Simple machines are the most basic machines. They make work easier by altering force. These easy-to-build simple machine projects explore a pulley, inclined plane, and a lever using common household objects.
20 Creative DIY Ideas That You Will Love We all have a build up of things that’s pretty much either collecting dust or getting put to one side ready to be thrown out. Before you get rid of any of it, have you thought about creatively recycling some of it yourself? Help your students come up with creative ways to encourage fellow students and organizations to donate. Have your students host a book and/or school supplies drive within your school or even classroom. Recycling Drive. Students combat waste by organizing and encouraging a culture of recycling within your school and classroom.
Barbie Climbs the Mountain
An inclined plane is a flat surface with one raised end used to lessen the force needed to raise objects. Is it easier for Barbie to climb straight up the book mountain or use the ramp?
Materials:
- Stack of 10-15 Books (enough so they are taller than a sitting Barbie)
- Board
- String
- Ruler
- Thin rubber band
- Barbie doll
1. Tie a string around Barbie and attach the rubber band to the string. Stack the books in a pile to make the 'mountain'.
2. Lift Barbie by pulling the rubber band straight up to the top of the book pile. Measure the length of the rubber band as you are pulling Barbie up the side of the mountain and record your results.
3. Use the board and book pile to make a ramp (inclined plane).
4. Pull Barbie up the ramp with the rubber band. Measure the length of the rubber band as she is pulled up the ramp and record your results.
Which was the easiest way to move Barbie to the top of the pile?
Send a Snack
A pulley changes the direction of a force needed to do work. Can you use a pulley to send a snack to a hungry friend across the room?
Materials:
- 2 thread spools
- 40 feet of string
- 2 round pencils
- Paperclips or binder clips
- Small bag of chips
1. Tie the ends of the string together to make a large loop. Put the pencils through the spool centers. Hold one pencil so the spool moves freely. Have a friend stand on the other side of the room with second spool. Wrap the string around the spools.
2. Attach the snack to the string with a paper clip or binder clip. Pull the string to move the chips.
Did the chips move across the room? What did you think would happen? What could you change? What did you learn?
Jumping Bean
A lever can change the size and direction of a force. Where should you push on a lever to get the best lift? What happens if you change the size of the fulcrum?
Materials:
- ruler
- popsicle stick
- large dry bean, such as a navy bean
- pencil and a fat marker or another object with a larger circumference
- large coin
1. Place the pencil under the popsicle stick to make a lever. Place a bean on one end of the lever.
2. Drop the other coin from a height of 30 cm. Notice how high the bean jumps.
3. Repeat but drop the coin so it lands halfway between the end of the stick and the pencil. How high did the other bean jump?
4. Repeat the experiment, replacing the pencil with a fatter marker. How does this change the height the bean jumps?
Try moving the fulcrum to different locations under the Popsicle stick. What gives the bean the best lift?
Machines Make Work Easier
The pulley, inclined plane and lever all make work easier by altering the force. These easily-made projects are a fun way to explore force and machines.
Resources
A Workshop on Simple Machines: https://teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/dawsonm/CAST/CAST95.html
Teachers.net: https://teachers.net/lessons/posts/215.html
These crafts are perfect to make with your elementary schooler. All of these tutorials are easy, educational, and ideal for little hands. Anytime you need an activity, from rainy days to weekends, these crafts are the best for the job.
Easy Pirate Cork Boats
These adorable pirate cork boats are made with old wine corks and they will actually float. It's a super fun craft to make with your little sailors and they are a perfect bath time toy.
Easy Fake Snow
Maybe it’s a warm winter or your kids just want a little holiday spirit in July, but this fake snow is a creative workaround the weather and it's super easy to make. More fun than playdough or clay, you’ll amaze your little ones with this one.
Chalkboard Town Craft
This is the sort of craft that can be played with and loved again and again. Make some easy buildings with chalkboard paint and let your kids create and recreate their own metropolis.
DIY 3D Glasses
Got a movie night coming up? DIY 3D glasses will be a total hit to make with your kids. Print and cut out them out and then use red and blue markers on plastic bags to make the colored lenses. You can customize them as you wish.
