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Home » Science Experiments for Kids » How to make a potato battery

How to make a potato battery

Modified: Mar 18, 2022 · Published: Jul 4, 2021 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Did you know you can use a potato (or two) to create enough power to light an LED? We did try a small light bulb as well, but our potato battery only had enough power to light an LED.

You might have seen our lemon battery activity which is very similar to this one! I’m going to show you how to make a potato battery in just a few easy steps.

Potato Battery image of potatoes, crocodile clips and wires
How to make a potato battery
Potato battery series circuit

You’ll need:

2-3 Potatoes

Knife

Copper and silver coins (or a galvanised nail) Copper and zinc strips also work well.

3 wires with crocodile clips attached

Voltmeter ( optional )

Small LEDs

Potato Battery Instructions

Carefully make two slits in each potato with a knife ( ask an adult to help ).

Place a copper coin and either a silver coin or a galvanised nail into each potato.

Attach the potatoes to each other using wires and crocodile clips. The copper of one potato should attach to the zinc of another potato to work.

If you have an LED, 2 potatoes should be enough to light it. You can also use a voltmeter/multimeter to measure the voltage passing through.

Potato battery with 2 potatoes and a voltmeter showing the current passing through
Potato Circuit with a voltmeter to show the current
LED lighting up as part of a circuit with a potato battery
LED lighting up as part of a potato battery circuit
How to make a potato battery using a circuit. Fun electricity project for kids!

How does it work?

How does a potato battery work? Find a full explanation over on my lemon battery post!

More electricity projects for kids

Find out how to make your own torch using a simple circuit and a cardboard tube.

This drawing robot is great fun to make as well!

Or try one of my other easy electricity projects!

Last Updated on March 18, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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