Science Worksheet · Grades 3–5
Force and Motion Worksheet
A printable science worksheet for grades 3-5 that introduces forces and motion through everyday examples. Students complete 14 items: Section A reads eight short scenarios (a pencil rolls off a desk, a bike brake squeezes, an apple drops from a tree) and identifies the force at work, and Section B answers six short questions about speed, balanced versus unbalanced forces, and the newton unit. A complete answer key is included.
Subject
Science
Grades
Grades 3–5
Skill Focus
Force and Motion, physical science
Lesson Length
25 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
Force and motion is one of the foundation physical-science topics for grades 3-5. The skill students need most is recognizing which of a few common forces is causing what they see — a push, a pull, friction, or gravity. This worksheet gives them eight ordinary scenarios and asks them to make exactly that call.
Section A scenarios are intentionally classroom-safe and everyday: a pencil rolls off a desk, a player uses a hockey stick to push a puck, an apple lets go and drops, a dog tugs a leash, cardboard slides farther on a smooth floor than on a carpet. Section B raises the difficulty with vocabulary every grades 3-5 unit assesses: the word for how fast something moves, what balanced and unbalanced forces mean, and the unit (newtons) that scientists use to measure force size.
The reference box at the top of page 1 defines force, motion, and the four force words at the concept level — what each force does in general — without using any of the specific scenarios that appear in Section A. The terms speed, balanced forces, unbalanced forces, and newtons are not named in the reference, so Section B measures independent recall. Page 3 is a compact one-column answer key for fast self-check.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and have students name one push and one pull they have done today.
Have students complete Section A independently as a force-identification warm-up.
Read item 6 together and discuss why a rougher surface slows a sliding object faster than a smooth one.
Have students finish Section B and check answers against the page 3 key.
Pair with the Solar System Worksheet (gravity in space) or the Scientific Method Worksheet to keep physical science going.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Force and Motion Worksheet
A printable science worksheet for grades 3-5 that introduces forces and motion through everyday examples. Students complete 14 items: Section A reads eight short scenarios (a pencil rolls off a desk, a bike brake squeezes, an apple drops from a tree) and identifies the force at work, and Section B answers six short questions about speed, balanced versus unbalanced forces, and the newton unit. A complete answer key is included.
This is a Full Member resource
Unlock this worksheet — plus 1,000+ printable worksheets with answer keys across every subject and grade K–12. Just $29.99/year, cancel anytime.
See membership options →Keep Exploring Science
Related Worksheets
More for Grades 3–5Animal Adaptations Worksheet · Animal Classification Worksheet · Camouflage and Mimicry Worksheet · Changes of State Worksheet · Clouds and Precipitation Worksheet · Complete and Incomplete Metamorphosis Worksheet