Simple machines are tools with few or no moving parts that make work easier. There are six types of simple machines: lever, inclined plane, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, and pulley.
Also, simple machines are the building blocks of a bunch of other tools, they can also be combined to form compound machines, which are tools made up of two or more simple machines working together.
I love starting a lesson on simple machines of brainstorming in a class with all of the examples of simple machines they can think of. We’re surrounded by simple machines! And imagine if we didn’t have them? It’s easy to see how they make work easier.
Before we get started, there are a few educational subscription boxes available for kids with monthly STEM projects. We rounded up the best ones in our article, 13 Awesome (& Educational) STEM Subscription Boxes for Kids.
Now, let’s get into simple machines!
Table of Contents
What is work?
When referring to work in physics, it’s different than your typical definition of “work.”
Work is defined as an amount of force (or effort) to move an object a distance. The equation is simple:
W = Fd
These simple machine projects show how the machine makes the work easier. Just think of all the examples of simple machines we talked about earlier! How difficult would it be to pull an elevator to the top of a building? It would be impossible for us to do it on our own.
But with pulleys, it’s possible and makes the work easier.
When moving heavy objects, simple machines like pulleys reduce the effort needed to move that heavy object. The simple machines we use everyday provide a mechanical advantage.
Use these STEM project ideas as creative (and crafty) demonstrations of simple machines! They can be done in groups, or the teacher can use them as a demonstration for the class.
They make a great activity at home too, for your future engineers who love building!
6 Fun Simple Machine Projects
We’ve outlined here an example project for every type of simple machine:
- Pulley
- Inclined Plane
- Lever
- Wedge
- Screw
- Wheel & Axle
These hands-on activities are designed to bring the concept of simple machines to life, offering students a practical way to see how these basic mechanical devices make work easier.
The first project here is how to make your own pulley!
1. Make Your Own Pulley
This project by Carrots are Orange is great! You can do more than just build your own pulley. Turn it into a game to see how much your pulley can lift!
Building is a great way of getting started quickly, but if you’re looking for something you can gift, check out this Simple Machines Model Building Kit.
2. Marble Run Inclined Plane
Why just make an inclined plane when you can make a racecourse? You can use marbles or toy cars with this project.
This marble run inclined plane project is not just fun but also a cool way to illustrate how an inclined plane reduces the effort needed to move objects uphill.
3. Make a Lever with a Binder Clip
I love this simple machine project for demonstrating a lever! While it isn’t necessary to label which side is demonstrating the load and effort, it’s a great way to reinforce the lesson!
4. Splitting Play Dough with a Wedge
The easiest (and most common example) of a wedge is an ax. Since you don’t want kids playing with axes, you can still demonstrate how a wedge works with play dough!
Use triangular wedge blocks. You can make miniature “logs” with the play dough. Have the kids try to cut the play dough with just the flat part of their hand. It doesn’t work. Now, try cutting it with your wedge and see what happens!
5. Demonstrating Screws
The best way to demonstrate how a screw makes work easier is to take a simple piece of wood. First, try pushing a nail in with your hand – you can’t. Next, show how you can screw in a screw. It may be one that you want to demonstrate!
6. Wheel and Axle Recycled Cars
This one is by far my favorite! When you think of a wheel and axle, the first thing that comes to mind is a car.
Start with just your tube. When you try to push it across the floor, you can do much. Now imagine if you tried to fill it with weights. It would be so much easier if it had wheels!
Use straws or chopsticks as the axle. Plastic bottle caps make great wheels. You can decorate your cars however you want! And don’t feel limited to just cardboard rolls. Plastic bottles work great too – let kids design their very own recycled car.
Common Misconceptions About Simple Machines
Even though simple machines are, well, simple, there are a few misconceptions that can trip us up. Let’s clear those up so we have a solid understanding!
One common misconception is that all levers work the same way. They don’t.
In reality, levers are categorized into three classes, depending on where the effort, load, and fulcrum are located. For example something we see on playgrounds, a seesaw is a first-class lever, while a wheelbarrow is a second-class lever, and a pair of tongs is a third-class lever.
Knowing these differences helps kids better understand how levers can be used in different situations.
Another misunderstanding is related to the role of friction in simple machines. While we think of friction as something that makes work harder, it actually plays a role in how these machines function.
I love the wedge (think of a doorstop), so I’ll use it as an example. The wedge relies on friction to split materials, and the wheel and axle wouldn’t work without some friction between the wheel and the ground.
So, friction isn’t always the enemy—it’s a key part of the equation!
Finally, some people think that simple machines reduce the amount of work we do. However, that’s not exactly true.
Simple machines don’t decrease the total amount of work; they just make it easier by spreading out the effort over a longer distance or time. This concept of mechanical advantage is what allows us to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be too difficult.
Wrapping Up
Simple machines are more than just basic tools—they’re everywhere in our everyday life. Understanding how these basic mechanical devices work helps kids apply these concepts to STEM projects and even build their own Rube Goldberg machine for a specific task.
So, jump into these activities and let curiosity guide the way. Happy building!
Do your kids love to build? If they do, check out our article on the best building kits Best Building Toys for Future Engineers!
Marvelous and easy to teach
Very easy to make pulley like it 👍👍😀😀