Push and Pull
How do things move? There are two special ways: PUSH and PULL! Let's discover how these forces make things go!
Learn
A force is a push or a pull that makes things move, stop, or change direction. You use forces every day! When you push a door open or pull on your backpack, you are using force!
PUSH - Moving things AWAY from you
When you push, you use your hands (or feet or body) to move something AWAY from you. The thing moves in the direction you push it!
Examples of Pushing:
Pushing a door open
Pushing a shopping cart
Kicking a ball
Pushing blocks together
PULL - Moving things TOWARD you
When you pull, you use your hands to move something TOWARD you or in the direction you're going. You hold on and bring it closer!
Examples of Pulling:
Pulling a door closed
Pulling a wagon
Dog pulling on a leash
Pulling on your socks
Big and Little Forces
Forces can be strong or gentle:
- A BIG push makes something move fast or far
- A little push makes something move slowly or a short distance
- A BIG pull can move something heavy
- A little pull might not move something heavy at all
Examples
Let's figure out if each action is a push or a pull!
Example 1: Opening a Drawer
What happens: You grab the handle and the drawer comes toward you.
Is this a push or pull? This is a PULL! You pull the drawer toward you to open it.
Example 2: Closing a Drawer
What happens: You use your hand to move the drawer away from you until it closes.
Is this a push or pull? This is a PUSH! You push the drawer away from you to close it.
Example 3: Swinging on a Swing
What happens: Someone gives you a push from behind, and you go forward!
Is this a push or pull? This is a PUSH! They push you away from them!
Example 4: Using a Zipper
What happens: You grab the zipper and move it up toward your chin.
Is this a push or pull? This is a PULL! You pull the zipper up!
Example 5: Bouncing a Ball
What happens: You throw the ball down toward the ground.
Is this a push or pull? This is a PUSH! You push the ball down and away from you!
Practice Problems
Is each action a PUSH or a PULL?
Problem 1
You roll a ball across the floor to your friend. Push or pull?
Show Answer
PUSH! You push the ball away from you toward your friend!
Problem 2
You tug on a rope in tug-of-war. Push or pull?
Show Answer
PULL! You pull the rope toward you!
Problem 3
You press the buttons on a keyboard. Push or pull?
Show Answer
PUSH! You push the buttons down!
Problem 4
You take off your shoes by grabbing and removing them. Push or pull?
Show Answer
PULL! You pull your shoes off your feet!
Problem 5
A bulldozer moves dirt. Push or pull?
Show Answer
PUSH! A bulldozer pushes dirt out of the way!
Problem 6
You pick up a book from the table. Push or pull?
Show Answer
PULL! You lift (pull) the book up off the table!
Problem 7
You flush the toilet by pressing the handle down. Push or pull?
Show Answer
PUSH! You push the handle down!
Problem 8
A magnet on the fridge holds up a picture. Push or pull?
Show Answer
PULL! The magnet pulls toward the metal fridge!
Problem 9
You slide down a slide at the playground. Push or pull?
Show Answer
PULL! Gravity pulls you down the slide! (Gravity is a pulling force!)
Problem 10
You blow on a pinwheel and it spins. Push or pull?
Show Answer
PUSH! The air you blow pushes the pinwheel and makes it spin!
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
What are the two types of forces we learned about?
Show Answer
Push and Pull!
Question 2
When you push something, which direction does it move?
Show Answer
When you push something, it moves AWAY from you!
Question 3
When you pull something, which direction does it move?
Show Answer
When you pull something, it moves TOWARD you!
Question 4
If you want to move a heavy box across the room, would a big push or a little push work better?
Show Answer
A BIG push would work better! Heavy things need more force to move!
Next Steps
Push and Pull Hunt!
Walk around your home and find examples of pushes and pulls:
- Find 3 things you PUSH (doors, buttons, toys)
- Find 3 things you PULL (drawers, handles, zippers)
- Can you find something that uses BOTH push AND pull?
- Practice identifying pushes and pulls in everyday life
- Try pushing toys gently and then harder - what happens differently?
- Ready to learn more? Check out Making Things Move!