Activity for Respiratory System:

Free Printable Lung Lesson

This free printable activity is a fun way to learn all about how the lungs work!

Discover a fun, interactive activity for the respiratory system. Free printable included. Perfect for home or classroom learning!
Get the free printable HERE!

Engage Kids with a Fun and Educational Activity for Respiratory System

Learning about the human body is a captivating journey, especially for young minds. Introducing kids to the respiratory system can be both fun and educational with the right resources. Our free printable activity for respiratory system offers a hands-on, visual experience that simplifies complex concepts. Using just a few common household items, children can explore how their lungs work, sparking their curiosity and fostering a love for science

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Skills: Science

Ages: 4 Years +

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Understanding the Science Behind This Activity

This activity is a fantastic way to dive into the science of how our lungs work. By creating a model with straws and plastic bags, kids can see firsthand how air travels through the trachea (the big straw) and splits into the bronchi (the smaller straws), eventually filling up the lungs (the plastic bags). When they blow into the straws, they’ll see the “lungs” inflate, just like when we breathe in. This helps kids understand the role of the respiratory system in getting oxygen into our bodies and removing carbon dioxide. It’s a fun and simple way to show how essential breathing is and how our body works to keep us alive and healthy. Plus, they’ll get a kick out of making the model and seeing it in action!

Here are 3 facts you can explain to your child:

Air Pathway: When you breathe in, air travels through your trachea (windpipe) and then splits into your bronchi, which are like smaller tubes leading to each lung. This pathway helps air reach every part of your lungs.

Lung Inflation: The plastic bags in the activity represent your lungs. Just like how the bags inflate when you blow into the straws, your lungs fill with air when you breathe in, helping you get the oxygen your body needs.

Gas Exchange: Inside your lungs, there are tiny air sacs called alveoli where oxygen from the air you breathe in passes into your blood, and carbon dioxide from your blood is breathed out. This process is crucial for keeping your body energized and healthy.

Understanding the Science Behind This Activity

This activity is a fantastic way to dive into the science of how our lungs work. By creating a model with straws and plastic bags, kids can see firsthand how air travels through the trachea (the big straw) and splits into the bronchi (the smaller straws), eventually filling up the lungs (the plastic bags). When they blow into the straws, they’ll see the “lungs” inflate, just like when we breathe in. This helps kids understand the role of the respiratory system in getting oxygen into our bodies and removing carbon dioxide. It’s a fun and simple way to show how essential breathing is and how our body works to keep us alive and healthy. Plus, they’ll get a kick out of making the model and seeing it in action!

Here are 3 facts you can explain to your child:

Air Pathway: When you breathe in, air travels through your trachea (windpipe) and then splits into your bronchi, which are like smaller tubes leading to each lung. This pathway helps air reach every part of your lungs.

Lung Inflation: The plastic bags in the activity represent your lungs. Just like how the bags inflate when you blow into the straws, your lungs fill with air when you breathe in, helping you get the oxygen your body needs.

Gas Exchange: Inside your lungs, there are tiny air sacs called alveoli where oxygen from the air you breathe in passes into your blood, and carbon dioxide from your blood is breathed out. This process is crucial for keeping your body energized and healthy.

Download and Print this Activity for Respiratory System Learning

One of the best parts about this activity is that it’s a free printable you can easily download and print. This saves you the hassle of drawing your own lung diagrams, making it super convenient for busy parents and educators.

With just a few clicks, you’ll have a ready-to-use, accurate diagram that perfectly complements the hands-on project. It’s designed to be simple and clear, ensuring that kids can easily follow along and understand the activity. So, you can focus more on the fun and educational aspects without worrying about creating your own materials from scratch!

Materials

This free printable
Piece of Cardboard
Two straws

Tape
Plastic bags (leftover produce bags work perfectly!)

This free printable
Piece of Cardboard
Two straws
Tape
Plastic bags (leftover produce bags work perfectly!)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Download and print the template. Cut out the lungs, lips, and nose and glue it to a piece of cardboard.

Step 2

Take two plastic bags and inflate them slightly. These will represent the lungs in the activity. Ensure that the bags are clean and free from any holes or tears.

Step 3

Using tape, secure one end of each straw to the top of each plastic bag. These straws will act as the trachea and bronchi, allowing air to flow in and out of the “lungs”.

Step 4

Place the printed lung diagram in front of you. Position the plastic bags with attached straws on top of the diagram, aligning them with the lung illustrations. Secure them with tape. Tape the nose and mouth on the top part of the straws.

Step 5

Explain to the child how the lungs work using the diagram as a guide. Encourage them to blow into the straws to see how air moves in and out of the plastic bags, mimicking the process of breathing.

Step 1

Download and print the template. Cut out the lungs, lips, and nose and glue it to a piece of cardboard.

Step 2

Take two plastic bags and inflate them slightly. These will represent the lungs in the activity. Ensure that the bags are clean and free from any holes or tears.

Step 3

Using tape, secure one end of each straw to the top of each plastic bag. These straws will act as the trachea and bronchi, allowing air to flow in and out of the “lungs”.

Step 4

Place the printed lung diagram in front of you. Position the plastic bags with attached straws on top of the diagram, aligning them with the lung illustrations. Secure them with tape. Tape the nose and mouth on the top part of the straws.

Step 5

Explain to the child how the lungs work using the diagram as a guide. Encourage them to blow into the straws to see how air moves in and out of the plastic bags, mimicking the process of breathing.

Why is it important to learn about the respiratory system?

Learning about the respiratory system helps us understand how our bodies function and how essential breathing is for our survival. It also promotes awareness of how to keep our lungs healthy.

How do the lungs actually work?

The lungs are organs responsible for taking in oxygen from the air we breathe and removing carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism. When we inhale, air travels through the trachea and bronchi into the lungs, where oxygen is transferred to the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is expelled when we exhale.

What happens if our lungs don’t work properly?

If our lungs don’t work properly, it can lead to various respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or pneumonia. These conditions can affect our ability to breathe efficiently and may require medical treatment.

How can we keep our lungs healthy?

To keep our lungs healthy, it’s important to avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, as well as pollutants and toxins in the air. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently, can also help prevent respiratory infections.

How can we keep our lungs healthy?

To keep our lungs healthy, it’s important to avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, as well as pollutants and toxins in the air. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently, can also help prevent respiratory infections.

Fun facts about the respiratory system:

An adult at rest breathes in and out about 12-20 times per minute? Also, the surface area of the lungs is roughly the size of a tennis court when fully spread out!

Why is it important to learn about the respiratory system?

Learning about the respiratory system helps us understand how our bodies function and how essential breathing is for our survival. It also promotes awareness of how to keep our lungs healthy.

How do the lungs actually work?

The lungs are organs responsible for taking in oxygen from the air we breathe and removing carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism. When we inhale, air travels through the trachea and bronchi into the lungs, where oxygen is transferred to the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is expelled when we exhale.

What happens if our lungs don’t work properly?

If our lungs don’t work properly, it can lead to various respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or pneumonia. These conditions can affect our ability to breathe efficiently and may require medical treatment.

How can we keep our lungs healthy?

To keep our lungs healthy, it’s important to avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, as well as pollutants and toxins in the air. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently, can also help prevent respiratory infections.

Fun facts about the respiratory system:

An adult at rest breathes in and out about 12-20 times per minute? Also, the surface area of the lungs is roughly the size of a tennis court when fully spread out!