Photosynthesis Activities and Games

Looking for photosynthesis activities?

Photosynthesis can sometimes seem like a complex topic to teach to students.

We use students’ inherent curiosity about the natural world to create understanding with these photosynthesis activities.

Photosynthesis is such an exciting topic to teach! It’s amazing to show students how plants make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. With a little creativity, you can help your class really connect with this concept. These hands-on photosynthesis activities are simple, fun, and perfect for 3rd graders.

Below, I have some great games and activities that your students will LOVE doing in the classroom!

Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom for a FREE science resource!

Hands-on Photosynthesis Activities

1. Start with a Simple Demonstration

Let’s begin with something easy. Place one plant near a sunny window and another in a dark cabinet. Check them daily and talk about the differences. Why is the plant near the window doing better? This simple demonstration shows why sunlight is so important for plants.

2. Leaf Experiment with Food Coloring

Here’s a classic! Fill a glass with water and a few drops of food coloring, then add a white carnation or celery stalk. Over a few days, your students will see the color travel up the stem and into the petals or leaves. Use this to explain how water moves through a plant—a key part of photosynthesis.

3. Create a Photosynthesis Model

Get crafty! Help your students make a model of photosynthesis using craft supplies. Yellow felt can represent sunlight, blue paper for water, and green construction paper for leaves. Models like this help make tricky ideas easier to understand.

4. Play Photosynthesis Jeopardy Game

Bring some excitement to your science lesson with my Plants & Photosynthesis Jeopardy game! This interactive activity is a fantastic way to review everything students have learned about photosynthesis, plant parts, and their functions. The game includes questions on topics like chlorophyll, stomata, glucose, and how plants produce energy. Students will love competing in teams while reinforcing their understanding of these key concepts. It’s a fun and memorable way to make science stick! Find it HERE!

5. Observe Stomata Under a Microscope

For something a little more advanced, have students peel the underside of a leaf and look at it under a microscope. They can find the stomata and learn how these tiny openings allow plants to exchange gases for photosynthesis.

6. Try Digital Activities

If you have access to technology, use interactive online simulations. Many websites let students experiment with photosynthesis by changing light levels or carbon dioxide amounts. For an even better option, try my Photosynthesis for Google Classroom product! It’s a ready-to-go digital activity that helps students understand the process of photosynthesis in a fun and interactive way. Perfect for classrooms with access to Google tools. It’s a great way to explore the process in a new way. Check it out HERE!

7. Take a Nature Walk

Head outside to observe photosynthesis in action! Ask your students to find plants with vibrant green leaves and identify parts of the plant that are involved in photosynthesis. It’s a wonderful way to connect science to the real world.

8. Wrap It Up with Art

Finish your lesson with some art! Have students draw or paint the process of photosynthesis, making sure to include sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and the plant’s production of oxygen and glucose. Hang their creations in the classroom to celebrate their learning.

Need Photosynthesis Resources?

• Plants & Photosynthesis Jeopardy Game: Make science fun and competitive with this interactive game that reviews key concepts like chlorophyll, plant parts, and energy production.

• Photosynthesis for Google Classroom: A ready-to-use digital activity that’s perfect for tech-friendly classrooms.

• Plants Color By Number Worksheets: Add some creativity to your lesson with these fun, engaging worksheets! Students will solve science-themed problems and reveal colorful plant-related designs. It’s a perfect way to reinforce learning while keeping students entertained.

Teaching photosynthesis doesn’t have to be tricky. With these photosynthesis activities, your students will have fun while learning about one of nature’s coolest processes. By incorporating hands-on experiments, creative projects, and digital tools, you can create a science lesson that sticks with your students for years to come. Try these activities today and spark a lifelong curiosity about the natural world!

Looking for a free science resource?

Make sure to snag my FREE Reasons for the Seasons craftivity! This engaging and easy-to-use activity helps students understand the science behind the seasons with a hands-on approach. It’s perfect for reinforcing key science concepts in a fun and memorable way.

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