Heart and Circulatory System Activities for Kids

In this set of activities adaptable for grades K-3, parents and educators will find ideas for teaching about the heart and circulatory system. These activities are designed to complement the BrainPOP Jr. Heart topic page, which includes a movie, quizzes, online games, printable activities, and more.

Classroom Activities for Teaching About the Heart

Heart Rate
Have your students measure their heart rates while they are resting. Have them place two fingers gently on their wrists and feel for their pulse. Then have them count how many times their hearts beat in one minute. Then take your students out of the classroom for some cardiovascular exercise. You may have them do jumping jacks, run in place, or do a few sprints. Then have them take their pulse again. How did their pulses change? You can repeat the activity after students perform a cool down activity, such as stretching or walking slowly.

Animal Hearts

Have small groups or pairs research the hearts of different animals. What does the heart of a snake look like? How big is the heart of an elephant or a blue whale? Do insects have hearts? Have students research on the Internet or visit the library to prepare a presentation about different hearts. Encourage them to be creative with the animals they choose. Which animal has the smallest heart? Which has the largest?

Family and Homeschool Activities for Teaching About the Heart

Exercise Plan

Promote fitness at home! Together with your child, start an exercise plan. Try to schedule one cardiovascular activity a day. Be creative! Take a hike together or have a hula-hoop contest. You may want to play with a Frisbee or challenge your child to do as many pull-ups as he or she can. You can also learn to roller skate together or ride your bikes around the block. Brainstorm different activities together and put them on a calendar.

An Apple a Day

Nutritious food is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy and happy heart. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are heart-healthy foods that also taste delicious. Together with your child, explore and taste a different fruit or vegetable each day. Many international markets or farmer’s markets have a wide range of produce that your child may not be familiar with. Guava, papaya, jicama, and lychee are unique and delicious. Challenge your child to eat every type of apple available at your grocery store. Eating healthy foods can be a fun exploration.