What are some activities to teach kids about simple machines?

Classroom and family activities that teach kids about simple machines include Ramping Up, Pulley Message System, Simple Machine Walk and Give a Lift. Online simple machine games include "Simple Machines Match It," "Simple Machines Letter Fall" and "Simple Machines Word Search."

Ramping Up is an activity where kids create ramps using books and building blocks and compare how far wheeled objects roll down the ramps. Pulley Message System is an activity where kids build pulleys and pass messages on them. Simple Machine Walk is a family activity in which parents take their children around the neighborhood to tally or photograph simple machines and determine which ones are the most common.