he became.

Q-tip dot painting is really easy, even for children with fine motor differences or those who get a little perfectionistic with their art projects.

It looks wonderful, even if the artist struggles a bit with steadiness.

Australian Deadly Animals List

When all three had dried, he attached them to the poster board.

Giving a Report about Deadly Australian Animals

At the last minute, he also decided to add a “cheat sheet” with facts he wanted to share about the different animals (printable) as well as a list of Australia’s Top 10 Deadliest as learned from the video and books.Once his presentation was assembled, his brother and I sat down and he taught us more about Australia’s Box Jellyfish than we ever thought possible!

He did a great job and I had a lot of fun working with him on this project.

If you love hands-on geography, your kids will love some of my favorite hands-on geography programs:

Overview of Activity:

Step 1: Trace and cut-out deadly creatures on black construction paper.
Step 2: Attach to brown construction paper background.
Step 3: “Dot paint” black areas with various colors.
Step 4: Create list and fact sheet about Australia’s deadly creatures.
Step 5: Attach all to posterboard and teach what you’ve learned.

Learning about continents is a way to learn more about our world and its geography as we homeschool. This Australia awesome and deadly animal art activity is not only fun but it gives kids a chance to learn about science too. Click here to do this fun activity if you’re doing a unit study about Australia.

Overall, this hands-on activity worked well for us. It incorporated in a different culture’s art and allowed my son to really dive deep into a subject he is already incredibly passionate about. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!

Learn more about the countries of the world with the hands-on geography activities below!

Written by Shawna at Not the Former Things.

Electricity STEM: Lighting Up a Shoebox Tiny House

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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.

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!

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!

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 to 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
STEM Activity - Lighting Up a Shoebox

EASY HANDS ON HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE

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.

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.

Lighting Up a Shoebox House

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!

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

Written by Christa at Little Log Cottage School.

EASY Hands-on Earth Science: Fun Water Testing Kit

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

For years we’ve used a water filtration system in our home because we recognize the value of the human body’s makeup of water and need for safe water. So, when I heard about Test Assured and got a chance to use their home water testing kit, I jumped at the chance of connecting science to real life.

I was given this product free from Water Testing Kit and I was compensated for my time. However, paid for my time does not mean paid off. ALL opinions are my own and for sure I will always tell you what is on my mind. When I do accept a product it’s because I’m giddy to tell you about it. Read my full disclosure here. Now on to the fun stuff!

Also, living here in Texas, the Gulf Coast has been affected by Hurricane Harvey. So safe water has been on our minds more now than ever.

I think your kids will love this water testing kit because it’s not only easy and fun, but it’s relevant today with all the rain and flood we’ve had here.

Easy Hands on Earth Science Using a Water Testing Kit. Can't get any more easier than this. Click here to grab this kit.

SCIENCE FAIR WATER TESTING KIT

Look at all the supplies you get in the kit.

4-pack tests. Each packet includes a vial, test chart, iron reageant tablet, and 3 test strips to measure:
►Chlorine/Copper/Nitrate/Nitrite
►Iron
►Alkalinity/pH/Hardness
Guidebook
TDS Meter

You’ll want to find 4 different water sources. We used the ditch in the back of our house, the creek from the local park on our walk, bottled water, and tap water.

Because Tiny has gone with my husband to show the demonstrations of water ionizers to family and friends that needed safe water to drink, he was familiar with the effects of using a filtration system.

This was different though because he got to test the quality of water without a filtration system.

We take it for granted that our boys understand that the quality of water is important to our health. But this test really enforces an understanding of what is in the water we drink.When you get the kit, you’ll want to read the directions carefully like store it at room temperature and don’t use hot or bleach water. Then you’re ready to move on to the fun.

I know I’ve said it before, but I love easy activities that don’t require much setup and where I don’t have to round up a lot of supplies.The instructions are on the chart and it gives you an order in which to do the tests.

First, we checked each sample for chlorine/copper/nitrate/nitrite, then alkalinity/pH/hardness, and lastly the iron.

Then we compared that to the chart. Jotting down test results is easy because the kits have a results notebook. What is especially cool about the kit is the TDS meter. TDS is abbreviated for total dissolved solids which are the total weight of all solids (mineral, salts, or metals) that are in a given amount of water.And you use the TDS meter to check your water filter and to check the hardness of your water.

It gives out a digital reading and the lower the number the better the water can be absorbed by your body.

This water testing kit is a good fit for your family if:

►You want to teach in an easy way about the quality of water and connect it to every day life.
►You have multiple kids and they each want to participate in the activity.
►You like having all the supplies in one box for you. No hunting and gathering of supplies. I like that part. I know you will too.
►You’re looking for a project for your kid to do to participate in a science fair or homeschool co-op.
►You want your middle or high school kid to do science independently.
►You want safe home science products for your younger kids. There is no glassware here and the testing strip is safe. This is assuming your kids are not going to drink the creek water. Ha.

