Explorify logo Homepage
  • Why Explorify?
  • Teacher support
  • Log in
  • Sign up free Sign up
  • Explorify logo Homepage
  • Why Explorify?
  • Teacher support
  • Login
Helpful reads

Put science into sport!

We have dozens of exciting activities to make your science super sporty!

Child jumping

Child jumping

Share

  • Share via email

From pangolins to pole-vaulters, and nutrition to equipment – we have the science of sport covered from all angles! Pack your science lessons with zoom in, zoom out and odd one out image challenges, followed by curious videos and some longer question-based activities.

Browse our activities by age and themes below, then save some to your dashboard and get your pupils thinking like scientists! If you haven't signed up for an Explorify account yet, now's the time - it's completely free!

 

Something for everyone:

These activities can be adapted to suit outcomes across the ages. Take a look and find something to try!

  • To flee or not to flee – observe these delightful animals busily heading from A to B. How many can your class identify? Which move on 2 legs and which on 4?
  • Fuel up with these healthy snacks, nutrition is key to sporting performance and health, but which is the odd one out?
  • Can your class work out what object is shown close-up in point of view?

 

Perfect for 5-7 years:

Plants:
  • Zoom in to this healthy skin. Will your class work out what this zesty goodness is?
Animals including humans:
  • These children were born to dance. Watch as they develop coordination skills.
Biodiversity and habitats:
  • How many different fish can your class spot in the swim? And are they all fish or another type of animal?
Materials:
  • How do different sports shoes compare in, gear up?
  • What is this very muddy object? Can your pupils tell from a very close up view?  Give it a try!
  • What differences and similarities can you class observe between three sports balls? There's no such thing as just a ball!
  • Put your class' observation skills to the test with three sports surfaces in playing places.
Then try some higher-level thinking skills as your class investigate big questions:
  • Put your best foot forward with this investigation, what are the best shoes for running?
  • This dog knows, but how will your class work out, what is the best surface to run on?
  • Take the challenge to design a sports kit

 

Ideal for 7-11 years:

Animals including humans:
  • What do these three animals have in common and how are they different – hanging out
  • Challenge your class to think how fast can you jump a mile?
  • Spark a conversation about the impact of inactivity with what if we couldn't exercise?
Forces:
  • Look at how these gymnasts can manipulate their bodies in fantastic gymnastics
  • Spark a conversation by watching some synchronised swimmers in sync or swim
  • See butterfly swimming in action.
  • Round it off with front crawl swimming
  • Think about an active start to your day with this big question, what if we didn't use transport to get to school?
Materials:
  • Which rock would be best for a skate park?

 

Just right for 9-11 years:

Plants:
  • What are the little spikes on these garden blades? 
Animals including humans:
  • Plan an investigation to find out which sport makes you sweat the most?
Inheritance and evolution:
  • How many different fish can your class spot in the swim? (And are they all fish or another type of animal?)
Forces:
  • Spark a conversation through watching all these movements on a trampoline, in bounce and turn
  • Pole position shows levers and jumping - explore high jump and pole vault now!
  • What differences can your class observe between a shuttlecock, ice hockey puck and golf ball? Take a look at these big hitters
  • Roll up, roll up! Can you class work out what it is by seeing part of this familiar object in a very close-up view?
Materials:
  • What is this material that looks all ground up? 

 

We hope you have fun exploring science with sport! 

 

Image Credit: Pete Pahham via Shutterstock

Last updated 7th March 2023

Share

  • Share via email

Did you find this article useful?

More from Helpful reads

View all
Fun science with feathered friends!

Explore the science related to birds and their habitats.

Read now
'Tis the season to have fun with science

Deck the school hall with boughs of science…

Read now

Other Teacher support:

Science teaching support How to use Explorify What's new Science leader toolkit Downloads

Join Explorify today to take your class on an exciting science adventure!

We use cookies to make Explorify even more awesome for you. Find out more.

Explorify logo

About Explorify

  • How to use Explorify
  • Our story
  • Partners
  • Why Explorify?

Teacher support

  • Downloads
  • Helpful reads
  • Science leader toolkit
  • Science teaching support

Support

  • Contact us
  • FAQ
  • Privacy and Terms of Use
  • What’s new?
Wellcome Trust Wellcome Trust Funded by Wellcome

Stem Learning logo Primary Science Teaching Trust logo

Explorify Staffroom on Facebook Explorify on Twitter Explorify on Instagram Explorify on Linkedin Explorify on Tiktok

Grant number 223594/Z/21/Z

Managed by STEM Learning and the Primary Science Teaching Trust