Grades 1–3
Push or Pull?
Sort eight actions into pushes and pulls, then draw a push and a pull you did today.
Science worksheet · Forces and motion
Paper Airplane Test
Fold two designs, fly each three times, measure the distance and name the forces at work.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 40 minutes
- Topic
- Forces and motion
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Pushes and pulls, Friction, Gravity and motion
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- The challenge: fold two different paper airplanes. Throw each one three times from the same line, the same way. Measure how far each flight went.
- Design A: draw your plane.
- Design B: draw your plane.
- Conclusion: which design flew farther? Why? Name two forces that act on a flying paper airplane.
Teacher tip
Measure distance with a tape measure and fly each plane from the same line.
How to use it
- Roll balls across carpet and tile to feel friction.
- Drop two objects at once and ask which lands first.
- Let partners compare answers and settle any differences with a book or a video.
Watch for
Heavier objects don’t fall faster (without air in the way). Try it with two balls.
Talk about it
- What would happen with no friction?
- Where have you seen this outside of school?
Take it further
Hold a toy car race on different surfaces and graph the results.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More forces and motion worksheets
Grades 3–5
Friction Test
Slide a block down a ramp onto four surfaces, measure how far it goes and find the most friction.
Grades 2–4
Gravity: True or False?
Eight facts about gravity to mark true or false, then draw your classroom with no gravity.
Grades 3–5
Balanced or Unbalanced?
Circle balanced or unbalanced for six situations, then explain what unbalanced forces do to motion.
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