ENGAGING WATER UNIT STUDY IDEAS

Also, look at these topics and ways to include this water testing kit in your unit study.

►Learn about the geography of a country through understanding the natural resource of water.
►Learn about countries that are underdeveloped to understand the importance of clean drinking water.
►Learn about the human body and how it processes water.
►Learn about ways the local industry or even farming affects the local water source.
►Talk with your older kids about how to make water potable.
►Ask your high school kids if it’s necessary or even healthy to remove all the impurities from water for it to be safe for drinking.
►Connect water usage to the Ancient Rome aqueducts. How much water was in the aqueducts?
►If water could be made safe to drink in countries where water had to be used from streams and rivers, could water-related diseases be eradicated?

These are just a few of the ways I see that you could use the water testing kit in your homeschool day.

How to Purchase It.

►Product Name: Water Testing Kit
►Website: Test Assured Water Testing Kits and Supplies
►Grade Level: multi-grade level
►About the product: Looking for the perfect product to use to demonstrate water testing to your child, student, or classroom? Test Assured is here to help. We offer 4-pack kits that are perfect for schools and science fairs
►Price: 4-Pack Kit $24.99

When I heard about Test Assured and got a chance to use their at home water testing kit, I jumped at the chance of connecting science to real life. Look how easy you can use this water testing kit in your science day! Click here.

If you’re looking to add an easy and simple, but engaging way to learn about the water in your area or maybe have a budding environmental scientist you’ll want to grab this kit.

You’ll love these other activities for understanding the power and necessity of water:

Hugs and love ya,

Hands-On Science: Label the Skeleton System Activity

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have a labeled human skeleton activity.

My son’s good friend broke his arm over the summer. The boys talked all about how it happened, signed the cast, and appreciated the color he chose.

When we were driving home, I asked them which bone he had broken in his forearm. Both of them looked at me like I had two heads.

Although we had briefly covered anatomy in their science curriculum a year ago, neither really remembered much about the skeletal system.

I understood – the learning was a bit dry.

Hands-On Science: Label the Skeleton System Activity

I decided then and there to come up with a hands-on way to understand and learn about the human skeleton.

I wanted something that would stick, and would make sense for my active, potentially bone breaking themselves, boys.

Labeled Human Skeleton Activity

For this activity, you’ll need:

  • Two paper skeletons with mobile extremities, per child
  • One piece of white construction paper or poster board
  • Glue
  • A marker
  • A ruler
  • The Human Skeleton Printable (downloadable cheat sheet)
  • Bonus Activity – Any large decorative skeletons/bones you may have in your garage or choose to buy when available in stores
Using a Paper Skeleton

The key to this project is a paper skeleton that can be easily manipulated and held. While it is possible to make them, the good news is that pre-made paper skeletons are not hard to come by.

Depending on the time of year, you can find decorative skeletons at the Dollar Store.

There are also several, inexpensive options that work well for hands-on learning available year round, online.

Hands-On Skeleton Activity

To begin this activity, glue one of the paper skeletons to the poster board. Using the ruler, draw lines indicating the the bones you wish to introduce.

For my boys, I started with the basics.

We all sat around the poster board and named different bones.

Then, we took turns writing the names of the individual bones on the lines, using this printable as a cheat sheet.

When our reference board was complete, we were then able to use it over the course of the week for more hands-on practice and understanding.

Labeling a Skeleton

I quizzed them on the different bones while they used the paper skeleton that had not been glued down.

Because they were able to hold and move the skeleton around, they were easily able to apply what they’d learned.

Here are all the project steps in order:

  • Step 1: Glue skeleton to poster board
  • Step 2: Draw lines to bones and label them
  • Step 3: Check for understanding and learning using additional, free moving, paper skeletons.
  • Step:4 Name more and more bones as your child becomes more and more proficient.
Comparing Skeleton Bones

As a bonus activity, we practiced naming the different parts of the skeletal system on our full skeleton (named Boney by my youngest.

We also used a “bag of bones” set, and placed the larger bones alongside our reference poster.

If you have a hands-on learner, he'll love learning about the skeleton system with this fun hands-on science activity. Scoot by and see how to do it @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Overall, these hands-on exercises helped solidify my sons’ understanding of the skeletal system and their own bodies.

Now that they know the basics, we will continue to add more bones to our poster. Our goal is to identify all 206 by the end of the year.

Written by Shawna of Not the Former Things.

More hands-on ways to teach kids about the human body