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A selection of resources to help the teacher better understand the topic of electricity and circuits.

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#scrappycircuits Create circuits from cardboard and binderclips

#makeymakey Take circuits to the next level with coding

#conductorsandisulators Great ideas for project ideas on teaching the concept of conductors and insulators of electricity

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Quizizz - The world's most engaging learning platform

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Find and create gamified quizzes, lessons, presentations, and flashcards for students, employees, and everyone else. Get started for free!

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Making connections: Elementary students' ideas about electricity and energy resources

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The development of energy literacy for all citizens is critical as we face climate change and rapid depletion of existing energy resources. This study...

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Chapter 3 explains how teachers can best tackle the topic of electricity in simple circuits.

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Children arrive in their science classrooms with their own ideas and interpretations of the phenomena they are to study even when they have received no systematic instruction in these subjects whatsoever. These ideas and interpretations are a natural result of everyday experience - of practical physical activities, of talking with other people, and of the media.

This book documents and explores the ideas of school students (aged 10-16) about a range of natural phenomena such as light, heat, force and motion, the structure of matter and electricity. It also examines how students' conceptions change and develop with teaching.

The editors have brought together science educators who come from different parts of the work but whose work is focused on the same determination to bring insight into the conceptual world of children in science classrooms - insight which will be helpful in making science teaching and learning more rewarding for teachers and children alike.

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Children arrive in their science classrooms with their own ideas and interpretations of the phenomena they are to study even when they have received no systematic instruction in these subjects whatsoever.

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How to Teach Kids About Electricity (Activities and Experiments)

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With a couple of simple and easy-to-follow science experiments, electricity for kids is going to turn into a very fun lecture to teach.

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Use this custom search engine to research circuits and electricity at the elementary level.

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Can you imagine a world where we don't have electricity...no light switches to turn on, no computers to turn on, no hot water and way more?

Electricity is a big part of our lives, and sometimes we don't even realize it. First, let's take a look at what electricity is.

Then, why not explore our other electricity facts. We have lots of cool information on static electricity and scientists like Michael Faraday and James Clerk Maxwell.

You can even try out our cool static electricity experiment!

Electricity comes from power stations, the wind, the sun, water and seriously, even animal poop! Whoa, who would have thought that animal poop could make electricity?

Electricity is a type of energy that can build up in one place or flow from one place to another.

When electricity gathers in one place it is known as static electricity , which means that it doesn't move and electricity that does move is called current electricity.

Electric current is measured in amperes, called amps for short.

Electric potential energy is measured in volts.

When an electric charge builds up on the surface of an object it makes static electricity. You might have got a small electric shock, which is static electricity.

This happens when an electric charge is quickly cancelled out by an opposite charge.

Ever heard of direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC)? Well there is a difference between the two.

DC electrons move in a single direction, while AC electrons like to shake it up a bit and change from moving backwards to forward all the time.

The electricity you use in your home is AC while DC comes from things like batteries.

What's the world's biggest source of energy? Do you know? Well it actually comes from burning coal.

Coal is burnt in furnaces which heats the water until it becomes steam. This then spins turbines which are attached to generators.

The History of Electricity

The first power plant, opened in New York City in 1882. It was owned by Thomas Edison.

Thomas Edison was certainly a great inventor. He came up with more than 2,000 inventions, which includes almost everything that we need to use electricity in our homes including switches, fuses, sockets and meters.

Wow, that's a lot of inventions.

Benjamin Franklin did a lot of electricity research in the 18th century. He invented the lightning rod amongst many other discoveries.

Lightning rods protect buildings if lightning strikes. It takes the lightning bolt and moves it through a grounded wire.

Interesting Facts about Electricity

Electricity travels at the speed of light. That's more than 186,000 miles per second! Can you even begin to imagine that? That's seriously fast.

A spark of static electricity can measure up to 3,000 volts.

A bolt of lightning can measure up to 3,000,000 volts, and it lasts less than one second!

One single lightning bolt can light up 100 powerful lamps for an entire day, or make lots and lots of toast, in fact a couple of thousand pieces of toast. Don't think you'd be able to eat all that!

A lightning bolt can get really, really hot and reach temperatures of 30,000 °C (54,000 °F). Now that is hot, hot, hot!

A 600 megawatt natural gas plant can power 220,000 homes.

Now this will amaze you. Electric eels can produce strong electric shocks of around 500 volts. They use this to hunt and to protect themselves too. That's pretty cool.

A popular way to create electricity is through something called hydropower. Hydropower is a process where electricity is made by water which spins turbines attached to generators. Pretty neat!

Power Stations - this is a place where electricity is created and sent to our homes and other places where it's needed.

Furnaces - an enclosed structure that makes things very hot.

Turbines - this is a machine that creates continuous power in which a wheel, or something similar, moves round and round by a fast-moving flow of water, steam, gas or air.

Generators - a machine that converts energy into electricity.

Volts - the size of the force that sends electrons through a circuit

Megawatt - this is a unit of power that is equal to 1,000,000 watts and is a measure of how much electricity a power station makes

Fuses - these are safety devices. A fuse is a strip of wire that melts and breaks an electric circuit if it goes over a safe level.

So now you know all about electricity! How about using this information for a school project or telling your friends and parents all the information you know now?

And that's not all! Keep reading for more on this exciting topic!

More Electricity Facts:

Static Electricity

This is another type of electricity which happens when an electrical charge build up on the surface of an object. Read more about static electricity here!

Static Electricity Experiment

Check out our static electricity experiment here - it is a great way to test your knowledge of the subject and enjoy seeing science in action too!

James Clerk Maxwell

James Clerk Maxwell was a Scottish scientist who carried out important research in the field of mathematical physics.

He made some very interesting discoveries relating to electromagnetism and electrodynamics. You can read more about this famous scientist here.

Michael Faraday

Michael Faraday, one of the most famous scientists in history, was born in England and is known as the 'Father of Electricity'. Read more about him here.

Explore our Science and Physics sections.

How to Make a Potato Clock

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Electricity Facts for Kids in [year] (Fun & Interesting)

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Can you imagine a world where we don't have electricity...no light switches to turn on, no computers to turn on, no hot water and way more? Electricity is a big part of our lives, and sometimes we don't even realize it. First, let's take a look at what electricity is.

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# Watch and Discuss

Historical footage from the 1930s shows how life changed when electricity made its way to rural America. Watch the video (7:32) and talk about the differences between then and now:

How did electricity change life in the home? On the farm?

How did electricity change the lives of men, women, and children?

Could you live without electricity in your house today?

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In this lesson, students are introduced to electricity as a form of energy.

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Electricity is the flow of tiny particles called electrons and protons. It can also mean the energy you get when electrons flow from place to place. Electricity can be seen…

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Fun Facts for Kids about Electric Circuits

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An electric circuit can be defined as a path in which electrons flow from a voltage or current source flow. A battery or some other power source gives the voltage required to move. Electric circuits use two forms of electric power, AC and DC.

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Link to DK find out about Circuits

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Learn interesting information about electrical circuit for kids. Find out more about types of electrical circuits and improve your knowledge with DK Find Out.

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Electric circuits are paths for transmitting electric current, or moving electricity. Such circuits allow electricity to be used to provide power to lights, appliances, and many other devices. Scientists have studied electricity for hundreds of years. But it was not until the early 1800s that they learned how to create a continuous flow of electricity and then to channel that electricity through the use of a circuit.

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Electric circuits are paths for transmitting electric current, or moving electricity. Such circuits allow electricity to be used to provide power to lights, appliances, and many other devices. Scientists have studied electricity for hundreds of years.

