A Candle Seesaw – STEM activity
Log In
Want to learn more? Check out these other resources:
STEM Activity
13 reviews
Do you love playing on a seesaw? Why is it that depending on where you sit on the beam, and the weight of the person on the other side, you either fly up into the air or fall down to the ground? And why is it so difficult to perfectly balance the seesaw? It can all be explained with physics! In this activity, you will investigate the balancing forces of a seesaw—with a seesaw made of candles!
Blog Post
Follow along with a Science Buddies parent who is using family STEM activities to keep her kids learning at home during the COVID-19 school shutdown. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Today's adventure... party trick meets science while exploring why perfectly balanced birthday candles act like a seesaw when lit.
A hand holding a lit match to light candles that are part of a candle seesaw physics science activity.
Playing with Fire is…
Blog Post
Join Science Buddies this summer for virtual summer camp! Each week, we'll highlight fun STEM themes for kids of all ages, including suggestions for simple hands-on activities, book picks, and more. We'll keep you inspired all summer with creative and innovative science and engineering activities — for free. This week: wizard- and magic-themed science!
Wizards & Magic STEM
Week 3 brings out the wizard in all of us! If your kids are fans of…
Explore Our Science Videos
The Impossible Arrow Illusion
Is the Egg Raw or Cooked? STEM activity
Build a Mini Trebuchet