Teaching Physical and Chemical Changes in Fun Ways

Sometimes it is hard to find fun and engaging science activities for kids! This post has great ideas for teaching physical and chemical changes to your 2nd-grade students. The activities will be sure to inspire your little budding scientist.

What are Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter?

Physical changes can happen in many different ways. It can be a change in the shape, size, or appearance of an object. Some examples are crumpling a piece of paper, or cutting, bending, or breaking something.

Chemical changes can’t be undone. When a chemical change takes place a new substance is made. Chemical changes are sometimes hard to tell. Some examples of chemical changes are burning wood, baking cookies, or digesting your food.

The concept of a chemical change is one that can be difficult for little learners to grasp. Models and hands-on activities are the best way to demonstrate this change to students.

Start Teaching Physical and Chemical Changes With Some Videos

As I mentioned, models and visual aids are the best way to start a new unit in science. Below are some of my favorite videos to use.

Physical and Chemical Changes for Kids

Kitchen Chemical Changes

Make Some Anchor Charts

Another way to add in visual aids is by creating anchor charts! Make some cute and creative anchor charts to post around your classroom. Get creative and involve your students in the process. My physical and chemical units have some easy anchor chart templates you can use!

Teaching physical and chemical changes anchor chart pictures

Use Non-Fiction Texts for Teaching Physical and Chemical Changes

In my opinion, you can NEVER go wrong with mentor texts. Break out some fun, non-fiction books that cover chemical and physical changes. This is also a great chance for students to practice their note-taking skills.

Investigate Ways to Make a Physical Change

This physical change activity is always a hit! Have students write down different ways to change objects around the room. Be sure to remind students that the materials are all still the same matter even if they look different. So hands-on and engaging!

Explore Phase Changes

Teach students that phase changes are also physical changes. Have your class see that when water freezes, it is still the same matter, but only its properties have changed. This is an activity that is so simple, but your students will love it.

Show Students How to Spot a Chemical Change

Another fun activity is to have students write and draw about the various ways that they can spot a chemical change. Again, visual learning is so important for little scientists. Use this observation sheet (or something similar) during a hands-on activity or lab.

Investigate Chemical Change Using Smores

And finally, for my FAVORITE activity! Lastly, have students explore and investigate chemical change by making s’mores. An especially engaging activity and tasty treat! Prior to beginning this lab, students will need a basic understanding of matter and its properties.

Study Vocabulary Words

While I love these activities, students need a solid vocabulary background as well. It is so important that students have a strong understanding of the important keywords they will encounter in these activities.

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Grab This 2nd Grade Unit for Teaching Physical and Chemical Changes

I’ve made a fun 11-day, 2nd grade physical and chemical changes unit with engaging activities, nonfiction readers, detailed lesson plans, worksheet activities, lab investigations, and quizzes for each lesson. You can grab it HERE!

This bundle of fun 2nd grade physical and chemical changes unit includes vocabulary cards with real-life pictures, posters to help introduce the topic, anchor chart templates, and also extra worksheets that are perfect for homework or early finisher work. Aligned to TEKS and most state science standards too! This unit will save you hours of planning time!

2nd grade physical and chemical changes unit picture

Click HERE to see the 2nd grade physical and chemical changes unit, or save on the Physical Science Activity BUNDLE.

Also, be sure to save this post by pinning this to your Pinterest account. That way, you can easily come back to these ideas when you are ready to rock teaching physical and chemical changes.