What Happens When You Push or Pull an Object?

Different objects respond differently when forces are exerted upon them. Modeling clay, for example, will change shape when pushed with a finger. Try the same thing with a plank of wood, and you’ll get a very different result!

When it comes to push and pull forces, one of the best ways to learn whether or not an object responds when it is pushed or pulled is by actually pushing and pulling the object in question! If you are looking for an activity to help your students understand what happens when they push or pull on an object, then this simple worksheet is for you!

To complete this activity, students will explore a selection of common classroom objects by exerting a push force and a pull force on each one. Students will then record what happens to the object when they apply each force by writing and/or drawing their observations.

This resource downloads as a black-and-white PDF or Google Slide.

This push and pull investigation provides your students with the perfect opportunity for students to explore how objects respond when a push or pull force is applied to them.

Multiple Options for This Push and Pull Activity

Two different versions of this push and pull activity can be found in the resource download. 

• Worksheet 1 – This worksheet provides a pre-selected list of classroom objects for students to explore. The objects included on the first worksheet are tape, marbles, play dough, a zipper and a chair. 
• Worksheet 2 – This worksheet allows students to select their own classroom objects to test, rather than being confined to a pre-selected list. 

Students who require scaffolding to engage with the activity may benefit from completing the first worksheet, while students who enjoy having greater choice and independence should be directed toward the second worksheet.

Time to Start Pushing and Pulling Objects!

Use the Download menu to access the easy-print PDF or the editable Google Slides version of this resource. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template on your personal drive before accessing it.)

If you’re looking for a sustainable way of working with this resource, we recommend projecting it on your interactive whiteboard and having students record their responses in their notebooks.

This resource was created by Lisamarie Del Valle, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter collaborator.

Explore More Push and Pull Activities

Hopefully, we have piqued your interest in our time-saving, teacher-made push and pull resources! If you’re ready for more, click below for our wide range of curriculum-aligned activities!