Simple Machines
November 12, 2022
How to Make a Pulley Simple Machines Experiment for Kids

How to Make a Pulley Simple Machines Experiment for Kids

Share

Are you tired of ads too?

For a small fee you can get this site – and all the free goodies – 100% ad-free!

Click Here
In this pulley experiment you will get a chance to make your very own pulley system. This pulley experiments is such a fun science project to teach children about simple machines for kids  and to learn to enjoy engineering their own solutions. Use this simple machines for kids project with preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 4th grade, and 5th graders. We will show you how to make a pulley for kids with a hands-on STEM activity for kids of all ages!
In this pulley experiment you will get a chance to make your very own pulley system. This pulley experiments is such a fun science project to teach children about simple machines for kids  and to learn to enjoy engineering their own solutions. Use this simple machines for kids project with preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 4th grade, and 5th graders. We will show you how to make a pulley for kids with a hands-on STEM activity for kids of all ages! 

Pulley Experiment

In our age of complicated machinery, it’s easy to forget that even the most complicated mechanics are just a large set of simple machines. We use complicated machines for parts of our lives, and too often push through tasks when a little bit of ingenuity would make the task much easier. Pulleys can be used to make various types of elevators, or in converting fly wheels to useful energy as in an old fashioned mill. This simple pulley expeirment is a great hands-on simple machines for kids to help kids understand how pulleys work to make things easier! This fun pulley experiments will be done by making simple machines with household items!

Pulley Experiments

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler – this pulley science project is fun and easy to learn about simple machines for kids. Use it cooperatively with other students or make it as a family. This pulley system experiment is a simple science project for kids of all ages to design and understand the workings of pulley for kids.

(Use cans to make your own pulley)

How to Make a Pulley for Kids

Why pulley’s work

Pulley’s are used to redirect the the tension in cord of some kind . By allowing the work to be done in the same direction as gravity, They pulley allows an object to be lifted with less force. Every pivot point exerts upward force on the system, again decreasing the amount of force needed. Of course, all this decrease in force comes at a cost. Each pulley also increases the distance over which the force will need to be applied. These are all lessons your child can figure out for himself with his own pulley system.

Two sizes of cans to make pulleys

Pulley science project

All you need are a few simple materials you can find in your home or recycling bins to try this pulley experiments 5th grade for making your own pulley:
  • Large box or sheet of cardboard.
  • Cans of two different sizes from the recycle bin
  • Yarn or rope
  • A bottle of water
  • Small bucket
  • Weights. I used our Picasso Tiles, but any object would work. Rocks or Silver wear could be good solutions as well.
  • Hot glue
how to make a single pulley simple machines science experiment for kids

Pulley experiment for kids

If you are working with older students, allow them to set up their own by gluing the cans in what they think may be optimal positions.  If you are working with younger students, teach them how to make a pulley by gluing the small cans in a couple of rows so that they can experiment by hooking up their pulley in various ways. Place the larger cans over the smaller cans to make a pulley that turns easily.

Pulley experiment at home

Attach one end of the string to the bucket, and the other to the bottle off water.
Tell your child to draw a picture of your pulleys. In two different colors draw two different ways that the string could be looped through the pulleys. Write a paragraph explaining which set up will move more easily and why.
Loop the string over the pulleys
Add weights until the bottle of water moves. (Hint: Only fill the bottle half way for easier lifting.)
Try a different configuration and repeat.
After your child has experimented with a few different set ups of this pulley science experiment, ask them to write a paragraph explaining how using more or less pulleys changes the force needed to lift something. Ask them to explain how the spatial relation of the pulleys changes things.
how to make a double pulley simple machines science experiment for kids

Pulley project for grade 4

If your child is ready for more of a challenge with this simple pulley experiment, ask him or her to engineer a system which uses pulleys and another simple machine such as a lever or zipline to move a cup of water from one point to another.
Can he or she think of an easier way to refill water glasses at the dinner table? Maybe when you’re outside for a picnic? What task can your inventor make easier with pulleys?
I Spy Simple Machines  Simple Machines Screws Lesson for kids  FREE Simple Machines Game Are you learning about simple machines for kids? These no-prep, free printable simple machines worksheets are a handy way to review what students have learned. Use these simple machines worksheet pages to review and assess what kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students have learned. There are various different choices of simple machine worksheet for learning about pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge, screw, and pulleys. Simply print the simple machines at home worksheet and you are ready to go!

