I have seen students of all elementary ages spend hours engrossed in this snap circuits electricity activity! Snap circuits are the perfect hands on way for your little to explore the flow of electricity and all its components including wires, capacitors, diodes, electric motors, lamps, LED’s, radios, electromagnets, speakers and more! This electricity activity is sure to spark your little’s interest in tech!
What is electricity?
Electricity is energy. There are many different forms of energy, and electricity is energy created by charged particles, such as photons (particles of light) and electrons (negatively charges subatomic particles). Static electricity occurs when charged particles are stationary. When the charged particles start moving, an electric current is created, just like the electricity we all use on a daily basis in our homes!
Series and Parallel Circuits
As a former high school physics teacher, I can attest to the importance of understanding the difference between series and parallel circuits. The Snap Circuit Electricity Kit will give your little the chance to explore the differences in arrangement of batteries and well as elements such as light bulbs. Light bulbs connected in series are all on a single path for electrical current flowing, while bulbs in parallel are connected at nodes, and each bulb receives the same amount of voltage. Christmas lights are connected in series, which most of the lights in your home are connected in parallel. If one Christmas light goes out, the rest of the strand will go out. One light is your house can burn out without affecting the rest. Your little will see this concept in action when completing the guided projects.
What comes in your Snap Circuits Electricity Activity Kit?
The components of your snap circuit kit will allow your little the freedom to create hundreds of simple circuits. They can follow the instruction booklet for guided activities, or go freestyle and create their own circuits. Here are some of the main components of the Snap Circuit kit and what they do.
Each snap circuit kit comes with a plastic board base gird to build all the projects on. There are wires of various sizes that are used in projects to complete the circuits. The resistors included provide an excellent foundation for learning, because they can be used to decrease the sound on the various speakers that come with the kit. A slide switch provides a fun way to show how to break or complete the flow of electricity, with an open or closed circuit. Don’t forget about the capacitor, which will help your little understand how electricity is stored. The snap circuit kit comes with descriptions of all of these pieces, so your little can dive even deeper.
What are some projects that can be built with your Snap Circuit Electricity Activity?
With over 300 guided activities, your little will be engaged in this snap circuits electricity activity for hours. They can also go off script and create their own simple circuits! Some guided project options include the two speed fan, sound activated switch and light police siren.
Buy a snap circuit on Amazon by clicking on this Link.
You can also visit Snap Circuit’s website to learn more by clicking on this Link.