Push and Pull Teaching Resources
Explore push and pull forces in your science classroom with printable worksheets, science experiment guides and more teaching resources created by teachers for teachers and their lesson planning needs!
This science resource collection is NGSS curriculum-aligned, and each resource has been carefully reviewed and chosen by an expert teacher on our teaching team to ensure it's ready for your classroom and lesson plans! That's our way of saving you time on planning so you can spend more time making "aha" moments happen in the classroom!
New to teaching this section of elementary science or just looking for fresh ways to engage your students? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
What Are Push and Pull Forces? A Kid-Friendly Definition
If your students have ever pushed or pulled on a door to open it, they have experienced push and pull forces but might not have known it! So how do you explain the meaning of this science concept to your class? Let's start with a kid-friendly definition!
Push and pull refer to two basic forces that can affect the motion of objects.
Push
The force that causes an object to move away from the person applying the force is called push.
Pull
The force that causes an object to move toward the person applying the force is called pull.
Understanding what it means to push and pull helps us understand how things move in the world all around us!
Forces That Push and Pull — Examples for the Classroom
Need more examples of forces that push and pull to help your students better understand this concept?
Here are some real-world examples of forces that push objects that may resonate with your students:
- When you push your friend on the swing, your hands push against the seat to make it move forward and higher.
- You might use your hands to push a heavy box across the floor, providing force with your hands in order to move the box without having to pick it up.
- If you are playing soccer with your friends and you kick the ball, your foot is using force to push the ball away from you.
Here are some real-world examples of forces that pull objects that kids may recognze:
- If you have a wagon behind you, you may pull on the handle to make the wagon move along with you as you walk.
- When you pull on the string of a kite, you are using force to bring the kite closer to you.
- If you use a magnet to attract a metal object, the magnet pulls the object towards it.
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Push or Pull? Interactive Activity
Get students to determine whether a force is a push or a pull with this engaging digital game for Grade 3 science lessons.
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The Force of Friction Comprehension Worksheets
Download this friction worksheet to teach your students about the force of friction and its impact on our daily lives.
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High or Low Friction? Interactive Clip Cards
Explore high and low friction examples with your students using this set of 24 digital clip cards.
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Friction Experiment - Sticky Friction
Use this engaging friction experiment when teaching your students about sliding friction and the effect it has on the movement of objects.
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Simple Machines Posters
5 illustrated posters to display in the classroom when learning about simple machines.
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Simple Machines Sorting Activity
A fun sorting activity to use in the classroom when learning about simple machines and how they work.
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Simple Machines Roller Coaster Challenge - STEM Project
Implement a Roller Coaster Stem Project to help your students demonstrate knowledge of simple machines.
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Push and Pull Venn Diagram
Use this push and pull Venn diagram to help your students answer the question: Push, pull or both?
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Force and Motion Vocabulary Posters
Display this set of 22 mini-posters in your classroom when learning about force and motion vocabulary.
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Push and Pull Forces Teaching Slides
Teach your students about push and pull forces with this comprehensive and age-appropriate teaching presentation for elementary school science lessons.
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Forces in the Playground Worksheet
Download this forces in the playground worksheet to help your students explore the pushes and pulls that make playground equipment fun!
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Make a Dinosaur Long-Arm Activity
A fun activity to use in the classroom when learning about simple machines and how they work.
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Using Simple Machines - Worksheet
Download a set of simple machines worksheets to use in the classroom when learning about simple machines and how they can help use solve everyday problems.
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Simple Machines - 3 Classes of Levers Posters
An illustrated poster to use in the classroom when learning about different types of levers.
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Drawing Simple Machines
A worksheet to use in the classroom when learning about simple machines and what they look like.
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Simple Machines Definition Worksheets
6 definition worksheets to use in the classroom when learning about simple machines and their uses.
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Examples of Friction Poster
Show students examples of friction using this friction poster perfect for 3rd grade science lessons.
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Simple Machines Word Wall
Use this set of 28 printable vocabulary word wall cards to enhance your students vocabulary surrounding force, motion, and simple machines.
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Friction Word Wall Vocabulary Cards
Immerse your students in friction vocabulary with this set of 15 illustrated vocabulary cards perfect for a word wall display.
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All About Friction Mini-Book
Teach your students about the force of friction with this printable mini-book perfect for 3rd grade science lessons.
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Push or Pull? Coloring Worksheet
Use this push and pull color-coding worksheet when exploring forces and motion in your 3rd grade science lessons.
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Object Movement Investigation Worksheets
Get students to push or pull on an object with this forces investigation for your 2nd and 3rd grade science lessons.
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Forces and Motion Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
Use these forces and motion scavenger hunt worksheets when exploring push and pull forces in your 2nd and 3rd grade science lessons.
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Pushes and Pulls Mini-Book
Explore pushes and pulls with your students with this printable mini-book perfect for 3rd grade science lessons.
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Push or Pull? Cut and Paste Worksheet
Use these push and pull cut and paste worksheets when exploring forces and motion in your science lessons.
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Direction of Force Worksheets
Teach students about the direction of forces applied to common objects with this two-page worksheet for lower elementary students.
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Push and Pull Examples – Matching Game
Have students explore examples of push and pull forces with this matching game to use during your forces and motion science unit.
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Push or Pull? Interactive Sorting Activity
Explore push and pull forces with your students by playing this interactive sorting game for lower elementary students.
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Push and Pull Sorting Activity
Use these push and pull sorting cards as a hands-on activity during your science lessons on forces.
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Forces Quiz
Assess students' understanding of contact and noncontact forces with this forces quiz for 3rd grade students.
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Push or Pull? Worksheet
Use this push or pull worksheet when exploring forces and motion in your 2nd and 3rd grade science lessons.
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Air Resistance Experiment
Use this engaging air resistance experiment when teaching your students about air friction and the effect it has on the effectiveness of a parachute.