Why do things fall to the ground when you let go of them? It’s all to do with gravity! Learn about what gravity is with a simple definition and everyday examples of gravity. Explore simple physics with easy, hands-on experiments kids will love. From falling objects, balancing apples, and even an egg drop challenge, enjoy these fun gravity science projects for kids!
What is Gravity?
Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward each other. It’s why things fall to the ground when you drop them. On Earth, gravity pulls everything toward the planet’s center, so we stay on the ground instead of floating into space!
Gravity also keeps the planets in our solar system orbiting around the sun. The bigger something is, the stronger its gravity. So, Earth’s gravity is much stronger than the gravity of a small object like a ball, but not as strong as the sun’s gravity. Gravity affects everything around us, even though we can’t see it!
Have you ever watched a NASA video of an astronaut floating around inside his/her ship?
Galileo and Gravity
Galileo Galilei was a famous scientist who helped us understand how gravity works. He discovered that gravity is a force that pulls objects down toward the ground.
One of his famous experiments was when he dropped two objects of different weights from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to see if they would fall at the same speed. To everyone’s surprise, they did!
Galileo showed that gravity pulls all objects equally, no matter how heavy. This idea changed the way people thought about gravity and led to many important discoveries about how things move.
Ball Drop Experiment
- Two objects of different weights (like a small ball and a larger book)
- A chair or a step stool (to stand on safely)
What to do:
- Stand on the chair or stool (make sure you’re being safe!).
- Hold the two objects—one in each hand—at the same height.
- Drop both objects at the same time.
- Watch closely! Did they hit the ground at the same time?
What happens: Just like in Galileo’s experiment, you’ll see that both objects, even though they have different weights, should fall and hit the ground at the same time. This shows that gravity pulls objects to the ground at the same rate, no matter how heavy they are!
Everyday Examples of Gravity
Here are 15 everyday examples of gravity that are easy for kids to understand:
- Falling Objects: When you drop a ball, it falls to the ground because of gravity.
- Jumping: When you jump up, gravity pulls you back down to the Earth.
- Walking: Gravity helps you stay on the ground while you walk.
- Sitting: You stay in your chair because gravity keeps you down.
- Climbing: Climbing a ladder or a tree is harder because gravity pulls you down.
- Bouncing: When you bounce on a trampoline, gravity brings you back down.
- Swinging: Swinging on a swing set is possible because gravity pulls you back towards the Earth.
- Driving: Your car stays on the road because of gravity.
- Eating: Because of gravity, your food stays on your plate and in your mouth.
- Pouring Drinks: Gravity helps the liquid flow from a cup when you tip it.
- Throwing a Ball: Gravity makes the ball come back down after you throw it in the air.
- Rolling a Ball: A rolling ball eventually stops because of friction, but gravity helps it move downhill.
- Riding a Bike: You can stay balanced on a bike because gravity helps keep the tires on the ground.
- Water Flow: Water flows downhill because of gravity, which is why rivers and streams exist.
- Kite Flying: Gravity keeps the kite from flying too high, and the tension in the string is balanced by gravity pulling it downward.
Can you think of any more examples of gravity?
Free Gravity Information and Activity Pack
Get up and test gravity for yourself with a free gravity activity pack! Share this information guide, quick activity, and gravity coloring sheet with your kids!
12 Gravity Experiments To Try
Here are 12 gravity science experiments that are great for elementary school kids. Learn about gravity and its effects in a fun and hands-on way.
You may also want to explore: Air Resistance Projects
Dropping Objects
Gather various objects of different weights and sizes (e.g., a feather, a paperclip, a small ball). Have kids predict which object will hit the ground first when dropped simultaneously and then test their predictions.
Paper Airplane Challenge
Have kids create paper airplanes of different sizes and shapes. Let them fly the planes and observe how gravity affects their flight paths differently based on their designs. See how to make a paper airplane launcher.
Falling Rates
Use a ruler or a measuring tape to drop different objects from the same height and measure the time it takes for them to reach the ground. Compare the falling rates of various objects.
Balloon Rocket
Attach a string to a balloon and tape the other end to a straw. Inflate the balloon and then release it. Observe how the air escaping from the balloon propels the straw in the opposite direction due to Newton’s Third Law of Motion.