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A selection of videos that can be used to introduce and supplement a lesson on electricity and circuits.

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A selection of interactive tools to use as part of formal instruction or as a center based activity.

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PhET simulations

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Bitmoji Room on Electricity and Circuits

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We normally get electricity from the mains or batteries.

A circuit is a complete route or course.

An electrical circuit has electricity flowing throught it.

Electricity only flows when the circuit is complete with no gaps.

electricity, teaching electricity children, teacher lesson ideas, teacher resource guide, primary resources electricity, electricity ks2

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Electricity Interactive Games and Activities - Woodlands Science Zone

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Many interactive electricity games and activities - Woodands Science Zone, bringing learning alive for Kids

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Experiment and create a variety of circuit types.

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Learn how to design and print in 3D, code, and create circuits using our free, easy-to-use app Tinkercad.

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A selection of projects that can be used during instruction or as culminating projects for electricity and circuits.

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A selection resources that can be used as stand alone lesson or to create lessons on electricity and circuits.

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Study.com chapter on Electricity

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Lorraine Aaland, Pine Island Elementary School, Pine Island, MN 55963

Author Profile

Summary

In this physics lesson 4th grade students investigate electrical circuits in greater depth than the FOSS unit used in a prior grade in school. Students become familiar with a computer simulation allowing them greater choices of materials to "build" an electric circuit. The simulation also models the "schematics" which will help students with their diagrams.

Used this activity? Share your experiences and modifications
Learning Goals

1. Students activate prior knowledge by building a simple series electric circuit and may test more elaborate models.
2. Students will diagram that electric circuit using Scnks "Electronic Circuits", http://www.scilinks.org
3. Students will be able to use computer technology to "build" more sophisticated electrical circuits than using materials commonly available in my classroom.

Context for Use

This activity will require use of a several 4th grade science periods. Pairs of students may require time on the computer outside of class. The sessions would not have to immediately follow one another.

Subject: Physics:Electricity & Magnetism
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity, Classroom Activity
Grade Level: Intermediate (3-5)

Description and Teaching Materials

Build, Diagram, Display understanding
Build : Presented with an assortment of wires, batteries, and lights introduced in the FOSS Magnetism and Electricity taught previously in our school, students are challenged, given the topic of energy, "What could be done with these materials?" Students assist one another in building a complete series circuit. Students journal observations in an "I See.../ I Wonder..." log page of their attempts.

Other challenges are offered. For example, attempt to complete the circuit using other conductors found in their desks, build a complete circuit using a battery, one uncut wire and a bulb. Observations are shared in small groups and whole group and questions are recorded on a class chart for future consideration.
Diagram: The next challenge is, "How could you send your electrical circuit model to an online pen-pal?" Using a completed model from the prior day, the teacher demonstrates how to use the SciLinks website simulation Electrical Circuits via projection or SMARTboard. Following this introduction, time in the computer lab gets pairs of students designing the illustration of a model circuit they've built. The groups may need time outside of class to work. The labeled illustration is printed or hand copied for inclusion in each student's journal. Emphasize the use of color to key the individual parts of this diagram, making it easier to remember and explain.
Processing the experience opens with pairs of students sharing, in turn, with 2 other pairs of students what they learned about using the computer simulation. What worked? What didn't? Class share of observations and work summaries.

Display understanding: Now the teacher presents a malfunctioning circuit, accompanied by its illustration, Student pairs are asked to explain what is wrong with the circuit and make at least 2 different suggestions of how to solve the problem. These ideas are shared and explained to other pairs or to the entire class.

Extension: I would encourage students to design other circuits to challenge the class, from time to time, as to whether or not they would work.

Teaching Notes and Tips

Personal experience has shown that many students, having previously completed guided inquiry about electrical circuits in third grade, do not yet remember enough about conductors and insulators at the beginning of our unit for energy conservation at fourth grade. Until now our grade level curriculum has not included electricity activities, but adding them could prove helpful, since there is conceptual overlap between electrical flow and heat energy conservation, which is in the curriculum. These activities give students one more opportunity to better understand important concepts before the 5th grade state testing.

There are advantages to pairing simulation to the hands-on work. Use of a simulation allows students to test ideas about conductors without the whole class seeing what didn't work unless a student wants to share that information. The simulation includes a greater variety of objects not commonly available in the classroom. During the simulation frustration with damaged electrical equipment lessens. To me the simulation is the "picture that's better than 1000 words". Also, wouldn't it be great if students really did e-mail their illustrations home? Time spent with the simulation is a benefit to students.

Prior to these lessons, the teacher will need to download the simulation lab:
PC Windows
1. Go to ftp://ftp.nsta.org/VLabsWin/
2. Double click on the file Vlabs_Electricity_Setup.exe
3. When the prompt comes up, click "Save."
4. Choose the location where you want to save the file

MAC:
1. Go to ftp://ftp.nsta.org/VLabsMac/
2. Double click on the file Vlabs_Electricity_DL.bin
3. When the prompt comes up, click "Save."
4. Choose the location where you want to save the file

This lesson is written as the result of a summer class. It is subject to revision during the upcoming school year.

Assessment

Because formal assessments always get down to print, it benefits students to show what they understand graphically and linguistically. Usually students help design the rubric to assess this type of work. Since assessment is backed up by data kept in their journals, I would anticipate the following to be included:
- Students will produce a labeled diagram for one of the electrical circuits they constructed. Included will be the size of the power source, the type of conductor/conductors used, and the item/items to be powered.
- Illustration should be neatly presented so the audience can understand
- Students can present a written or oral summary of why their model did/didn't work.
- Students will describe what their partner did to complete the project or how they know that their group stayed on task.

Standards

References and Resources

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teach the earth:incorporating societal issues:geology and health

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on the cutting edge:cutting edge activity review:will not review

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4th Grade Students Investigate Electric Circuits Through Construction and Illustration

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Lorraine Aaland, Pine Island Elementary School, Pine Island, MN 55963 Author Profile Summary In this physics lesson 4th grade students investigate electrical circuits in greater depth than the FOSS unit used in a prior grade in school. Students become familiar with a computer simulation allowing them greater choices of materials to "build" an electric circuit.

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FlexBook chapter on circuits

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Circuits: One Path for Electricity - Lesson

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Students begin to make sense of the phenomenon of electricity through learning about circuits. Students use the disciplinary core idea of using evidence to construct an explanation as they learn that charge movement through a circuit depends on the resistance and arrangement of the circuit components.

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Conductors and Insulators

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Where does electricity come from and how do we use it?

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Students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of electricity. They address questions such as “How is electricity generated?” and “How is it used in every-day life?” Illustrative examples of circuit diagrams are used to help explain how electricity flows.

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How to use playdoh to teach circuits.

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ASEE PEER - Squishy Circuits (Resource Exchange)

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Circuits with cardboard, binder clips and tea lights

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Our goal is simple: innovation education for all.

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Create a circuit city

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Have you heard about Terrific Scientific from the BBC? BBC Terrific Scientific is a fantastic primary science campaign hoping to get children to think differently about what being a real scientist is like. Here at Science Sparks we're all about making science fun and accessible to everyone, so we think BBC Terrific Scientific is pretty awesome!

Terrific Scientific consists of ten classroom based investigations using minimal equipment. When a school has completed an investigation they send the results to both the BBC and leading universities as part of real academic studies. However, it's not all about schools, the BBC Terrific Scientific website also has a brilliant DIY section full of exciting investigations you can carry out in your home. We'd definitely recommend having a look around and trying some out on the weekend or in half term.

