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The Six Simple Machines
From physics, the 6 classical simple machines:
- Lever — pry bar, seesaw, scissors (crossed levers)
- Pulley — flag pole, elevator, window blinds
- Wheel and Axle — cars, doorknob, Ferris wheel
- Inclined Plane — ramp, stairs, wheelchair ramp
- Wedge — knife, axe, doorstop
- Screw — threaded fastener, spiral staircase
Every complex machine is some combination of these.
The Short Answer
| Budget | Pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| $110+ | Thames & Kosmos Physics Workshop | $110 |
| $40 | Learning Resources Simple Machines Set | $40 |
| $120 | LEGO Education BricQ Motion Essential | $120 |
| $15 | DIY with household items | $15 |
The Picks
1. Thames & Kosmos Physics Workshop — $110
Ages: 8+ Experiments: 36 covering all 6 simple machines Contents: Plastic construction set + experiment manual.
Strengths: Teacher-grade kit; real physics content; builds all 6 simple machines. Weaknesses: Pricey; kid engagement requires commitment.
Why it wins for 8–12: Most comprehensive hands-on simple machines experience.
2. Learning Resources Simple Machines Set — $40
Ages: 6+ Contents: Lever/fulcrum, wheel & axle demos, inclined plane, pulley blocks. Strengths: Affordable starter; clear demonstrations. Weaknesses: Less comprehensive than T&K; fewer experiments.
3. LEGO Education BricQ Motion Essential — $120
Ages: 6+ Contents: 523 LEGO pieces + printed experiments. Strengths: Extends LEGO skills to physics; large variety of builds. Weaknesses: Not all builds purely “simple machine” — some are compound.
4. DIY With Household Items
Materials: Craft sticks, rubber bands, paper clips, string, pencils, cardboard, tape. Experiments: See detailed activities below.
Why it wins: Essentially free; teaches same physics; kids make their own tools.
DIY Experiments (6 Simple Machines)
Lever
Materials: Ruler + rubber eraser (fulcrum) + small object Activity: Balance object on one end; use force on other. Measure: How force multiplies based on fulcrum position.
Pulley
Materials: Bucket, string, broomstick across 2 chairs Activity: Lift bucket with direct pull vs routed through broomstick (simulates pulley). Measure: Effort required with and without “pulley” redirect.
Wheel and Axle
Materials: Pencil + paper disk (for wheel) + thread Activity: Pull thread to rotate disk; measure thread length vs wheel rotation.
Inclined Plane
Materials: Cardboard ramp + toy car + weighted box Activity: Push car up ramp at different angles. Measure force needed.
Wedge
Materials: Knife (adult) + block of soft wood or cardboard Activity: Demonstrate splitting a block. Note: wedge = 2 inclined planes.
Screw
Materials: Bolt and nut Activity: Show how rotation results in linear movement.
Age Adaptations
Ages 5–7
- Adult-led demos of 3–4 simple machines
- No detailed measurement
- Goal: recognize the 6 machines in everyday objects
Ages 8–10
- Kid-led experiments with one variable
- Measure force, distance, or effort
- Goal: quantitative understanding
Ages 11–12
- Design experiments
- Combine machines (e.g., compound lever, block-and-tackle)
- Goal: engineering application
Science Fair Projects
Simple-machine fair projects:
- Pulley efficiency: Compare 1-wheel vs 2-wheel pulley systems
- Inclined plane: Force required at different angles (4th-grade classic)
- Wheel size: Car-track with different wheel sizes; compare speed
See 4th grade fair projects guide for fair-level protocol.
Classroom / Co-op Use
For a class of 15–25:
- Single physics workshop kit: $110; teacher uses across 4–5 class sessions
- Multiple DIY stations: $15–$30 per station of 4 kids
- BricQ Motion: Works well for LEGO-familiar classroom
What to Avoid
- Toy-aisle “science kits” for ages 3+ labeled “physics”: usually hand-eye-coordination toys, not real physics
- Simple machine sets under $25: Quality issues
- Kits requiring apps for “physics explanations”: Defeats the hands-on purpose
- Single-purpose kits (just a pulley, no comparison): Less learning
Real-World Recognition
After kids learn the 6 simple machines, point them out in daily life:
- Door hinges (lever)
- Window blinds (pulley)
- Cars (wheel and axle)
- Stairs (inclined plane)
- Knives (wedge)
- Screwdriver (screw)
This builds lasting understanding.
Extensions Beyond Simple Machines
Once 6 simple machines are mastered, introduce:
- Compound machines: Bicycle, clock, mouse trap
- Energy concepts: Kinetic, potential, mechanical
- Friction: When simple machines are less efficient
Budget Combinations
$50 Setup
- Learning Resources Simple Machines Set ($40)
- Construction paper + cardboard ($10)
$200 Setup
- Thames & Kosmos Physics Workshop ($110)
- LEGO BricQ Motion Essential ($120) - minus the overlap = $200 total
$50 Classroom Setup
- 4 DIY stations ($15 each)
- Master teacher demo kit ($30)
Related Guides
- Best LEGO STEM Sets
- Marble Run Guide
- Snap Circuits Jr vs Classic
- Best Coding Robot for Kids
- Bottle Rocket Experiment Guide — applied physics
The Bottom Line
Default pick for ages 8+: Thames & Kosmos Physics Workshop — $110.
Budget starter: Learning Resources Simple Machines Set — $40.
DIY version: ~$15 in materials; teaches same concepts.
Classroom pick: 4 DIY stations at $15 each.
Ages 5–7: Skip kits. Do direct exploration of everyday simple machines at home.
Ages 8–12: Real kit + experimentation + measurement.
Simple machines are fundamental physics. Real hands-on work here builds intuition that serves kids through middle school and beyond.
Kits tested with children ages 5–12 across home and classroom settings.