Grades 2–5
Simple Machines All Around
Name the simple machine in ten everyday things, from a seesaw to a jar lid.
Science worksheet · Simple machines and engineering
The Six Simple Machines
Label the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge and screw.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–4
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Simple machines, Engineering design, Forces
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Write the name of each simple machine.
- A simple machine makes work easier. Which one would you use to lift a heavy box onto a truck?
Words on this sheet
inclined planescrewpulleyleverwedge
Teacher tip
Set up six stations with a real example of each machine.
How to use it
- Bring in a ramp, a screw, a wedge and a pulley from the toolbox.
- Let kids test a lever with a ruler and a pencil before they write.
- Let partners compare answers and settle any differences with a book or a video.
Watch for
Kids who judge a design by looks. Ask what the test results showed.
Talk about it
- What would you change to make your design better?
- What did you notice that surprised you?
Take it further
Hold a class build day with recycled boxes and tape.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More simple machines and engineering worksheets
Grades 2–5
Paper Tower Challenge
An engineering challenge: plan, build, test and improve the tallest tower from ten sheets of paper.
Grades 2–5
Paper Bridge Challenge
An engineering challenge: fold a paper bridge between two stacks of books and see how many pennies it holds.
Grades 3–5
Ramp and Car Experiment
Roll a toy car down a ramp at three heights, measure how far it goes, graph it and explain.
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