If you're a teacher, register now at: https://www.bbcterrificscientificregistration.co.uk/

Inspired by BBC Terrific Scientific we've come up with our own power activity based around simple circuits for kids.
Before you start, please read on for some very important health and safety advice. As we're demonstrating electricity, this activity will require adult supervision. Electricity can be extremely dangerous, so please ensure none of the wires are damaged or exposed, and ensure your hands are dry before you begin the activity. Please also make sure an adult checks the circuit before it's switched on, and remember to always switch it off at the end of the activity.
Make a light up model street - circuits for kids

This activity uses a model village to demonstrate how power reaches our homes and introduces the concept of an electrical circuit.

We use electricity in our homes to power lights and televisions as well as for cooking and heating so it's very important. The electricity used to power appliances you plug in is called mains electricity.
Mains electricity can be very dangerous, never poke things into a plug socket or touch switches with wet hands.
Electricity is also used for small toys and games powered by batteries, we're going to use batteries for our circuits.

You'll need

Light bulbs
Battery pack with wire
Crocodile clips and wires

Paper

Paper clips

How to make a Simple Circuit

First let's create a very simple circuit. A circuit always needs a source of power, we're going to use a battery pack with wires connected to the positive (+) and negative ( -) ends.

Create a circuit by placing each wire into the connector area of the lightbulb. You should find the bulb lights up. Now hold one wire slightly above the connector, you should find the bulb goes out. You've broken the circuit. Electricity only flows if a circuit is complete as it has to flow all the way around for the bulb to light up.

Simple Circuit

Circuit with a switch

Switches can be used to control whether a circuit is complete or not. When a switch is open, there is a gap in the circuit which means electricity cannot travel all the way around. When a switch is closed it makes the circuit complete again allowing electricity to travel around the circuit.

You can make a very simple switch using small piece of folded paper and two paperclips. If the paper is open the paperclips do not touch, meaning there is a break in the circuit. If you close the paper, the paperclips touch which completes the circuit.

DIY Circuit with a Switch

How to make a series circuit

You should have found that the bulb in your simple circuit was quite bright. If we add another bulb into the same circuit without increasing the power both bulbs will be dimmer than one alone. This is because the more bulbs ( or other features such as buzzers ) in a circuit the harder it is for the current to flow. There is more resistance.

Series Circuit with a Switch

Troubleshooting

If your circuits don't work try the following:

Check your batteries work

Look for loose wires on the bulbs, the wires must be fixed in place and touching the metal part for the circuit to be complete.

Check your bulb is screwed in properly and isn't damaged.

Did you know electricity is not stored in a battery, it is generated inside when the chemicals react with each other.
Lighting up a model street

Electricity in the home is generated by power stations, but how does it get from a power station into your house?

Pylons carry power lines from the power stations to substations closer to houses. From the substations, underground cables carry the electricity into homes.

We created a small model street to demonstrate this and to use all three circuits created above. You can see the power station in one corner, with power cables being taken to a sub station via pipe cleaner pylons. We've drawn lines to illustrate underground cables too.

To make a light up street you will need:

Small houses - use cardboard boxes or create a wooden frame.

Blocks

Pipecleaners

Tape

Decorations

The circuits created above

We created our houses using a wooden frame in a cube shape with cardboard attached for walls.

Our street has four houses:
One is lit with a simple circuit.

Two are lit by a series circuit ( one bulb in each house )

One has a circuit with a switch.

Turn on each circuit and watch your street light up. Do the bulbs that share a circuit look dimmer than the bulbs that are on their own?

Extension Idea - circuits for kids

How many houses can you light up using one circuit with the light bulbs in series?

Can you overcome the extra resistance in your series circuit by adding extra batteries? You should find the extra power makes the bulbs brighter.

What do you think of our model street? If you like the idea, take a look around the BBC Terrific Scientific website and see what else takes your fancy.

We challenge you to try one of the investigations from the DIY section on the Terrific Scientific website, maybe even with a child who thinks they don't enjoy science activities, you might be surprised how much fun they ( and you ) have.

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Light Up a Model Village - Circuits for Kids - Terrific Scientific

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Have you heard about Terrific Scientific from the BBC? BBC Terrific Scientific is a fantastic primary science campaign hoping to get children to think differently about what being a real scientist is like. Here at Science Sparks we're all about making science fun and accessible to everyone, so we think BBC Terrific Scientific is pretty awesome!

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Simple intro activity

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Can one ever have too many wands? As true Potterheads I firmly believe the answer is NO! Especially when you are making the wands yourself and with this DIY Harry Potter Wands project, kids create their very own wand that lights up. LUMOS! All done playing? No problem it also turns off as if by magic. NOX!

Disclaimer: This article may contain commission or affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."
― J.K.Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

I get goosebumps every time I hear that quote. There are many quotes from Harry Potter that I could read every day. There is just so much wisdom and knowledge shared in the pages. I often feel like we need a little more light in our days. It can feel dark and like the world is a hard place sometimes.

So why not do something fun and amazing? Why not create yourself a wand that lights up with an on/off switch you crafted yourself? Then whenever you need to turn on the light it, it's there with a flick of of the thumb.

Not only will this simple circuit project bring light into your life, you will light up your child's passion and curiosity. Once they master this Harry Potter Wand, who knows where their imagination will take them next?

If you have tried our Circuit Bugs or Circuit Flowers activities, you will find this circuit building activity very easy. If you are new to circuit building, welcome! It's about to get electric in here!
No magical abilities required!
I made a video of me rambling away as I made one of these wands. Sometimes with circuits I know it is easier to see what someone is doing, rather than trying to figure it out from pictures and words. I hope you find the video helpful!
NOTE: If you can't see this video, please turn off your adblockers. Adblockers also block our video feed. Once you turn off your adblockers, the video will appear. Enjoy!
I did edit the video down a bit, but it only takes about 10 minutes to make these circuit wands. This project is great for tweens and teens. Children 7 to 10 should be closely supervised. Don't attempt this activity with younger kids who put things in their mouths. Batteries are dangerous and common sense must be used to keep our kids safe.

The first step is to take one of your outer craft sticks. I like to use 2 colours. So my outer colours are one colour and my insulating stick is a different colour. It makes it easier to keep track of where you need to place the copper tape.

Group Activity Tip!If you are doing this as a group activity I recommend using coloured craft sticks so it is easier to follow the directions. You can even use 3 colours and have all the kids use the same three colours so it is easier to instruct the group.

One of my kids did complain and say they would prefer to do the wands wood colour so it is more authentic. The choice is honestly yours! It's your Harry Potter wand!

Start by wrapping a strip of copper tape around the craft stick approximately where you want your on/off switch. Kind of like a ring all the way around the craft stick. Then leave about 1cm of space (a child's finger width is great) and wrap another strip of copper tape all the way around the craft stick.

Now on one side run a strip of copper tape from the bottom ring to the end of the stick. Repeat from the top ring to the other end of the stick. Make sure you leave the finger width space between the rings with no copper tape. This is your circuit break.

Pro Tip! Copper tape likes to roll and stick back on itself. Sometimes it works best with long pieces to leave the paper on part of the tape and slowly unroll as you stick it.

On the other outer craft stick run a strip of copper tape along the entire length.

Here are all the sticks with copper tape, we will get to the little piece in a moment!

Before you place your LED light make sure you test it! Do this by sliding the battery between the legs. If it doesn't work flip the battery around and try again. Still doesn't work? Grab a different LED and test that one. Still not working? Try another battery. Make sure everything works before you start the next step.

Using copper tape attach the LED light to the end of outer craft stick with tape running the entire length. You want to tape the LED leg to the copper tape.

