Fun ways to explore the way things work with kids.
Some links on this site are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you! Learn more.
I spent hours poring over the pages of David Macauley’s The Way Things Work as a kid. We still have my childhood copy of the book, and my kids love it! This week we borrowed The New Way Things Work, published in 1998. It includes updates on things like CD players and microchips. Things have changed a LOT since 1998, and later this year (October) there will be an all-new edition of the book, titled The Way Things Work Now. This newest edition of the book will explain modern technologies like touch screens and 3D printers. ANY of these books are fabulous starting points for exploring the way things work with your kids! Today I’m sharing a few activities you can pair with this book to extend the learning.
Exploring The Way Things Work
Kids are naturally interested in the way things work in the world around them. I recommend pairing sections of Macauley’s book with activities using the different machines and mechanisms that are explored in the book. For example:
- Read the section on locks and keys, the let them find and lock/unlock the different locks in your house. We looked at our mailbox lock, bathroom lock, front door lock, front door bold, and bicycle lock for this activity.
- Read the section on cutting machines, and then get in some scissor practice or let your child try opening a can. This is also a wonderful section of the book to read before going for a hair cut (it explains electric trimmers as well as regular scissors).
- Read about zippers and then look at a real-life zipper up close.
- Read about levers and make this simple cardboard see-saw
- Read about weighing machines then go and try these weighing activities.
- Read the section on grand pianos, then find a piano you can open up and look inside. We only have a digital piano, but there is a grand piano at church I was able to show the kids. Grand pianos work best, but you can open the top (and often the front, if you know what you are doing) of an upright to see a similar action.
- Read the section on bicycle brakes and have them show you how it works on their own bike.
- Read about sewing machines and let your child try making something – maybe this simple felt bag. Go over my simple sewing machine rules for kids first.
- Read about flying machines and design your own paper airplane (or try one of the designs in this paper airplane book).
- Read about toilet tanks. Open up the tank of your toilet and help your child find all the parts.
See how easy this is? The book is full of things that are around your house – you just need to help your child make the connection. They will probably start doing this all on their own once you have done this with a few pages in the book. They are learning to look at their world and THINK about how it works, instead of simply accepting things as they are. As they think about how things work, they will also start to think about ways things could be made differently, or improved. They are learning to think like scientists and inventors!
Are you looking to extend your learning beyond this book? I also recommend these other books by David Macauley:
As well as this less fanciful How Things Work Encylopedia(with photographs instead of illustrations with woolly mammoths).
These construction toys are wonderful for teaching children the basic concepts of physics and engineering:
Engineering Toys for Preschoolers:
Engineering Toys for Elementary School:
- Engino Simple Machines
- LEGO Chain Reactions
- Roominate Amusement Park Kit
- LEGO Education Simple And Motorized Mechanisms Base Set
Engineering Toys for Big Kids:
Some of these toys are pretty expensive, which is why we don’t own all of them even though I DO love all of them (and have tried all of them, through friends, my kids’ school, and children’s exploration museums). Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to explore science, technology, engineering, and math without leaving the comfort of your home – or spending a dime! My STEM Activities for Kids Using Household Items post is full of ideas to get you started!
My friend Trisha has created a wonderful Storybook Science series in honor of March being National Reading Month. Click on the button above to follow along throughout the series!
Do you have a favorite “how things work” activity that my kids and I should try?
Share comments and feedback below, on my Facebook page, or by tagging me on Instagram. Sign up for my newsletter to receive book recommendations, crafts, activities, and parenting tips in your inbox every week.
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Those books sound super interesting!
Sounds like a great book for my son! Thanks for the heads up! We are looking for more science experiments and I like having it in a book that I can peruse for ideas.
Must now get the new edition, because I too spent way too much time poring over that book.
I love that you point out several different sections of the book and how they can inspire science activities. We need to check out this book!
I think you would love this book!
Hadn’t heard of this book, but it sounds exactly like something we’d all enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
It is a very fun book for all ages!
I don’t think I’ve ever read that book. I’m sure my older kids would love it! So many great ideas. Thank you for sharing!
It is a fun book that your kids will read for years.
How have I not seen this book? Will need to get a copy stat!
I think your family would really enjoy this book!
We have this book! Perhaps we should get it out for our 9 year old!
I think the drawings make it very appealing to kids.
David Macauley’s The Way Things Work is a great book. You have some awesome ideas on ways to extend the curiosity and extend the learning.
I feel like the extensions bring the book to life, since kids get to apply what they read.
We love this book too.
The illustrations are incredible!