This simple, fun activity for learning about the body can be adapted for kids of all ages. Young children can draw features like eyes, nose, mouth, nails, etc. Older children can draw body parts, organ systems or even bones and muscles!
What's inside your body? STEM Challenge
You'll need:
A roll of paper - something like this from Melissa and Doug
Felt tip pens
A person to draw around!
All you do is draw around a willing volunteer and decide what body parts you want to learn about!
Ideas for preschoolers
Draw around several children and talk about who is the tallest and who has the longest legs and arms, etc!
Children can measure body parts, too!
We didn't worry too much about everything being perfectly drawn or placed, but it was a great start to learning about the locations of different organs.
My little girl chatted away as we did this about her 'wires' ( veins ) and the bugs in her tummy, which she hoped were awake eating her food. We spent a lovely half an hour just making observations, and it was great for me to get an understanding of how she sees herself.
Ideas for older children:
Draw and label bones
Draw and label muscles
Draw and label different organ systems
Draw and label parts of the body that help to fight germs.
More Human Body Science for Kids
Work out how many of your own feet tall you are.
Make a pumping heart model.
Discover why cleaning teeth is so important with eggs!
Test your reaction time with a ruler! This is a great investigation as you can investigate to discover if reaction time can be improved.
Make a model of how food moves through the digestive system.
Great for KS1 Science - exploring the body
You could easily adapt this activity for older children by asking them to draw and label major organs themselves. Maybe even plot the route of food through the body.
It also works well as a preschool science activity and for Early Years Foundation Stage.
Physical Development → Health and self-care → ELG
- Children know the importance for good health of physical exercise, and a healthy diet, and talk about ways to keep healthy and safe. They manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs successfully, including dressing and going to the toilet independently.
Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Emma Vanstone
Eddie - The Usual Mayhem says
What a fun way to introduce the subject! Pinning this one to my human body board for future use. Thanks!
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories says
I love it when great activities just happen.
HELEN says
this is a great idea...I might have to refer to a book though as I'm not sure I even know where all the bits are!
Sugar Aunts says
This is such a great idea! I wanted to invite you to join us in Share It Saturday link up party. We have a great bunch of ideas contributed each week...creative play, educational ideas, crafts, recipes, and more. This fun idea would fit right in! We also have a Pinterest board where we are inviting all Share It Saturday contributors to collaborate on. It is a great way to gain a greater audience for your posts. Would love to see you there! http://www.sugaraunts.com
Colleen at Sugar Aunts
Mum of One says
What a brilliant idea! Am pinning this for when W gets older. 🙂
becky says
A great idea for learning the body parts and fun too. Always the best way to learn. Like helen I would need a book!
Teacher Andrew says
Its a great ice breaker activity for starting a new term. children could add layers , rib cage , lungs , bones .... students could role play doctors and perform operations...
soul eater says
It sounds really wrong but other than that it looks fun