Repeat on the other outer craft stick, making sure to tape the other LED leg to the copper tape on the craft stick. Secure those legs well with copper tape to ensure your circuits will work.

Here is what it should look like.

Using scissors cut about an inch off the end of your middle craft stick. You want to cut off just enough that your battery will fit in.

The long part of the middle stick will slide between the two outer sticks.

Now we need to make our switch which is going to complete our circuit and make our wand LUMOS!

Add a piece of copper tape to one side of the small piece of craft stick you just cut off the middle piece. Using your electrical tape create a hinge and attach the piece so it will cover the gap between the rings on the outside of your craft stick.

Slide your battery in. Test to make sure it is the correct way and your wand works.

Now tape your wand together!

Add a piece of tape to the top to secure the three craft sticks together. Then add more tape at the bottom starting at the bottom of the on/off switch all the way to the end securing the battery in place.

To turn on your wand simply close the flap securely with your thumb.

LUMOS!

All done playing, simply take your thumb off the switch and your circuit breaks and the light turns off.

NOX!

If you have any difficulties please watch the video above to see in step by step details how I built these wands. That should help you troubleshoot!

We LOVE Harry Potter and as a special thanks we are offering a free limited time offer of a Harry Potter Inspired Coding Fun pack. Learn coding like the wizards do! This is a special offer for STEAM Powered Family newsletter members, join now!

How To Make A Harry Potter Wand

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Harry Potter Wands STEM Project - Use circuits to cast Lumos and Nox!

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Can one ever have too many wands? As true Potterheads I firmly believe the answer is NO! Especially when you are making the wands yourself and with this DIY Harry Potter Wands project, kids create their very own wand that lights up. LUMOS! All done playing?

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Electricity and circuits are great fun for children ( and teachers and parents ) to learn about. This collection of electricity science projects and experiments are all easy to try and very satisfying. Watching a bulb or an LED light up because a circuit works always seems very rewarding and the bonus is you can be as creative as you like! Make houses, torches, robots and so much more. The creative opportunities with this kind of STEM project are endless!!

These electricity experiments use only a battery so are safe if supervised by an adult. Remember mains electricity is very dangerous.

Please supervise children with these activities at all times.

Quick electricity and circuit refresher

Electric current is the flow of charge around a circuit, it can only flow if the circuit is complete.

A battery acts like a pump, pushing the electric charge around the circuit. We call this force voltage. The higher the voltage the more current flows.

You can increase voltage by using multiple batteries or higher voltage batteries.

Which materials conduct electricity?

Metals conduct electricity as they allow electrons to pass through them. Electrical charge is a flow of electrons ( negatively charged particles ).

The opposite of a conductor is an insulator. Insulators don't allow electric charge to pass through them. Plastic, wood and glass are examples of insulators.

Sea water or a homemade salt solution. Teach Engineering has instructions for a great salt water battery.

Graphite - see our graphite circuit below.

Easy Electricity Projects for Kids

Do you have any more electricity project ideas for us to try?

Electricity Projects for Kids

Last Updated on March 18, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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Electricity and circuits are great fun for children ( and teachers and parents ) to learn about. This collection of electricity science projects and experiments are all easy to try and very satisfying. Watching a bulb or an LED light up because a circuit works always seems very rewarding and the bonus is you can be as creative as you like!

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By Amy Cowen on May 26, 2021 9:00 AM
Use these free STEM lessons and activities to help students get hands-on building, testing, and exploring the science of circuits.
The free STEM lessons and activities below guide students in designing, building, testing, and troubleshooting circuits. In these activities, students will learn about series and parallel circuits; open, closed, and short circuits; the importance of conductive and insulating materials; voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's Law; and more. Students can begin exploring electronics and simple circuits with introductory robots, electric play dough, or paper circuits. As they build understanding of circuitry, students can build circuits using breadboards and create circuits that use sensors, microcontrollers, and more.

The resources below have been grouped as follows:

Note: Science Buddies Lesson Plans contain materials to support educators leading hands-on STEM learning with students. Lesson Plans offer NGSS alignment, contain background materials to boost teacher confidence, even in areas that may be new to them, and include supplemental resources like worksheets, videos, discussion questions, and assessment materials. Activities are simplified explorations that can be used in the classroom or in informal learning environments. Student projects that appear below contain experiments that can be effectively adapted for use by educators for teaching about the topic.

Lesson Plans and Activities to Teach About Circuits and Circuitry

Introductory Circuits

1. In the LED Stickies activity, students connect coin cell batteries to LEDs to make simple light-up magnets (or popular LED throwies). What they learn about polarity and the importance of connecting the correct LED leg to each terminal of the battery will help as they move on to build more complex circuits. Questions: In doing this activity, students may notice that certain colors of LEDs glow brighter or stay lit longer. Why? ( Note: Older kids might be challenged to adapt their LED Stickies to find a way to turn them on and off.)

2. In the Make a Paper Circuit activity, students explore introductory circuits using copper tape (or aluminum foil), a coin cell battery, and LEDs. These simple circuits help students understand (and visualize) how a circuit provides a closed path for electricity to travel.

3. In the Electric Play Dough lesson (or Electric Play Dough Project 1: Make Your Play Dough Light Up & Buzz! project), students use conductive dough and insulating dough to learn about circuits. With the two types of dough, they make simple "squishy" circuits that light up an LED and observe firsthand what happens when a circuit is open or closed and the function of insulating and conductive materials. They can experiment with serial and parallel circuits in the Electric Play Dough Project 2: Rig Your Creations With Lots of Lights! project and then use what they have learned to build three-dimensional dough circuits in the Electric Play Dough Project 3: Light Up Your Sculptures! project. This sequence of projects can be done using homemade conductive dough (or Play-Doh®) and insulating dough (or modeling clay) along with specialty materials in the Electric Play Dough Kit. For a short, informal exploration of electric play dough, see the Squishy Circuits: Light Up Your Play Doh® Creations! activity. Questions: When you want to use multiple LEDs, do you need to connect them in series or parallel?

4. In the Pencil Resistors project, students explore the function of resistors in circuits. Using pencils in varying sizes (and sharpened at both ends) as part of a battery-powered circuit, students can see how the pencils act as resistors and limit the amount of electricity flowing through the circuit. What is the relationship between the brightness of the bulb and the size of the pencil (or amount of resistance)? In the How to Make a Dimmer Switch with a Pencil project, students continue the exploration of resistors by using a single pencil (whittled down to reveal the inner core) to make a variable resistor that works like a dimmer switch.

Note: This project uses specialty materials available in the Basic Circuits Kit.

Circuit Exploration with Robots and Drones

1. In the Building Junkbots-Robots from Recycled Materials lesson, students create simple circuits using AA batteries and DC motors to power vibrating robots they design and build from recycled and craft materials. ( Note: While this robot-building activity can be used with students in other grades, this lesson is NGSS-aligned for grades 6-8.) For other robotics lessons, including introductory bristlebots and vibrobots, see Teach About Robotics with Free STEM Lessons & Activities.

Note: Junkbot robots can be made with specialty parts included in the Bristlebot Kit.

2. Building a popsicle stick drone is a great way for students to explore circuit building. With a progressive series of mini drone activities, each designed to explore a different aspect of drone flight, students start with a simple DIY mini drone and continue to evolve the circuitry to integrate an Arduino as they explore altitude control, hovering, steering, adding a joystick controller, and motion control with an accelerometer.

