Simple Circuit Sort
Build a basic battery-and-bulb circuit, then test household materials to see which ones complete it.
Thinking
7–12 years
20–35 min
Calm
Low mess
At home
What you need
- A battery (AA in a holder, or coin cell)
- A small bulb or LED
- Two wires with alligator clips
- A handful of test objects: coin, spoon, rubber band, key, paperclip, pencil, plastic block
Setup
- Connect the battery to the bulb with the two wires, leaving a small gap between the wire ends
- Confirm the bulb lights when the gap is closed with a paperclip
- Test each object in the gap and record whether the bulb lights up
Play prompts
- Which objects do you predict will complete the circuit?
- What do all the objects that worked have in common?
- Can you sort your test pile into conductors and non-conductors?
Ways to change it up
- Add a second bulb to see if it gets dimmer
- Test a coin, a key, and a piece of aluminium foil to build a metals list
Safety notes
- Use a low-voltage battery only (AA or coin cell), never mains electricity
- Supervise wire and small-part handling with younger children
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