States of Matter Teaching Resources
Explore the changing states of matter with worksheets, experiments, activities and more — all created by teachers for your lesson plans!
This collection of science resources provides you everything you need to teach students the properties of solids, liquids and gasses and examine how matter changes its state.
New to teaching this section of the science curriculum or just looking for some handy tips and tricks? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including answers to some of students' frequently asked questions!
How Many States of Matter Are There?
This is a fairly common question from students, so we'll get started right here — there are three main states of matter:
- Liquid
- Solid
- Gas
Your students may have heard that there's a fourth state of matter, and technically they are right! That's why we often refer to the 'three main states' of matter, rather than simply saying 'three states of matter.'
Plasma is a substance that we get when a gas is electrically charged. It's thick and soupy — so it's neither liquid nor solid — and that's why it is often referred to as the 'fourth state of matter.'
So why do we focus on the other three? Simple — plasma is in abundance in our galaxy, but it's far less prevalent down here on Earth!
What Is a Liquid State of Matter?
Liquid is a state of matter your students are pretty familiar with. After all, their favourite drinks, the water in the swimming pool and the rain falling down from the sky are all liquid states of matter.
But what, exactly, is a liquid?
By definition, a liquid is a state of matter that has a definite volume but no definite shape. The particles in a liquid are close together, but unlike those in a solid, they can move and flow past one another.
Liquids can also take the shape of their container — like milk in a cereal bowl!
What Is a Solid State of Matter?
Solids are all around us, from the chairs we sit on to the walls of the classroom, but how do you explain what a solid state of matter is to your class? Try this definition:
A solid is a state of matter that has a definite shape and volume.
The particles in a solid are tightly packed together and unlike those in other states, they do not move freely.
Solids can be hard — like the top of the desk or a rock. They can also be soft, like a pillow or a ball of playdough.
What Is a Gas State of Matter?
We've got just one main state of matter left — gas. Gas is all around us, but it's not always seen, so students may not realize just how much interaction they have with matter in this state!
Here's how we describe gas to students:
A gas is a state of matter that has no definite shape or volume. The particles in a gas are spread out and they move freely. These particles fill will up any space available.
Gases are often invisible like the air we breathe. Sometimes gas can be seen, however, such as the smoke coming from a campfire.
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States of Matter Virtual Escape Room Game - Laboratory Lockdown
Use a States of Matter Virtual Escape Room activity to engage and excite your students about the forms and changes seen in matter.
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Properties of Matter Reading Comprehension Pack (Year 3)
Read and discover the properties of matter with a set of Year 3 Reading Comprehension Worksheets.
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Solids, Liquids and Gases PowerPoint
Teaching your students about solids, liquids and gases with an engaging interactive teaching slide presentation.
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Year 3 Matter Worksheets - Properties & Changes
Reinforce your students' understanding of the properties of matter and changes in state with a set of printable differentiated Matter Worksheets.
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States of Matter Maze Worksheets
Practise identifying examples of solids, liquids, and gases with a set of printable States of Matter Maze Worksheets.
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Facts of the Matter PowerPoint Presentation
Intoduce your students to matter and change with an engaging interactive teaching presentation for Year 5.
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The Three States of Matter – Year 5 Reading Worksheets
Use a Year 5 Reading Comprehension passage and worksheet to teach your students about the three states of matter.
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Year 4 States of Matter - Nonfiction Reading Comprehension
Teach science and reading skills with a set of printable Year 4 Reading Worksheets about the three states of matter.
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Forms of Matter - Reading Comprehension Worksheets (Year 5)
Read and learn about forms of matter and its properties with a set of printable reading comprehension worksheets for year 5.
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Changes in Matter Due to Heat - Worksheets
Identify examples of reversible and irreversible changes caused by heat with a pair of Changing States of Matter Worksheets.
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Properties of Solids, Liquids, and Gases Interactive Game
Discover the properties of solids, liquids, and gases with an engaging Properties of Matter Interactive Game.
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Understanding States of Matter - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Engage your students with an interactive activity where they cut and paste to match the properties of solids, liquids, and gases.
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3 States of Matter - I Spy Worksheets
Recognise examples of solids, liquids, and gases with a pack of printable States of Matter I Spy Worksheets!
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Changing Matter Experiment – How Long Will It Take to Melt?
Explore how solids change into liquids with an exciting hands-on Matter science experiment.
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Changing States of Matter Worksheets
Introduce your students to the changing phases of matter with a set of printable science worksheets.
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States of Matter Word Find - Upper Years
Use a States of Matter word search to introduce your upper-years students to new academic vocabulary.
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States of Matter Doodle Notes Template
Improve note-taking skills with a printable States of Matter Doodle Notes Template.
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States & Properties of Matter Assessment
Assess your students knowledge of the states and properties of matter with a comprehension Matter Assessment.
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Removing Heat – Ice Cream in a Bag Experiment
Make Ice Cream in a Bag and discover how removing heat causes matter to change states.
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Properties of Matter Game - Bean Bag Toss
Play an exciting Properties of Matter game by downloading a printable Matter Bean Bag Toss Game!
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Matter States and Changes Science Lab Activity Pack
Discover the states and changes of matter with a printable pack of Science Lab Activities for Kids!
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States, Properties, and Changes in Matter Activity Choice Boards
Use printable Matter Project Choice Boards to assess student knowledge of states, properties, and changes in matter.
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Matter Experiment – Will All Liquids Freeze?
Investigates whether all liquids will change states when heat is removed with an engaging Matter Experiment.
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States of Matter Poster Pack
Cover the basics of the states of matter with this set of posters.
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States of Matter Word Wall Vocabulary
Review vocabulary related to matter with a printable illustrated States of Matter Word Wall.
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Solid, Liquid, or Gas? Interactive Game
Make learning about the states of matter interactive and fun with this Solids, Liquids, and Gases Game!
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Does Air Have Mass? Matter Science Experiments
Explore the physical properties of gases and discover that air has mass with a set of 4 matter experiments for kids.
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Changes in States of Matter Teaching Slides
Teach your students about the changes in states of matter with an engaging interactive teaching slide deck.
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Physical and Chemical Changes Quiz
Assess your students' knowledge of physical and chemical changes in matter with a printable Physical and Chemical Change Quiz.
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Physical Properties of Matter Vocabulary Foldable
Introduce your students to observable and measurable properties of matter with a printable Properties of Matter Vocabulary Foldable.
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Physical Changes in Matter Interactive Game
Observe and predict physical changes in matter with an engaging, interactive Science Game!
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Going, Going, Gone! - Changing States of Matter Experiment
Explore the changing states of matter due to temperature with an engaging science lab activity.