3. With intermediate robotics projects like the BlueBot series, students can build circuits with different sensors to enable specific robot functionality. The A Robot that Follows a Line lesson provides a complete lesson plan for using the BlueBot kit with students to build a robot with infrared (IR) light sensors that can follow a line. (They will learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, too.) The kit can also be used to build circuits for a guard robot, a light-tracking robot, and an obstacle-avoiding robot. ( Note: For other robotics lessons, including advanced BlueBot projects that integrate Arduino, see Teach About Robotics with Free STEM Lessons & Activities.)

Everyday Circuits and Real-world Solutions

1. In the Make an Awesome Paper Lantern activity, students design their own paper lanterns. These lanterns can be lit with tea lights or by creating a circuit similar to the night light activity above. ( Make connections! This engineering design activity is part of our Lunar New Year collection.)

2. E-textiles, or "wearable circuits," are circuits integrated into clothing (or other fabric items, like bookbags) using conductive thread. In the LED Dance Glove: Get the Party Started with Your Own Interactive Light Show project, students make wearable circuits and turn an ordinary glove into a fun light-up LED dance glove. (These light-up gloves can be used to create mesmerizing light displays!) The LED Traffic Glove: Build a Safety Device to Direct Traffic project extends the exploration of wearable circuits with a more complex traffic-control circuit that incorporates a switch so that the glove can show red or green lights, depending on the situation. ( Be inspired! Wearable circuits are a creative and unique way to experiment with electronics and circuit building. Students can use the dance glove directions to create other e-textiles light-up projects. Making custom patches that can be added to jackets or bookbags is just one example. Our team made these several times! See designing a light-up heart patch, skeleton kitty light-up patch, 4th of July patch.)

3. In the Green Technology: Build an Electronic Soil Moisture Sensor to Conserve Water project, students build a circuit that can help monitor water levels. They then are challenged to use the engineering design process to think about how the circuit could be protected for real-world use. ( Be inspired! This holiday tree water monitor uses this same type of sensor-based circuit and doubles as a tree ornament!)

Combining Circuits and Coding

1. With the Raspberry Pi Projects kit, kids build their own Raspberry Pi computer and then explore circuit building and computer programming with a series of eight activities that blend coding and electronics. With this kit, students use Scratch, a graphical programming language, to write programs that interact with circuits they build to create interactive games and toys, including a drum set, a musical keyboard, a carnival-style game, light-up art, and more!

The Raspberry Pi Projects Kit also works with more advanced programming languages like Python, so after students do the guided activities, they can continue to use the Raspberry Pi Kit for new coding adventures with projects like Build an Adaptive Game Controller for a Raspberry Pi. For extra inspiration, see how this student used the Raspberry Pi kit to create a light-up star and this student lit up a Halloween decoration.

Note: For classrooms or families that already have a Raspberry Pi, a Circuit Building Kit for Raspberry Pi is available.

2. Students ready for more complex circuitry projects can experiment with adding an Arduino microcontroller to the circuit and programming it to bring even more functionality to their projects. The following robotics projects use the BlueBot kit and an Arduino to create more sophisticated robots:

3. After building a basic popsicle stick drone, students can explore specific aspects of drone science by adding and programming an Arduino:

Teaching About Circuits and Circuitry in K-12

There is crossover between teaching about electricity, circuits, magnetism, and electromagnetism. You can view teaching materials, experiments, and lessons for these topics in the following collections:

Vocabulary

The following word bank contains words that may be covered when teaching about circuits using the lessons and activities in this resource.

Thematic Collections

Collections like this help educators find themed activities in a specific subject area or discover activities and lessons that meet a curriculum need. We hope these collections make it convenient for teachers to browse related lessons and activities. For other collections, see the Teaching Science Units and Thematic Collections lists. We encourage you to browse the complete STEM Activities for Kids and Lesson Plans areas, too. Filters are available to help you narrow your search.

Arduino is a registered trademark of Arduino LLC.

Development of this resource to support educators teaching K-12 STEM curriculum topics was made possible by generous support from the Donaldson Foundation.

You Might Also Enjoy These Related Posts:

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18 Science Lessons to Teach Circuits | Science Buddies Blog

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By Amy Cowen on May 26, 2021 9:00 AM Use these free STEM lessons and activities to help students get hands-on building, testing, and exploring the science of circuits. The free STEM lessons and activities below guide students in designing, building, testing, and troubleshooting circuits.

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Quick Look

Grade Level: 5 (4-6)

Time Required: 2 hours 30 minutes

(can be split into different days)

Expendable Cost/Group: US $27.00

This activity also uses some non-expendable (reusable) supplies; see the Materials List for details.

Group Size: 1

Activity Dependency: None

Subject Areas: Computer Science, Science and Technology

NGSS Performance Expectations:

Summary Students make their own design decisions about controlling the LEDs in a light-up, e-textile circuit, plush toy project that they make using LilyPad ProtoSnap components and conductive thread. They follow step-by-step instructions to assemble a product while applying their own creativity to customize it. They first learn about the switches-an on/off switch and a button-exploring these two ways of controlling the flow of electric current to LEDs and showing them the difference between closed and open circuits. Then they craft their creative light-up plush pals made from sewn and stuffed felt pieces (template provided) that include sewn electric circuits. Through this sewable electronics project, students gain a familiarity with microcontrollers, circuits, switches and LEDs-everyday items in today's world and the components used in so many engineered devices.
This engineering curriculum aligns to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Engineering Connection

E-textiles are a progressively significant contributor to the wearable electronics industry and a further evolution in the use of microcontrollers. Engineers design soft and flexible e-textiles that do not get too hot to wear or malfunction in the rain. E-textiles are made possible through contributions from computer and electrical engineers who design the components, such as current-controlling switches, and circuitry, as well as fashion designers and artists who make attractive and thematic products. The LilyPad microcontroller used in this activity is specifically designed to be sewn into fabrics like clothing and toys by using conductive thread rather than conventional metallic wires.

Learning Objectives

After this activity, students should be able to:

Describe how buttons and switches operate in circuits.

Explain the difference between closed and open circuits.

Demonstrate basic sewing skills.

Educational Standards

Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.

All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN), a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).

In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.

NGSS Performance Expectation

Click to view other curriculum aligned to this Performance Expectation

This activity focuses on the following Three Dimensional Learning aspects of NGSS:

Science & Engineering Practices

Disciplinary Core Ideas

Crosscutting Concepts

Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.

Energy can also be transferred from place to place by electric currents, which can then be used locally to produce motion, sound, heat, or light. The currents may have been produced to begin with by transforming the energy of motion into electrical energy. The expression "produce energy" typically refers to the conversion of stored energy into a desired form for practical use. Possible solutions to a problem are limited by available materials and resources (constraints). The success of a designed solution is determined by considering the desired features of a solution (criteria). Different proposals for solutions can be compared on the basis of how well each one meets the specified criteria for success or how well each takes the constraints into account.

Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects. Engineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones. Most scientists and engineers work in teams. Science affects everyday life.