Simple machines for kids

30 EPIC projects to explore simple machines for kids! These are such fun, hands on science projects for kids of all ages #simplemachines #scienceproject #scienceisfun This fun hands-on human body for kids project is such a fun way to learn about our amazing bodies! These Human Body Playdough Mats are a fun way for kids of all ages to learn about what is inside our body. Learn about human body parts for kids by completing the free printable playdouh mats. Children will learn about body systems for kids as they make bones, skeletal system, muscles, organs, and more! Use these playdough mats as part of a study of anatomy making human body model for kids from toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade students. Simply print the playdoh mats and learn about my body parts for kids with a hands-on science activity. capillary-action-science-experiment-for-kids 100 Amazing Food Experiments for Kids - so many clever edible science projects for kids of all ages to explore chemistry, biology, physics, and earth science! #scienceexperiment #scienceproject #kidsactivities

Fun Science Experiments

Make teaching kids about weather fun and EASY with this free weather unit. These Weather Worksheets help kids explore a variety of weather topics as well as some weather themed worksheet for early math and literacy too. Use these free weather printables as preschool, 1st grade, 2nd, grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade and kindergarten weather worksheets. Simply print pdf file with weather worksheets for kids and you are ready to learn! Look-Inside-a-Volcano-Activity  Hands-on activity to learn about constellations using pipe cleaners, beads, and constellation flashcards for an engaging STEM activity! Use to teach preschool, pre k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade and more about stars, solar system, astronomy or as a fun, educational science activity Get ready to WOW your kids with a super EASY science experiment for kids!  This simple rising water experiment uses common household items to demonstrate a couple scientifc principles such as fire and oxygen as well as air pressure for kids. This burning candle in water experiment is fun for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and  6th graders. Olders students will benefit using the free printable burning Candle in Water Experiment Worksheets as they explore why does the water rise in the candle experiment.

Science Exeriments for Kids

Looking for lots more fun, science experiments for kids? You’ve GOT to try some of these outrageously fun science experiments for kids! We have so many fun, creative and easy science experiments for elementary age children:

Learn how energy is transfered from one object to another in this newton's cradle activity. For this physics experiments for kids, you will make a newton's pendulum to explore how what happens when two objects colide. This newton cradle project is fun for all ages from preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade students. With a few simple materials I will show you how to make a newton's cradle; this is a SUPER cool and easy science experiment. This vinegar and baking soda rocket is an out-of-this-world fun AND educational summer activity for kids! Preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students will enjoy making the baking soda rocket. This how to make a bottle rocket project is one of those really cool science projects your kids will remember forever! Learn about the Parts of the Brain for Kids with this fun brain activity for kids and handy brain worksheets! Children will learn about the functions of the brain for kids as part of our human body lesson. Use this brain project with elementary age students in first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th garde students. Simply print pdf file with brain diagram for kids and you are ready to play and learn with hands-on human body activities for kids! Looking for a super cool kids activity that combines art and science? This super cool drawbot is as fun to make as it is to play with. The scribble bot is quick and simple to put together with things you have laying around the house.  Then make some really cool art projects with the help of your scribble robot. This electronics experient is fun for kids of all ages from preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th graders too. We've included instructions to make this summer activity for kids or use it in your school as an electricity experiment for kids.

Easy Science Experiments

Learn about the Parts of the Brain for Kids with this fun brain activity for kids and handy brain worksheets! Children will learn about the functions of the brain for kids as part of our human body lesson. Use this brain project with elementary age students in first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th garde students. Simply print pdf file with brain diagram for kids and you are ready to play and learn with hands-on human body activities for kids! This fun, hands-on lungs for kids lesson will help you make a working lungs model for kids using a plastic bottle and balloon. This human body for kids project is great for kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th garde, and 7th grade students. We will show you how to make a lung model that will help children understand how this important organ works with a human body activity for kids! Learn about the human heart for kids with this fun lesson on the human body for kids! Kids will learn information, discover how to make a heart model out of playodugh and a working heart science project plus review what you've learned with our free printable heart labeling worksheets. These human body activities for kids are fun for elementary age kids in first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, and 7th graders too. Simply print pdf file with label the heart worksheet and you are raedy to learn about the heart for kids! If you are learning about the human body for kids you have probably explores the bones, muscles, and important organs like the heart, brain, and lungs. Now it's time to explore blood for kids! This hands-on activity and EASY blood model is a great visual of what makes up blood while being a silly blood activity for kids at the same time! Your preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grad, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th graders will love this human body activity for kids!

Human Body Activities

Beth Gorden

Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! She has created over 1 million pages of printables to help teach kids ABCs, science, English grammar, history, math, and so much more! Beth is also the creator of 2 additional sites with even more educational activities and FREE printables – www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com and www.preschoolplayandlearn.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Responses
  1. vandana Avatar
    vandana

    what a great experiment! I just love it

    Reply
  2. Ruby Avatar
    Ruby

    I am going to use this for my highschool simple machines science fair! I was looking all over, and then I saw this, and I’m totally doing it!

    Reply