20 Marvellous Microscope Activity Ideas

Microscopes offer children of all ages a unique opportunity to view the world around them. This tool gives kids a whole new understanding of the everyday things that we often take for granted. Whilst using a microscope, learners get to benefit from experiential learning and exploration.  Additionally, traditional lessons instantly become more engaging when a microscope is involved! Be sure to bookmark this page for 20 awesome microscope activities and ideas to use with your students! 

1. Microscope Etiquette

Like many other tools, kids will need to learn the basics of how to use the microscope. This informative video teaches them how to handle and care for most types of microscopes. 

Learn More: Karaline Gauvin

2. Parts of a Microscope

This station guide to microscopes is helpful prior to students beginning any investigation or lesson. Learners will cover all aspects of the design and operation of microscopes. 

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

3. Take the Microscope Outside

This small, low-powered version of a microscope is perfect for young children who are exploring nature. It hooks up to any compatible tablet and offers a way to tote science everywhere – the beach, park, or even a nature preserve!

Learn More: Inspiration Laboratories

4. Use Microscopes to Increase Bilingualism

This lesson has students labeling the parts of a microscope and explaining the actions it allows for in Spanish! This is great for bilingual classes or even students who are wanting to master this beautiful language.

Learn More: Becoming Bilingual

5. Bacteria Hunt

The world is filled with bacteria, but not all of it is bad! To get students to explore just how much bacteria is all around them, engage them in a fun hunt. Using yogurt and a microscope, kids will discover the good bacteria that promote gut health. 

Learn More: GreatScopes

6. Fill Out a Lab Journal

Using these lab journals, students can record their observations and sketch what they see under a microscope. This will help them notice differences in various objects as well as teach them important STEM skills.

Learn More: GreatScopes

7. Microscopic Hair Analysis

Cater to students’ inner detectives and have them do a human hair analysis. They can observe everything from structure, color compounds, DNA, and more. They will be able to compare a variety of types of hair and see the differences under the microscope.

Learn More: Study.com

8. Pond Collection Observation

One of the coolest things to look at under a microscope is pond water!  Kids can collect a water sample from a local pond using a collection of containers. They will then be able to observe live, microscopic critters and other algae or particles in the water.

Learn More: Microscope Master

9. Microscope Science Jar Center

Preschool students will enjoy using a larger plastic microscope that’s perfect for their little hands! Using tiny plastic jars, younger students can now investigate a multitude of objects without the fear of destroying them. Set up a station for them to investigate during center time.

Learn More: No Time for Flash Cards

10. Identifying Tissues

Anatomy and biology don’t always have to be all lectures and diagrams. Introduce a microscope and get kids to identify the different tissues using prepared slides. You’ll have them engaged throughout the class! 

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers 

11. Use a Hemocytometer to Count Cells

Teach older kids to count cells using their microscope and this cool tool called a hemocytometer, something used in doctors and hospital settings everywhere. This tool will also help students determine other factors related to blood and cells.

Learn More: R’s Science

12. Mitosis Study

Have kids observe prepared slides that display the process of mitosis. As they work through each slide, have them reproduce what they see on this worksheet using sour gummy worms. 

Learn More: Pinterest

13. Make Your Own Microscope

Young learners will enjoy creating and then using their very own DIY microscope. This is the perfect solution to adding science to any outdoor playtime! It isn’t breakable and they can place the microscope over any object or critter they want to magnify!

Learn More: Childhood101

14. Grow Your Own Bacteria

Teaching kids about bacteria is difficult because it isn’t a tangible, visible thing… or is it? By helping your students grow their own bacteria, they’ll be able to observe the growth with any decent microscope. This will also help spark the conversation of why handwashing and general cleanliness are so important.

Learn More: Our Journey Westward

15. Forensic Science

Help get kids interested in the study of forensic science at an early age. Students can use classmates’ fingerprints to compare and recognize differences under a microscope. This lesson will also help kids understand how detectives use fingerprints to gather evidence and solve crimes.

Learn More: Microscope World

16. Microscope Cut and Paste Quiz

Put kids’ knowledge of the parts of a microscope to the test with a cut-and-paste quiz! They will need to remember the names of the parts and which parts go where in order to complete this easy and interactive quiz.

Learn More: Rock Your Homeschool

17. Microscope Crossword

This is a great way for students to memorize what each of the parts of the microscope is for. Set up like a traditional crossword, kids will use microscope clues to fill in the words across and down.

Learn More: Pinterest

18. Microscope Guessing Game

Once students become versed in the various cell forms, they’ll be begging to play this game! Prepare slides ahead of time and have them work alone or with partners to determine what they are looking at based on the features they see.

Learn More: The Curriculum Choice

19. Hunt for the Spider

Give students a US dollar bill and have them inspect the intricacies of the designs on our currency. Challenge them to seek out the hidden spider and offer an incentive for the first one to correctly identify it.

Learn More: The Curriculum Choice

20. Color a Microscope

This is another fun and interactive option for kids to learn and review the parts of the microscope. They can use their creativity to come up with unique color combinations and patterns to color specific parts.

Learn More: Pinterest