Show that electricity in circuits requires a complete loop through which current can pass (Grade 4) More Details
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Describe the energy transformation that takes place in electrical circuits where light, heat, sound, and magnetic effects are produced (Grade 4) More Details
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Energy comes in many forms such as light, heat, sound, magnetic, chemical, and electrical (Grade 4) More Details
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Materials List

Each student/plush needs:

ProtoSnap - LilyPad E-Sewing Kit, such as DEV-11032 ROHS for $25 from SparkFun at https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11032; includes a pre-wired coin cell battery holder, button board, slide switch and five white LEDs, plus a needle set, bobbin of conductive thread, 20mm coin cell battery

3 LEDs (use 3 of the 5 LEDs included in e-sewing kit)

3V coin cell battery, AKA a 20mm coil cell battery (included in e-sewing kit)

sewing needle (included in e-sewing kit)

conductive thread 3+ feet per plush toy (included in e-sewing kit)

1+ craft felt sheet, one 9 x 12-inch piece makes one plush; (optional) some students may want an extra half-sheet of craft felt to adhere/sew to the plush and cover the stitching

Light-Up Plush Pals Template

To share with the entire class:

sewing or embroidery thread, for sewing together the plush and adding decorations

pens, markers or chalk

stuffing for plush pal, such as fiberfill, cotton batting, cotton balls, fabric scraps

hot glue guns and hot glue sticks, for placement of components

scissors

(optional) craft supplies for decoration, such as additional colored felt, feathers, sequins, beads, buttons, faux fur, adhesive Velcro dots

Worksheets and Attachments
Visit [www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/spfun-1881-light-up-plush-pals-circuits-e-textiles] to print or download.

Pre-Req Knowledge

Knowledge of basic circuitry, namely current flow. Ability to stitch with a needle and thread.

Introduction/Motivation

Have you ever ridden your bike at night? Did you wear reflective clothes or put flashing lights on your backpack or bike? Do you think it would be easier if you had lights built into your clothes? Not just regular lights, but LEDs that flash colors in different patterns. LEDs produce light electronically. They convert electrical energy into light. They don't get hot like the light bulbs used in many lamps and they have a longer lifetime of use.

Engineers designed LEDs and light-up clothes are just one way that engineers use electronic textiles, also called e-textiles. A textile is a fabric or cloth. What are some other examples of e-textiles you can think of? (Listen to some student ideas.)

We are going to make our own e-textiles with different LEDs that turn on and off when we press a button or slide a switch. Using the E-Sewing ProtoSnap, we'll examine how buttons and switches behave differently, then snap the pieces apart and design them into a plush pal with light-up features.

Buttons and switches are electronic components that control the flow of electricity through a circuit. The circuit is closed when current is permitted through by turning on a switch or pressing a button. When a piece of the circuit is disconnected by turning off a switch or button, it is an open circuit. Let's take a look at the E-Sewing ProtoSnap!

Procedure
Background
Provide students with more info on LEDs using this link: https://www.energystar.gov/products/lighting_fans/light_bulbs/learn_about_led_bulbs

If unfamiliar with sewable electronics, take a look at these SparkFun tutorials:
Before the Activity

It is beneficial if the teacher completes a light-up plush pal him/herself prior to guiding the activity.

Gather materials and make copies of the Light-Up Plush Pals Template, one per student.

Cut the conductive thread to length for each student.

With the Students

1. Open with the Introduction/Motivation section

2. Conduct a pre-activity assessment to guide students to explore the two types of switches (on/off-maintained, button-momentary) and verify their understanding of open/closed circuits. To avoid premature disassembly, before distributing the LilyPad ProtoSnap panels, direct students to keep them intact at this point.

LilyPad Slide Switch: Let students examine the slide switch labeled ON/OFF (see Figure 1). What happens when the toggle is moved to ON? (Answer: When the toggle is moved to the ON position, the two sew tabs on the switch are connected, allowing current to flow through and close the circuit.) What happens when the toggle is moved to OFF? (Answer: When moved to OFF, parts inside the switch move away from each other and open the circuit, disconnecting it.) Visualize switches as drawbridges for electricity-when the bridge is up (open), nothing can cross over. When it is down (closed), the pathway is reconnected, and electricity can flow along the original path-when the bridge is down (closed), cars can drive across the bridge. This switch is an example of a maintained switch-it remains in the same state until changed.

LilyPad Button Board: The LilyPad button board is another type of switch. Try pressing the button on the ProtoSnap to see how it controls the LED (see Figure 2). What happens when you press the button in the middle of the board? (Answer: When you press the button in the middle of the board, it connects the two sew tabs and allows current to flow through.) What happens when you let go of the button? (Answer: When you let go of the button, the connection is opened again, and the button springs back into place.) This button is an example of a momentary switch-it is only active when an action is applied.

1. Direct students to trace and cut out the plush template shape on a piece of felt.

2. Next, direct students to carefully snap apart the connected components on the E-Sewing ProtoSnap panel (see Figure 3). Doing this leaves them each with six LilyPad pieces: battery holder with battery, three LEDs, button, and switch. Discard the non-sewable pieces and scraps.

1. Direct students to arrange the pieces on the cutout felt shape according to the template and trace the circuit from the template onto the felt. Then, use dabs of hot glue to attach the components to the felt for easier sewing. Before gluing, remind them to make sure to check the orientation of the LEDs before they stitch them together: the positive tabs of the LED connect to the button or switch, and the negative tabs connect to the negative tab on the battery holder.

2. Positive connections: Follow these steps to sew the positive connections, which start with the positive + tab of the battery holder, and include the switch, two LEDs near the top (positive tabs), button, and end with the last LED (positive tab) in the middle of the felt shape. Refer to Figure 4 and the template for the sewing path and positive/negative orientation of components.

Direct students to each thread a needle with the conductive thread and tie a knot at the end. It is recommended that they begin sewing at the positive sew tab on the battery holder closest to the fold or "feet" on the felt cutout, as shown in Figure 4. As they sew, advise students to use three to four loops around each tab.

With a new piece of thread, have students follow the sewing path to connect the other side of the switch to the positive sew tabs of the top two LEDs and end with three to four loops on the closest tab of the button. Tie and cut.

With a new piece of thread, begin at the other side of the button and stitch three to four loops around the sew tab. Continue stitching to the positive side of the last LED (the one in the middle of the felt shape), ending with three to four loops. Tie and cut.

Negative connections: Continue with the conductive sewing by directing students to next stitch together the negative connections by following the circuit they traced onto the felt. With a new piece of thread that is at least 2 feet long, stitch three to four loops on the negative (-) sew tab of the first LED and connect to the negative tabs on the other LEDs, ending at the negative tab of the battery holder (see Figure 5). Again, remind students to make sure to loop three to four times on each connection.

1. When the conductive sewing is done to create the circuit, direct students to turn over the felt cutouts and trim any loose thread tails before testing the circuits with batteries.

2. Insert the coin cell battery into the battery holder with the positive (+) side facing up. Press the button and slide the switch to verify that the LEDs light up. If they do, remove the battery and move on to personalize the light-up plush pal with finishing decorating touches.

3. As a finishing decorating option to hide the conductive thread stitches entirely, students may want to cut out from an extra half-sheet of felt the shape of half of the template to place on top of their finished plushes. If they do this, advise them to make cutouts for the LEDs, button and switch to make sure the LEDs shine through the top layer and the button and switch remain accessible.

4. With the battery removed, direct students to fold the felt at the connected points (feet) at the bottom so the LilyPad components are on the outside. Using non-conductive sewing or embroidery thread (or a glue gun), direct students to seal all but two inches at the top of the plush, which gives them an opening to push in the stuffing.

5. Have students push fiberfill stuffing into the top hole to fill the plush and give it a plump shape. Then direct them to stitch closed the opening using regular sewing or embroidery thread to wrap up the project.

6. Then, encourage students to creatively customize their individual plush pals using any available decorations. One idea is to make a small flap of Velcro and felt to hide/protect the battery holder.

Conclude by having students individually show and share their plush pals to the class, as described in the Assessment section.

