Mrs Mactivity

Year 3 Science Block 2: Forces and Magnets

Year 3 science – Forces and magnets

This Year 3 forces and magnets unit helps pupils investigate how forces affect movement and explore the properties of magnets through practical scientific enquiry. Across six engaging lessons, pupils learn about pushes and pulls, investigate friction and discover how magnetic forces can act without direct contact.

Aligned with the National Curriculum, the unit encourages pupils to compare how objects move on different surfaces, identify magnetic and non-magnetic materials and explore how magnets attract and repel. Through prediction, testing and observation, pupils develop scientific vocabulary while building confidence in planning and carrying out investigations.

Part of our comprehensive Scintillating Science scheme, this unit includes lesson plans, interactive teaching slides, differentiated worksheets, practical investigations and assessment materials to support engaging Year 3 science lessons.

Looking for the full Year 3 science curriculum?

Visit our main Year 3 science page to explore curriculum coverage, progression and long-term planning.

View Year 3 science

Year 3 forces and magnets lesson plans and worksheets

This Year 3 forces and magnets unit includes six fully planned lessons, along with a knowledge organiser and assessment materials to support teaching and tracking pupil progress. It covers the Year 3 forces and magnets National Curriculum objectives while helping pupils understand friction, movement and magnetism.

The unit includes worksheets, hands-on activities and practical scientific enquiry, allowing pupils to investigate surfaces, test magnetic materials and explore how magnets behave. It is ideal for teachers looking for Year 3 forces lesson plans, magnets activities KS2 and structured Year 3 science lessons.

Pupils develop confidence using scientific vocabulary such as friction, force, attract, repel and magnetic, while building enquiry skills through testing, prediction and recording results.

What’s included?

  • Six fully planned science lessons
  • Interactive teaching slides for whole-class teaching
  • Differentiated Year 3 forces and magnets worksheets
  • Knowledge organiser to support key vocabulary
  • Practical investigations exploring forces and magnetism
  • Assessment materials to support tracking pupil progress

Working scientifically in Year 3

  • Investigate how objects move on different surfaces
  • Ask relevant scientific questions about forces and magnets
  • Carry out fair tests using magnets and surfaces
  • Use observations to explain findings
  • Record results using tables, diagrams and charts

Key learning outcomes

  • Compare how objects move on different surfaces
  • Explain the difference between contact and non-contact forces
  • Identify and test magnetic materials
  • Describe how magnets attract and repel

Why choose this Year 3 forces and magnets unit?

  • Aligned with the National Curriculum for KS2 science
  • Clear progression of knowledge and enquiry skills
  • Practical investigations linked to real-world science
  • Differentiated tasks to support mixed ability classes
  • Suitable for flexible use across KS2

This unit forms part of our wider Scintillating Science scheme. Explore the full Year 3 science scheme for curriculum progression and additional science units, or browse our complete KS2 science scheme for Year 3 to Year 6 science planning and resources.