'Frozen' Inspired Glitter Play Dough
If your kids loved 'Frozen,' try out this homemade glitter play dough inspired by the movie. Your little ones can build as many snowmen as their heart's desire.
'Frozen' Glitter Play Dough from Home Made Interest
Woven Rainbow Fish
For fans of the rainbow fish books, this is a sweet and unique craft. Paper weaving looks complicated, but is actually super easy—and your kids will love picking out their favorite colors for their own fish.
Painting Fireworks Activity
Fireworks aren’t just for the Fourth of July. Bring some spark into your day all year round with this super creative firework painting craft-tivity that involves paints, with no risks of fire or burns.
Recycled Juice Carton Birdhouse
Give a warm welcome to the birds in your neighborhood by making and setting out these adorable recycled juice carton birdhouses. Have some fun with the design and fill it with scraps of fabric and cotton for the birds to make a nest.
Recycled Juice Carton Birdhouse from Design Dazzle
Craft Stick Airplane
Kids will love this take on a model airplane from Making Life Blissful. This is a craft you can make over and over again, and it's super easy with great results.
Fish-In-A-Bag Slime
Take your slime game to the next level with this fish-in-a-bag slime craft. Find some dollar store fish toys, or get creative with other sea life.
Paper Lanterns
The youngest children might need help with this one, but with a bit of guidance, any child can create these fun paper lanterns. Hang them for birthday parties or in your child's bedroom.
Caterpillar Pom Pom Craft
This craft is perfect for spring. Take your kids on a nature walk to look at all the creepy crawlies and then make this craft at home with just some paper, glue, pom poms, and google eyes.
DIY Mini Flower Garden Pots
Any green thumbs in your house? It’s so easy to decorate a little flowerpot with paint, washi-tape, or anything else you have around the house. These garden pots are great for planting little flowers or sprouts.
Toilet Paper Roll Butterfly Craft
The toilet paper roll butterfly craft is a classic—and for good reason! It’s easy, cute, and timeless.
Noodle Sunflowers
Noodle crafts are a well-loved genre of crafting, from necklaces to collage cards. These noodle sunflowers are perfect for summer or brightening up your house year round.
Yarn Monsters
What’s better than an adorable, do-it-yourself yarn monster? Make a whole flock of monsters with your little ones.
DIY Dinosaur Excavation Sensory Craft
This craft will require a little more on your end, but if your kids are dinosaur obsessed, this is the perfect craft for them. They’ll love digging up their own fossils.
DIY Dinosaur Excavation Sensory Craft from Hello Creative Family
Paper Plate Apple Craft
Perfect for back to school season—this paper plate apple craft is simple and cute. Your kids can decorate the house for fall or maybe bring it in as a gift for their teacher.
Itsy Bitsy Spider Hand Puppet
This is a great learning tool for teaching the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” song. Make this craft with your kids and teach them the song. They can use the puppet to mime “climbing up the water spout.”
Itsy Bitsy Spider Hand Puppet from Hands on as We Grow
DIY Sponge Bombs
A sponge bomb is tons of fun outside in the summer or in the bath year round. Help your kids cut up sponges and let them run wild. Keep towels at the ready.
Creative DIY Paintbrushes
Spice up your painting projects with some unique DIY paintbrushes. Make a brush out of anything you can imagine for different and exciting results.
Bee Puppet Craft
Learn how to make cute bumble bee puppets with this easy tutorial. These puppets are great for playtime even after your kids finish crafting.
Egg Carton Flower Craft
Bring some spring into the house with an old egg carton and some paint. No watering required!
We Built A Zoo! Craft
This is a super sweet craft for any little animal lover. Make a zoo enclosure out of popsicle sticks and cardboard for animal safekeeping.
Pet Rock Tic Tac Toe
Customized pet rock tic tac toe is a great game. Paint your special boards and pet rocks however you want for hours of fun.
Pet Rocks
Need ideas for your pet rocks? These adorable zoo animals are the perfect way to bring any rock to life.