Vocabulary/Definitions

conductive thread: Thread spun of stainless steel (or silver-coated nylon) that carries current just like wires so that it can be used to create circuits that are flexible and require no soldering and thus are suitable for textile-based projects that use embedded electronics. Conductive thread tends to be more "twisty," and so more difficult to sew with than non-conductive (regular) thread.

electric current: The flow of electrons in a circuit.

electrical circuit: A path that facilitates electrical flow.

light-emitting diode: A type of semiconductor diode that converts electrical energy into light. Because they produce light electronically, they do not get as hot as regular light bulbs and last a long time. Abbreviated as LED.

maintained switch: An electrical switch that remains in the same state until changed.

momentary switch: An electrical switch that is only active when an action is applied.

Assessment
Pre-Activity Assessment
Circuit Understanding: Guide students to explore the LilyPad slide switch and button board using the suggested prompts in the Procedure section. During the exploration, assess and amend students' understanding of the switches and circuit functionality before moving on.
Activity Embedded Assessment
Helping Hand: As students construct their circuits, see who needs help with sewing or understanding the circuit. Explain that when creating e-textile circuits, both the electrical properties of a working circuit and aesthetic decisions for the finished product are entwined as part of the design process. Observing students' work and listening to their questions gives you the opportunity to gauge their depth of understanding of the circuitry, components and overall project.

Energy Conversion: Have students discuss the energy conversion that takes place in an LED.
Post-Activity Assessment
Show and Share: Give each student a few minutes to present his/her final plush creation to the rest of the class, explaining the choices made with the circuit switches. Who has designed a plush pal that is different from the rest? Does it perform the same as the others? Is the design deviation an advantage?

Safety Issues

Needles can cause injury if used carelessly. Advise students to use them with intention and be especially careful around their faces and eyes.

Hot glue and the hot glue gun tip can cause minor burns so advise students to be deliberate and careful when using hot glue guns.

Breaking apart the LilyPad ProtoSnap panel can result in sharp pieces so advise students to be mindful of this and assist them as needed to prevent injury.

Troubleshooting Tips

Always remove the battery when working on the circuit to avoid damaging the components.

If the circuit does not light up (or is dim), try a new battery and/or check that the project is switched on.

Check sewing for any loose threads or ends that may be touching other parts of the circuit and causing a short circuit.

Activity Extensions

Have students create new plush pals without the provided template. Student-made templates reveal their comprehension of circuits and open up the project for more creativity.

Activity Scaling

For lower grades, save time by pre-cutting felt into the template shape and let students customize their plush pals. If circuitry concepts are too elevated for the students, focus on explaining how current flows when the circuit is open versus closed. Relate the flow of electricity to water through a dam with a plugged or unplugged hole. Have students trace with their fingers the current flow on the microcontroller when the circuit is closed and open. Also, have an adult break apart the LilyPad Protosnap panels.

For higher grades, disregard the provided template and have students design their own plush pal shapes and circuit designs. Before they begin sewing, check to make sure current will flow through their customized circuits.

References

Activity adapted from SparkFun's Light-Up Plush activity at https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/light-up-plush.

Copyright © 2017 by Regents of the University of Colorado; original © 2016 SparkFun Education

Contributors Angela Sheehan; Morgan Ulrich

Supporting Program SparkFun Education

Last modified: September 8, 2020

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Students make their own design decisions about controlling the LEDs in a light-up, e-textile circuit, plush toy project that they make using LilyPad ProtoSnap components and conductive thread. They follow step-by-step instructions to assemble a product while applying their own creativity to customize it.

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Making circuits is great fun for kids of all ages. If you have little ones try play dough circuits. I've used these with children as young as 4 ( supervised of course ) and older children will love making or light up houses, or even a whole mini street.

These cardboard circuits are made using a sheet of thick cardboard, split pins and paper clips.

Cardboard Circuits

You'll need:

A thick sheet of cardboard

AA battery holder with leads

Small screw light bulb and holder

Metal paperclips

Split pins

Masking tape

Pens for decoration

How to make a cardboard circuit

Draw a picture on one side of the cardboard.

Decide where you want the lightbulb to go and plan your circuit on the back of the sheet of card. We attached the wire from one terminal of the battery to one contact of the light bulb and a paperclip to the other contact.

I opened up the paperclips, but you can just loop them around the split pins without doing that.

Use masking tape to secure the wires.

Test your circuit.

If it doesn't work check, for gaps in the circuit.

The wires, paperclips, split pins and bulb link one end of the battery to another to make a circuit.

Electricity flows around a complete circuit. If you break the circuit the electricity can't flow and the bulb will go out.

Light switches work by completing a circuit when switched on and breaking a circuit to turn the light off.

Cardboard Circuit Challenge

Can you add a switch? Perhaps a paperclip that you can move in and out of place?

Our next task is to try using copper tape instead of paper clips and split pins.

Cardboard Circuits

More creative circuit ideas for kids

Make an Art Bot - these are brilliant fun and something we make again and again.

This homemade torch is easy to make and can be used in lots of different ways. We made a smaller version to use as a head torch as well.

DIY Torch

I LOVE these Harry Potter wands from STEAM Powered Family too!

Learn about static electricity with my jumping frogs!

What is Electricity?

Electricity is a kind of energy. We use electrical appliances to turn electricity into other kinds of energy such as light ( lightbulbs ), heat ( electric heater, toaster or iron ) and sound ( radio ).

Most of the electricity we use at home comes from power stations which convert the energy in fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas into electricity.

Some power stations use renewable energy sources such as wind, sunlight, and moving water.

Electricity in the home is called mains electricity which can be very dangerous. Electricity from a small battery like you use in toys is different and safe to use for this type of activity.

Electricity is not stored in a battery, it is created when the chemicals inside react with each other.

Once the chemicals have all reacted the power of the battery is used up.

What conducts electricity?

Metals are good conductors of electricity so wires tend to be made from copper, which is also soft allowing it to be stretched thin without snapping or breaking.

Wires are coated in plastic which does NOT conduct electricity, this stops people getting electric shocks from the electricity travelling through the wires.

Last Updated on May 14, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

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Cardboard Circuits - Easy Electronics for Kids

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super simple first electronics activity for kids. Make a circuit with cardboard using split pins, paperclips and a battery.

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Students model, build, and draw diagrams of electric circuits and test the conductivity of a variety of materials.

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Use this to reinforce and have students show that they understand how electricity gets from to our homes.

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7 Exciting Electric Circuit Projects for Kids | STEM Education Guide

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Whether you’re a teacher for ideas for an electric circuit lesson or a parent looking for a fun simple circuit project at home, these are great projects to get you started. Learn everything you need to know about teaching electric circuits to kids.

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Teaching electricity becomes more effective, engaging, and fun when you use hands-on electrical circuit activities. Try these simple energy labs to electrify your elementary physics unit.

Our favorite fourth grade teacher, Ms. Sneed, discussed physical science activities with her colleague, Mr. Frank. "Remember the hands-on static electricity activities we did? Those were great. I want our kids to do science, not just read about it," she said.

As usual, she hopped in front of her computer and began searching Teachers pay Teachers. "Hey, look at this electricity unit! Kids work in groups to conduct labs. They use inquiry and make generalizations."

As she scrolled through the preview, Mr. Frank stopped her. "And the extensions are dynamite!" he exclaimed.

Ms. Sneed Begins Teaching Electricity with Batteries and Bulbs

The following week, Ms. Sneed began teaching electricity. "Today we'll do a battery and bulb activity, she told her class. "Using a battery and a piece of aluminum foil, you and your partner will discover ways to light a bulb."

After their teacher distributed the materials, the kids got busy. For a while, the classroom was quiet. Soon, however, cries of "This bulb doesn't work!" could be heard.

