Balancing Apple (FREE Printable) Fall STEM Activity

The great balancing apple! Apples are a great theme to add to fall learning and this balancing paper apple fall activity is perfect for fall STEAM! This fall we have been reading Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss {he’s reading to me now}! We have also paired this classic fall book with fun Apple STEM activities. What are the animals in the book trying to do with their apples? Balance them! Make your own balancing apple.

BALANCING APPLE ACTIVITY

EXPLORE BALANCE AND GRAVITY

Can you balance an apple on your finger? We explored balancing apples and gravity with real apples for our Ten Apples Up On Top STEM activities and it was pretty challenging. Now let’s try to balance a paper apple (use our FREE printable template to make your own).

First wow the kids with a balancing apple before you begin. Have them make some guesses about what is happening!

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BALANCING PAPER APPLE SUPPLIES

Cardstock or Paper Plates
Colored Pencils or Crayons
Clothespins
Printable Template

MAKE A BALANCING APPLE

You can either print our the template on Card Stock weight paper or on regular paper. If you choose regular paper, you will want to trace it onto a paper plate. The stiffer paper is really helpful. However, you can let kids explore different weights of paper and draw conclusions as to which paper is best for the balancing apple.

Color the apple as you see fit!

You will want to attach two clothespins to the bottom of the apple. I will give you a hint that the best spot for this apple is a clothespin on each of the bumpy knobs at the bottom on the either side of the blossom point. For older kids this is a great opportunity to let them experiment with the best positions.

HOW DOES BALANCE AND GRAVITY PLAY A PART IN OUR BALANCING APPLE?

To balance somethings is to put it in a stable position where it remains upright. Even weight distribution helps to keep something balanced or stable like this balancing apple. The clothespins create a balanced force and creates a center of gravity which allows this paper apple to balance on our finger!