20 Engaging Body Systems Activities for Middle School

Made up of trillions of cells, seventy-eight organs, and nine major systems, the human body is a source of endless fascination and study for kids.

This collection of memorable inquiry-based experiments, challenging study stations, creative task cards, fun puzzles, and hands-on models is sure to keep middle school students engaged for hours.

1. Body Systems Unit Study with Stations 

These pre-planned stations require only a few materials to get started and are student-led, making them a great choice for investigative learning.

Learn More: Biology Roots

2. Draw the Correct Diagram of the Human Body

This crime-scene-inspired anatomy lesson is perfect for a group of 3-4 students. Students are challenged to reconstruct a classmate’s body from paper and label all the major organs. Why not make it competitive by adding a prize?

Learn More: iTeachly

3. Learn About Cellular Respiration

This comprehensive unit on the respiratory system, which also works well in a digital classroom, features text passages and response pages, informative videos, a lab where students get to produce their own working model of a lung, and a wrap-up quiz.

Learn More: Teaching Science

4. Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Digestive Systems Deep Dive

In this engaging series of lessons, students dissect a heart, use a lung model to learn about the respiratory system, and create their own visual tour of the digestive system.

Learn More: Discover Hub Pages

5. Human Anatomy Language Stations

This collection of lessons features anatomy investigations, inquiry-based labs, and key anatomy vocabulary for middle school.

Learn More: Rae Rocks Teaching

6. Educational Video and Quiz on the Digestive System

Students will discover the ins and outs of the digestive system in this education video and quiz with an accompanying answer key, featuring detailed anatomy questions while developing their reading comprehension abilities and note-taking skills.

Learn More: Promoting Success Printables

7. Skeletal and Muscular System Guide for Middle School Level 

These lessons feature the relation between the skeletal and muscular systems as well as provide an overview of major muscle and bone names. They feature pre-made digital activities such as virtual manipulatives, drag-and-drop practice, a Venn diagram, and a handy answer sheet.

Learn more: Bright In The Middle

8. Create an Artistic Model of the Human Brain

This colorful brain model can be created with simple supplies and highlights important brain anatomy as well as featuring interesting facts about each part.

Learn More: Art Skills

9. Nervous System Activity and Brain Diagram 

These printable color illustrations are a fantastic way to learn about the parts of the nervous system, including the spinal cord, cerebrum, cerebellum, and cerebrospinal fluid.

Learn More: Living Life And Learning

10. Learn About The Human Reproductive System

From the fallopian tubes to the prostate, this series of worksheets and body systems task cards will make it easy to talk about this important human body system.

Learn More: Living Life And Learning

11. Nervous System Crossword Puzzle

This challenging nervous system puzzle is a great way to review key typical neuron terminology such as ‘myelin sheath’ and ‘synapse’.

Learn More: Science Spot

12. Learn About Blood Components 

Our blood vessels transport liters of blood per day, but what exactly are they made of? This clever model of blood cells brings the answer to life!

Learn More: Science Matters

13. Design Artificial Heart Valves 

Not only do kids get to build a life-size model of the human heart but they also learn about the heart rate, four main heart chambers, and the role of blood pressure in human health.

Learn More: 123 Homeschool 4 Me

14. Body Systems Puzzle Activity 

This fun puzzle brings escape room challenges to a whole new level! Students have to demonstrate an understanding of the structure and function of each of the different body systems in order to escape each room.

Learn More: Kesler Science

15. Build a Working Arm Muscle Anatomy Activity

This inquiry-based activity challenges students to build their own set of muscles and bones in order to demonstrate their understanding of body mechanics in a concrete form.

Learn More: Son Light

16. Body Organs Anatomy Activity

By classifying the organs into their corresponding body systems, students will become more aware of their respective roles in the human body.

Learn More: Live Worksheets

17. Learn About The Cell Body

Learning about the parts of the cell body is a key step in understanding the building blocks of every major organ system.

Learn More: Starts At Eight

18. Build a Digestive System Maze

This fun, hands-on maze activity is a great way to teach kids about the digestive system and visually illustrate how food travels in the body.

Learn More: Little Ladoo

19. Learn About the Immune System

This compressive digital lesson covers the role of pathogens, disease transmission, antibodies, and the inflammatory response. It includes drag-and-drop matching activities as well as reading response challenges.

Learn More: Bright In The Middle

20. Learn How Bile Works

This simple science experiment demonstrates how bile from the liver helps to break down fat in the small intestine.

Learn More: Simple Southern