Coin and Card Drop
Place a playing card on the edge of a table and let half of it hang over the edge. Hold a coin over the card’s hanging part and let it go. The card will fall due to gravity, but the coin’s rapid descent might surprise the kids as they learn about mass and air resistance.
Design A Parachute
Explore how mostly the forces of gravity and air resistance (also known as drag), slow down the descent of an object or person using a simple parachute. Vary the shape, size or material of the parachute and measure what happens.
Build A Pipeline
Make your own pipeline that will transport water from the main tank to a smaller tank using an incline. Observe how the moves because of gravity.
Water Upward
Fill a glass with water and place a piece of cardboard on top. Hold the cardboard and glass firmly together, then quickly turn the glass upside down. The water will stay inside the glass due to air pressure, demonstrating the balance between gravity and air pressure.
Rolling Race
Set up a ramp using books or a board. Have kids release different objects (marbles, toy cars) from the top of the ramp and see which one reaches the bottom first. Discuss how gravity affects the speed of rolling objects. See how to set it up with toy cars, pumpkins, apples and plastic Easter eggs.
Gravity-Powered Pendulum Painting
Attach a small container with paint to the bottom of a pendulum (a string with a weight at the end). Set the pendulum in motion and observe how it creates unique patterns on a piece of paper beneath it.
Crumpled Paper Drop
Crumple two pieces of paper into balls, one larger and one smaller. Drop them both at the same time and discuss how their sizes and air resistance affect their falling speed.
Balancing Act
Have kids experiment with balancing different objects on their fingertips. Discuss how the weight and shape of objects affect their balance due to the force of gravity. Have fun balancing animal puppets, mobile of paper shapes, pumpkins, and paper apples.
Egg Drop Challenge
Provide kids with materials like straws, rubber bands, tape, and newspapers. Challenge them to design a structure that will protect a raw egg when dropped from a certain height, demonstrating how objects experience less impact force when they have more time to slow down (larger parachutes or cushioning). See our egg drop ideas for younger and older students.
Water Wheel
Build a simple water wheel using a plastic container, a stick, and a paper cup. Place the water wheel under a steady stream of water and observe how gravity causes the wheel to turn. See how to build a simple water wheel here.
Have younger kiddos? Check out these fun gravity activities for preschool and kindergarten.
The Most Famous Gravity Experiment
Sir Isaac Newton is famous for many contributions to physics, and his experiments with gravity are among his most renowned works. One of the key experiments associated with Newton’s study of gravity is often called the “Newton’s Falling Apple,” which is a story rather than a controlled experiment.
According to the legend, Newton was sitting under an apple tree in his garden when he saw an apple fall to the ground. This event got him thinking about the force that caused the apple to fall. Newton realized that the same force, gravity, was responsible for the apple’s fall and the motion of bodies in space like the Moon and planets.
Explore experiments that illustrate Newton’s Laws!
While this story is well-known, it’s important to note that it wasn’t a formal experiment. However, Newton conducted a series of experiments and observations to develop his laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation. These experiments and observations included:
- Prism Experiments: Newton’s experiments with prisms and light led to his groundbreaking work on optics, which is separate from gravity but an important part of his overall scientific contributions. See Newton’s color wheel spinner.
- Mathematical Calculations: Newton used mathematics to formulate his laws of motion and universal gravitation. He developed the mathematics of calculus to help describe and predict the behavior of objects under the influence of gravity.
- Kepler’s Laws: Newton built upon Johannes Kepler’s laws of planetary motion to develop his laws of universal gravitation. Kepler’s work was based on extensive astronomical observations.
So, while there isn’t a specific experiment directly related to the falling apple, Newton’s contributions to our understanding of gravity are based on a combination of observations, mathematical calculations, and experiments.
Have fun with physics! Check out our complete list of easy physics experiments.
Grab your FREE printable science worksheets!
Helpful Science Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
- Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
- Science Vocabulary
- 8 Science Books for Kids
- All About Scientists
- Science Supplies List
- Science Tools for Kids
- Join us in the Club
More Physical Science Activities
- Light Experiments
- Magnet Activities
- Simple Machine Projects
- Potential & Kinetic Energy
- Static Electricity
- Surface Tension Experiments
Printable Science Projects For Kids
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- 90+ classic science activities with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information. NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
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- Know the Words Science vocabulary pack includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
- My science journal writing prompts explore what it means to be a scientist!!
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