"Don't worry," said Ms. Sneed. "I tested all of the bulbs and juiced up the rechargeable batteries. They all work. Keep trying."

Amid growing grumbles, the students kept trying. Finally, a few students called out, "We got it!"

"Great!" said Ms. Sneed. "Now try and find more ways to light the bulb. Remember to draw them on your lab report."

The teacher circulated to give encouragement. Finally, all groups had at least one solution.

When all students had finished, Ms. Sneed called the class to attention. "Let's record our solutions and display them for all to see," she said. As students suggested configurations, Ms. Sneed called them to the front of the classroom. Each took a paper bulb and battery, glued them to a piece of construction paper, and used a marker to show how to position the foil. Their teacher arranged them on the classroom wall.

"Next, we'll work together to write a generalization." Students made suggestions from their lab sheets. Soon they had hung a classroom generalization on the wall too:

One end of the foil must touch one end of the battery.

The other end of the foil must touch the side or tip of the bulb.

The side or tip of the battery that isn't touching the foil must touch the other end of the battery.

Getting Started with Simple Circuits

The following day, Ms. Sneed introduced simple circuits. "Today you'll use battery holders and bulb holders," she told her class. "That makes building circuits easier. Just snap the batteries in like this. Since these bulb holders are new, they're a little stiff. You may need to work at it, but the bulb screws into this hole."

As Ms. Sneed handed out the lab reports, she directed the science groups. Ones, get two batteries from the table. Twos, grab a battery holder. Threes, take a bulb. Fours, get a bulb holder and two wires."

Soon the students were busily constructing circuits. As each was completed, smiles lit up the group members' faces.

Once Ms. Sneed noticed that groups were wrapping up their labs, she walked to the light switch on the classroom wall. She flicked it downward, and the lights turned off. The students looked around in surprise.

"Open or closed?" Ms. Sneed asked.

After a brief silence, a few brave souls tentatively said, "Open?"

Ms. Sneed smiled and flicked the switch upward. "Open or closed?" she asked.

A chorus of "closed" could be heard.

Exploring Conductors and Insulators

The next day, Ms. Sneed was ready with another lab for teaching electricity. "Today, each group will test 20 items to identify conductors and insulators. Listen as I give directions:

1. Build a simple circuit.

2. Add a wire and leave the connection open.

3. Connect the wires to an object. If the bulb lights, it's a conductor.

4. List conductors and insulators on your lab sheet."

Soon the students could be seen testing items from their baggies - as well as all kinds of stuff from their desks. "Hey, look!" called one student. "Even the table leg is a conductor."

For this lab, groups easily generalized that metal objects conducted electricity.

Teaching Electricity with Series and Parallel Circuits

Finally, Ms. Sneed was ready to teach series and parallel circuits. To promote inquiry, she didn't provide explicit directions. Instead, she simply directed students to create a series circuit with three wires and a parallel circuit with four.

"Hey, these series circuits are easy to build," one student said. Ms. Sneed nodded and smiled.

Parallel circuits, however, were not as easy. "What are we supposed to do with this extra wire?" kids asked.

As with the first lab, their teacher just said, "Keep trying." Eventually, most groups came up with solutions. For those who continued to struggle, Ms. Sneed provided guidance.

"Let's do a fun follow-up to this lab," Ms. Sneed said. "Grab your Chromebooks. Then use the link I sent you to access PhET Interactive Simulations."

Students opened their devices and found the link. "I'd like you to create a series circuit first," their teacher said. "Raise your hand when you've completed it, and I'll mark you off on my checklist. Then you can try a parallel circuit."

Awesome Extensions for Teaching Electricity

Ms. Sneed liked teaching with all the bells and whistles. In addition to the hands-on activities, she taught with websites, videos, books, and even a cool bulletin board. Oh yes, and she had a few more surprises up her sleeve.

Snap Circuits

As students entered the classroom the following week, they noticed six white boxes on the table. "What are these?" they asked.

"," Ms. Sneed responded. "You'll love them. The manual gives instructions for building 100 different circuits. You can use them when you're finished with your other work - or during indoor recess."

The kids couldn't wait to play with the new kits. Ms. Sneed smiled secretly. She knew that Snap Circuits® did a great job of teaching electricity as kids played.

Light Boards

Ms. Sneed had one more fun activity up her sleeve. The following day, she arrived at school a little early. As she bustled around the room, she gathered supplies: tagboard, aluminum foil, masking tape, and paper punches. After arranging them on the side table, she pulled out batteries, battery holders, bulbs, bulb holders, and wires. By the time her students arrived, she was ready.

"Today," she began, "you will build a light board." Her students looked around in wonder. That sounded fun!

Their teacher distributed the materials and directions. Once again, her students became actively engaged in a science activity.

As Ms. Sneed walked around, she watched her little scientists - hard at work. This hands-on science unit engaged them like never before. And that satisfied teacher smile spread across her face. Teaching electricity sure was fun.

Next week, she would break out a new activity: electricity and the environment.

Enjoy Teaching

Over the course of her career, Ms. Sneed realized that there were 6 steps to enjoy teaching. In order to survive, she had to organize, plan, and simplify. Then, to thrive, Ms. Sneed needed to learn, engage, and finally - dive in! Follow the Fabulous Teaching Adventures of Ms. Sneed and learn how you can enjoy teaching too.

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Enjoy Teaching Electricity with Electrical Circuit Activities for Kids

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Teaching electricity becomes more effective, engaging, and fun when you use hands-on electrical circuit activities. Try these simple energy labs to electrify your elementary physics unit. Our favorite fourth grade teacher, Ms. Sneed, discussed physical science activities with her colleague, Mr. Frank. "Remember the hands-on static electricity activities we did?

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A selection of books that can be used to introduce and supplement a lesson on electricity and circuits.

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Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

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online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

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Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

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Circuits- Makerspace Book Collection on Epic

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View the Circuits- Makerspace collection on Epic plus over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids.

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Simple Circuits in the Elementary Classroom

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Simple Circuits in the Elementary Classroom

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Electricity for Kids | What is Electricity? Where does Electricity come from?

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Electricity information: Guide to help create presentation and ideas for structure of lesson

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A parents’ guide to electricity: what children learn in KS2 science and the electrical terminology introduced in the primary-school classroom.

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Circuits - Augmented Reality circuit experience

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‎MindLabs Energy and Circuits is a magical STEM learning tool for children ages 8 and older. MindLabs combines a digital app, physical cards, and augmented reality in a fun and exciting approach to learning core science concepts. MindLabs requires little to no adult supervision and is ideal for rem…

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What is electricity? - Science for Kids - Episode 1

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Background information on circuits

Use for center based inquiry

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The Power of Circuits! | Technology for Kids | SciShow Kids

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Curious Crew
Season 4 Episode 409 | 26m 46s |

Human conductivity, electrical resistance, series & parallel circuits and more! The Curious Crew learns how all circuits have three things: a power source, a conductor and a load. STEM Challenge: Designing an Electrical Switch. Curious About Careers: Electrical Engineer Shanelle Foster.

Aired: 04/02/18

Rating: NR

Problems Playing Video? Report a Problem |

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Curious Crew | Electrical Circuits | Ep. 409 | Season 4 | Episode 409

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Curious Crew Season 4 Episode 409 | 26m 46s | Human conductivity, electrical resistance, series & parallel circuits and more! The Curious Crew learns how all circuits have three things: a power source, a conductor and a load. STEM Challenge: Designing an Electrical Switch. Curious About Careers: Electrical Engineer Shanelle Foster.

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Electrical Circuits - Series and Parallel -For Kids