Books, activities, and online resources for teaching kids about the human body.
Kids have a natural curiosity about the human body, and giving them the answers they are looking for can be a wonderful way to lay a foundation for higher level biology and chemistry classes as they grow older. Teaching kids about the human body can be done through structured units, but kids will also teach themselves when they are given the right resources. Today’s post features some fun ways for kids to learn about the human body, through books and hands-on activities.
Teaching Kids About the Human Body
What You'll Find on This Page
Parragon books recently sent us a copy of the Human Body Factivity Kit to review. Eight-year-old Johnny and six-year-old Lily worked together (with some help) to build the skeleton. That was fun, but the real win in this kit was the book, which has all sorts of fascinating facts about the human body presented in engaging ways. The book is colorful and well-illustrated, with lots of hands-on activities. Here are some other great books about the human body that my kids enjoy reading:
- Uncover the Human Body is a very unusual book that includes a 3D model. Parts of the model are connected to each page, and kids discover the skeletal system, digestive system, urinary system, circulatory system, respiratory system, muscular system, and nervous system as they turn the pages. The 3D aspect of this book makes it engaging to preschoolers through older kids.
- Most human body books are illustrated, but the DK First Human Body Encyclopedia mixes illustrations with incredible photographs. This human body book feels like a science text, and some kids might find some of the pictures “creepy”.
- The human body sticker book. My kids love sticker books, and placing stickers where they go on a page as you learn can be a great way to reinforce memory.
- The Human Body Reference Book. This is a great place for kids to find answers to questions they have about their bodies.
- The Flip Flap Body Book answers questions kids have about what happens to food, how senses work, and how babies are made (more how they grow) in simple language for children aged 4 and up.
Here are some great human body activities I found online:
There are some amazing educational resources for kids online! These are interactive sites, unless otherwise noted.
- Put back Arnold’s major organs
- Explore cells
- Compare the human skeleton to the skeletons of different animals
- Learn how your heart works (YouTube video)
- Learn about your brain
- Learn how your body heals wounds
- Explore the five senses with these experiments
Here are some great human body activities from blog friends:
- Human anatomy unit from Adventures in Mommydom
- My Body Activities for Tots & Preschoolers w/ Free Printables from Every Star Is Different
- The Immune System and Personal Hygiene from Every Star Is Different
- Skeletal System Unit Study from Campfires and Cleats
- Why are Bones Hollow Experiment from The Usual Mayhem
- Fingerprint Science for Kids from KC Edventures
- 5 Messy Ways to Play Brain Surgeon from Left Brain Craft Brain
- Egg Carton Toothbrush Activity from In the Playroom
- Muscular System Third Grade Unit Study from 3 Boys and a Dog
- Human Body and Nutrition Activities from Line Upon Line Learning
- Human Body Activities for Kids from I Can Teach My Child
- Montessori Human Anatomy Introduction from Mama’s Happy Hive
- Montessori Human Anatomy Activities from Natural Beach Living
- Hands-on Neuroscience for Kids from Planet Smarty
- Skeleton and X-ray Crafts from Artsy Momma
- Teaching Body Parts to Toddlers from Sugar Aunts
Do you have an activity we should try or a book we should read?
MaryAnne lives in Silicon Valley with her Stanford professor husband Mike and their four children. She writes about parenting through education, creativity, and play. Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting is a space to share crafts, hands on learning activities, and family outings that enrich lives and bring families together.
So many great resources here! A goes through periods of intense interest in human body and then reverts back to programming :)
Thanks, Natalie! My kids do the same thing :)
Fantastic collection of resources! Thanks for putting it together :)
My kids are loving this book, to. There are lots of neat little facts to keep it interesting without being dry.
That model would be a huge hit at my house as well. Great collection of resources (thanks for including me :))
Your round up of resources is AWESOME! Thanks for sharing. My 10th grader might find this handy as she draws and I hope my 5th son will use it too. He’s really into science!
My kids get especially fascinated with the human body when they are expecting a new brother or sister. :) Thank you for this list of terrific resources.